Why do people make such bad assumptions about the South (rant)?

[gymophett]

It makes me so mad. I live in Louisiana. I don't know how many of you live in the United States but if you do, you will get what I'm saying.
I've seen so many people try to make fun of our accent and talk extremely slow like we are all half retarded. It is not how most people make it out to be.
We are not dumb, we are not "rednecks" (trust me, there are rednecks EVERYWHERE, I mean everywhere), we do not uses phrases that all of the people on T.V. use (Well that makes me madder than a cow tipped on a Friday night. The cows are comin' in tonight. Etc.)
I don't guess the how stupid the people on television are making themselves look.
We do talk different, as everyone does in different geographical locations. We have a different way of saying things, not because we're stupid, just because that's how everyone was raised talking. (many people over-exaggerate it) Example: Instead of saying about to, many people say fixin' to. We also do say Y'all.
We are people, just like you. Trying to make money, socialize, have family gatherings, etc. We do not have relations with our family (that is incredibly disgusting). We don't drive all drive tacky trucks, and live in trashy campers and trailers that are caving in. I live in a white house with green shudders, crape myrtle trees, and a picket fence thank you very much. We are not poor. Average, my families income is about $160,000 a year. I just hate that when I say where I'm from, its automatic assumptions about me. Yes, I have all of my teeth. Last time I checked we were all quite normal.
The south is rural though, and when you get into the very rural areas, there will be trashy people, redneck tacky people, not everywhere, but in the extreme rural about 20% are trashy. Which is where a lot of assumptions come from. We are not overly religious, many people are Christians here though.. Most people are. I'm not, I believe in a higher power but not sure what else. We have amazing food, had to throw that in there.
I just want to get across that we are people, normal people.
Sorry if this is unorganized. I was just saying what popped into my head.
So, what have you guys always thought of the South, and why are these assumptions made?

I hope this didn't cut the rules.

[pat23_2007]

I am from Texas, A VERY VERY Rural area of texas. That is deep in National Forest, and when I travel to other states I hear things like this all the time. It doesn't really bother me to much, but I do agree with what you are saying.

IMO. I am about 3-4 hours from the border with Louisiana.

[lisati]

What words/phrases do you hate? (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1126777)

[sailthesea]

Given the media image that we are in the UK about the Southern States it would be easy but unfair to buy into the "stereotypical redneck" thing but we don't really believe it
I reckon most of the people in the US don't either because most people are intelligent and they know better
Is it really as bad as all that?
Do all other Americans hate the South? Why?:-k

[lisati]

We get differences wherever we are: I used to be a "Jafa" (Just Another "Freakin'" Aucklander) but saw the light 26 years ago.

[Tipped OuT]

It's just stereo types, relax dude, everyone deals with it.

People in the South: Howdy Ya'll!
Black people: What's up then cuhz!?
White people: Hi there, how are you today?
Hindu liquor store owners: How are you doing my friend?
Hispanic people: Aye, what's up fool?
Geeks: (I actually don't have a good impression for them surprisingly :()

And the list goes on and on. Sorry if I offended any body.

[sailthesea]

We get differences wherever we are: I used to be a "Jafa" (Just Another "Freakin'" Aucklander) but saw the light 26 years ago.

Well yeah
I've heard the same sort of thing about people from a town about 5 miles down the road! But I'm going to send my kids to school there!

[gymophett]

Is it really as bad as all that?
Do all other Americans hate the South? Why?:-k

People from other parts of the States don't hate us. Some of them just have a nasty redneck image when they hear the name. I have never thought of anyone from other parts of the United States any different from me. I thought of us all equal, maybe I am just over-reacting.
Not all people from areas other than the southern states think of us a tacky, some people aren't small minded. :) *claps for you all*

I have friends in Canada, and apparently they have cows, barns, fields, and tractors, etc also.
:P

[gymophett]

It's just stereo types, relax dude, everyone deals with it.

People in the South: Howdy Ya'll!
Black people: What's up then cuhz!?
White people: Hi there, how are you today?
Hindu liquor store owners: How are you doing my friend?
Hispanic people: Aye, what's up fool?
Geeks: (I actually don't have a good impression for them surprisingly :()

And the list goes on and on. Sorry if I offended any body.


You're just giving examples, its fine. :)
But we don't say howdy ever. Lol.
We say hey y'all.
:P

[pastalavista]

I am from West Virginia. In between north and south. I know what you mean but I just shrug it off as ignorance on the part of bigots. Don't let what others think get to you. That's just what they want.

"Everybody's got to have somebody to look down on"
~~Kris Kristopherson - Jesus was a Capricorn

[sailthesea]

People from other parts of the States don't hate us. Some of them just have a nasty redneck image when they hear the name. I have never thought of anyone from other parts of the United States any different from me. I thought of us all equal, maybe I am just over-reacting.
Not all people from areas other than the southern states think of us a tacky, some people aren't small minded. :) *claps for you all*

I have friends in Canada, and apparently they have cows, barns, fields, and tractors, etc also.
:P

I phrased that badly what I meant was as I don't think real people buy that image what you are maybe upset about is the stereotyping itself?
Which is fine Who wants to get the **** taken?

