Regional Traditions

[njmom47]

I agree they are like two different states. There is a traffic circle 2 miles from my home! There are still some left. ETA, yes, we pronounce some food items different here, and drop some vowels (ie - cavatelli is gavadeel, capicola (sp) is gabagool), and we have no Italian bakeries (because 99% of all bakeries are Italian - think Cake Boss without the fancy cakes).

And we have real diners - open 24/7, all year long, with menus weighing 20 pounds. If you want a roast beef dinner or greek salad at 3 am - you got it!

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Finally! Someone else who knows the Chicken Dance! I am curious - is scrapple similar to goetta?

I've never heard of goetta, but Wikipedia says:

While similar to scrapple in that it contains a grain product and meat for the purpose of stretching out the meat over several days, goetta looks very different. Scrapple is made with meal while goetta uses steel-cut or chopped oats. The oats in goetta are much coarser than the fine powder used in scrapple and add texture to the dish.

I should also note I hate scrapple.

 

[Social Worker Sue]

Not to let this degenerate into a regional slugfest, but I'm sure that the reference had to do with reminding us that conspicious displays of "good manners" don't necessarily mean that one is a moral and upright person; there is always the possibility that a person can hide evil behind a facade of social respectibility.

THANK YOU! This is exactly what I was trying to say

 

[mamacatnv]

I used both "insinuate" and "assume" in my post.

"I like how people say 'sir' and 'ma'am' in the south" is very different than "Here's a list of things that are regionally-specific to my area: we have good manners." And "I like how people in the south strike up conversations with strangers in public places" is different than "People in the south are courteous. People from NY/NJ are generally rude and unfriendly." But things you like doesn't really even have a place in this thread, since it's "what's unique to your area" rather than "things you like about certain areas of the country."

I think it goes both ways. There's a whole lot of judgement in phrases like "We are courteous. They are rude."

You quoted me and pointed out my comment that I love the manners here in Texas. I didn't say, folks in Texas have better manners than anywhere else on the planet. I did not say that because I love the manners here in Texas everyone else on the planet is rude. I said none of that. I commented that I love the manners here in Texas. No insinuations towards anyone or anywhere else just that I love the manners here. I do, I find them charming and pleasant.

Exactly! Come on, people, own your comments. The posters who referred to manners know what they meant, so they should own their comments.

For example, how would people react if a poster (not me, of course, I would never be so inflammatory ) was to state, as a regional difference that they like/enjoy/value, "I like that we're well educated"? Or "I like that we have low rates of teen pregnancy"? Or "I like that we're not gun-crazed lunatics"? Or "I like that we have good diction and enunciation"? Or something equally benign that one might value about their region? How would those who are telling us not to "interpret" your comments choose to interpret and/or respond to those comments?

I would interpret them as either a statement based on some sort of statistic for your area or your own feelings regarding where you live.

I have owned my comments, a few times as a matter of fact. I know exactly what my comments meant and do not feel they were vague or muddy in context. You assume to know what I meant, but since you are not in my head, you cannot know what my intent truly was. Therefore, I for one explained my intent and you still can't let it go.

You continue to assume that my comments were some sort of insult to others. I called you out on your statement and you continue to insist I meant something that I did not say. I pointed out that you CHOSE to take them as a slight or insult to others, I pointed out that was not the case. Let it go

 

[BearcatsFan]

I've never heard of goetta, but Wikipedia says:

I should also note I hate scrapple.

Than you for the Wiki - it does sound similar. I love goetta, but I admit stuff like that is an acquired taste.

So do you all do the Chicken Dance at wedding receptions like we do?

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Than you for the Wiki - it does sound similar. I love goetta, but I admit stuff like that is an acquired taste.

So do you all do the Chicken Dance at wedding receptions like we do?

In the limited number of weddings I've been to, yes. I can't say it happens a lot, though.

 

[BearcatsFan]

In the limited number of weddings I've been to, yes. I can't say it happens a lot, though.

OMG here it's practically required, along with the Electric Slide and YMCA.

 

[design_mom]

So do you all do the Chicken Dance at wedding receptions like we do?

Very common here, but I'm not that far from you (Columbus). Common at my husband's family events (St. Louis), too, but they call it the "duck dance." Same music and moves though.

 

[sunshinehighway]

There are only a couple I can think of & I haven't read through the whole list.

