I'm getting nervous - Will I be socially accepted in IF?

[Gunluvver2]

joox,
A small fluffy cat is OK for cuddling but to keep those Idaho wolves (2 legged kind) away a Rotweiler might be a better choice but since you are into kickboxing it might not be needed LOL.

GL2

[cleosmom]

If you're into kickboxing, that's easy to find here as well. I know a tiny 5'0 ft gal who holds world titles that lives right here in IF

[Count David]

Originally Posted by joox

David Aguilar & Fisherman 100:
I have no desire at all to isolate myself. That is part of the reason for my concern. I'm quite a social person so I'm not too worried about me isolating myself, I was concerned about others not wanting to be social with me.

Why? Because you're single? Childless? 30? Swedish?

You are not alone:
8,453 of IF residents have never been married (22.1%).
2,615 of IF residents are females living alone (5.2%) (not sure if this applies).
3,204 of IF residents are aged 30-34 (6.3%).
0 of IF residents were born in Sweden (at least as of 2000), LOL! Though, 93 speak a Scandinavian language at home, and 4.5% claim Swedish ancestry.

In my experience, I've found that when it comes to meeting new people the pressure is off if the people you are engaging are LESS like you.

I would be uncomfortable if I was around nothing but big, tall, 26 year old, US-born, English-speaking, married (with kids at home), middle-class, European/Mexican ancestored dudes who dropped out of college, AKA me.

In other words, you'll be fine, no matter where you go. Throw the social acceptance worries out the window, and just be yourself.

[NomadicBear]

Something tells me you're going to be just fine, joox. You may get more attention than you want.

[joox]

Originally Posted by NomadicBear

Something tells me you're going to be just fine, joox. You may get more attention than you want.

Thank you all for the encouraging words. I have given this a bit more thought and I realize that I - of course - overreacted. Come to think of it, I actually manage to get a few good friends this fall when I lived in NM. Why would it be any different just because I happen to live further north?

I guess that the only basis for my concern was that the only woman that really really couldn't stand being even remotely close to me happened to be a Mormon woman at work. It was probably just our personalities that didn't match, but I can't deny that her reaction to me freaked me out a bit. So I started to think. What if it's something with me that just simply offends Mormons? Yes, I know it is quite silly to think this way but I couldn't help it.

Anyway, after reading all your responses I have decided not to worry about it. And I made myself remember that the few people from Idaho Fall that I have met so far have been really nice and friendly. I think I'll do fine. I'm more or less convinced that I will.

[banjomike]

Hi, Joox...
Have no fears. Idaho Falls is a very friendly town, and you'll soon fit in just fine. We have folks from all over the world living here. And as always, the more a person gets out and around, the greater the chances are of finding a social group that really fits.

I've lived almost all my life on one of the numbered streets between S. Boiulevard and Holmes Ave., and I think you would find something there that would suit very well. Most are older homes, and the area is generally more settled than some other parts of town.

[joox]

banjomike -
Thank you, I'm actually not too worried. Especially not after all the responses I have got at this forum. As you said, I just have to make sure to get out there and meet people. It's really hard to find friends if I stay home (or work) all the time

I have been keeping an eye out for different rentals. I did visit Idaho Falls last August and a friend showed me an area by the numbered streets (around 10 I think). I liked it a lot. The same friend told me though that he wouldn't recommend me to live at streets below 9 and above 13, which doesn't leave much options for rentals. But, I haven't given up hope yet. And quite frankly, I think I would be happy almost anywhere.


/joox

[jja100]

Originally Posted by joox

It looks like I'm moving to Idaho Falls this summer. One would think that I should be nervous about moving from Europe to the USA, but I'm not. I have lived in different places in the US before and it have always worked out fine. So in a larger perspective I feel more excited than anything to get a chance to move back to the US. I have happened to have chosen a carrier that is not particularly well suited for where I'm from.

I wouldn't worry too much about it. I would recommend that you move to western or northern Idaho simply because there is a huge LDS population in Idaho Falls that might pressure you into converting. They are annoying no matter who you are or where you come from.

Originally Posted by joox

And yes, since I come from the evil socialistic country - Sweden, I'm both more of an democrat I guess (even though I'm regarded as a conservative Swede) and I'm not particularly religious. Don't get me wrong, I do have faith - but in my own way, which is nobody's business than my own.

I am European myself... My father was born in Italy and my mother France. I am a first generation American and at times I still don't understand American mentality. BTW, a conservative Swede is a socialist lol. Every time I go back to Europe the political parities are either communist or socialist and socialist is the right wing of them both.

Honestly, I don't think you will have any problems... just don't engage in political or religious conversations with anybody and you will likely not have any difficulties. It is kind of difficult for Europeans to understand that most of middle America has a lot of rough "blue-collar" origins that can survive off of the land and most of these people "hate" cities because they come with taxes.

Originally Posted by joox

Will anyone in Idaho Falls want to be friends with someone like me - the 30 year old childless Swedish woman that lives alone? I have never had any trouble getting to know people in the US before, but I have never lived in a such a small town as Idaho Falls and I have never lived anywhere closed Idaho (unless New Mexico is regarded as close )

I will be friends with you... I don't live in Idaho falls. Are you one of those gorgeous stereotypical blonde/blue-eyed Swedes?

Originally Posted by joox

...or do I need to adopt a few kids and a husband to be socially accepted?

Well I am here for that too lol

Originally Posted by joox

Sorry, I feel like I'm rambling. As silly as it might seem, I am a bit concerned about this. I am a social person that don't handle isolation too well.

/joox - the nervous Swede

You might want to go to Boise instead or Spokane, Washington if you have a choice simply because it is more urban and the politics in Washington is more in tuned with that of Sweden. Just a suggestion. I hope all is well with you and that you have a good time when you get to the states.