 5@5 is a daily, food-related list from chefs, writers, political pundits, musicians, actors, and all manner of opinionated people from around the globe. It's no secret that Eatocracy loves to put some South in its mouth. We dig the panoply of dishes, the sense of living history it brings, the close ties between chefs and farmers and the fact that it plain old tastes like heaven on earth. This also tends to be food for thought - whether it's Hugh Acheson and Paula Deen's philosophical differences, ruminations on the future of Southern food, or meditations on the Southern mindset. While Josh Habiger and Erik Anderson have done their tours of duty through prestigious kitchens such as Fat Duck, Alinea, Noma and French Laundry, they've found a new home to Nashville. There as co-chefs at The Catbird Seat, the duo's ever-changing seven-course tasting menu takes inspiration from influences as diverse as a Moroccan cookbook, a Pixies song or the memory of a grey day in Copenhagen and takes root in the fresh, abundant produce and ingredients of their adopted South. Five ways the South is different from the rest of the country "One specific thing that we’ve noticed in Nashville is people genuinely want to know you. They want to know about your family, what you do on your off time, what football team you root for. People just want to feel connected to one another in the South more so than in any other part of the country. Overall, Southerners want you to feel comfortable and welcomed in every setting – it’s as simple as that." 2. Local Foods 3. Meat and Three "One of our all-time favorite meat and three restaurants is Arnold’s Country Kitchen. It’s truly a Nashville institution and if you go, you have to try the brisket, jalapeno cheese grits and the bread pudding. I could go on and on, so if you come to Nashville, try it for yourself." 4. Southern Staples "Some chefs give these dishes a modern, gourmet twist like our version of Nashville hot chicken while others embrace the past and continue cooking from the recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation. Whatever the chef makes of it, these dishes are the foundation of Southern cuisine and what make the South a unique culinary destination." 5. Bourbon Is there someone you'd like to see in the hot seat? Let us know in the comments below and if we agree, we'll do our best to chase 'em down. Previously: |
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When northern Americans want to generalize about the entire southern population they are clever, when southerners do the reverse we are bigots. How dare any of you make sweeping generalizations about the attitudes of southern people. I am from South Carolina and while I will not dare say that I always love my home state or town, or that I agree with many of the traditional ideas to which so many southerners still cling, you cannot tell me that all southerners are stupid, racist, exclusivists who have an automatic distrust for anyone from outside their region. Have any of you ever been to Asheville? It is one of the more liberal cities in the South (it's in North Carolina) and actually has a rather diverse population, and I don't even think the North Carolinians are considering trying to run them all out. If you want to talk about racism, stupidity, and bigotry just look at my new home, New York City. Since moving to this city I have experienced just as much cruelty based on perceived race, religion, or lifestyle choices that transcend traditional boundaries. My girlfriend is black and I am white and while this receives some looks in the South (we've been there together) it provokes threats and heckling here. If you want to say some southerner's are stupid and backward, fine, they are. But so are some northerners. Stupidity is not exclusive to the South.
And shut up, you provoking, cruel, exclusivist southerners who have commented on this article. You're giving the rest of us a bad name.
Things I have learned in this thread:
"The North" is some Athenian egalitarian paradise of intellectualism and equality where every person is smart, noble, and fair-minded.
whereas
Everyone in "The South" is a "knuckle-dragging mouth-breather" that is genetically predisposed to low intelligence, violent behavior, and obesity.
Yep, I know you meant it ironically but everything you said is true.
I'm impressed! I didn't think southerners could gain or retain knowledge. You get an Thattaboy award! Your prize is a pair of shoes, which I know you've probably never seen before.
To Mack:
However, as T.S. Eliot said, "The Civil War is not ended. I doubt if any serious civil war ever ends." This is true of not only ours, but those in other countries as well, especially way back in time in Europe.
I too have traveled much all over the world (as well as here in the U.S.), from Europe to SE Asia, where I got shot at for simply being an American. How sad this world was and still is.
How sad indeed. Your comment says it all. This is the EXACT reason why there will never be any peace. People simply refuse to let go of past wrongs; right, real, or imagined. Until we learn to let go nothing will ever change. If you have any doublt, just read the vicious, nasty, vituperative comments left here by people who pride themselves on their manners. On a stupid food blog no less. Truly disheartening!
What the bloody "F" is wrong with all of you people? I was born and raised in Los Angeles, and am proud of being raised in a "major metropolitan multicultural" city. However, when I went to visit my cousins in Nashville, I had a great time, both walking around "Nash Vegas," and the fact that people on the street talk to you without sounding fake. How you people turn this article about what makes a southern meal outstanding into North vs South, Democr@p vs Repubic hair, and everything in between, is beyond me.
P.S. The "Meat and three" is making me envious, given the terrible food I have to endure since transplanting to Sacramento
If "northern people" dont like southern hospitality in the first place, why did you fight us in the Civil War? We wanted you Yankees out of our business anyway but you insisted on getting in it.
Lincoln invaded the South to force the seceded States back into the Union at the point of a bayonet. States in the upper South had not yet seceded until Lincoln called up 75,000 troops to invade. Besides, they wanted a place for fat yankees to play golf in the winter!!
Poor angry Petey in Michigan. He doesn't get out much. He claims to have never been to the South but sure knows a lot about it! And he's says that Michigan has something to offer. Where?
i am a michigan resident also. i got nothing against the south. have not been there much. michigan definitely has something to offer. there is only so much cross country skiing in louisiana, you know. of course, there is not that much snow in my part of michigan this winter, anyway
This phrase means the same thing as "You have my sympathies. You must be very strong to have come out of that so well." You people who interpret it as condescending, very simply don't understand how people live & interact in the South. Instead of getting defensive about things you don't understand or walking into a situation with a negative chip on your shoulder, try reaching out. Learn about a culture with which you aren't familiar. Instead of reaching out, alot of you h8rz are reaching around, feeling for a knife that isn't there.
Bless your heart can mean different things in different parts of the country, depending on where you're from. Here's another example from the urban dictionary:
4. bless your heart:
A polite way to say "go to hell"
a: *gives the finger*
b: Bless your heart!
That's about as accurate as Wikipedia. For the same reasons too.
wow-i live in North Carolina and I wouldn't want to be anywhere else
hospitality is kind of a outdated notion in most place-foodwise, yeah we got stuff other places don't have
as far as all the other things being written on here (i.e. racism)-did yall know there are more blacks and hispanics in the south than anywhere else and it appears we got along for the most part
and yes, there is a church on every corner-probably be good if that were true up north too
We don't want you anywhere else either. Stay in your southern h3llhole.
sounds a lot like northern elitism - also know as bigotry
jason....churches do not necessarily equal morality
It is still common courtesy to pull off the side of the road and pay respect to a funeral procession here. Can't say I've witnessed that outside of the south.
You aren't being respectful. Pulling off the road gives you a chance to pick your nose.
NCGirl: I have never heard of doing so. i am a life long northerner. i am wondering, though, if that applies to big cities in the south or primarily small towns.
You witness a lot of funeral processions?
@NCGrl – It’s courtesy to pull over and pay respect to a funeral procession here in Ky too.
@Rick – I can't vouch for everywhere in the south, but from my personal experiences, I’ve seen people pull over here in Louisville, as well as small towns in Kentucky. Granted it’s probably done more in small towns, but I have seen both.
FYI, CNN, Bourbon is ONLY made in Kentucky. Tennessee makes whiskey and can NOT legally make Bourbon. The South is truly one of a kind. I grew up in Georgia and moved to southern Florida as an adult, where racism is rampant (if you’re not Latin) and the area is full of rude people. .
I believe they're called "Jews".
I am from south florida...its so far south its NORTH Cuba...so these rules do not apply
Agreed. South Florida is not indicative of the rest of the state. I have lived all over FL throughout my 44 years, and I have found that the people in South Florida are rude. Why? Because they aren't actually from Florida–they're from up North (retirees) or outside the country.
Actually SZ, bourbon can be made anywhere in the US, however Kentucky produces roughly 95% of the worlds bourbon. The only legal requirements distinguishing/classifying bourbon from other whiskeys is that its grain mixture must be at least 51% corn, it must be aged in new charred white oak barrels, and there are a few proof requirements (what it can be distilled at, enter the barrel at, bottled, etc).
"People genuinely want to know about you."
Yes, they want to know about you so they can determine whether or not you're "one of them." Some people ask about others to find similarities between them or to understand a person better. Others do it to find reasons to discriminate against them.
As a New Englander who lived in NC for almost 6 years I can tell you that the minute a Southerner finds out you're a Yankee, their attitude changes. I've been reminded many times of the difference between a "Yankee" and a "damned Yankee."
I live in the South and they are wrong on just about everything. What they call Southern Hospitatity is just that so many folks are under-educated they smile and say something nice because they don't understand plain English. The South gave us okra, another word for wallpaper paste, they eat pig intestines that maybe are cleansed from excrement, maybe not, and are always at the bottom of the pile when it comes to educational advancement. If they didn't have warm weather they wouldn't have a soul living there.
Southern Hospitality ????? What planet did this writer come from? If your not from down south you get treated like trash and yes I've been there. Let them gobble their fatty foods and choke on it. Sit down to eat and tell them your from Connecticut and see how they treat you. What a misleading article!
Southern hospitality ? Give me a break! I have lived down her for the past 20 years and these yahoo's are still fighting the civil war. That Southern hospitality thing is just PR.
where did you live? In a trailer? Actually, if you lived where towns and homes were burned to the ground, people sent fleeing for their lives or slaughtered by war criminals like Sherman and Sheridan (both who went on to illustrious careers of slaughtering Native Americans) maybe you would be still somewhat insulted by having yankees in their midst. Also, American history in general, and CW history in particular, has been "dumbed down" so severely in order for people of your ilk, (who have learned all they needed to know from 10th grade history books) to be brainwashed with what they want you to know. Learn some "real" history for a change.
@Mack – as a northern boy, I wholeheartedly agree with your assessment of Sherman and Sheridan. Pure psychopathic scum.
Lincoln was a piece of work, too.
Well, if it makes you fell any better, Mack, Sherman and Sheridan are burning in Hell.
Lincoln, too.
