Regional Traditions

[Turn the Page]

Well, all the New Yorkers that do this have moved to south Florida and they still do it here, too. We have so many snowbirds and retirees from New York/NJ/New England, this area is often referred to as the "southernmost borough of New York." There was a lady behind me at the post office, OBVIOUSLY from that part of the country due to her loud accent, who was standing what must have felt like a millimeter behind me!


Most southerners tend to be more friendly and talkative in public places. Like at the grocery store - people are a little more courteous. Down here (basically NY/NJ at the beach), people are generally pretty rude and unfriendly in public places.

And this is not the only post saying something less than complimentary toward northerners either. I assumed this was a thread about regional differences. Apparently it wasn't. My apologies.

 

[indygirl99]

I was an army brat so I usually confounded people who would ask "where are you from" My answer was always "the United States".

Now I get "You're not from here are you" alot. I have a shall we say different accent.

Some things that come to my mind: When I first worked at the hospital in Maine I was told to go get a johnny for a patient and when I came back with the bedside commode I got strange looks. Seems a johnny is a patient gown not a toilet.

In Wisconsin I would hear "we are going to the store you want to go with".

In Texas someone asked me if I would carry her to the store. Umm you are 10 months pregnant, I will drive you to the store.

Also in Texas they talk about going out of the country for the weekend Meaning out of state.

Texans also say y'all and all of y'all.

Not everyone who lives in Utah is Mormon. I get asked that alot when people find out I lived in Utah for 5 years.

In Portland Oregon you immediately get pegged as a tourist if you are carrying an umbrella. Seems eventhough it rains 9 months out of the year there natives do not carry umbrellas they just walk faster.

I'm sure I will think of more as I have been around alot. Love this thread.

 

[A_Princess'_Daddy]

Not sure why you felt the need to attack an entire region and it's residents. That to me is rude. This is a lighthearted thread about cultures and traditions specific to a region. No reason to be so condescending. Btw, all four adults in this house are mighty proud of our southern history but know the role Kentucky played in the civil war. There are plenty of people in the south that are very knowledgeable about history.

Here's the thing, you pretty much prove his/her point with your response. Throughout the thread there have been statements (not by you, but by other posters) that the South has "manners," "better manners," or is "more polite," which implies, by nature of the fact that it's a thread discussing regional differences, that Northerners are inferior in the matter of manners. The poster to whom you are replying was quite direct in his refutation of that perception, which fits the Northern stereotype of being more direct, but the underlying message was the same, i.e. "my" region's manners are better than "your" region's manners. So I think the regional difference again boils down to how we handle conflict; aggressively or passive-aggressively.

BTW, I am not endorsing his/her opinion of the South's knowledge of history. I can say with confidence that every born and bred Southerner I have ever met is well versed in their history!

 

[Minnesota!]

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada is the home of the social. Oh man, so many people are about to be so offended.

A social is an event that is held before someone's wedding to help with costs. Tickets are $10. You also pay for your booze. There is a silent auction and a 'perfume' raffle as well. There is a dj for the whole evening and social food and coffee are provided, usually around 11 pm. Social food is cheeses, meats, pickles, and always, always rye bread.

It's always a hoot, unless you get stuck at a social with only 50 people or so. They are usually held in a community club so average attendance is 200 or so. You don't even have to know the people to go. You just have to know someone selling tickets. I've been to many friends of friends of coworkers socials. They are usually held in the winter which is good because we are sick of being holed up and are always ready for a party!

Waiting to be called tacky in 3..2..1..

that actually sounds like a lot of fun!!

South Louisiana has its own traditions! We have a festival for everything. we eat foods no one would think of. boudain, hog head cheese, crawfish! If it moves, we will try to cook it.
We drink Coke. The rear of the car is the trunk. An friday night football is required.

What else would the rear be? I have never heard it called anything but...

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.

Sounds a lot like MN. Ending sentences with "at", directions in time vs. miles, and my coworker says "youse guys..." all the time

 

[emma'smom]

I call mozzerella "mutsa-rehl" and people never know what I mean. Also, the first time I ordered pizza out here (now in the midwest from NYC--and my husband grew up in Astoria) we called and ask for a large pie--and were told they didn't sell pie.

I also ordered coffee "very light" and they only put a drop of creamer in it. I kept saying "I said very light"...and they just stared at me. Finally someone explained what I meant! =)

Nobody out here eats hotdogs with mustard and kraut.....but they should!

I learned fast not to bother ordered "bagel and a schmear".....

Now that we live in Ohio, my children are raised on their own traditions:
If anyone says "O, H" they call back "I, O".....

I'm from a small italian neighborhood in Queens.

-We kiss everyone on the cheek when we meet new people or greet friends and family. Other than in the working atmosphere I've never shaken hands when meeting someone new. I went on a date with a guy from Kansas a few months ago and kissed him Hello on the cheek and he didn't know what to do. I now realize most people don't do this lol.

