"outsiders" (school, land, education)

[Maine Writer]

Originally Posted by dramamama6685

I can identify. I don't plan on moving for quite some time, but already tried to become a member of Eastport's Stage East Theater Co. Alas, 'tis not meant to be. They require you to have been involved in a production first.

I seriously cannot wait to see you on stage. One of the two things I miss about living near Bangor is easy access to shows. We love dinner theater, plays and other productions.

[dramamama6685]

Originally Posted by Maine Writer

I seriously cannot wait to see you on stage. One of the two things I miss about living near Bangor is easy access to shows. We love dinner theater, plays and other productions.

Gosh... no pressure to live up to those expectations.

[willb]

Stageeast membership requires a 5.00 donation and then interest in a production. Half of the people who are members aren't in productions and half of the people in productions aren't members. Bill Breuer of Louisville, who can be googled, is directing Bell, Book and Candle this summer. He's really good to work with. The spring production never got off the ground, so there's
a real need for energy.

[amacop]

Originally Posted by BacktoNE

It's really quite simple. When you arrive in your new town, do not start your sentences with, "Back in (fill in name of previous town/state) we did things this way". That is the #1 sure fire way to alienate your new neighbors. Mainers like their State and don't want it to become NY or TX or anywhere else.

Get involved with community activities. The sooner people see you fitting in and helping out, the sooner you will lose your "from away" status.

Just be yourself, smile when you pass someone on the street or in the stores, say "hello" if it seems appropriate. You will be fine.

I have to agree here on this. If you can not forget where you came from or what it was like and not blend in to your new home then you will always be either "From AWAY" or a "GRANOLA" . Do not try and change the way folks live adapt to it You are making the choice to move here they are not forcing you to move here (unless your on the run or in the witness protection program) As the military taught me ädapt to your surrondings blend in and become a part of them do not stand out"
And as Ranger said GET RID OF YOUR OUT OF STATE PLATE ON DAY ONE

[Labamba]

Originally Posted by BacktoNE

Just be yourself, smile when you pass someone on the street or in the stores, say "hello" if it seems appropriate. You will be fine.

What would be your advice about making eye contact? (This is a real question.)

[Maineah]

Originally Posted by Labamba

What would be your advice about making eye contact? (This is a real question.)

Around here ...yes...do it it! If you don't people think you're up to something. Though don't try too hard, after initial eye contact some people won't even look at you while they're talking to you.(Me)

[Submariner]

I make eye contact with folks.

Obviously holding it too long seems to become offensive, but initially I think that all conversations start with eye contact. Intermittently through-out a conversation eye contact happens to re-affirm intent.

[Labamba]

Originally Posted by forest beekeeper

I make eye contact with folks.

Obviously holding it too long seems to become offensive, but initially I think that all conversations start with eye contact. Intermittently through-out a conversation eye contact happens to re-affirm intent.

I'm talking more about when you are just passing by them on a sidewalk (in the large cities) or on the wagon-wheel trails in the smaller towns.

[Maine Writer]

Originally Posted by amacop

I have to agree here on this. If you can not forget where you came from or what it was like and not blend in to your new home then you will always be either "From AWAY" or a "GRANOLA" .

And if you're really lucky and move to a small town you can be a granola from away (Bangor, not even the same county! )like me. As long as you don't try to make everything into what you left behind it's good. No matter what, if you're not from there you're from away. Whether someone fits in is probably 99% up to themselves.

[RMoore007]

Originally Posted by amacop

And as Ranger said GET RID OF YOUR OUT OF STATE PLATE ON DAY ONE

I'm practically a California native by now. Lived here since '80. When I visit Maine(home) each year, I will sometimes rent a car. Last Thanksgiving, I rented a car in Boston with Alabama plates. Several of my relatives in Dover said that you will be ok with those plates. As long as the plates aren't from CA, MA, CT or NY, you should be ok. I thought that this was a "Plate-ist" remark but didn't question it too much. I haven't lived there for 40 years so I usually just go along with what they all tell me. Conform to the norm of where you're not from.