First off -- "you guys" pretty much means a group of people

And then just learned this past year after doing college visits & then looking up the "you know you are from the Midwest when" things...

We answer "How far is that?" -- In TIME not distance. I never really thought about it but made perfect sense why I got strange looks when we were in MA & was asked how far away we lived from Chicago? My answer "About an hour west of it" -- this look then I corrected myself with "or about 40 miles". Luckily, I happened to know the mileage more or less because a lot of places I have no clue -- I can tell you how long it takes to get there but real mileage -- who knows!!

And the ever popular -- Where is your coat at? Where are your shoes at?

The rest I can think of, I think are things already common that people know are differences.

Actually in MA we do the same thing.

 

[BearcatsFan]

Very common here, but I'm not that far from you (Columbus). Common at my husband's family events (St. Louis), too, but they call it the "duck dance." Same music and moves though.

Too funny!

 

[tlkscott]

WV here, I discovered that not everyone puts slaw on their hotdogs.

 

[Bnb0627]

[NJ here!

Drink-Atoast/Tak-A-Boost/Boost- A drink that Is kind of like a flat soda. It's a sugary syrup that's mixed with water. Now they make Boost slushies love them!

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

I just thought of another one! In my hometown out in west Texas, we had Rodeo Day. It was an actual holiday that was the Friday of the start of the rodeo. All schools were out and many people didn't have to go to work. There was a parade and everything. Everyone went to the rodeo and there was a huge carnival along with the stock show.

 

[design_mom]

You quoted me and pointed out my comment that I love the manners here in Texas. I didn't say, folks in Texas have better manners than anywhere else on the planet. I did not say that because I love the manners here in Texas everyone else on the planet is rude. I said none of that. I commented that I love the manners here in Texas. No insinuations towards anyone or anywhere else just that I love the manners here. I do, I find them charming and pleasant.

I did. But just to be clear, it was that "manners" were claimed in a list of items that are supposedly regional to Texas, not that you love the manners, that I took issue with. I love good manners, too... whether they're from Ohio, or Texas, or New York.

I'm a native California married to a New Englander, who lived in Reno, NV for 19 years and 10 months ago moved to Central Texas:

Texas,
Besides the ones already mentioned:
The manners - I love love love the manners!

To be fair, I do notice now that you say "the manners" rather than simply "manners" or "good manners," which I suppose I can interpret to mean the specific way of showing politeness in your area, but it's awfully broad and vague. What behaviors do you find so charming that are not specific to other areas? We display good manners around here, too. Some people said that "good manners," courtesy, etc. are specific to their area...so, in retrospect, I apologize for grouping you with them.

Texas here! Everyone is a ma'am or sir from my 2 year old daughter to my 86 year old grandfather. It is not a sign of disrespect and you are likely to get in much trouble if you are a child and do not use those terms.

And, to be clear, I have *no* issues with this quote from Jenna above. That is a regional thing. Although it's clear from other posts that she considers it part of the "good manners" of the south, in this specific post, it is presented as a specific example of "this is what we do here" not "we have good manners here" or "we show respect for others." -- both of which imply superiority, not just difference.

 

[sunshinehighway]

We call thick milkshakes frappes (pronounced "frap"). You can get them at Friendly's (although there aren't too many Friendlys left).

 

[alex9179]

At the grocery store today, I saw cascarones for sale! An Easter tradition down here. Again, not sure if it's Texas wide but I would be surprised if it's not. I had never heard about it growing up in Missouri. Blown out egg shells are filled with confetti and on Easter you crack 'em over each others' heads. Lots of people sell their home-made versions after working on their inventory all year.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

I did. But just to be clear, it was that "manners" were claimed in a list of items that are supposedly regional to Texas, not that you love the manners, that I took issue with. I love good manners, too... whether they're from Ohio, or Texas, or New York.



To be fair, I do notice now that you say "the manners" rather than simply "manners" or "good manners," which I suppose I can interpret to mean the specific way of showing politeness in your area, but it's awfully broad and vague. What behaviors do you find so charming that are not specific to other areas? We display good manners around here, too. Some people said that "good manners," courtesy, etc. are specific to their area...so, in retrospect, I apologize for grouping you with them.



And, to be clear, I have *no* issues with this quote from Jenna above. That is a regional thing. Although it's clear from other posts that she considers it part of the "good manners" of the south, in this specific post, it is presented as a specific example of "this is what we do here" not "our manners are better than yours because we do this."