-Sunday dinners are very important and a way for the family to get together. It's always pasta, some meat and salad. Usually pastries to follow.

-We don't call it 'Italian food'. Eggplant parm and spaghetti is just every day food to us.

-We pronounce calamari as gah-Le-mauhd. Marinara is maht-tin-natta. Ricotta is ri-gawth. Everyone knows what you mean when you pronounce it that way. If you say it the way it is usually pronounced we assume you are either not italian or not from NY. It's not the same in Manhattan, if we're dining there we say it the regular way not to confuse waiters.

I'm trying to think of more.

 

[Turn the Page]

Here's the thing, you pretty much prove his/her point with your response. Throughout the thread there have been statements (not by you, but by other posters) that the South has "manners," "better manners," or is "more polite," which implies, by nature of the fact that it's a thread discussing regional differences, that Northerners are inferior in the matter of manners. The poster to whom you are replying was quite direct in his refutation of that perception, which fits the Northern stereotype of being more direct, but the underlying message was the same, i.e. "my" region's manners are better than "your" region's manners. So I think the regional difference again boils down to how we handle conflict; aggressively or passive-aggressively.

BTW, I am not endorsing his/her opinion of the South's knowledge of history. I can say with confidence that every born and bred Southerner I have ever met is well versed in their history!

I fully admit that northerners, and me in particular, tend to be much more direct than southerners. I know it often grates on them. It's just a regional difference.

And again, I didn't say all southerners didn't know anything about their history, it just surprised me how many didn't. Of course I lived in a very small town with a very terrible school system. Perhaps that was why I saw so many that were like that.

 

[luvflorida]

I love these threads.

In the Boston area, we have Jimmies. (Chocolate sprinkles on ice cream.)

We have the "T", which is the public transportation system.

Red Sox Nation extends to all of New England and beyond. You just have to be a Red Sox fan. "Love That Dirty Water (Boston You're My Home)!" We also play Sweet Caroline at games and everyone sings. ("Buh, buh, buh!")

"Spuckies" are a type of submarine sandwich.

We also like "Chowdah". Oh, and speaking of accents:


Nor can it ever really be correctly portrayed in movies by non-natives, with few exceptions.

Driving in Boston is legendary.

To name a few.

Native New Englander here. You are so right about actors not being able to correctly do a New England accent! Many try, but only a few can pull it off. My father was born and raised in South Boston, and you want to talk about an accent! In Maine, we grew up with Hoodsie Cups (and jimmies!), Devil Dogs, vinegar on fries, and soda was often referred to as tonic (mostly by older adults). The water fountain was the "bubblah" and when it rained we wore our "slickahs".

Also, Nissen donuts! They make the best chocolate donuts with granulated sugar and powdered sugar.

And speaking of the accent, I guess it doesn't completely leave you, even when you don't think you have one. Living in Arizona, I can't tell you how many people have pegged us as being from New England the second we open our mouths! Honestly, I never thought I had an accent! We have a grandson named Carter, and our daughter has always said that if we were still living in Maine, she never would have named him that, because everyone would call him "Cahtah"!

The funny thing is, I want our grandkids to grow up knowing their New England roots, so I'm always telling them a bit about growing up back East. Carter now likes to tell everyone, "I'm Cahtah and I'm going to drive my cah to gramma and grampa's house and pahk it!"

And the biggest one that got to me: People stop for yellow lights in Iowa!

Forget the yellow lights. In Boston, even the red lights aren't a hard and fast rule, but more like a suggestion!

 

[Social Worker Sue]

Also, I found southern people to be very touchy. They are really easy to tick off

Not sure why you felt the need to attack an entire region and it's residents. That to me is rude. This is a lighthearted thread about cultures and traditions specific to a region. No reason to be so condescending. Btw, all four adults in this house are mighty proud of our southern history but know the role Kentucky played in the civil war. There are plenty of people in the south that are very knowledgeable about history.

This made me laugh. Touchy? Yes we are. Proof above by twinboysmom

I am from the south and honestly, I agree with what Turn The Page wrote.

The older I get, I realize we aren’t really that polite. We are taught to smile and agree to your face. But we will talk about you behind your back. Then we will turn around and be as sweet as pie to you the next day. It’s a game. Not manners. Our grandmothers were masters of this

I think this is what people are saying when they say that what is considered being polite in one regions may seem rude in other regions.

As for traditions, I remember doing cakewalks at church festivals as a child.

 

[A_Princess'_Daddy]

I fully admit that northerners, and me in particular, tend to be much more direct than southerners. I know it often grates on them. It's just a regional difference.

And again, I didn't say all southerners didn't know anything about their history, it just surprised me how many didn't. Of course I lived in a very small town with a very terrible school system. Perhaps that was why I saw so many that were like that.

Trust me, I can relate. I'm an Ivy-league educated, ultra-liberal pacifist from Massachusetts who has spent his career first in academia and now in investment banking and I don't shy away from stating my opinions loudly and proudly.

I'm barely tolerated in the North so needless to say the South doesn't love me!