To Beezlabubba: Yep, I am quite aware of where these war criminals are. Have studied their atrocities in detail from original documents and authors. Thanks for your post.
As T.S. Eliot is quoted as having said, "The Civil War is not ended. I doubt if any serious Civil War ever ends."
Telling people you're from "Yankeedom" is never a good idea.
mack: i like the quote. thank you.
that being said, i likely would not have to tell anyone in the south i was a yankee. my accent would give it away
Then stay in the north, where they have "Northern Hospitality???"
Do you ever step back and contemplate why that might be? Could it because the second you open your mouth the volume is far and above what is comfortable to the human ear? Could it be because you think rules are for everybody but you? Could it be because you bring all these attribute in mass, down to our cities and towns. Then you complain, complain, complain.We feel the way we do because you are all so narcissistic, everyone else is beneath you. We would welcome you but we know how most of you are. Just like my supervisor, he who is loudest...wins. The saddest days of my life here is when you people started your migration down here and then bring every relative you have. But you hate us all...why would you do that? No snow! If you were nice folks, that would be no problem. We're the way we are because your attitudes make us that way. Have a nice day.
"Let them gobble their fatty foods and choke on it!"
....ever consider that maybe they're not bad? That maybe you're just an ass they don't respond well to?
"maybe you're just an a s s"
?!??!?!?!?!? Noooo maybe's about it. :)
I agree – I haven't experienced many things i like in the south; fatty foods, prejudice and racism, extreme religion (i.e., southern baptists), ignorance...I'll take city living in the north any time; it may be more expensive, but you get what you pay for.
Bless your heart
Thanks for saying that, Moost. Most Yankees don't know what "Bless your heart" means.
And what about "Northern Hospitality?" Is that not an oxymoron?
Nah. It's the same. Just a little bit colder.
ba doomp ba!
You know what they say about assuming things. I'm from the North and I know that "Bless your heart" is a condescending insult dressed up like concern. So much for your southern manners. At least in the North if we think you're an idiot we just tell you to your face. I'd rather be forthright than a hypocrite.
Actually, Debby, your comment says why "northern hospitality" not only is an oxymoron, but doesn't exist. Thanks for confirming that.
For the love of God people, you really have to stop fighting the Civil War! Let's all agree that each state has it's own pros & cons. I was born and raised in New England. I have traveled across the entire country and yes I have lived in the south. I prefer living in NE for many reasons but that doesn't mean I hate the south! Unfortunately, no region has a lock on bad manners. What is it about these websites that brings out the worst in everyone? It's downright embarrassing!
Debby, It does not mean what you stated. Someone could sarcastically say it and I wouldnt say that doesnt happen. But In general it is not a derogatory comment. It is a feeling of genuine concern for someone.
This time Debby, I agree with you.
However, as T.S. Eliot said, "The Civil War is not ended. I doubt if any serious civil war ever ends." This is true of not only ours, but those in other countries as well, especially way back in time in Europe.
I too have traveled much all over the world (as well as here in the U.S.), from Europe to SE Asia, where I got shot at for simply being an American. How sad this world was and still is.
I grew up in the south in the 50's,60's and 70's and southern food used to be a lot better. Almost all folks living in rural areas had gardens and ate fresh from their garden all summer and canned garden veggies for the winter.
The problem with southern restaurant and much home-cooked southern cuisine is that it melded with mid-western cuisine in the 70's and became tasteless,gooey, overly-fat laden and not fresh. Traditional southern cuisine was mostly based on the growing season, leaner meats and contained lots of fruits and vegetables.
The reason that some southern food is historically highly caloric is that people relied on these foods to provide them with the energy to do hard labor all day. Obesity was not very common-even as late as the 1970's -but it's the rule,not the exception these days. You cannot eat these foods on a regular basis and maintain a normal weight unless you are doing hard labor all day, six days a week.
Unfortunately, we Americans-especially southerners and mid-westerners- mostly lead sedentary lives now but continue to eat like there's no tomorrow. Hence,most southerners are quite obese and they are getting obese at younger ages.
Macaroni and cheese,by the way, is NOT a traditional southern food. It became popular in the south (and the rest of the country) in the 50's,60's and 70's when huge packages of cheese were distributed via federally subsidized programs that provided food to poor families. The chefs should know this as it's part of the history of the American food subsidies influencing American cuisine.
Well said. And at 4 a.m. at that.
....I wonder if the people trashing the South have either:
1) Actually been there and know what they're talking about
2) Realize that white people aren't the only ones who live/have history/is connected to the South.....
I kinda doubt it.
I'm no great traveler, but I have traveled. Raised in consistently moving family (AF) and having a mother that LOVED to cook and try new things, I like it all. ALL REGIONS ARE WORTHY. They ALL bring something to the table. Embrace them all.
The south sucks. I am not sure why CNN is perpetually promoting the greatness of everything south of the Mason Dixon Line. Southern food is disgustingly fat, bland, and unoriginal. Outside of maybe the city of New Orleans, every city in the south is a barren waste land of tasteless food.
Hospitality? I am sure they are very hospitable...just so as long as you come from the same town and demographic. Otherwise you are a yankee/trash/poor/rich/snob, take your pick. Racism, classism, discrimination, and prejudice are all a way of life in the south. The promotion of the southern nostalgia is a promotion of the disgusting behavior of southerners.
You said it, brother. Not to be rude, but Abe Lincoln blew it. Secession was a GREAT idea. Now we have to put up with their politics, racism, fake piety and 'hospitality.' Yes - like back in the day, everyone said 'good mornin' on the way to the lynching.
Nick, actually, check out Lincoln's membership in the American Colonization Society, then check out how many thousands of northern political prisoners he had when habeas corpus was suspended. Google it!
....I'm assuming you've been to every Southern state and checked it out before you made these claims, right?
Oh wait....you haven't? You're just talking out of your behind because you think it's the cool thing to do?
Sad.
you sound your the one that has the issues "Racism, classism, discrimination, and prejudice" . i live in the north and we have all those problems here too. wake up!!!!!!!!!!
I was born and raised in Northern Georgia, and I agree. I left due to the fact that I joined the military, and I am now in California. People in the south are not always bad, but the small do seem to make a bad name for the majority! I guess all in all I am glad I left!
You are right on. However, don't ever dis New Orleans or we will dispatch you and hide your body in the bayou.
Ever consider that maybe the response you got in the south is because you're a jerk?
Somebody needs a nap
Why does Eatocracy have to constantly shove Southern Food stories down our throats? The reality is the South is filled with greasy, dirty BBQ joints and fast food restaurants. The articles read like their is some massive diversity of food in the South, there was more divesity of food on the block I grew up on in Philly.
I travel to the South for work a lot and outside of the Dakotas it's far and away the worst food in America, it's a cultural waste land. I always offer to buy the office I visit anything they want to lunch, 9 times out of 10 they will ask for Chick Fil A. If you want to know what a meat and three is like, picutre a hospitol cafeteria after the food has sat around for an hour too long.
There are so many great food regions of this country, from the Pacific Northwest, to wine country, to the Hudson Valley, to Mexican roots of the Southwest. Stop covering the most boring region of the country where there hospitality is exemplified by turning the fire houses on a 7 year old school girl.
You're eating at the wrong places. There are quite number of very good meat and threes. Family owned, freshly prepared food (most of which is NOT fried), nothing at all like a cafeteria – outdoor dining with blues/jazz bands on the weekend. Very nice. While the food may not be as interesting, exciting & diverse as other parts of the country, there is some good food here. And if you're picking up the tab for lunch, it sure as heck isn't going to be Chick-Fil-A
u have no idea what u r talking about
Sorry, but it comments like the fire hose one that make me angry. The south of 2012 is not the south of the 1960's. People who move here to Birmingham are always shocked at how different it is than their perceptions. And as far as food, you obviously aren't checking out the right restaurants. Birmingham is home to some of the best "foodie" restuarants around, with multiple Beard winning/nominated chefs. I have eaten in fine restaurants from New York City to San Francisco, Chicago, Vegas, and Miami, and yes, New Orleans. Our high end restaurants compare quite favorably.
I didn't see mother = sister on the list ...
North, South, East, West, Midwest ... baloney. Visit Oregon and you'll see what America really is about.
I lived there for almost 30 yrs. Correct me if I'm wrong but don't you think there's less racisim there than in other parts of the country??? It will never be 100% iradicated but still......and yes, the food choices are quite cosmopolitin; up into Seattle, too.
The guy on the right looks like Jeremy Renner and Jude Law had a baby.
Neener neit neit neit neit neit nil....Jinga jing jing jing...blang a blang blang blanggggggg..jinga jing jing jing...
" jalapeno cheese grits." Love me some grits. Don't know why I haven't thought of this myself. Thanks fellas.
The south...ha ha. Home of baggers and birthers. The KKK and nascar. Palin lovers and trailer parks. Evangelical christian child molesters... I could go on and on.
palin twit have you ever been to the southern united states? I would guess not......from your comments...... you make me tired.
I know you never visited the South, 'cuz someone as dumb as you wouldn't have survived the experience.
i live in the South and this is the way you survive the cuisine: if the restaurant advertises anything like "country cooking", "home cooking", "mom's cooking", "granny's cooking" et al, it means everything is deep-fried or cooked to death, all to be washed down with sickeningly sweet iced tea...and should be avoided like the plague.
@hanna – there is some dang good food down here, but I must admit, your observation is spot on.
To all of you naysaying denigrators of the South, you can kiss my Rebel ass.
Don't look now Cletus, but someone is trying to hotwire your tractor.
Well, yee-haw, Rebel!
The North ...
Home for the Chief bagger (Michele Bachman, MN) and Head birther (Donald Trump, NY). The center of McCarthyism (WI) and the home for the John Birch Society (IN). Ah yes, The North, where child molesting Catholic Priests live well and prosper. And then there's Alaska,the most northern of states and the true home for Palin lovers.
Yes your area a twit, and a bigot as well.
^^you win teh internets today!
Wow, you really proved that you aren't a close-minded bigot with that comment...
Obviously a YANKEE MORON!!! JERK!! NEVER COME DOWN SOUTH... You may not make it out in one piece!!