[Sealbhach]

I think movies have a lot to do with it, Deliverance, Southern Comfort and suchlike. Rednecks are both amusing and scary, which is why people are fascinated by them. People who have traveled a little know that stereotypes don't exist, whereas people who stay in one place remain in ignorance.

But saying that, we all had a laugh in the UK when this episode of Top Gear was aired. They drove into a small town in Alabama with phrases like "NASCAR sucks", "Manlove Rules" and "Country & Western is rubbish" painted on the sides of their cars.... with hilarious consequences:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2syY12OPkwI#t=3m28


.

[Murrquan]

Having lived in both the north and the south for years -- and never lived anyplace more than five years or so -- I'm personally amazed at how people everywhere think that people who live elsewhere are bad people. Everyone here in Georgia picks on the rednecks in "'Bama," and in New Hampshire I heard lots about Taxachusetts and The People's Republic of Vermont. (And in West Virginia they seemed to be paranoid about anything "out-of-state," which made me feel really welcome there. >.> )

I think the only places I haven't liked are the ones where I felt that kind of paranoia / closed-mindedness / assumption that "strange" people are bad, and I have gotten that feeling more in the South I think. I could just be mistaking how assertive everyone here is for hostility, but I can't say so for sure.

[gymophett]

I think movies have a lot to do with it, Deliverance, Southern Comfort and suchlike. Rednecks are both amusing and scary, which is why people are fascinated by them. People who have traveled a little know that stereotypes don't exist, whereas people who stay in one place remain in ignorance.

But saying that, we all had a laugh in the UK when this episode of Top Gear was aired. They drove into a small town in Alabama with phrases like "NASCAR sucks", "Manlove Rules" and "Country & Western is rubbish" painted on the sides of their cars.... with hilarious consequences:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2syY12OPkwI#t=3m28


.

That's hilarious. XD

[HappyFeet]

A redneck's first kiss. j/k
http://www.lilligren.com/Redneck/images/redneck_first_kiss.jpg

[Mirages]

I live in Up State New York (not the city) for those who don't know its all the territory between Lake Ontario and the Pennsylvania border, west of Albany. its dotted with several post-industrial cities and towns.

I only have to drive about 15mins from where I live, or to the nearest Wal-Mart to observe stereotypical rednecks/white trash. In my eyes being a redneck is not all about that southern accent, its the way they dress, where they live... and whats laying around in their front lawns (if they have one).

Its all about the lifestyle that these people live that defines the stereotype. I would not pin anyone down as being a redneck based on their accent, they have to meet other criteria for that.

its not just the south.

the redneck/white-trash lifestyle exists as far up as NY

stereotypes are a social constant, since the dawn of humanity people have been persecuted based on their differenes. I don't think its ever going to change because people will always be grouping with other people like themselves where they feel more comfortable.

[gymophett]

I live in Up State New York (not the city) for those who don't know its all the territory between Lake Ontario and the Pennsylvania border, west of Albany. its dotted with several post-industrial cities and towns.

I only have to drive about 15mins from where I live, or to the nearest Wal-Mart to observe stereotypical rednecks/white trash. In my eyes being a redneck is not all about that southern accent, its the way they dress, where they live... and whats laying around in their front lawns (if they have one).

Its all about the lifestyle that these people live that defines the stereotype. I would not pin anyone down as being a redneck based on their accent, they have to meet other criteria for that.

its not just the south.

the redneck/white-trash lifestyle exists as far up as NY

stereotypes are a social constant, since the dawn of humanity people have been persecuted based on their differenes. I don't think its ever going to change because people will always be grouping with other people like themselves where they feel more comfortable.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for someone finally showing that there is trash EVERYWHERE.

[sailthesea]

That's hilarious. XD

That exactly shows what I mean about the image of Southern US that we are shown But later on if you watch the team get to New Orleans a year after the hurricane and the place is still in ruins you can see that it has big impact on them!

[HappyFeet]

A redneck wedding reception. j/k

http://www.lilligren.com/Redneck/images/redneck_wedding_reception.jpg

[gymophett]

A redneck wedding reception. j/k

http://www.lilligren.com/Redneck/images/redneck_wedding_reception.jpg

Lmao. :P

[SomeGuyDude]

They aren't assumptions if they're accurate. :KS

[HappyFeet]

Redneck baby bath. j/k

http://www.lilligren.com/Redneck/images/redneck_baby_bath.jpg

[gymophett]

They aren't assumptions if they're accurate. :KS

Too bad they aren't accurate. :evil:

[Mirages]

But saying that, we all had a laugh in the UK when this episode of Top Gear was aired. They drove into a small town in Alabama with phrases like "NASCAR sucks", "Manlove Rules" and "Country & Western is rubbish" painted on the sides of their cars.... with hilarious consequences:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2syY12OPkwI#t=3m28


.

hey just noticed your post about south USA and wanted to say that TopGear rules its my favorite show! as a US citizen I even laughed at that episode but its genuinely a frightening experience... close minded people vs. close minded people = a lot of offended people and lots of trouble. its too bad people can't take a step back and laugh at themselves.

and for the record I live in upstate NY and we have plenty of stereotypical redneck/white-trash americans so its not all in the south.

