Dispelling Myths About Where You Live.

[chef free]

Well uh yeah Oakland.

[Bong-Man]

It doesnt sound like you two will be meeting for a drink at the local Detroit watering holes anytime soon. ha. I have not heard good things either. My daughter's best friends parents are from the region though and she graduated from Michagan state. Now in Chicago. Known for the auto industry for sure, but the inner city he is probably pretty right on the money describing it from what pictures I have seen. I have only been to the airport to change planes. That is the extent of my Detroit visit. There are good and bad things about all cities. Detroit is poverty and crime stricken for sure. I have no reason to ever ggo there.. Would prefer to stay alive a bit longer. Lake Michigan is a beautiful place. My daughter used to her friends cottage there and all I know is she had to fly into Grand Rapids to get there.

I have no problems with Matt....there's lots of folks who feel that way. The problem is that most of what is reported is way overblown. Sure the inner city looks like hell....but no one lives there anymore. Neighborhoods that once rivaled the worst in America no longer exist. It's not a recent occurance. Detroit's inner city was America's ash tray for a century....huge factories that kicked out toxic waste when no one even yet knew or cared what it was. Most of the areas of blight were wood homes that weren't designed to last a generation....that's why they burned so well. For the most part, the city was designed to be as disposable as the cars we built.

When it comes to Detroit, everyone wants to show you this when it fits their political agenda....Like we're some kind of failed social experiment.

...while this remains hidden. The folks who made money off the poor have to live somewhere, and they haven't gone far.

Funny thing.....that Lake Michigan water ends up flowing right past my house and yours too.

[Bong-Man]

I don't have any myths to dispell, because when I tell people I'm from South Dakota, the response is always "Huh? Where's that?"

South Dakota....where they cut the highway grass to actually use it. Been there many times since I was a kid and love the place. One thing I've noticed in South Dakota is the difference between a dry year and a wet one. It can be a totally different place when you get some rain. Lost a trailer to a tornado in the Badlands....been in all the caves....laughed at the Corn Palace...saw wild horses and buffalo....and always avoid Rushmore like the plague. Tried to plan a Winter trip to ski at Terry Peak a few years ago, but in the end I chickened out. Being caught on I-90 in a Winter storm doesn't seem too appealing. I can only guess those snow gates on the highway are there for a reason.

[silvermedalist]

I have no problems with Matt....there's lots of folks who feel that way. The problem is that most of what is reported is way overblown. Sure the inner city looks like hell....but no one lives there anymore. Neighborhoods that once rivaled the worst in America no longer exist. It's not a recent occurance. Detroit's inner city was America's ash tray for a century....huge factories that kicked out toxic waste when no one even yet knew or cared what it was. Most of the areas of blight were wood homes that weren't designed to last a generation....that's why they burned so well. For the most part, the city was designed to be as disposable as the cars we built.

When it comes to Detroit, everyone wants to show you this when it fits their political agenda....Like we're some kind of failed social experiment.

...while this remains hidden. The folks who made money off the poor have to live somewhere, and they haven't gone far.

Funny thing.....that Lake Michigan water ends up flowing right past my house and yours too.

I will have to ask her where that cottage was. I think there is an Island somewhere there and its an hour or less drive from Grand Rapids. Hey, did you ever think the day would come when the Lions may be the best team in Motown for one year? I think they are going to be better and will fight for a wild card perhaps. The Red Wings are always good but have some big changes going on and who knows who is staying? The Tigers are in the race and I just am shocked as every time I look it seems like they are losing, yet they are right there with Cleveland. Another city with a bad rap. You will find good and bad neighborhoods in any city.

[jabe]

A couple more about the Heart of Dixie.

Contrary to popular belief, fried chicken is not the state bird. However, mac and cheese is considered a vegetable.

"Swate tay" not "sweet tea" is the official beverage. Lakey bullseyed this one.

Kudzu does not occupy the state vine alone. Include poison ivy.

We have the most honest politicians in the lower 48 that money can buy.

[Goldilocks]

Myths and Facts about Texas:

- We do not all wear cowboy hats. In fact, I was born and raised here and have never seen a man wear a cowboy hat in everyday life. They are only worn at rodeos (or were regularly worn at nightclubs and parties in the early 80's during the "Urban Cowboy" craze.)

- We are not all rednecks.

- We are not all die-hard country music fans.

- Most Texans do speak with a Texas drawl. (Depending in what region of Texas you grew up determines just how "long" of a drawl one has.) Only native Texans have a drawl. Transplants don't usually have an accent.

- Most of us say "ya'll." (see above.)

- We call all soft drinks "coke".

- It indeed, does get very hot here in the summer.

- Chuck Norris really does live in Texas.

[Goldilocks]

I guess you've never been pulled over by a State Trooper then. Even the women wear cowboy hats in their everyday life.

Oh good lord! I was referrering to people wearing cowboy hats everyday in the context of say, like this:

[Silver Rider]

Here in Nevada, the bulls aren't as stupid as you might think.