I never understood why a reputable agency such as CNN provides message boards after its news clips. All these boards do is provide a forum for people to post things they would likely not say to someone's face, and the postings are not related to the news. Its depsicable. Every loser on this board has plenty of time to create clever retorts to the other retard they're arguing with. I'm sure you're not that witty in a real time scenario. It must be an ego booster to have cyber witt and talk Sh** from a 1000 miles away.
Makes as much sense as taking the time to post a scathing comment under a name that doesn't mean anything.
And it took you 7 minutes to prove my point, "whirled peas".
Yes, I just gave up facebook because I could never get an intelligent conversation going there. I suppose it really isn't meant for anything more than, "OOOO, listen to this song!" and, "well, I'm going to bed now, re-post if you really love me."
I keep hoping these blogs will morph into intelligent comments but that's the definition of insanity, isn't it??
I'm just blown away that meat and three is regional. Ya'll are really missing out. We have many good ones, but the worst two are the 'farmers market' places, they use canned veggies. Go figure.
Y'all not ya'll
Consider me truly chastised. You'd think I'd get it right as I use it often. Googled it and it looks like the jury is still out on this one. Apparently there is a 'northern' and 'southern' version. I'm going with the 'southern' version which is how I spelled it.
To keep on the food topic, just scored some fine venison this evening from a good friend :)
You are correct KG. It is a contraction of "you all", so "ya'll" can not be correct, no matter what "the Internet" says.
The south should repent and ask forgiveness for turning their backs on the Lord.
Wholly Merry Mothra Dog
what?
LynnAnn,
You can kiss the Southern Babtist A$$
You can't even spell Baptist correctly.... But considering your choice of words I cannot imagine you finding your way to church on Sunday.
As newcomers to The South, I'll give these guys two out of three - hospitality and Bourbon. These do make the south different in a number of respects. But the other three are mere expressions of America's vast regionalism in cuisine. Local foods are widely abundant across the nation (I would challenge any state or region to best CA in that regard), and those that dominate differ from region to region. Regional staples are the same, but they are plentiful in each region as well, but again they differ. In the south the cafeteria has endured longer than it has elsewhere, but diners and thrive in the northeast and midwest.
What I believe they have largely missed is that the characteristic food of The South has been comparatively left unrefined relative to the regional cuisine in much of the country. The south and southern food have not had the near the attention of inspired and creative chefs that have shaped the customary cuisine of the northeast or west coast. Neither has the south had the great concentrations of modern immigrants that settled in the northeast, midwest or west coast areas, and brought with them their heritage cuisines that are now integrated into the local fare. This is what makes the south different - its cuisine is in many ways reflective of an unrefined state. As such it represents a new frontier for guys like Habiger and Anderson.
AAANYWAY...I'd never had mixed greens with Vidalia onions and smoked hocks 'till I came to Georgia, now I'm hooked. There's a place in Augusta for you pulled-pork BBQ lovers called Sconyers that is a pig-eater's paradise be sure to go hungry. Between that place and Hyman's in Charleston they keep me busy doing extra laps in my pool well into September, and dancing the shag in SC roadhouses just to keep from ballooning like a tick.
I have lived in Nashville over four years now. I agree about Arnold's! Yum! I disagree about Southern hospitality....the Southerners I know, not just from TN, pretend to really want to help but don't really mean it, if you know what I mean. That's just my experience....
You forgot 5. Racism.
Racism exists everywhere, you moron.
It's just more outward in the South. I lived in Minnesota for a decade, and actually it's worse there, its just burried.
Racism is everywhere......not just in the south!!!
It must be coming from you. We aren't raised that way
Nope. Number 5 is the music. The muuuusic. Delta blues. Jazz. mmmMM! I love Tennessee. I could live quite happily in the Memphis area forEVER. And I'm a Democrat from the north. So there y'go.
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
That dude on the right is hot!
Spank me
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
That dude on the right is hot!
That dude on the right is hot!
And the bigotry is exposed!
you just made me missed my fried chicken!!!
Gotta love how folks in Tennessee think they're "Southern." Those of us who actually live in the SOUTH think of states like Tennessee and Kentucky as northern states.
I live in Tn. Came from Alabama.
I never reply to crap like this on message boards,but I can't let this idiocy go. My grandfather was a sharecropper in the Delta of Mississippi... ever heard of Yazoo? Other side of the family: my grandmother was the oldest living member of a famliy that founded Gibson county, TN with the likes of Daniel Boone. Tennessee is where I am from, and Tennessee is where they will rest my Bones in the SOUTH. And as long as Kentucky keeps making bourbon like they do, you may want to keep your mouth shut.
Considering Kentucky and Tennessee are as far or farther South than Virginia and North Carolina – with parts of Tennessee farther South than the northern edges of Alabama and Georgia, I would suspect those in the South that think they're Northern States are those with traditional Southern edjamacation. I live in Maryland, about 40 miles SOUTH of the Mason-Dixon line and while Maryland is a blend of Southern and Northern traditions, Virginia to our South is surely a Southern State.
TN is known as the volunteer state because it had the most people volunteer to join the confederate army in the civil war. So, it is definitely a southern state.
Not actually true.... we had the most people volunteer for the War of 1812 and the Mexican War. "There wouldn't be a Texas without Tennessee."
Breed, buy a map, look in a history book, or better yet, since I know you have internet access, try wikipedia, look up the Mason-Dixon Line. I'm from South Carolina and live in Arkansas now. I've been through Tennessee plenty of times and that state is about as southern as you can get. It's not the latitude that matters, Southern is a mindset.
On the article: I'm glad to see someone actually appreciating the South the way it should be, southern hospitality is a very real, tangible thing and I'm glad that you get the reality of it. And yes, sweet tea and grits, it's a southern thing!!!
...and this comment is an example of the attitudes for which we, as Southerners, are stereotyped. The rest of the entire world considers Tennessee and Kentucky part of the American South. You're splitting hairs, here.
LOL! Growing up we used to think of the dividing line between the North and the South as the border between NC and SC...
There is truth to both sides. The culture in MS and LA is different from GA and SC and different from TN and VA... but they are all "Southern".
Those two guys in that picture look miserable, like they had just got called in to wojk on their day off.
Hey Southerners, we kicked your ignorant hillbilly racist white trash a$ses 150 years ago, didn't we? Kicked em real good.
Now come lick the crap off our boots, you dogs.
A lot has changed since then, buddy. So why don't you come on down here, and let us show you now?
Next time you try too secede we won't stop you. The South has been nothing but a embarrassment to the United States. When foreigners think of 'Ugly Americans' they are really thinking about 'Ugly Southerners.'
I betcha wouldn't even move. You'd sit right there behind your computer screen and watch it all go down via CNN. Maybe talk a lil' trash about it later to all your as$hat chat friends?
'Scuse me? You, suh, are clearly not a gentleman.
*snicker* love it John. Very simply said. :)
..TROLL!!!~!!!~~!~!
....Trolololololololo~
You live in the same state as that armpit of a city Detroit and you're talking trash about the South?
Well said!!
When I saw the words "Ugly Americans", I just think of ppl like you Pete. I feel sorry for you....
lol for real man come on down here we will make you show some respect down here we dont play. We are real big on respect you say that here in georgia and someone will end up beating you down.
ha! come on down here and say that again! my granny would wipe that smile off your face real quick
Pete, you psychotic troll, as a Northern transplant myself, let me tell you that although I do have several reservations about my current abode (Augusta, GA), your hateful rants are for the most part, unwarranted. The South has largely shed it's old vanity and antebellum stance, while conserving much of the beauty and grace it is known for. True, many less enlightened areas of the South have chosen to freeze in time or decay, but that holds true for Michigan and other Northerly locations as well. Perhaps you Michiganders would do well by yourselves in recognizing that it is a new day, and that the glories of the past will not return.
What this guy said!!!
Well said, Jorge!
please read: southern hospitality. your anger makes me sad.
I love how people grow instant balls when they're anonymous and hiding behind a computer screen.
Whoa! Take a chill pill there Capt. Testosterone.
The war isn't over........ it's just half time.
The war was fought over states rights. We are in the same economic crisis and the federal government is over stepping is constitutional abilities again. I say its time we finish the war and return education and other state issues being controlled by Uncle Sam to the states where the constitution says they belong. It is time for a revolution.
Stay where you are Yankee Trash. There are nicer people than you in Michigan, I've met them. They are welcome here, you are not.
@Pete 8 mile park doesn't have internet. stop stealing it from the gas station across the street. and while you're at it, F"k your own face, troll.
I find it humorous that someone from Michigan can have a superiority complex
hey pete you are a piece of crap!
go check your history fool. The civil war was won by the north because of manufacturing and the naval blockade keeping the supplies away from the southern troops. Southern troops were volunteers, northern troops were conscripted... so much for their patriotism huh!
As too "whoppin @ss"... just check out the modern equivalent COLLEGE FOOTBALL!!! This years National championship was between two SEC teams wasn't it. Southern football kicks yankee @ss every Saturday!!!
Hey Pete, I'm from Michigan and I can't see that this state has anything to brag about!
The closest thing I've ever seen to the meat and three is the Hawaiian Plate lunch. Although plate lunch ALWAYS comes with 2 scoops rice and mac salad, no matter what else you get. Tthe loco moco found on the Big Island of Hawaii would fit right in with southern cooking.
I LOVE Loco Moco. I'm from NY, but married a guy from GA. I've never had meat and three in the south, but every mall chinese place I've been to seems to have it.
Dang carpet baggers, move'n on down south and claim they know southern cookin. Stealin something else they've got no right to. Ya don't see no southern people head'n up north and claiming they know northern cooking now. do you? Must be a good reason fer that.
Actually I've seen lots of Southern cooks that move north and claim to cook the best local cuisine (and they certainly don't). But uhh...nice try with the Southern elitism and two-faced attitude that made me HATE living down there as a New Englander when I was in the Marines.
I've seen Yankee pot roast on the menu in restaurants down South. :o)
There is also a great place called Monell's in Nashville. It is SOOOO good AND all you can eat. If you like southern cooking then you are gonna love this place.
http://monellstn.com/ndininginfo.html
......how did so much controversy stem from a conversation about food?
I will say this. I'm a black person from the South who's now going to school in Boston. I've seen the same amount of racism here as I've seen back home. Some of it's overt, some of it's trying its best to stay hidden.