[HappyFeet]

Redneck cell phone. j/k

http://www.lilligren.com/Redneck/images/redneck%20cell%20phone.jpg

[drawkcab]

A certain cultural division/conflict was brought to the fore by the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections. Old stereotypes were resuscitated in an attempt to embarrass the regions constituting the republican base.

http://jininvan.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/funny-jesusland-shirt.gif

[Tipped OuT]

Redneck cell phone. j/k

http://www.lilligren.com/Redneck/images/redneck%20cell%20phone.jpg


:lolflag: Jokes.

[djsroknrol]

I live in the "Sun Belt" as well gymophett and I know what you're talking about. Don't ever go to NYC or Miami wearing cowboy boots...they either love you or dislike you instantly...LOL

Seriously, I was living in Miami when "Raising Arizona" came out on the big screen. I was the only one laughing in the theater. My roomie could not see the humor, living on the East Coast all his life. I explained to him that "I could relate to it because I lived there"

I've learned to ignore the ignorance and get on with life...you definitely live longer ;)

[HappyFeet]

Redneck swimming pool. j/k

http://www.lilligren.com/Redneck/images/Redneck_Swimming_Pool.jpg

[Tipped OuT]

Redneck swimming pool. j/k



:lolflag::lolflag::lolflag::lolflag::lolflag:

[gymophett]

I think movies have a lot to do with it, Deliverance, Southern Comfort and suchlike. Rednecks are both amusing and scary, which is why people are fascinated by them. People who have traveled a little know that stereotypes don't exist, whereas people who stay in one place remain in ignorance.

But saying that, we all had a laugh in the UK when this episode of Top Gear was aired. They drove into a small town in Alabama with phrases like "NASCAR sucks", "Manlove Rules" and "Country & Western is rubbish" painted on the sides of their cars.... with hilarious consequences:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2syY12OPkwI#t=3m28


.

Just watched it. It was so funny. I've never seen anyone so trashy, literally. It was fun to watch though.

[HappyFeet]

Redneck yacht. j/k

http://www.lilligren.com/Redneck/images/redneck_yacht.jpg

[gymophett]

A certain cultural division/conflict was brought to the fore by the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections. Old stereotypes were resuscitated in an attempt to embarrass the regions constituting the republican base.

http://jininvan.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/funny-jesusland-shirt.gif

Now that is funny. I'm getting tired of HappyFeet posting images over and over and over though. It was funny at first, then it just got aggravating.

[Mirages]

Haha thats awesome it reminds me of the song Jesusland by Ben Folds.

for all those people in Europe across the pond particlarly the UK

the origins of the words hillbillies, crackers, and rednecks originated from the region of scotland
heres the source http://www.scotshistoryonline.co.uk/rednecks/rednecks.html

and heres the wiki page for the modern use of redneck
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redneck#Historical_usage

[TheNosh]

Redneck swimming pool. j/k

http://www.lilligren.com/Redneck/images/Redneck_Swimming_Pool.jpg

that actually doesn't look like that bad an idea:-k

[Tipped OuT]

Redneck yacht. j/k


I cant take it no more, shut up! Can't stop laughing! :lolflag::lolflag::lolflag:

[jsmidt]

Sorry if this is organized.

I think you meant "unorganized". Some people forget the "un" is important in getting the sentence to mean what you intended it to. But, you are correct, your rant was unorganized.

That's okay, we understand. You are from the south. :)

PS. For all the grammar Nazis picking apart my bad grammar, just remember, I lived in the south too for a few years and it is hard to cleanse myself of everything I picked up.

[HappyFeet]

Last one people, I promise. You might be a redneck if you said the following:

http://www.fortogden.com/shopping_lg.jpg

[Mirages]

Last one people, I promise. You might be a redneck if you said the following:

http://www.fortogden.com/shopping_lg.jpg

now that is truly hilarious! people say the dumbest things hahahaha xD who gets dressed up to go to walmart? if 95% of people I have seen are dressing up to go there, I don't want to see what they look like when they are not dressed up, that would defiantly be a frightening experience.

***note to self: never go to the "Dollar Palace"***

[73ckn797]

Given the media image that we are in the UK about the Southern States it would be easy but unfair to buy into the "stereotypical redneck" thing but we don't really believe it
I reckon most of the people in the US don't either because most people are intelligent and they know better
Is it really as bad as all that?
Do all other Americans hate the South? Why?:-k

You get state to state jokes about how backwards one is compared to the other. I will not mention the ones I have heard. I live in Georgia/USA and the surrounding states are all made fun of. I am sure that is something that goes one all over the world.

It is just human nature to put others down to make ones self feel superior. That is just how things are, love it or hate it, it is what it is. I do not care for it but then I just ignore it.

[gymophett]

Last one people, I promise. You might be a redneck if you said the following:

http://www.fortogden.com/shopping_lg.jpg

Lol, now that one actually was funny! :D

[73ckn797]

Last one people, I promise. You might be a redneck if you said the following:

http://www.fortogden.com/shopping_lg.jpg

That is about as dressed up as people are when they go to Home Depot.

[HappyFeet]

You might be a redneck if:

That billboard that says,
"SAY NO TO CRACK"
reminds you to pull up your jeans.

You go to your family reunion
looking for a date.

You think a Volvo is part of a woman's anatomy.

Your high school basketball game got rained out.

