Are Pennsylvanians Angry, Aggressive People? (York, Clarion: fit in, living in, moving)

[IHATEPA!!!]

The majority of you have read my posts by now, and have gathered that I do not like the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania at all. And I still feel that a big reason why I don't like this state is the attitudes of the people.

I'm going to try and be as objective as I possibly can here. Not ALL people in PA are angry and aggressive. There are some pretty good folks in PA so far as I can see. Unfortunately, I feel a large portion of this state's residents suck, for lack of a better term. And they tend to suck BAD!

One way in particular I've noticed is that many folks out here in PA tend to have a chip on their shoulder and have an aggressive edge to them. You see that quite a bit in the seniors out here in particular.

Sometimes folks out here mean well, but when they want something, or try to discourage you from doing something, they will go on an all-out campaign to get their way. Pennsylvanians don't seem to know how to take "no" for an answer. They will coax, beg, strike deals, threaten and do anything they can to get you to see it their way! Most other folks will try once or twice to convince you of something in a difference of opinion, then leave it be once they see you are firm in your position. But not most PA residents! Oh, no! They will hammer away at you till the cows come home. Likely, that's their strategy, to wear you down until you comply.

I remember a friend of mine moved away from here to the Midwest to take a new job. His family and old friends here in PA tried relentlessly to get him to stay. One cousin in particular kept at him. When they were packing stuff into the Uhaul, this cousin kept arguing with him the whole time as to why he should stay. Part of the reason he wanted to leave also was because he was sick of PA and the overly conservative, living in the past atmosphere. The cousin kept telling him stuff like "The grass just looks greener on the other side." and "It'll be the same no matter where ya go!" It got to the point where my friend's wife and his cousin got into a major argument which almost came to blows.

Finally, as they were pulling out of the driveway in the Uhaul for the final time, the cousin stood there and yelled "YOU'LL BE BACK!!! 3 YEARS TOPS!!!"

Now, did the cousin mean well? Probably. I'm guessing the cousin thought the PA truly was a good place to live, and he would likely miss him and his family as well. But, is it necessary to spend all that time in some aggressive campaign to get him to stay? NO!

Also, as a postscript to this story, my friend and his family have been out there for close to 10 years now, and have enjoyed every minute of it, having no desire whatsoever to return to PA. They have been back a few times since for funerals and a family reunion, and every time, that cousin and other family members STILL try to get him to come back to PA! GIVE IT A REST ALREADY!!!

Also, I've noticed that many PA residents tend to put a high premium on being a hard-ass tough guy(or tough girl). So much so to the point where many of them tend to come across as mean bullies.

I think a big part of it is the fact that plenty of folks out here make their living in hard, blue-collar, industrial labor jobs, as did their parents, grandparents, etc.. For some reason, these people tend to make their job their whole identity as a human being. They just love to be tough and aggressive. And they all seem to LOVE their beer and liquor! It's not uncommon for these people to have the local tavern, FOE, etc. as their "second home". Plus, the profanity is off the charts. Almost literally every sentence has as least one cuss word in it! It appears that these people actively seek out conflict wherever and whenever they find it! They see it as "not taking **** from no one", but they seem to look for trouble.

Nothing against blue-collar industrial labor, but you don't need to be a hard-ass, drunken tough guy to make a living in it. I've known people who have worked in factories, mills, driven trucks, etc. who have NEVER cussed in their life and have never drank anything stronger than Mountain Dew!

I've always pointed out that the people involved are what truly make any enterprise function. So much so that the right people can make or break a place. Now, PA is a big state with 12.5 million people or so. And logically and common sense-wise not ALL of them fit in these categories. There are some GOOD people in PA too, I acknoweldge that! I've had the good fortune to be around them! But, to reiterate what I said in the beginning of this post, the people that suck here in PA tend to suck BADLY! Subsequently, if you have too many folks that suck badly in your midst, then the contributions of the good people aren't going to mean a whole lot.

I think that these types of people deep down are probably decent people, but their personality defects are, to me, a big reason why this state is a dumphole. Yeah, they're everywhere, but why is PA such a "hotbed" for these types of people?

So, in summation, the reason why I don't like PA is the attitudes of the people. 'Nuff said.

[toobusytoday]

I have no idea what part of PA you live in, but if you are so unhappy you should give serious thought to moving. I love Pennsylvania and personally don't really know any people like you are describing. I would also suggest looking for some new friends... These people that cuss a lot and act tough are not "everywhere".

[JRTurner]

I thnk you suffer from "projection".

You are the angry and aggressive person and you merely project that onto others because you won't face the fact that it's you that is the problem.

Your username is a dead give away to the hate and anger inside.

[sr1234]

It is strange that most people rip on conservatives in PA as being a negative when the rural conservative areas are the best part of the state. The liberal metro areas are the places filled with mean people.

[wanneroo]

It's probably not too worse than other places.

My mom's family is from western PA so I used to come up all the time when I was young and although the summers were nice, I couldn't help but get the feeling much of the state was living in the past and there were a lot of bitter people around due to that. Those people failed to change and evolve with the times and hence were a bit mad.

As an adult and having made the choice to come back, I found a part of the state I liked but that culturally and geographically was more linked to New York/New England than the rugged part of the rest of the state.

So certainly I think there are portions of the state living in the past who's unions let them down as they always do and that they failed to change with the times. In addition there is too much going on with welfare and other entitlements that are not helping either. No question the state could be better.

[North Beach Person]

I grew up in the McKean, Clarion, Forest and Jefferson Counties quadrangle and have been gone for 30 years. Most of the people I grew up with are moved, also. I have never run into people like the OP describes, except maybe 35 years ago in bars, when I go back and I'm there with my SoMD accent.
You want to see mean, self-absorbed, arrogant, bat **** crazy people hang out in the close-in DC suburbs.

[susquehannock]

sick of PA and the overly conservative, living in the past atmosphere

Another good example of the Liberal's double standards. They constantly preach tolerance, but they are really the intolerant ones.

the reason why I don't like PA is the attitudes of the people.

I just read about fourteen paragraphs of attitude.

I think a big part of it is the fact that plenty of folks out here make their living in hard, blue-collar, industrial labor jobs

Sheesh...talk about stereotyping people. Just remember this....Those are the type of folks who enlist and fight so you can have the right to express your superior attitude towards 'the little people.'

Well, I'm so sorry many of us are beneath you. Maybe you better move to some elitist liberal/progressive utopia somewhere.

I could give you some of the PA attitude you seem to resent, but I'm not lowering myself to your level. Besides, judging by your screed, you seem to invite the angry and aggressive people towards you.

[JRTurner]

Originally Posted by susquehannock

Besides, judging by your screed, you seem to invite the angry and aggressive people towards you.

+1

[toobusytoday]

Originally Posted by susquehannock

Another good example of the Liberal's double standards. They constantly preach tolerance, but they are really the intolerant ones.



I just read about fourteen paragraphs of attitude.




Sheesh...talk about stereotyping people. Just remember this....Those are the type of folks who enlist and fight so you can have the right to express your superior attitude towards 'the little people.'

Well, I'm so sorry many of us are beneath you. Maybe you better move to some elitist liberal/progressive utopia somewhere.

I could give you some of the PA attitude you seem to resent, but I'm not lowering myself to your level. Besides, judging by your screed, you seem to invite the angry and aggressive people towards you.

Pssst - some of us nice people are liberals too. I just hate stereotypes!

[susquehannock]

Originally Posted by toobusytoday

Pssst - some of us nice people are liberals too. I just hate stereotypes!

Yes indeed. But I just couldn't help picking out the irony in the OP's rant.