All the same....I'm not going to let it stop me from enjoying myself wherever I am.
Here's the truth, people: EVERY place in the US has its cons, but it's only going to make you miserable if you let it. Bashing people or the places they're from does what exactly? Absolutely nothing.
Why waste your time?
And here we have an uncle tom carrying water for the white trash hillbilly redneck plantation owner. Sir, I think you are suffering from Stockholm Syndrome.
And I very seriously doubt you have been the victim of racism in Boston.
You're an ass Pete.
And your a s|ut Julie
Oh wow.....looks like we've got ourselves a bad-ass up in here!
What are you Pete? 12? 13? Go to bed. You have school in the morning.
Leave the real discussion to the grown ups. We've got it covered, hun~
Well if I get insulted then I'll insult right back. Can you blame me?
.....and when did I insult you? You're just on here trolling. Looking for an excuse to be an ass. It's a blog about food. How pathetic can you really be?
My beef isn't with you, man. I'm actually on your side.
OUR enemy are these ignorant hillbilly white trash pieces of garbage in the South. Now, lets join forces and humiliate them up and down.
Man.....you have issues.
I guess you really are an Uncle Tom.
"Uncle Tom".....
1) I'm a woman, so you might have to come up with a different pejorative name for me. Sorry.
2) Is that really all you got? Sad. Pathetic. Yawn. Next.
3) Forgive me for not letting a little petty thing like race make my decisions and rule my opinions.
4) Seriously. Go to bed. Growing children need at least 8 hrs of sleep a night!!
Racism certainly exists in the north, as it does all over the country. I hear the n word and overtly bigoted comments WAY more in New England than I ever did in Georgia. Frankly, I'm sure it's because people here don't have any real experiences with black folk. Look at a Celtic's (or C's for you chowdaheads) game and find me a black person not in uniform. It's rhetorical because you can't. The only real hatred for blacks I've seen was in Statesboro, and they were scumbag rednecks. That being said, SO many rednecks live in mass. They're called massholes for a reason...
Whatever.
Just ignore what these people have done to your people for 300 years.
(BTW, Southern white trash would try to enslave African Americans again if we allowed them to. But they're afraid of another Northern-enlightened beat down)
You wanna talk about what's been done to black people in America? Then you better not limit it to the South, idiot. The North has blood on its hands too when it comes to the maltreatment of blacks. The North isn't squeaky clean. Even in Michigan.
And get your facts straight, dear. The number should be around 400 years~
I love ignorant idiots like you you f**k up facts when they're trying to use them to their advantage. It just shows how stupid and ignorant you are~
You wanna talk about what's been done to black people in America? Then you better not limit it to the South, idiot. The North has blood on its hands too when it comes to the maltreatment of blacks. The North isn't squeaky clean. Even in Michigan, blacks were (and apparently still are, if certain stories are correct) mistreated.
I love ignorant idiots like you who mess up facts that they're trying to use to their advantage. It just shows how stupid and ignorant you are~
Please everyone, just ignore Pete. When you leave a reply to his comments, you are only giving him what he wants – another chance to show off. If you ignore him, he will be frustrated and we will all be happy because we aren't letting him take up space in our heads. I think it must suck to live in his head.
What on Earth? I just wanted to say I love you!!!! Clearly Pete was born without a brain or is trolling from an institution where they keep ignorant people like him. (btw pete, I'm a southern white male and What on Earth has shown more class than you will ever know in your entire existence as a sorry excuse for a human being.)
Racism, sadly, will never die. I wish it would. But as for myself, all I can do is look at people for what they are and not see skin color, because when all is said and done, skin color is not what is important. What's important is the person you are and the person that people close to you will remember you as being and that is all we can ever be.
As a Michigander at heart, I am embarrassed that Pete shares the state I call home. I think he's just trying to cover for the race riots in Detroit. Racists are everywhere, but the worst that I've seen are in the places that are supposed to be the "most tolerant". It's disgusting wherever it exists.
Racism is both ugly and wherever you find it. Maybe black people are transplants where you are from but they are our neighbors in the South. My son's best friend is black. I also know his parents. Wonderful people, and undoubtedly more educated than you. Keep your ignorant opinions to yourself.
Southern Celt, if they kept their comments to themselves, how would we know where to aim? ^_^
Pete,
I wish I could comment on your sub-comment regarding us wanting to re-enslave blacks, but I'll post here. Considering I have worked with, eaten with, played with, attended school with blacks my whole life, there is one thing I would say regarding the re-enslavement. I would stand side-by-side and arm-in-arm with 99.9% of the black people I have known in my life (there are always bad eggs, as you seem to prove), and welcome them in to anything I ever do. If it is enslavement to be my friend, then I beg their forgiveness and ask that they enslave me similarly. Maybe some day you will let loose the hatred in your heart, and won't let it taint your thoughts the rest of your days.
That's a good point. There is far more racism in the North, even here in Detroit, than the depths of Louisiana I know, ever had.
I don't think that Pete is really from Michigan. Most Northerners don't think about the Civil War, except in history class.
i've lived in the south my entire life, and i've got to say, i love it here.
Then you must be a white male. How often are your KKK meetings?
Wow. Coming from a guy who lives in one of the most boring states in the USA. Tell me, exactly, what Michigan contributes to this country......
Ford and GM? Tim Allen? Malcom X? Alice Cooper? Eminem? Michael Moore? Francis Ford Coppola? Gerald Ford? Henry Ford? Mass production / assembly line? Charleton Heston? James Earl Jones? Madonna? Ted Nugent? Rosa Parks? Hewlett Packard?
.....Rosa Parks was born in Tuskegee, Alabama and made her famous ride in Montgomery, Alabama. Malcolm X was form Nebraska. Maybe he lived in Michigan for a while...but he was born in Nebraska
...what does Michigan have to do with any of that? Why are you still trying to bring race into a topic that has to do with food? Sad. And. Pathetic.
To Pete,
I hope you find peace; something to allay whatever it is that makes you write these things I've seen. Rather it be your own insecurities, benign ignorance, misplaced hate, or simply pure boredom, I hope you find peace and wisdom. You obviously lack it or you wouldn't be spending your time in such a manner as this.
To those angered with Pete,
Please realize you should feel sorry for someone who would do this and wish them the same. True southern hospitality is not reactionary, but unconditional, no matter what Pete might say to the contrary.
Right, Tim Allen and HP. I stand corrected.
I wouldn't know, They hate me too for my religious views.
You read an article about food and expect people might name their favorite restaurants or share a good recipe. But no it immediately turns to politics, religion or geographic rivalries. Its time to end the comment sections they only lead to name calling, trolling and hatred all concealed and protected by anonymous names.
Aww poor wittle white trash hillbilly got his "Southern Fried..err Pride" hurt and wants to run to daddy CNN to shut the comments down.
BOO HOO HOO.
Too many haters in Michigan. Your credibility goes the way of the rust belt – nowhere.
Ahh Pete. Still trolling and not getting any Valentine's Day treats. Good luck with that growing up and interacting with real people thing. It'll happen. Keep working at it sport!
You probably get slapped around a lot.
Well one place in the South where there is no "southern hospitality" is Florida. Truly the worst place in America.
That would be because there are very few Southerners in Florida. The majority of the populace consists of transplants and retirees from the North. With that you get the typical rudeness and arrogance associated with locales such as New York and New Jersey.
Florida is a tourist haven in the Tropics. It's not considered the South by anyone but the uninformed.
It depends on where you are in Florida. Most people speak Spanish south of Palm Beach until you get to the Keys (if you want food, try Key Lime pie fresh from Key West). Orlando is full of tourists, but they bring much needed income to the State. The middle of the state is all Cattle farms (more than Texas!), and the coasts are full of tech workers and retired people. All in all a nice place to live, and the weather is far nicer than the rest of the country (assuming you prefer warmth and Sun instead of cold and Snow).
The South is the reason I support ABORTION
Too bad your Mother didn't.
I would mention one more thing,, some of my best friends are from the south in georgia and old miss.
very lame article
Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, the south has a bad reputation amongst those who have never been there, but it's actually a great place. I promise you a child growing up in the south will have more fond memories than a child growing up on the west coast.
southerners may be more polite, but they have a huge disregard for humanity.
It's called get er done
You are absolutely right. The South is a terrible place. You would be well advised to stay right where you are and never visit it.
Your statement is pretty ridiculous. It's the kind of thing that supports the stereotype of Southerners of being non-accepting of different cultures.
Warning: 'Southern Hospitality' only applies if you do not deviant too far from what they consider 'normal'.
How is this different from anywhere else in the world? Brilliant. 2 seconds to think of that? Or was it 3.
Cities like New York. Chicago , San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle both accept and celebrate people that are FAR from normal. They actually take pride in having a diverse, unique population.
Roguewave has obviously never been to Austin, Miami, Atlanta, or Nasheville. Even parts of Memphis are as lefty or progressive as anything you'll find in Berkely California.
Yes, the South has a lower average population density than the Northeast or the West Coast and is thus more rural and conservative than the rest of the country. But the urban areas are just as progressive as any other American cities.
So southerners want to know all about my personal life; my likes and dislikes, etc. Sounds like Facebook for the Inbreeding Crowd.
All you folks defending the south, KNOCK IT OFF. I'm a native Texan and we have something like 1000 yankees a day moving in here and I wish they would stop!! I tell everyone that Texas is a HELL HOLE, nothing but cactus, scorpions, and rattlesnakes. When we aren't dying of thirst due to drought, or baking in 100+ degree weather, we are being blown off the map by hurricanes and tornadoes (did you know that there are more tornadoes in Texas than in any other state?) Lots of us own guns and lots of us carry them. You won't like it here. Please save yourselves and stay home in the sophisticated, civilized north. Please.
Amen!
Nope, I thing I like it here just fine, I think I'll just pitch tent, stretch my legs and learn me some BBQ.
Just yesterday you were fussing about how much you can't stand Georgia and now you want to stay? What gives?
Well, if you want to keep the riff-raff out of Texas just outlaw air conditioners from homes and autos.
You know what? I got sucked into this north/south thing myself. When you read the absolute hatred displayed here, it is down right scary and disturbing. We are all brothers here. Just because someone likes different foods, comes from a different environment, or talks differently doesn't make make one better than another...just different. We are a pathetic people. Hate, hate, hate.