You ever won first prize in a tobacco spittin contest.

Your family always goes to the movies in groups of 18 or
more 'cause they were told 17 and under are not admitted.

Your dog can't watch you eat
without getting sick.

You think the winter olympic sport of curling
is part of the "Big Hair" competition.

You've painted a car with house paint.

You think taking a bubble bath starts
with eating beans for dinner.

Your child's first words were
"Attention K-Mart shoppers!"

You think a woman who is
"out of your league"
bowls on a different night.

You think TACO BELL is
the Mexican Phone Company.

You think Genitalia is an Italian airline.

You think a quarter horse is
a ride out in front of the Wal-Mart.

Those were courtesy of Jeff Foxworthy.



Sorry, couldn't resist.

But yes, as someone mentioned, every part of the world has it's own things and ways of life that people make fun of. Whether right or wrong, it happens everywhere. But I think for the most part, they are just in good fun.

[HappyFeet]

I have lived in both the northern and southern US, and to sum it up, I think people in the south are too laid back, and people in the north can be too much "on the go", and don't relax enough. I would like to find a happy medium. Virginia perhaps?

[rookcifer]

I think movies have a lot to do with it, Deliverance, Southern Comfort and suchlike. Rednecks are both amusing and scary, which is why people are fascinated by them. People who have traveled a little know that stereotypes don't exist, whereas people who stay in one place remain in ignorance.

Where do you think "rednecks" came from? They came from what is now the UK. Most of the "hillbilly" people in the Appalachian mountains (West Virginia, east Tenn, etc.) came directly from Ireland and Scotland. These people were widely discriminated against and marginalized by other Americans (who were mostly of old colonial English stock and brought their hatred of the Irish to America with them). In the 1800's and early 1900's you would see signs in shop windows saying "No Irish Need Apply" or NINA as it came to be known. As a result many Scots-Irish just had to resign themselves to rural areas and "do their own thing." The hillbilly accent is really just an evolution of the rural Irish accent. A film that sort of portrays this anti-Irish sentiment is "Gangs of New York" (though admittedly, it is probably over dramatized).

Now a word about accents:

Being someone from the south myself (with a strong southern accent), I can say that there are varying accents in different regions of the south. The typical "olde south" accent you see in movies like "Gone With the Wind" is what I'd call the "antebellum" accent and is exceedingly rare today. This was mainly spoken in Georgia, south Alabama, Virginia as well as other coastal areas of the south and is, no doubt, closely tied to the standard English accent. You can tell because the "antebellum" accent is non-rhotic, just like in many areas of England (if you don't know what rhoticism is, google it). Not surprisingly most speakers of this are descendants of English ancestors. This version of the southern accent is one of only two accents in America to retain the non-rhotic form. The other is the Boston accent, "I'm going to Pahk my Cah" (Im going to park my car) or "I study at Havad" (Harvard). A good example of the Boston accent can be seen in films like "Good Will Hunting" or any movie with Matt Damon or Ben Afleck where they are not trying to hide their accent for the role.

The other "major" southern accent is rhotic and has more of a "twang" to it. Most of us today pronounce our r's. This was probably influenced by the strong incursion of the Scots-Irish. As I said it is rare to see a non-rhotic speaker, as they are all either senior citizens or dead. My great-grandmother had a very strong non-rhotic accent but the accent has died out in my family (as it has in most areas of the south).

[73ckn797]

I have lived in both the northern and southern US, and to sum it up, I think people in the south are too laid back, and people in the north can be too much "on the go", and don't relax enough. I would like to find a happy medium. Virginia perhaps?

They say that there are 2 Georgia's. There is the Atlanta metro area and then the rest of the state. Rednecks live all over the place.

Around here the 4X4 trucks with a Confederate flag somewhere on it are sure bets you have found a redneck. OH, there may also be a bumper sticker with "#3, #8 or #88" somewhere on it.:D

Some have a sticker in the window that looks like a pregnant female but it is actually a deer head turned to one side.

[DemonBob]

I only have one thing to say in this thread.

GO LSU. And i'm proud i was born in Louisiana, and live in Louisiana

[73ckn797]

I only have one thing to say in this thread.

GO LSU. And i'm proud i'm was born in Louisiana, and live in Louisiana


I'm was born??

Good for you!! If I was a football fan I would counter with "Go Dawgs" but I could care less about football. That phrase would probably cast me as a redneck!!!!! I do own a pick-up truck.

:guitar:

[Luke has no name]

I was born and raised in Houston, Texas. Live in Lubbock, San Antonio, and Houston, depending on the time of the year. Drive a camouflage SUV and like Creole.

I'm also studying to be a sysadmin. I pronounce my "r"s. I do pronounce "bayou" "BYE-o".

[bsharp]

One thing I think that hasn't been mentioned is that while in the South we like to make fun of the surrounding states, we all unite to make fun of the north and "Commiefornia."

Edit:Born and raised in Tennessee, yet I hate country music with a passion.

[HappyFeet]

The other is the Boston accent, "I'm going to Pahk my Cah" (Im going to park my car) or "I study at Havad" (Harvard). A good example of the Boston accent can be seen in films like "Good Will Hunting"

The Bah-ston accent irks me til no end. Don't ask me why, I just can't stand it.