I'm wanting to make sure I am understanding correctly here. Are you saying that my other posts had me saying that our manners in Texas are better than the manners in other regions of the country? I will fully admit that we do teach children here to say "ma'am" and "sir" as a sign of respect and that I find respect to be good manners; therefore, in most cases, "ma'am" and "sir" are meant as good manners down here. However, I do not feel at all that because we say those and other places don't, that means we are better behaved, have better manners, or have a lock on good manners at all. It's just what is done here out of respect. If someone from the south doesn't say it, it can be interpreted as bad manners just because of how they were brought up. If a person from say Seattle doesn't say it, it is rarely ever seen as disrespectful.

 

[design_mom]

I'm wanting to make sure I am understanding correctly here. Are you saying that my other posts had me saying that our manners in Texas are better than the manners in other regions of the country? I will fully admit that we do teach children here to say "ma'am" and "sir" as a sign of respect and that I find respect to be good manners; therefore, in most cases, "ma'am" and "sir" are meant as good manners down here. However, I do not feel at all that because we say those and other places don't, that means we are better behaved, have better manners, or have a lock on good manners at all. It's just what is done here out of respect. If someone from the south doesn't say it, it can be interpreted as bad manners just because of how they were brought up. If a person from say Seattle doesn't say it, it is rarely ever seen as disrespectful.

I believe you did have a post saying "there are good and bad manners everywhere" and I agree with you -- but in a word, yes... I believe that you and several others have directly said or have strongly implied that "southern manners" are the epitome of good manners, and superior to other parts of the country.

I don't mean to pin it *all* on you because I know you were not the first, nor only, nor even the most pointed. And the reason I quoted your first post was because I didn't get that feeling *at all* from your first post. It was merely an indication of how things are done near you, not a judgement call on whether sir/ma'am was better/worse manners than somewhere else.

I agree with you that being respectful is good manners. Answering "huh?" or "what?" or "yeah, whatever" probably isn't the height of good manners anywhere. However, I don't think "yes, ma'am" is any more respectful than a polite "yes, please" or "yes, Mrs. Smith" or any other number of options. Respectfulness is a good thing, but "Yes, ma'am" is just different, not more respectful. And just saying "ma'am" does not *make* it respectful, if the intention isn't there (just like saying "please" doesn't make something polite if you're sneering while you say it.)

From your most recent post, it appears that I have misunderstood your meaning. I agree that the south does not have a lock on good manners (nor does any other area of the country.)

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

I believe you did have a post saying "there are good and bad manners everywhere" and I agree with you -- but in a word, yes... I believe that you and several others have directly said or have strongly implied that "southern manners" are the epitome of good manners, and superior to other parts of the country.

I don't mean to pin it *all* on you because I know you were not the first, nor only, nor even the most pointed. And the reason I quoted your first post was because I didn't get that feeling *at all* from your first post. It was merely an indication of how things are done near you, not a judgement call on whether sir/ma'am was better/worse manners than somewhere else.

I agree with you that being respectful is good manners. Answering "huh?" or "what?" or "yeah, whatever" probably isn't the height of good manners anywhere. However, I don't think "yes, ma'am" is any more respectful than a polite "yes, please" or "yes, Mrs. Smith" or any other number of options. Respectfulness is a good thing, but "Yes, ma'am" is just different, not more respectful.

I would like to see which of my posts you feel that I was saying that the south has superior manners to the rest of the country.

 

[A_Princess'_Daddy]

You quoted me and pointed out my comment that I love the manners here in Texas. I didn't say, folks in Texas have better manners than anywhere else on the planet. I did not say that because I love the manners here in Texas everyone else on the planet is rude. I said none of that. I commented that I love the manners here in Texas. No insinuations towards anyone or anywhere else just that I love the manners here. I do, I find them charming and pleasant.

I would interpret them as either a statement based on some sort of statistic for your area or your own feelings regarding where you live.

I have owned my comments, a few times as a matter of fact. I know exactly what my comments meant and do not feel they were vague or muddy in context. You assume to know what I meant, but since you are not in my head, you cannot know what my intent truly was. Therefore, I for one explained my intent and you still can't let it go.

You continue to assume that my comments were some sort of insult to others. I called you out on your statement and you continue to insist I meant something that I did not say. I pointed out that you CHOSE to take them as a slight or insult to others, I pointed out that was not the case. Let it go

Wow, solipsistic much?