Sounds like a yankee to me
Pete in Michigan – the South is the best region in the world as long as you're not there. Hmm, sounds like you got dumped by a Southern lady or maybe by several. Who would want a loser like you? Go back to shining shoes and leave the South alone. Those cold temps in Michigan have freeze-dried what's left of your pitiful brain.
The South is a great place to be from
Quit telling people how nice it is here!!!! They will want to visit and then they will never leave!!
Soooo you live in Florida, too?
Don't drink the sweet tea unless you are related to a dentist.
No!! CNN, don't stop the posts!
The food is good and we are enjoying Pete's jovial good spirits!
CNN, please stop posting comments
I grew up in Mississippi and currently live in Memphis and I have never in my life seen a single member of the KKK.
I have, however, seen a neo-nazi skinhead from Pennsylvania.
No shortage of them in Michigan, either.
Yeah, those personal anecdotes TOTALLY disprove all of the statistics to the contrary in the South, like the fact that 40% of Alabama voters voted to keep interracial marriage illegal as recently as 2000. Who cares about irrefutable numbers like that when you can appeal to personal experience, right?
Michael Wong, you ign0rant s!ut, I'm not claiming there aren't racists in the South or that the South doesn't have major issues. I'm just making the point that racism or, for that matter, stupidity or ignorance aren't exclusively the domain of the South. People like Pete seem to be implying that the South is practically the 4th Reich or something.
Hey Michael, keep poking and prodding the white trash hillbilly, eventually his "Southern Hospitality" mask will come off and he'll start calling you ching chong ping pong or making some other racist hateful remark about you ethnicity.
Southerners are truly..truly a stupid people.
If your job was that of a KKK member and your numbers were as small as they are, would you show your hood everyday? Well that's why you don't see them.
Stephanie, don't bother reasoning with the hillbilly white trash southerners, just mock them. You can't debate stupidity, and as I have pointed out the average southerner is about 15-20 IQ points stupider than the average person from the intellectual and enlightened parts of the country.
I am a southerner. My question is, you are on here a lot fighting for what? Why do you waste your breath trying to put down others? Whose IQ is lower? Yours would have to be, seeing that you basically kill your brain cells with your hate for others. It's nonsensical to even imagine you have the amount of time on your hands to be doing something so unconstructive with your time. Why don't you tend to doing something more practical with your time, like jacking off? Release some of this pointless anger you have towards the south. Hmmmmm? :)
No answer??
Like I said, Southerners are too stupid to debate. Energy is much better spent mocking and belittling.
Debating is for intellectual equals.
Maybe its not because we're "too stupid to debate" maybe its because you can NoT find a viable argument towards your horrible comments? You, who wastes your breath trying to convince people of a region's lack of intellectual capacity, need to become aware that you are doing this on a FOOD article. Simply nothing more then that. The time you are spending on here is truly wasted, as none of these people are even going to remember, nor care what "that one pete dude" said on an article last night. Way to be a productive member of society d0ucheb@g!
Haha, and still, nothing.
Stephanie,
Pete is obviously unemployed so he is able to post his rants in the middle of the day, or he soon will be if he is doing this at work.
It's because most of them stay hidden, and memphis is too large for the KKK. Most of them reside in Pulaski TN. I've driven by the military base near my home here in tullahoma tn, and have seen burning crosses. Spooky stuff.
Looks like my good bum-buddy, the war criminal General Sherman, went too easy on you bast@rds.
Wow.
You know, if Pete and Big Al and Ann West were saying about black people or jewish people or asian people what they are saying about southern people then CNN would delete the comments and/or close the comments section down entirely.
Apparently Southerners are the one group left that its still ok and politically correct to hate, mock, and deride.
In a thread about food, no less.
Dang. There was a mention about Allan Benton's bacon. Don't talk about that. Benton's country ham beats Italy's proscuitto. But he can't make enough of it. Don't tell anyone about this. Maybe if you are reading these comments okay... but if you tell too many people, then the price goes up, or you just can't get it.
SHHHHHH!
Hey, let's lay off of Pete. The poor guy was a bedwetter as a kid...and what did his father do? His father went out and bought him an electric blanket!
Hahahahahahahaha, snort!!
I think I'm going to drag my knuckles into the kitchen for a glass of iced tea. It WAS cold today, about 70 degrees, but I think I'd still enjoy a glass. Can I get you some?
Pete, I've got plenty of ice! I'll get you some too!
I'm from Nashville, born and raised in Tennessee. I spent several years working in Connecticut, the vegtables there were just as plentiful and varied as they are in the South. The natives would ask questions usually begining with "You're not from around here ?" no more than the South. A most comforting breakfast of freshly prepared hashbrowns, fried eggs and bacon was in CT. And for lunch, authenic Thai food from a commune skillet cooked fresh while I watched each day while at work. My time spent working in Massachusetts was very enjoyable, a whole lobster, corn on the cob and potatoes for $5.99 to eat at a park bench in the summer. And then the fresh cod fish pulled directly from the Atlantic, fried with a view of the fishing boats coming into harbor. This is a big country. And I forgot to mention the huge fresh blue crab sandwiches that I ate several days a week in Port Aransas TX. And the unforgetable shrimp boudain with plum sauce in St. Francesville LA.
Here is a fun poll!
"Why are Southerners so stupid?"
http://www.bestandworst.com/r/4576.htm
(Hint: The correct answer is poor genetic quality)
This is a guy who'd make us southerners rethink abortion
Pete looking at those photos of your home state, I believe you need to stop bragging about your IQ.
The way you keep saying the same nasty stuff over and over makes me think you stood in one spot in a factory in Detroit turning the same one screw as the conveyor went by, hum?
We will keep our eyes posted for jobs paying $45.00 an hour to turn one screw and we will get back to you.
Pete- The more rednecks that pile on you, the more you should know you're right... something along the line of: 'me thinks thou doth protest too much... ' Let's just hope 'they' keep on scarfing down Paula Deens' food and croak before they qualify fer Medicare...
Pete? Pete! Come on. Time for bed, honey. You've got school tomorrow. Brush your teeth. Wash your face. Did you finish the English paper? Don't forget to put your bag by the door...
As a relocated Yankee I agree wholeheartedly with the article. As a Realtor we moved to Asheville, NC 5 years ago and couldn't be happier. There is a sense of Southern charm, hospitality, artists, music, and more; and yes we also have just about any type of food featuring great restaurants !
Southern Hospitality is a myth, real southern hospitality is evident in Deliverance and in the final scene of Easy Rider. I'm a carpetbagger as well and like most of the U.S., people are generally nice, but when you go off the beaten path things get weird. And please, if you think that living in Asheville gives you a picture of the south you are dead wrong. That place is a hipster mecca, it's left of Berkley, why don't you head over to any non-tourist driven economy in the south and tell me what you think then.
Hope I wasn't to harsh, there are many charming qualities in the south, but the underlying racism and general intolerance to anything that is moderately different still exists. Treat it like a trip to eastern Europe, it's cheap and unusual, safe for the most part but at any moment minor cultural differences could make things turn horribly wrong.
You aren't harsh – just stupid. But then most Yankees just can't help themselves – yu po thang.
Strange1: can you say with a straight face that there is no strong underlying racism in the south and that being different from the accepted mainstream won't make you stick out way more than in the north?
You ain't harsh... just right on. As a New England Yankee who tried on West Virginia fer 7 (seven) years... I think you're being kind... a far cry from what the white trash dealt me.... makes 'Jesus Loves You' a bunch of poo-poo... then, again, what can you expect from 'folks' who have been taught WHAT to think, instead of HOW. Eat more liver mush, y'all. Heart attacks can be fun....
I live on the T where tn. ga. n ala. meet.. traveled around but ended up back here..love our food ..article not anything new but i must help you guys out...hey stop with it ..you sound goofy...there ain't no south man ..you goofballs when you talk about the people where " I "live your talking about your own buttheaded selves..there ain't no southerners left man..it's all yankees abd foreighners ...for real jim so knock it off,,theres just a few of us left..but you brought your carpetbaggin ways down here..we ignore you thats why after they move down here they always end up hanging around with other yankees like themselves..why the hell didn't all ya'll stay where you were if it is such a horrible place !!
besides the trolling tendencies, im thinking Pete from that glorious state of Michigan must have had a bad experience in his visit to the south. maybe you project some qualities you are not aware of? you possibly stink might be one. or maybe its the bare-ass chaps you wear down the street? or that nose stuck up in the air? hmm. im thinking the first one. im sorry.
Oh maybe you can answer my previous question about "Southern Pride."
yeah, i dont understand the Souther Pride thing either. nor do i understand the NYC pride or Texas pride. i am more interested in your anger issues here. and want to help. can you give me an example (try to be as objective as possible here) of a few of your nasty interactions while you visited the South? begin with what came out of your mouth and followed by the responses you got.
Michigan is like the south, but cold, dreary and suicidal
and, im sorry, a Knuckle breather is what now? i understand open-mouth breathing and possibly knuckle dragging but the knuckle in the mouth is something i dont get here.
I just have a question. I hear about "Southern Pride" from some of the knuckle breathers so I was wondering:
What is there in being Southern that could ever bring you pride other than fatty, grease-food and fake friendliness?
Google images of abandoned Michigan
http://www.businessinsider.com/most-dangerous-cities-2011-5#24-lansing-mich-2
http://zfein.com/photography/detroit/index.html
http://subtopia.blogspot.com/2007/10/if-there-is-life-in-flint.html
http://www.google.com/search?q=abandoned+detroit&hl=en&client=safari&tbo=u&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ei=syQ7T5X8FJPo2gXsyPWWCg&ved=0CDsQsAQ&biw=1024&bih=672
Why Pete is so nasty.
Pete, what were you saying about not needing to go somewhere to know you don't want to?
Hey Pete, how bout them schools?
I think the article makes him bitter because there is nothing but govt cheese in Michigan.
Great comeback Southern Family! Poor Pete has to live in COLD, DANGEROUS and POLLUTED Michigan! No wonder he's so miserable!