[73ckn797]

One thing I think that hasn't been mentioned is that while in the South we like to make fun of the surrounding states, we all unite to make fun of the north and "Commiefornia."

It was mentioned but thanks for the support (GRIN).

[cariboo]

In reference to the redneck swimming pool, there was a guy in the trailer court next door, that tried to create a hot tub with a pickup bed, a wood fire and a tiger torch. BTW I live in central British Columbia, so the southern states don't have a lock on rednecks. :)

[73ckn797]

In reference to the redneck swimming pool, there was a guy in the trailer court next door, that tried to create a hot tub with a pickup bed, a wood fire and a tiger torch. BTW I live in central British Columbia, so the southern states don't have a lock on rednecks. :)

That is why I stated that they are every where.

As a side thought: "You Might Be A Redneck If" is some of the funniest humor around.

[MikeTheC]

I live in Florida, but that's generally understood not to be a part of "the South."

In fact, funny thing, as you're driving south on I-10, I-75 or I-95, the compass needle flips around the other way to show you're headed north the moment you cross the state line into Florida.

[HappyFeet]

As a side thought: "You Might Be A Redneck If" is some of the funniest humor around.

I always get a kick out of that stuff. Foxworthy comes up with some funny chit.

[Dragonbite]

My Mom grew up in NJ, but my grandparents grew up in Georgia (I think). From what my Mom has said, my Grandmother never lost her southern accent and even now my Mom will, in the course of a phone conversation, will sometimes slip in-and-out of her southern accent without even realizing it.

On the other hand, my brother went to Wake Forest College in NC, then moved to Montgomery Alabama and is now in Americus GA and he still does not have a hint of an accent!

You're right, though, about the "redneck" being everywhere. My wife and I have spent a fair amount of time in upper NH and we see similar traits in some of the "New England Hicks" we've run across.

[rookcifer]

I live in Florida, but that's generally understood not to be a part of "the South."

In fact, funny thing, as you're driving south on I-10, I-75 or I-95, the compass needle flips around the other way to show you're headed north the moment you cross the state line into Florida.

I have driven across I-10 into north Florida, and down I-75 into central Florida many times. And I can say that there are indeed many rednecks there, especially in north Florida. You don't really get out of redneck country until you get to Tampa and further south.

[73ckn797]

My Mom grew up in NJ, but my grandparents grew up in Georgia (I think). From what my Mom has said, my Grandmother never lost her southern accent and even now my Mom will, in the course of a phone conversation, will sometimes slip in-and-out of her southern accent without even realizing it.

On the other hand, my brother went to Wake Forest College in NC, then moved to Montgomery Alabama and is now in Americus GA and he still does not have a hint of an accent!

My sister, born and raised in Georgia, married a guy from Baltimore. He had somewhat a characteristic "Yankee" accent. She lived "up there" for over 20 years. Her accent changed in that time. Since moving back to Georgia she is beginning to exhibit what she was born in to.

[HappyFeet]

Since moving back to Georgia she is beginning to exhibit what she was born in to.

That's not surprising. While on the phone with a friend (he is a northerner down south) he would speak to me in a northern accent, but when he would occasionally break away on the phone and talk to his boys in the background, he had a southern accent. I guess we just adapt and change without thinking about it.

[zmjjmz]

From what I'm reading here, NJ seems like the only state that makes fun of itself.

[73ckn797]

From what I'm reading here, NJ seems like the only state that makes fun of itself.


Now that was funny and may be very true.

[gymophett]

I only have one thing to say in this thread.

GO LSU. And i'm proud i was born in Louisiana, and live in Louisiana

I'll be going to Baton Rouge in not too long. :D

[zmjjmz]

I'll be going to Baton Rouge in not too long. :D

*I'm

[gymophett]

Now a word about accents:

Being someone from the south myself (with a strong southern accent), I can say that there are varying accents in different regions of the south. The typical "olde south" accent you see in movies like "Gone With the Wind" is what I'd call the "antebellum" accent and is exceedingly rare today. This was mainly spoken in Georgia, south Alabama, Virginia as well as other coastal areas of the south and is, no doubt, closely tied to the standard English accent. You can tell because the "antebellum" accent is non-rhotic, just like in many areas of England (if you don't know what rhoticism is, google it). Not surprisingly most speakers of this are descendants of English ancestors. This version of the southern accent is one of only two accents in America to retain the non-rhotic form. The other is the Boston accent, "I'm going to Pahk my Cah" (Im going to park my car) or "I study at Havad" (Harvard). A good example of the Boston accent can be seen in films like "Good Will Hunting" or any movie with Matt Damon or Ben Afleck where they are not trying to hide their accent for the role.

The other "major" southern accent is rhotic and has more of a "twang" to it. Most of us today pronounce our r's. This was probably influenced by the strong incursion of the Scots-Irish. As I said it is rare to see a non-rhotic speaker, as they are all either senior citizens or dead. My great-grandmother had a very strong non-rhotic accent but the accent has died out in my family (as it has in most areas of the south).

Agree completely, Louisiana has very diverse cultures in the different areas.

[gymophett]

*I'm

"I will be going to Baton Rouge" is incorrect?

[Dragonbite]

Redneck swimming pool. j/k

http://www.lilligren.com/Redneck/images/Redneck_Swimming_Pool.jpg

We tried that in college!