[BonzoLikeDrumer]

I hate to say it....but there all true....my home state, backwards and behind but it's ok they put up with the likes of me so I cant complain.

[Jahfin]

I hate to say it....but there all true....my home state, backwards and behind but it's ok they put up with the likes of me so I cant complain.

Can't say it's true of where I live in NC (Raleigh). Head to Johnston County though and it's a whole other world...

[Deborah J]

I llive in New Orleans, Lousiana ... Where all the myths are reality, baby!

^^I grew up there and you are correct!! :-)

I am a tranplant of Atlanta- lived here for 5 years from 1991-1996, then moved back here in 2006.

Most people are not from here.

People do not all speak with a southern accent.

We have a diversity of people, rednecks to business people.

We do not all eat peaches- in fact about the only time I Eat a Peach is when playing the Allman Brothers!

Home of several great companies.

We have a great airport and even though we think Delta stands for Dont Expect Luggage To Arrive- we still fly Delta!

Love our tea (iced).

[Walter]

We do not all eat peaches- in fact about the only time I Eat a Peach is when playing the Allman Brothers!

Actually South Carolina is a greater producer of peaches than the "Peach State", Georgia.

[bouillon]

• We don't all love The Beatles
• We don't all look & sound like Terry-Thomas
• We don't all tug our forelocks to the Royal Family
• We don't all have bad teeth
• We don't all turn the lights out before we have sex
• We're not all quasi-New England sophisticates. Most of us are boorish peasants, just like you.
• No, we don't know your friend who lives in Birmingham.

[Cammie]

i don't have a koala as a pet, and there aren't any kangaroos bounding down the street in sydney

We DO get a few kanga's up here on the North coast..and I HAVE had them in the yard and on the street.

BUT...not all of us on the Northern NSW coast/Nimbin area are dope smoking hippies, contrary to popular belief.

[slave to zep]

We DO get a few kanga's up here on the North coast..and I HAVE had them in the yard and on the street.

BUT...not all of us on the Northern NSW coast/Nimbin area are dope smoking hippies, contrary to popular belief.

hi cammie

yeah, i'm originally from the central west, and there were heaps of kangaroos around the town. we had a little sanctuary on a hill in the town where they had roos and emus living.

however, that's not quite like sydney!

you're not a dope head???? hahaha

[silvermedalist]

I live in central Vermont.

Native Vermonters generally do not ski. If we go outside in the winter its to shovel or bring in wood, not to play sports.

We all do not tap tree's for sap

Syrup does NOT come out of trees. Syrup is what happens when you BOIL sap

Ben and Jerry are not native Vermonters. Vermonters are generally too poor to buy gourmet ice creams.

We do not all live on farms and hug trees and play with cows...

We are not all smelly hippies living in geodesic domes.

We ARE quiet and thrifty by nature.

Many of us like our music loud. Name our cars and generally have 2 per person (1 for winter, 1 for the other 2 months)

We have more Atheist per capita than any other state.

The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) ranks Vermont #1 in public education

2 US presidents were native Vermonters...can you name them?

A real Vermont home has some Tyvek showing somewhere.

Couldn't tell you if we are racist, since we have so few minorities. (less than 03 percent)

Lots of famous people have their second homes here. Because we are still very quaint in many areas. We all know who there are, where they live and run into them at the general store. But we don't talk about it on forums.

Rudyard Kipling wrote the Jungle book here.

We LOVE our John Deere tractors (yes, stereotype confirmed) John himself was born here! (sometimes I mow, when I don't have too, just rid the tractor!)

I went to Vermont when I was 13 years old. To a cottage with a chillhood friend. It was on a Lake Wallace to my memory. Forty years ago. The best half hour of fishing in my life for Bass perhaps. It was near the border of New Hampshire, and Connicticut and Canada so they said. Those that owned it are long dead. It was beautiful to see the green mountains. Never will forget it.

[BonzoLikeDrumer]

Can't say it's true of where I live in NC (Raleigh). Head to Johnston County though and it's a whole other world...

Yup, I've been to Johnston County...ever been to Alamance County? The bigger city's most anywhere will/can be the exception to any large area of local social/cultural behavior. This is because of the vast numbers of people in these metropolises, and there is always a lot of different cultures represented in these large city's too.

[Walter]

My family has some deep roots in Vermont. I spent my first 15 summers up there on Lake Champlain @ Long Point. My great aunt still lives in Bristol and my great-great grandmother served in the Vernont state legislator. Beautiful place!

Peace.

I live in central Vermont.

Native Vermonters generally do not ski. If we go outside in the winter its to shovel or bring in wood, not to play sports.

We all do not tap tree's for sap

Syrup does NOT come out of trees. Syrup is what happens when you BOIL sap

Ben and Jerry are not native Vermonters. Vermonters are generally too poor to buy gourmet ice creams.