 

[emma'smom]

I still do this....and we are in the mid-west. There will always only be one "the city"....

..and we took the "train" not the subway....

Manhattan is referred to as "the city". Where do you work? "the city" Where are you going on saturday? "the city"
:

 

[Turn the Page]

This made me laugh. Touchy? Yes we are. Proof above by twinboysmom

I am from the south and honestly, I agree with what Turn The Page wrote.

The older I get, I realize we arent really that polite. We are taught to smile and agree to your face. But we will talk about you behind your back. Then we will turn around and be as sweet as pie to you the next day. Its a game. Not manners. Our grandmothers were masters of this

I think this is what people are saying when they say that what is considered being polite in one regions may seem rude in other regions.

As for traditions, I remember doing cakewalks at church festivals as a child.

When I first moved down there I was blown away by how polite and friendly everyone was. Then about six months later the bloom came off the rose as it were and people started showing me how they really were. It was odd and quite a shock at first.

ETA: I thought about point out that what I said about being touchy and easily offended was obviously true but refrained for fear of being banned lol.

 

[luvflorida]

I forgot about Dunkin Donuts. Someone earlier in this thread mentioned a Dunkin Donuts every few miles. Actually, it's more like every few feet.

We always get a kick out of landing at Boston's Logan Airport and one of the first thing passengers see when arriving is an arrow on the floor pointing the way to a Dunkin Donuts stand. Yep, we're back home!

 

[A_Princess'_Daddy]

Forget the yellow lights. In Boston, even the red lights aren't a hard and fast rule, but more like a suggestion!

Exactly! Or how when the light turns green in Boston, the first car in line is allowed to turn left in front of on-coming traffic, and because everybody knows the rule, it works. I tried that when I first moved here and nearly died!

Driving in Boston fit my Type-A personality perfectly, but I'll probably add ten years back to my life driving in Iowa just because of the fewer spikes in my blood pressure means less risk of having a stroke!

 

[christineann]

Sorry if I offended the poster when I said that some refer to the Civil War as "The War of Northern Aggression" as a joke - clearly a misunderstanding of my post. The joke is the reference, not the war itself, and is directed at those who have a distorted stereotype of Southerners. We find humor in the stereotypes of us and don't take ourselves too seriously

Regional traditions around here include The Blessing of the Fleet (shrimp boats), parades with hometown heroes and high school bands, dogs playing in pluff mud, Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka and local favorite, Darius Rucker.

 

[twinboysmom]

When I first moved down there I was blown away by how polite and friendly everyone was. Then about six months later the bloom came off the rose as it were and people started showing me how they really were. It was odd and quite a shock at first.

ETA: I thought about point out that what I said about being touchy and easily offended was obviously true but refrained for fear of being banned lol.

We are not all easily offended. I am offended when you post a generalization about an entire region. And then to top it off, you imply that we are ignorant regarding civil war history. So feel free to call me touchy if you wish. But you didn't like it when you felt that your region was being called rude. You called mine much more than that.

 

[Turn the Page]

Sorry if I offended the poster when I said that some refer to the Civil War as "The War of Northern Aggression" as a joke - clearly a misunderstanding of my post. The joke is the reference, not the war itself, and is directed at those who have a distorted stereotype of Southerners. We find humor in the stereotypes of us and don't take ourselves too seriously

Regional traditions around here include The Blessing of the Fleet (shrimp boats), parades with hometown heroes and high school bands, dogs playing in pluff mud, Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka and local favorite, Darius Rucker.

Not sure why you felt the need to attack an entire region and it's residents. That to me is rude. This is a lighthearted thread about cultures and traditions specific to a region. No reason to be so condescending. Btw, all four adults in this house are mighty proud of our southern history but know the role Kentucky played in the civil war. There are plenty of people in the south that are very knowledgeable about history.

I'm confused.

 

[Turn the Page]

As a side note does anyone remember that episode of the Golden Girls when Blanche was trying to join the Daughters of the Confederacy but was rejected because some relative three or four generations back was a Yankee? That episode always cracked me up.

 

[christineann]

I'm not sure why I was quoted.

As for Golden Girls, Blanche was one of the funniest stereotypes I've ever seen. Laughter is a good thing.

 

[Turn the Page]

We are not all easily offended. I am offended when you post a generalization about an entire region. And then to top it off, you imply that we are ignorant regarding civil war history. So feel free to call me touchy if you wish. But you didn't like it when you felt that your region was being called rude. You called mine much more than that.

I didn't say I minded being called rude. I believe I said that yes, we are much more direct than southerners tended to be. I also said a shocking number of people knew next to nothing about the history of their home region not that everybody knew nothing about it.

 

[Turn the Page]

I'm not sure why I was quoted.

As for Golden Girls, Blanche was one of the funniest stereotypes I've ever seen. Laughter is a good thing.

I only quoted you because you said southerners found humor in the southern stereotypes and don't take yourselves too seriously and was just juxtaposing that against twinboysmom.