Isn't Atlanta considered a Northern city that's just located in the South?

[gymophett]

That's not surprising. While on the phone with a friend (he is a northerner down south) he would speak to me in a northern accent, but when he would occasionally break away on the phone and talk to his boys in the background, he had a southern accent. I guess we just adapt and change without thinking about it.

The same thing has happened to me before. I went to a school in Natchez, Mississippi, and they had no southern accent at all.
Which is weird because it is only about 30 minutes from where I live.

[gymophett]

We tried that in college!

Isn't Atlanta considered a Northern city that's just located in the South?

I always thought Atlanta was just as southern as where I live. :/

[HappyFeet]

I always thought Atlanta was just as southern as where I live. :/

Atlanta has been the "melting pot" of the south for a long time. Many different cultures pass through there.

[gymophett]

Atlanta has been the "melting pot" of the south for a long time. Many different cultures pass through there.

No, I've been there, I just thought it was the same.

[HappyFeet]

No, I've been there, I just thought it was the same.

I didn't say I liked it. It is what it is.

[Grant A.]

I live in Texas, and "the breaking of the stereotypes" doesn't really work out well when there are annual rodeos with people wearing cowboy garb in Houston, Dallas, and Pasadena...

One kid asked me once if I rode a cow to school, and then proceeded to ask me how many horses I own.

The answer to the first is no, and the second's answer is 0.



I have payed attention to how we talk, and I have noticed these slang words here:


Y'all're
What're
What'd
What'll
Why're
How're
How'd
How'll
Where'll
Who're
Who'd
Where're
Where'd
Y'all's
Y'all'd
There're

And the 'll (as in will), 're (as in are), 's (as in has), 'd (as in would) suffixes added to any living creature's noun or pronoun.

[HappyFeet]

It's bad how we talk now.

[Kopachris]

I blame "The Beverly Hillbillies" for the stereotype. I personally don't hold such a stereotype. It's hard for me to hold stereotypes like that because it's hard for me to imagine another place being so different in culture to where I live now. I personally like the south, though. They have good food (and no, I'm not talking about possum).

[tsali]

I live in Up State New York (not the city) for those who don't know its all the territory between Lake Ontario and the Pennsylvania border, west of Albany. its dotted with several post-industrial cities and towns.

I only have to drive about 15mins from where I live, or to the nearest Wal-Mart to observe stereotypical rednecks/white trash. In my eyes being a redneck is not all about that southern accent, its the way they dress, where they live... and whats laying around in their front lawns (if they have one).

Its all about the lifestyle that these people live that defines the stereotype. I would not pin anyone down as being a redneck based on their accent, they have to meet other criteria for that.

its not just the south.

the redneck/white-trash lifestyle exists as far up as NY

stereotypes are a social constant, since the dawn of humanity people have been persecuted based on their differenes. I don't think its ever going to change because people will always be grouping with other people like themselves where they feel more comfortable.

I am from the Carolinas and visited the Rochester area a few years back. There were plenty of dead cars on blocks and NASCAR fans...I felt right at home! They were GOOD people. It always surprises us Southern folk to find that Yankees can be civil... ;)

[Swagman]

We have redneck types here in U.K too yuh know.

We call them CHAVS which is an acronym

Council Housed And Violent

Violent, Ignorant people live everywhere

[73ckn797]

We tried that in college!

Isn't Atlanta considered a Northern city that's just located in the South?

Only because there has been a migration from up North to the South in the last 20 years.

[73ckn797]

Atlanta has been the "melting pot" of the south for a long time. Many different cultures pass through there.


I think it is that way because you cannot travel any where without a stop-over in Atlanta.

[73ckn797]

I live in Texas, and "the breaking of the stereotypes" doesn't really work out well when there are annual rodeos with people wearing cowboy garb in Houston, Dallas, and Pasadena...

One kid asked me once if I rode a cow to school, and then proceeded to ask me how many horses I own.

The answer to the first is no, and the second's answer is 0.



I have payed attention to how we talk, and I have noticed these slang words here:


Y'all're
What're
What'd
What'll
Why're
How're
How'd
How'll
Where'll
Who're
Who'd
Where're
Where'd
Y'all's
Y'all'd
There're

And the 'll (as in will), 're (as in are), 's (as in has), 'd (as in would) suffixes added to any living creature's noun or pronoun.

I would not classify all of those words as slang. They mostly appear to be legitimate contractions. The Y'all's would not as well fit in with what I say. Y'all know what I mean?

[gn2]

We should all give thanks to The South, because The South gave us Otis Lee Crenshaw (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIB6JGwADOo).

[73ckn797]

They have good food (and no, I'm not talking about possum).

Well, we do have plenty of those around here. I see at least one half dozen fresh on the road everyday. We also have armadillo, we call them possum on the half shell.

[m_ad]

I'm from the north (Upstate NY) and there are definitely rural areas up here as well.


But I love the south, I plan on moving somewhere in the south when I finish school as long as there are jobs available.

[chucky chuckaluck]

people who think southerners talk slowly should listen to a conversation between mrs. chuckaluck and her sister. they're like grumpy versions of chip'n'dale.

i know people from up north are bitter over the weather we have in north carolina (where it's awesome all year round). also, they probably resent the fact that the whalers had to move to raleigh to find real hockey fans and become successful.