We do not all live on farms and hug trees and play with cows...

We are not all smelly hippies living in geodesic domes.

We ARE quiet and thrifty by nature.

Many of us like our music loud. Name our cars and generally have 2 per person (1 for winter, 1 for the other 2 months)

We have more Atheist per capita than any other state.

The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) ranks Vermont #1 in public education

2 US presidents were native Vermonters...can you name them?

A real Vermont home has some Tyvek showing somewhere.

Couldn't tell you if we are racist, since we have so few minorities. (less than 03 percent)

Lots of famous people have their second homes here. Because we are still very quaint in many areas. We all know who there are, where they live and run into them at the general store. But we don't talk about it on forums.

Rudyard Kipling wrote the Jungle book here.

We LOVE our John Deere tractors (yes, stereotype confirmed) John himself was born here! (sometimes I mow, when I don't have too, just rid the tractor!)

[Pagefan55]

I'm not sure what stereotypes exist about Virginians in particular, so I'll just say that Virginians are hard working, intelligent, friendly, helpful, extremely welcoming and polite/kind. We have mountains, beaches, horse farms, beautiful countrysides, arguably the most beautiful fall foliage anywhere , and plenty of art, culture, business, top notch education and more. And an incredibly rich history.

And on a lighter note, for those of you who watched The Waltons, we don't do the goodnight thing, we don't wear overalls and we don't all name our children double names (John Boy, Jim Bob etc).

This is a great description of Virginia, Virginia. As you know, our state has witnessed a huge influx of "damn Yankees" over the years, lol, but we've survived, and I can tell you that Richmond still remains largely a polite, somewhat sleepy quintessentially Southern town. With the possible exception of the "double names" you mentioned, I don't think Virginia has many state-specific negative stereotypes.

[Virginia]

This is a great description of Virginia, Virginia. As you know, our state has witnessed a huge influx of "damn Yankees" over the years, lol, but we've survived, and I can tell you that Richmond still remains largely a polite, sleepy quintessentially Southern town. With the possible exception of the "double names" you mentioned, I don't think Virginia has many state-specific negative stereotypes.

Very true; I love Richmond; we go there fairly often! We also don't all talk like Foghorn Leghorn either; I see that on tv a lot.

[scylla]

Most days, it doesn't rain.

A lot of us (a significant proportion of the men and probably most of the women) couldn't care less about football.

The current government is a Liberal / Conservative coalition. Contrary to what a lot of Americans have told me, it's not "socialist".

Guns are not completely banned. If you have a reason to have one, like you shoot for sport, you apply for a license and you can have one (subject to checks. No-one with a history of criminality, mental instability or violence). The police get issued with them in situations where suspects are known (or likely) to have them.

About 9% of us are Catholics (once knew a South American who refused to believe this, insisting it'd been outlawed). People in line to the throne have to be Church of England; the Prime Minister does not (same person, a couple of years later).

Walking through central Glasgow in the middle of the day is not dangerous. They will not actually rip your throat out on sight for having a non-Glaswegian accent or not having tattoos on your face. Chill. Get a cappuccino. They have them now.

England, Scotland and Wales are all part of the UK; the terms "England" and "the United Kingdom" or "Britain" are not interchangeable. This can be a quick route to offending the Scottish (or Scots; never "Scotch") and Welsh. Northern Irish people are British whether they like it or not, but a lot of them don't, so don't call them that unless you're sure. Don't make assumptions about the religion of Irish people. The Irish Republic is a separate country. And, no, dopey girl I met in a pub at the time of the Olympics, they don't "just compete on the same team with Britain".

You don't go through border control when passing from England into Scotland or Wales. (That was a Thai acquaintance).

Private medicine does exist.

The teeth are really not as bad as they used to be.

[Pagefan55]

Nice post, Scylla. The Catholic Church has been outlawed? Border controls? Hahahaha....

[jimjam]

We're not all stupid in Birmingham, even if some of our accents would lead you to think otherwise. Please judge me on the person I am, and not where I'm from.

[SozoZoso]

Ok, here it goes...Living in bright and breezy Belfast (ho hum)

* I don't live in a irish cottage type house and have someone in my family that plays a fiddle.

* We don't have leperchauns living a the bottom of our garden, in fact I don't even want to know what is in the bottom of our garden as it is overgrown and I think Lord Lucan may be lurking there.

* I don't dodge bullets/bombs every time I stick my nose out of the doorway.

* Why do people end up doing a very bad Dublin accent when trying to do a Belfast brogue??? (A pet hate of mine)

* Normally, the rest of the UK hate us (except when its Paddys day, and we're the favourite of the month)

If there is anything else that I have missed, you will hear me whinge on at some later stage on this thread.

[apantherfrommd]

Ok, here it goes...Living in bright and breezy Belfast (ho hum)

* We don't have leperchauns living a the bottom of our garden, in fact I don't even want to know what is in the bottom of our garden.

So there's still a chance?