I'm a transplanted Southerner currently living in Michigan and the best one can say about it is that the state is a racist, blighted hellhole...except for certain parts up north that resembled the South far more than they resemble the rest of the state. Without them, Michigan would be the middle finger extended to the cruel and arbitrary god that allowed this decaying rust belt to come into being.
Not being a cynical, arrogant, elitist, snob who thinks the internet exists to make their own nose their personal viewfinder.
No offense, Pete – but Michigan isn't exactly a bastion of tolerance.
You guys need to lay off my friend, Pete. He can't help it, being from Michigan an' all. Bless his heart.
Knuckle Breather? Now that's a new one. Pete, dear ... I believe the term is "terra-cotta toothed, mouth breathing, knuckle dragging, cousin f'ers. Now, dear Pete ... which one are you? Folks are right, you are a tool.
Please don't let Pete's sarcastic nastiness taint your view of us in Michigan. We love traveling the country and have seen beautiful parts of a lot of the states. Don't let your state pride take over your common sense. We all love where we live or we go elsewhere. Our country really is something to be proud of.
Pete doesn't ta int anyone's view of Michigan. We simply view Michigan Pete as a ta int.
Well, we've managed to keep you out for one.
Whoever said that people in Nashville want to know who you are, you have a skewed sense of reality or you just have not heard what everyone there that has "gotten to know" you is saying behind your back. They only want to "get to know" you so that they know whether you are an asset to them or not or simply to make you believe that they care when they actually don't. I moved there for a year, glad I moved back up North.
We sure are glad you knew how to go back up North. And please don't come back. We won't leave the light on for you.
I found htis article so interesting...I have lived in the south most of my life...people are friendlier in the South !! I lived in the Midwest a few years...very distrustiong people....I never understan why they were so stand offish...I say hey to everyone...in the midwest people look at you like you have lost your mind !! Food in the South is the BEST !!!!!
I love the South. Pure evil – can't be beat.
Poor fellow. But at least now you are getting honest.
I ain't Pete – I'm Satan. Fear me, dammit! I have horns protruding from my head and a forked tail. I even hate Michigan. So there.
Even evil has feelings.
Satan, evil isn't defensive, it's simply evil. You, however are defensive like nuclear waste is toxic, mi cro-pe ter.
I can see where you might mistake the food of the South as decadent, deilshly spiced and seasoned and would make you wish you could trade your soul for the lifetime of flavors you experience in every bite. Just proven by this article and the millions just like it and the thousands and thousands of cookbooks based on southern cooking that Southern cooking is enormously influential and desired around the world.
Be nice or I'll tell Saint Michael and he'll kick your fork tailed butt back where it belongs (again!)
For sure! That's why there is ONE Trader Joes location here. Atlanta... Not anywhere else. Well, Charlotte NC. Not really the deep south. ONE Whole Foods in Birmingham.
The south is the worst place in America to live. Grew up here, lived all over, and 10 years later, got transferred back in the south again. Why oh why would anyone ever want to live here is beyond me. BTW, there aren't any "eat local" places here like there are out west. Everyone is hooked on wal-mart and fast food. And hospitality? Yea right. How about Southern Judgmental-ness. Ride a bike to work here and see what looks you get. Just saying.
Just once I would love to see a bike rider obey the traffic laws. Is it too much to ask for y'all to stop at a stop sign, or a traffic light like cars are required to do? Since they don't pay attention to those things don't pay attention to me flipping you the bird as I pass you.
Maybe if there were bike lanes, it would be easier not to get killed by on coming traffic. But I'm no expert.
Rich, if on-coming traffic is your problem, you're riding on the wrong side of the road. Cheers!
Hey, Jared. I wish I knew what your bike looked like. You'd only see my look once..right before my right tire got punctured by your pointed head.
"The south" is everything from thick forests to sandy deserts, bamboo groves to cactus patches, green rolling hills to majestic mountains, swamps to waterfalls, and everything in between. You are welcome to indict a locality here or there, but you can't condemn hundreds of thousands of square miles of territory. There are plenty of beautiful and breathtaking places in the north, too. Go find one.
Maybe you pulled out in front of my truck. I just hate that. Those little sissy bikes ridden by silly looking boys in girl's tights and those little helmets can leave nasty scratches. If I were you, I would just turn around, get in the North bound lane and keep peddling until you can't get good sweet tea.
Great point about riding a bike. I was staying at a hotel in the South on business and asked if there was a sushi restaurant near by I could walk to, you would swear I just asked the guy to convert to Satinism. I don't know what offended him more, sushi or walking.
I pick and freeze my own beans and greens. YUM!!
I eat more chicken any man ever seen...
Let's not forget the shredded or pulled Pig.
I am amazed at the disparaging comments in this thread. This is a positive article about some of great qualities of the South. Why are people so nasty? Each of our states has unique customs that are always interesting and remarkable to observe. Despite all the bland strip malls, each region of our country has unique beauty that we should all be eager to savor. No other country has such a extensive variety of climates, geography types and animal life. There is such a vast selection of food and beverages and I have enjoyed every place I have visited from Idaho to California to Washington State to Maine to Florida to Georgia to Illinois and so on and so on. I grew up and the South and remember the hospitality very well. I have lived in the Northeast for almost 30 years now and have grown to love the people of Philly, New York, New Jersey the same as all my past friends and acquaintances in the South. People need to learn to cherish our diversities. America's diversity is it's strength and hopefully always will be.
"Why are people so nasty?" Because they here were dateless on Valentine's day. Pity.
I grew up and spent most of my adult years on the West Coast (CA and WA), but had the privilege to live for eight years in Louisville, KY. Absolutely loved the city, how incredibly kind/polite the people were, the fabulous city park golf courses, the food, The Derby, the respectful kids, the pride. When I retire in a few more years I will be returning to the Louisville.
CATFISH? Not one comment about catfish? I'm not a big fan of the south, or most of their food, but CATFISH? No where else can you get catfish as good. Maybe because it's raised there.
What's wrong Pete? Nobody would be your Valentine?
Have you seen where the South places in metrics like obesity, hate crimes, IQ/education, literacy, Sexually transmitted disease, heart disease, welfare, wages, crime rates, rates of inbreeding, meth use, income inequality..need I go on?
The numbers don't like..the South is....THE WORST REGION IN THE WORLD!
Hey Pete, come on down here and get you a good ol southern a$$ whoopin. We hand them out for free for worthless pieces of crap yankee loud mouths like you
Another "Southern Hospitality" mask flies off, revealing the hateful bubba redneck underneath.
i am not masking anything, you insult our lifestyle, you are an a$$ hole. Do unto others, dont cross us. you have no idea what a bubba redneck is, you watch too much tv, take a vacation, leave your state
I hear a banjo!
How many teef ya gots, bubba?
We should hook up and trade sister's.
He can't do that, his sister is his momma. He don't want no other man touchin his sistermomma.
Aaaaahhh hahahahahahaha!! Damn! Now THAT is funny!
I'm embarrassed to admit I was sucked in by this "click-bait" headline, but now that I'm here, I will gently point out that there are five things you forgot to mention, including 1) the institutionalized racism, 2) the strange consuming obsession with football, 3) the all-Christian-all-the-time world view, 4) the unique southern ability to disguise criticism as praise (this article was just precious, bless your heart) and 5) the clannish obsession which where you grew up on the off chance your ancestors may have fought on the wrong side of a war they lost over 100 years ago.
I'm from New York City and I love Southern Food. This is a food blog. Reign it in crazies.
Pretty good...
But what passes for Pizza in New York City is a crime. Thin crust is just sooooo wrong!
I lived in the South (Memphis) for 11 years. I hated it. I think Southern hospitality is a farce. Sure people are very nice to your face, but they want to know so much about you because they're nosy. Turn your back to them and all Southerners do is gossip and talk nasty about their neighbor. I much prefer more genuine parts of the country. If you don't like someone, at least be honest about it and tell them to their face.
Did you ever think it might just be your own nasty self? I thought not.
I'm not talking about myself. A Southerner would never tell me to my face what they really think of me. I saw them doing it to everyone else.
If there is a single part of the country that is genuinely EVIL..its the South.
All northerners are mafia gays who hate Christianity, the American flag, and American values. They only want to satisfy their own perverse desires.
How "tolerant" of you....
If Jersey Shore has taught us anything, the Eastern states can be just as evil.
Yes, there is some credence to that; Civil War, Jim Crow, etc., but several factors have pretty much eradicated much of those evil and immoral customs over the past 40 years. Integration, although staunch resistance in it's infancy, has brought significant change for the better for EVERYONE.
Wow, the way you describe your experiences, are you confusing southerners with midwesterners?
Can't say. I've never spent any considerable amounts of time in the midwest. I live in Colorado.
I live in ATL GA and I can say I agree with you. Although it's not all bad, They sure are nosy.
... Atl is not the south. ATL is the San Francisco of GA.
Truth. Atlanta is a big melting pot, mostly having kept the good southern traditions and discarded the bad. We were "the city to busy to hate" as Mayor Jackson put it. As long as you realize the only people Atlanta really consists of live inside the perimeter (and Decatur)... Millions more in GA will tell you they're from Atlanta and really live in Marietta, Alpharetta, Roswell etc. Atlanta votes blue, theses places vote red.
I grew up in the South and miss many aspects of Southern culture. Regardless, I believe that Southern hospitality is overrated and potentially a myth. Living in the South, I had my share of inhospitable Southern natives. The North has a mix of inhospitable and hospitable people, just like any part of the US. I do find that Northerners tend to be more impatient and rude. However, at least you know where they stand in most cases. Southerners in general display an aura of friendliness, but behind that face may contain a soup of darkness ready to burst once you turn your back. There are genuinely law abiding friendly people from the North, South, East, and West.
You got it right. I'm from Minnesota, but I have relatives in South Carolina and have visited there many times. I enjoy visiting, but I wouldn't care to live there – the politics are too conservative for me. I do enjoy the food and reverence for local history, and Charleston manners, at least on the surface (as you say), are second to none.
I agree with your point that so called southern hospitality can be insincere, and that northerners, specifically New England from personal experience, can be overtly rude. Certainly I think we can agree the best would be to have a genuine sense of hospitality and companionship, but which would you rather have: Someone who'll treat you politely and thinks as if it's their duty to acknowledge others, if it's only to nod in their direction, but might not actually care... or someone who would simply ignore you even if they put on no false pretenses? I would choose the earlier. Massholes wouldn't be called that if they were taught manners, and people from Jersey ( a lot of jersey anyway) wouldn't be so classless if their culture valued hospitality over conflict.