"y'all", or "you all", is the closest english has to a second person plural, or polite (like the french 'vous' as opposed to 'tu'). one could argue "youz guyz" covers it, but if anything sounds moronic, it's that.

[Drokles]

I'd rather be a redneck and look and sound like an idiot while having fun than be a city person and be bored out of my stupidly fascist mind.

Of course those two are just stereotypes, but you get my point ;).

[Polygon]

according to my english teacher last semester, some parts of the south are still very racist (as she taught in Georgia for a while before coming to Arizona)

its just a stereotype. People apparently think that arizonans ride horses to school and are all cowboys.

[Screwdriver0815]

I think its the same all over the world. When people were not travelling around and were not there, they always talk in such stereotypes.

its the same over here:

- the westgermans are arrogant and rich (because they had the capitalism all the time) - sight of an eastgerman

- the eastgermans are lazy and stupid and the westgermans pay all the new and shiny stuff over there in eastgermany - sight of a westgerman

and the world knows:

the germans run around in Leather trowsers and eat Sauerkraut :D

and the germans who do not have any clue said in the time as Bush was at power that the americans are either like him or maybe J. R. Ewing.
But generally they think americans are either violent black people or Rednecks who live in a trashy camper or in a destroyed suburb of Detroit where the empty oilbarrels are burning. And this all over the US.

It all depends on how people open their mind or how they rely on the news and TV

[pbpersson]

Okay, so people in the south talk slow and sound funny ;) but I don't think that is any reason to make fun of them.

I thought that Sheriff Andy Taylor (old Andy Griffith Show from the dark ages) was a pretty smart man.

People who think that people are stupid because of some stereotype are far more stupid than the people they are judging, IMO.

[Mohamedzv2]

I don't like the South cause the majority of racists and generally intolerant people that I've met are from there. Of course, I don't exactly not like the South, that's just stereotype that's formed in my head

[pbpersson]

I don't like the South cause the majority of racists and generally intolerant people that I've met are from there. Of course, I don't exactly not like the South, that's just stereotype that's formed in my head

That is my point. Stereotypes are just so inaccurate. I tend to be very intolerant of certain things and I am from Chicago. So there you go. ;)

[chucky chuckaluck]

I don't like the South cause the majority of racists and generally intolerant people that I've met are from there. Of course, I don't exactly not like the South, that's just stereotype that's formed in my head

kind of guilty of the same thing if you're stereotyping people.

[haemulon]

Stereotypes are unfair but they will have a small amount of truth.

I've met a good number of people from the South that just seem very immature and angry.

There's nothing charming about rudeness and ignorance.

Of course there are there are those that are from the South but don't need to fit the stereotype, just because they came from that "culture". Those are the ones I like.

[gymophett]

I personally like the south, though. They have good food (and no, I'm not talking about possum).

Possum?! Ew. Lmao. I haven't even heard of that, and I live here. :O

[gymophett]

according to my english teacher last semester, some parts of the south are still very racist (as she taught in Georgia for a while before coming to Arizona)

its just a stereotype. People apparently think that arizonans ride horses to school and are all cowboys.
As Arizona is a southern state too. :P But stereotypes are for every place around, ignorant people.
Like, you know you're from Arizona when you have more firearms in your house than people. How stupid.

Some parts of the south are still very racist. I am not going to lie about that. Again, that's in very rural areas, and I mean in towns of 1,000 or less. I think like 70,000 live where I do, and it is common for different races to always date and hang out. No-one thinks anything about it here.
But the black people here are racist too, not just the white ones, both the races are. I am going to try and say this without being offensive, but they don't hate black people because they are brown, it's because of the stereotypical image they have here. Which is again small minded. It's just that most (definitely not all, I have some good black friends) of the black people here live in broken homes, don't work, steal, sell drugs, fight, dress inappropriately, and are disrespectful. So a lot of the stupid people here try to say all black people are like that, then their kids are being raised thinking the same. It's a sad situation, but it is getting tons better, people are way more accepting than just 10 years ago.

[73ckn797]

I don't like the South cause the majority of racists and generally intolerant people that I've met are from there. Of course, I don't exactly not like the South, that's just stereotype that's formed in my head

Of course, those are just the ones that you have met which does not equal to being a generality. Seems I remember that one of the biggest exhibits of racism occurred up in Boston during the school busing issue. That is south of Canada but not the South.

[Firestem4]

I'm from California. I personally have nothing against the South

With the redneck stereotype aside...We don't call people Rednecks in California...We call them idiots. And they are a'plenty! *sigh*

[meeples]

right well i live in the scotland, so all i really know about the south of us, is what i see on tv (mostly my name is earl but i dont really take that seriously). but to be honest any type of stereo type is unfair. i mean lol whats the american idea of a scotsman? i eat haggis, i wear a skirt, i say things like och aye, and im probably called jimmy or jock or something. haha i dont like haggis, ive never worn a kilt in my life, i talk proper english, just with a different accent, im called callum

oh and i live in neither a wood shack or a castle.

and im pretty sure not all southerners live in trailers aswel?

[Firestem4]

Meeples. You forget. Every american views a scotsman as braveheart in disguise =P.

TBH I never think about Hagis when thinking about scots...Not that id touch the stuff lol. I like scott accents too.

[meeples]

Meeples. You forget. Every american views a scotsman as braveheart in disguise =P.

TBH I never think about Hagis when thinking about scots...Not that id touch the stuff lol. I like scott accents too.

omg. Scotsmen are represented by mel gibson xD

well that makes sense, look at him now

an alcoholic racist. :P

[CharmyBee]

The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo makes great TV. If it was set in the North...not so much.

[myusername]

i live in Alabama. i met some people from Ohio and they asked me if i wore shoes. come on people...there are some intelligent people and stupid people no matter where you live. but i think the south is usually the butt of the jokes. we aren't dumb. we aren't all rednecks. we do have shoes. we aren't racist. actually, i went up north with an African-American friend and i saw more racism in Boston then i did anywhere

edit: TBH we have more African-American people in Montgomery AL (the capital of the confederate states) then we do white people. we aren't racist

[etnlIcarus]

we aren't dumb. we aren't all rednecks. we do have shoes. we aren't racist.Oddest thing I've ever seen someone defend themselves over.


Anyway, speaking as an Australian who prides himself on being well-spoken, sober and not one who regularly wrestles crocodiles: ya'll can go to hell. I am not a bogan and the only thing I can fault that stingray for is not wiping out the entire Irwin family.

Yes, I totally went there. Deal.

[Cowchip7]

I thought everyone in the South had 4 teeth and 12 toes... \\:D/

[craigeo]

I live in Wisconsin (but grew up in Minnesota)... plenty of rednecks here too.
Ed Goehn, Jeffrey Dahmer, etc
We even had a vote a couple years ago about hunting cats... not big cats, but little kitty cats.
It passed the vote but the DNR said no.

[vikramaditya]

We do not have relations with our family
Don't know 'bout chew, but I'm so Southern, I'm related to myself! :D

[mousestalker]

I tend to attribute any hatred of another group or region to jealousy. When someone says they dislike group x because x are prejudiced it just means that the speaker is jealous of x because he or she thinks that they are getting away with behaviour that the speaker would like to get away with.

Whether I am right or wrong, it's the only theory that makes me feel all nice, smug and superior.

;)

[Cardcaptor Stacey]

In England its the other way around. The south mocks the north. Being from the north of England, it is very sad. We aren't all "common". :( I hate stereotypes. It just shows how uneducated people are who makes these assumptions...

[hkgonra]

I live in the south and to be fair most people I know make fun of yankees as much as they make fun of us so it really is no big deal.
There is just as much of a stereotype of northeners especially from major cities all being rude, arrogant and socialist as there is of southerners being stupid and/or conservative.

[dawnlove]

If I drive my car with california plates into texas I will be pulled over repetedly my car torn apart if I have any money it will be stolen by the police there. If the south stops hating us maybe we will stop hating you

[hkgonra]

If I drive my car with california plates into texas I will be pulled over repetedly my car torn apart if I have any money it will be stolen by the police there. If the south stops hating us maybe we will stop hating you

That has nothing to so with hating California that has to do with drug trafficking.
Texas plates will get you pulled over in Tennessee for the same reason. Has happened to my aunt from Texas about 20 times.

[KiwiNZ]

The stereotyping you dislike, this thread has generated the stereotyping of others in the same way.

I am closing this thread as it has little to do with linux or Ubuntu and will if not already generate hate messages.



It makes me so mad. I live in Louisiana. I don't know how many of you live in the United States but if you do, you will get what I'm saying.
I've seen so many people try to make fun of our accent and talk extremely slow like we are all half retarded. It is not how most people make it out to be.
We are not dumb, we are not "rednecks" (trust me, there are rednecks EVERYWHERE, I mean everywhere), we do not uses phrases that all of the people on T.V. use (Well that makes me madder than a cow tipped on a Friday night. The cows are comin' in tonight. Etc.)
I don't guess the how stupid the people on television are making themselves look.
We do talk different, as everyone does in different geographical locations. We have a different way of saying things, not because we're stupid, just because that's how everyone was raised talking. (many people over-exaggerate it) Example: Instead of saying about to, many people say fixin' to. We also do say Y'all.
We are people, just like you. Trying to make money, socialize, have family gatherings, etc. We do not have relations with our family (that is incredibly disgusting). We don't drive all drive tacky trucks, and live in trashy campers and trailers that are caving in. I live in a white house with green shudders, crape myrtle trees, and a picket fence thank you very much. We are not poor. Average, my families income is about $160,000 a year. I just hate that when I say where I'm from, its automatic assumptions about me. Yes, I have all of my teeth. Last time I checked we were all quite normal.
The south is rural though, and when you get into the very rural areas, there will be trashy people, redneck tacky people, not everywhere, but in the extreme rural about 20% are trashy. Which is where a lot of assumptions come from. We are not overly religious, many people are Christians here though.. Most people are. I'm not, I believe in a higher power but not sure what else. We have amazing food, had to throw that in there.
I just want to get across that we are people, normal people.
Sorry if this is unorganized. I was just saying what popped into my head.
So, what have you guys always thought of the South, and why are these assumptions made?

I hope this didn't cut the rules.