We did. You just don't seem to speak the language.
You mean like you are doing right now?
Ever check your tone when speaking to Southerners to make sure you aren't being a condescending patronizing yankee jerk? ow often did you complain about lack of good bagels or pizza while turning your nose up at everything local or tell people how stupid they are to be proud to be Southern? Southern hospitality is real, but it has its limits.
Anyone ever tell you that a proper Southern Girl will only say "Hello" to a Yankee? Accept where you are and maybe they will be more friendly and you won't be so angry.
I have some family that could make that southern food. Every meal, however included fresh vegetables, most home grown as well as fresh fruits. Corn, beans, okra, "greens", squash, the list goes on. Fresh, home grown strawberries, cantaloupe, watermelon, and best of all peaches. Peach pie, peach turnovers, peach obbler should be on everyones bucket list, just fresh peaches with the juice dripping down your chin on a hot summer day, peach preserves on homemade biscuits, peaches sliced and churned and turned in an ice cream maker by hand, just this side of heaven.
Woe is me, all the generations of southern women in my family have passed on. Never saw them that often, but with
food like that, my loss is enormous.
I'm going to go dream of peaches. Night y'all!
so, with such a healthy food, how come "y'all so fat"?
Well, we ALL aren't. Great big yards, lots of paces to run around and play growing up. Ball games and fireflies to chase into the night. Your grasping at false stereotypes. Just ain't true.
Ever notice how many Yankees come South and just disappear? Just saying.... It's all in the sauce.
The stereotypes that are placed on the South are ridiculous. Its funny even. I was born and raised in Nashville, with no racism, lots of hospitality. The south is one of the best places to grow up and I find it humorous that people want to slam it when they have never even visited it.
I found it funny when BOSTON rioted over having to bus per the courts. Hypocrite yankees.
Sometimes stereotypes are true.
Eh... I live here & grew up here. My generation... 32 years old and younger... aren't racist. But man oh man our parents generation are. The South is a dark place. Oppressive and manipulative.
I'd recheck the math. If you are only in your thirties, then it was the generation before you that took the giant steps to end segregation and to break the mold. There were some heroic white and black people who challenged their own families, towns, churches, communities, peers and made the change. Don't sell that generation short.
To the individuals that do not appreciate or respect a positive opinion of something, what fools you are. Some of the things I have read criticizing this story and the individual involved are disgraceful.
Not once did either of the gentlemen mention anything derogatory about other regions of the U.S. I live in MInneapolis, and based on my numerous experiences traveling through the southeastern part of the U.S., I agree! Hospitality is a priority in their culture. This does not mean it is not in other cultures or other regions of the U.S. Simply, they just feel that based on their own experiences, they believe the south perfected the art of hospitality.
Lastly, most of you clowns probably never traveled anywhere foreign in your lives; most of you think a night out at the local Applebees is the big time.
It is ignorant angry folks like yourselves that shame us as a country.
Arrogant, condescending. No one likes you very much, do they...
Hear, hear & har har because, by far, the most bigoted, racist comment I've heard in recent memory spewed out of the mouth of a Hoosier. And his favorite place to treat his family to dinner in NYC? Applebee's.
Hey Pete, I've been to Michigan. Better step on out of the glass house there. You are from a cornhole of a state.
LOL
+1
At least I don't live in the south.
+15 IQ points
I would love to live in Michigan...From what I read in the papers, I hear Detroit and Flint are absolutely wonderful places.
Based on my experiences in Michigan, yes, 15+ sounds about right for you folks. That is a little high, but close enough.
Actually, Pete, you are wrong. Huntsville, Alabama has more engineers and PhD's per capita than any city in the country. Thanks for playing.
April 4,1968....The balcony of the Lorraine Motel,All Bigotry,Racism and Hatred should have ended.....unfortunately, it did not.
April 30,1975....All Wars,Bigotry,Racism and Hatred should have ended,unfortunately they have Not.
February 14,2012, All Wars,Bigotry,Racism and Hatred are Alive and well on a Food Blog. Unfortunately, this is still True.
Southern Hospitality is a pretty interesting idea, but it's normally not genuine. What southern hospitality really means is people are being polite, but don't worry if they don't like you they will still mf you and call you yankee behind your back.
"Southern Hospitality" is a duplicitous false mask used to disguise the most venomous, ignorant hatred you'll ever likely encounter.
being from michigan, i am sure you are an expert....idiot
Pete from Michigan... why don't you just say Pete who lives in a crack house? What's the property values like there now... I bet my trailer is worth more than 3 of your city blocks!
Completely agree... venomous. Oh, I do live here. Stereotypes aren't really just conjured up.. they sort of come about through years of observations. So, yea. My person favorite is the Confederate Historical area on Interstate 65 outside Birmingham... A Confederate flag larger than a dump truck! Perfectly acceptable as long as it's a "historical" flag eh?
I doesn't matter who's in Austin. Bob Wills is still the King.
Amen, Sister!
Thanks, Edd. May I have more comments from Texans about Bob Wills, the King of Western Swing.
Now I could go for some Bob Wills. lived in Texas for years and a hell of a lot of others places Florida, Navada even D,C for a bit. I'll take phony friendly over nasty out right any time. but when the time came for me I headed back to the Midwest (north Missouri). Its true we don't trust people till we have known you for some time. But every where you go there's just a little differnt flaver to the place, its all cool. Pete's just a little up tight now! its winter and all we yankee's get pissy when we are snowed in. its God Plan LoL.
I miss the Fabulous Thunderbirds, The LeRoi Brothers and the Wild Seeds.
Freddy King, too.
Love this discourse! Sure tells lots about a lot of you.
I'm from the north, and our ways are different, for sure....and so are those in the south. To me, the dialect sounds like lazy english, and the slow pace makes me crazy. However, I do recognize that it's just a different way of talking and living life. No judgment.
Joyce, your fair mindedness is a virtuous trait...
but they are actually as stupid as they sound.
Pete – Your suffering from seasonal disorder for sure. Take a vacation already tiger.
And you are 200% as ignorant and arrogant as you sound. Then again, we wouldn't expect less from a Yankee.
Awww.
Poor white trash racist hillbillies get their feathers ruffled.
What the best place to visit in the South for a nice relaxing 3 day weekend? I find Southern men attractive. I think it's the accent and the no BS attitude.
Pete, if your ilk is so enlightened, why is the rest of the country having to bail you out for decades of stupid decisions? Did you just get enlightened yesterday? How many more commercials must I endure begging me to "Save Detroit! Save us so we can continue to make overpriced products that no one will buy!!!" Save it Pete, go watch tv. It suits you.
I don't live in Detroit.
But in defense Detroit:
Yeah, Detroit has seen better days. But at least the Northern Automakers take care of their labor and give them decent wages.
Backwards Southern "Right to Work" states let companies basically treat Southern workers like they deserve – like crap. Low pay, working off the clock without pay, no health insurance, no overtime.
Pete your union wages meant we had to bail your dumbass out. GM has over 1 billion in unfunded liabilities. They will never be worth a damn again. By the way Japanese car companies can stop opening plants in the south, TX, GA, TN, we build things better than you. What do you do in MI? Ice fish?
If things are so bad in the South then how come so many of you Yankee Petes keep coming there to take jobs. Oh ...that's right...you ruined the North and now you have to go find someplace else to ruin.
No... The automakers don't take care of their employees. The American tax payer does. Since the bailout... like it or not... Detroit's autoworkers are on welfare. Without government handouts.. they'd all be homeless.
You're welcome... btw.
Microscopic Peter in Michigan
"I'll never claim that Michigan is the best state in the Union.
But at least I dont live in the South."
...and for that, we Southerners are eternally grateful.
They took care of them alright and split to countries where labor is cheaper, along with your bailout money to places like China, Korea, and the EU to expand international operations and foreign jobs.
Wow, are you dangerous. Do you just make this stuff up? Have you read anything in your life longer than two pages? Come on Pete. Nice trolling but your inability to throw out one single argument that isn't based on pure stereotype and your own brand of bigotry has bored me. Good luck should you ever venture out of paradise. A word of caution, ignorant people full of piss and false pride exist everywhere. You might want to leave all that drunken belligerence at home lest you meet a bigger and meaner version of yourself.
I asked Pete the same thing and he has yet to reply. They can't play football and can't run a business up there what can they do? Michigan is a drain on our economy.
I realize Pete's being a tool and he deserved that, but that's not really fair considering the fact that southern states by-and-large receive far more federal money than they pay while northern states tend to pay far more than they receive.
Pete is a troll. He doesn't realize that 3 of Michigan's cities are in the top ten of worst citiies in America: #2 Detroit, #3 Flint and #10 Warren.
I'll never claim that Michigan is the best state in the Union.
But at least I dont live in the South.
Pete couldn't get into the South. Their standards are too high.
Oh thats got to be a joke. Standards? South?
HAHAHAHA
Have you seen where the South places in metrics like obesity, hate crimes, IQ/education, literacy, Sexually transmitted disease, heart disease, welfare, wages, crime rates, meth use, income inequality..need I go on?
The south..... a platinum blonde with double d boobs stuffing down food sparkling with grease.
When I think South I think Newt Gingrich.
LOL
Newt Gingrich is the pinnacle of Southern evolution. He's what passes as brilliant there.
(Low standards, ya know.)
Well, just because he dumped his wife when she got cancer doesn't mean he doesn't have good family values- yes, I can hear that spoken with a deep southern accent.
When I think of the North I think of puke because that's what ot smells like.
May want to think again... Newt's actually from Pennsylvania.
Siara – you forgot about the "daisydukes" – sigh......
😄 Along with being a platinum blond with double d's, Newt wears Daisy Dukes too?????❔
You can not make judgement on the South such as those silly cliches. Southeners are extremely welcoming people who are not just "...platinum blondes with double d boobs." We do not "stuff food in our mouths" and while we do enjoy our food, we are not disgusting and without manners.
I have been reading most of your comments as well as the others. I believe most of you are still in grade school.
Pretentious northern bigot trash.
Another "Southern Hospitality" mask flies off, revealing the bubba redneck underneath.
That sounds delightful
Basically no one likes outsiders. Moved to MN from IL some years ago-never encountered such self-righteous, disingenuous jerks (MN nice). I am no fan of most southern food but MN food is the worst. It is white, pasty and tasteless.
Now, if the southerners would stop pointing their cannons north and admit it's a good thing they lost the CW, perhaps we could be a less divided country.
I also moved from Illinois to Minnesota – 36 years ago. I moved to go to school, liked it here and stayed. I stayed mostly for the great outdoor opportunities, and not so much for the people. I think Minnesotans have a lot in common with southerners (I have relatives in South Carolina and have visited there many times). Compared to Chicago, both Minnesotans and southerners avoid conflict and often don't say what they really mean; they both prefer "nice" over direct, honest discourse. Both Minnesotans and southerners think that typical Chicagoans are rude; I know this from personal experience and from others who think the same.
it may be good for the South it lost the war but the winning wan't good for the North, who knew there were so many inbreeds
Precisely. Southerners are such a disgusting, ignorant, hateful, stupid lot that I kinda wish they won the Civil War so we wouldn't be forced to call them American or have to put up with them.
If they try to secede again lets just let em go and fester in their own filth. The filth part wont take long since its welfare money generated by the productive North that lets all the lazy white trash southerners get their food stamps and buy all their fatty food.
The people of the South are nice, but only if you're ignorant, oppressive and intolerant as well. I wish it wasn't that way, but hate breeds from a lack of education, and it is well documented that people with the lowest IQ's reside in the Bible belt and deep South.
Good chicken though, you gotta hand it to em on their chicken.
Black people from the south have more in common with white people in the south than they do with black people in the north. Racism is everywhere. Get over it.
And Pete from Michigan has some insecurities so let him work through those.
Not insecure, just take joy in speaking truth to power...
and irritating racist southern neanderthals like you.
Pretentious northern bigot.
There are far more racists and bigots in the North. You Yankees just lie about it far more.
Hehe, pete just got pwned
Sorry Southernstar you can't own anybody anymore. Those of us in the enlightened, intellectual parts of the country made sure of that 150 years ago.
He sure did! I'm not even from the south, just laughing at his whiney tactics gives me glee though :) Let him pout!
Pete got completely dominated. I'm laughing so hard!
My travels to the south have always been positive. I visit friends in Alabama, Arkansas, etc, as well as go to my favorite vacation spot, Gulf Shores. Why am I not having bad experiences?
Because you must have confused Alaska and Amsterdam for Alabama and Arkansas.
I was born in New York, but my family moved to Georgia right before I was 2 years old. I'm black, so I should know how the south treats blacks. The thing is, I haven't really encountered many racists in the south. People always have this ignorant, stereotypical view of southerners. They think that all southerners are inbred, mentally challenged, white KKK members or uneducated blacks. They think all of us listen to country music all of the time and only dress in country clothes. This is such BS. Do you know where the scene revolution started in2008? In the south. You know, the fashion where people had straightened, teased, and colorful hair, wore skinny jeans and converse? Does that sound southern to you? Most of us actually don't like country music (believe it or not). By most people I ask, they prefer techno or heavy metal. As for racism, I have been discriminated against, but that is to be expected everywhere you go if you're black. The majority of people I have met have treated me with kindness and a lot of them have become good friends (a lot of them being white or Hispanic). Just because we have smaller towns does not mean we have boring lives. And the most annoying stereotype of all is that its like 80 degrees all throughout the year! Where the heck did that assumption come from? I went outside of my house yesterday and it was 25 degrees outside. And , we don't spend our entire days just relaxing on beaches, we have cities too you know?
Thank you! I am an Atlantan, born and raised (white,if it matters to people on here...) and I really do think Atlanta Is one of the more diverse and accepting cities that I've encountered....and I've been a lot of places. I don't have a southern accent, I'm not racist, and I'm college educated. Who would have known! Lol...
But remember what sociologist and historian John Shelton Reed said, "Atlanta is what a quater million confederate troops died to prevent."
The only people I encounter who have that view of the South are southerners who think the rest of us view the region that way. Perhaps more disturbing to many southerners is the fact that they're really not that different after all. Can't tell you how many times I've encountered a southerner going on about some part of their culture, only to learn that people do the same up north or out west.
Rural Bible Belts exist in the north and west; Cosmopolitan cities exist everywhere; college footbal fanaticism runs just as deep in the Midwest (as does fatty foods).
Amen. I live in Nashville. One time my sister went to Massachusetts for a lacrosse camp and people asked her where she played her lacrosse, assuming she didn't go to school. It's halarious
What's the exposure people who aren't in the South get of the South? Television and Bible Belt politics. Let those be the only exposure, and those will be the only stereotypes people compose.
-"Chocolate City" in reference to New Orleans' Mayor after Katrina.
-Santorum/Gingrich/etc.: Politicians who see their duty as bringing government more in line with God's laws and the bible (and also champion the nation's freedoms while concertedly rejecting the notion that church and state should remain separate).
-Paula Dean.
-Evangelicals, which are most concentrated in the South.
-Black Colleges; almost exclusively Southern institutions (and made news when they admitted a white guy).
-Watch "Top Gear's" Fly-Drive episode where their van gets pelted with rocks by some Southern boys because they had painted pro-gay and anti-Country Music slogans on their cars.
-Lots of Southern politicians decry "Liberals" and "socialist spending" when its their states which actually take in more money than they contribute, use more of the "sociallist" services, and overall appear hypocritical.
That's my exposure to the South. I don't expect all Southerners to be like that, just as I don't expect all Texans to wear cowboy hats and boots. However, I'm also not terribly eager to visit – being an Atheistic caucasian Independent. It just seems like I'd have a lot of trouble making friends in an area that has a reputation (however undeserved it may be) for rough handling of different viewpoints.
If you want to change the perception, change the type of information people are exposed to.
Thank you Northerner! I too was raised in Goergia. I went to a University in the north, traveled the world and work for a European company (after a stint at NASA) and I can assure you no one state has a monolpoly on ignorance, stereotypes, racism or anything else for that matter.
I was in Atlanta with a northern lady (visiting for work) and all I heard was "it's a DRUG dealer beside us" Black guy in a mercedes – actually the guy was a professor at GT I'd had while doing masters work for an IE. Next it was at Ann Taylor "How does that (black) lady afford all that. By the time we took her ignorant northern ass to the Varsity for an Orange, and heard "How do those black people get a Range Rover" I'd had enough and just told her " We prefer to have all our people well educated and working"
My little niece kept telling us she had a sun-shiny child in her class. For the life of us we couldn;t fiugure it out until his birthday party, The child was 'black' – the neice pointed out that the family had a pool thus his mom and dad were sunshiny too. The child had no concept he just didn't get more sun than she did.
For Pete and all others, YOU are responsible for how YOU act. I conduct myself with dignity, grace and respect at all times and receive the same in return. That is how it works.
Class is Class, Trash is Trash and that has nothing to do with race, religion or creed. it does have a lot to do with upbringing, education and tolerance.
do I hear banjo's?
no, that's me b anging your dad.
Don't forget two Sothern traditions, obesity and heart disease in your 40's. What a disaster.
But you forget, obesity and heart disease are great midwestern traditions.
I spent my entire life in the North, except 3 years, which were spent just outside New Orleans, LA when I was 9-12 years old. Those were the best years of my life. I truly felt more love in the South than anywhere else. Everyone truly seems to care about one another, and the warmth is evident in the people, not just the weather. I strongly dispute the notion that the South is more racist. Living in Chicago, the most segregated city in America, people pretend to be tolerant, but they only live near "their own kind". At least in the South, you know if someone is racist rather than trying to say one thing and really think another.
Completely true about the racism in the midwest vs. the south. What I encountered there was very rare (particularly in New Orleans). Illinois, Indiana and Ohio are a completely different story. Specifically, some of the people in Indiana should be ashamed they have 1st Amendment rights.
I live in Northern CA now but was raised in the South. Beautiful places, friendly people and family is very important. I really miss the meat and three. I actually just went straight for all veggies. Nothing as good as some farm fresh veggies and a side of cornbread. Now, I have to cook it when I want it. Luckily in Northern CA we've got great local produce too! I'll always be a Southern girl though. Go Heels!
what did the thumbnail picture I clicked on to get to this article have to so with anything?
Pete in Michigan is a troll, don't feed the hating troll!
As soon as I saw this was about the south I knew the comments would be full of a-holes running their mouths. Funny, you non Southerners want people in the south to move forward and forget the past yet you spend every opportunity bashing us and insulting us. The reason you still see confederate flags is easy to understand once you experience the hate that is aimed at the south on a continuous basis, deserved or not.
The main problem with the South is that we have too many N-words. To the North, I say, if you like N-words so much, why don't you come and take ours? You can have as many as you want.
Behold folks, another example of the true Southern mentality with the flimsy mask of "Southern Hospitality" taken off.
Hey there, Pete. How many N-words would you like to take off our hands?
Don't get too excited. BarnabusCorneliusWhitbyIII is probably just Pete in Michigan on a different computer. He's so insecure that he has to create imaginary Southern racists to argue with.
So... you are an openly admitted racist... who calls blacks "N-Words"...
"Word to my N-Words"... lol you are either a northerner pretending for troll effect... or a very stupid person. Either way .. the notion that anyone will "Have to" marry anyone they don't want to marry is ridiculous.
So I just read a lighthearted article about the South. The comments that follow this article are mostly negative and consist of people from two schools of "thought". The first being that southerners are racist ignorant fatties, the second group are southerners calling the first group ignorant jerks. The best part is all of these commentators are ignorant each one chastising the other for judging large groups of people on antiquated stereotypes. Bravo!
And you didn't notice yourself fitting into one of those categories with your comment?
You forgot the biggest one of all, Blantant Racism.
So making a generalized statement to cover all southerners as racists. Way to fight hatred with hate Tom.
Tom is just stating fact.
Sevenseas lives in a reality distortion field or an alternate universe where slavery, Jim Crow, KKK, didn't happen and African Americans, to this day, don't live in constant fear of intimidation and violence from dim witted white trash knuckle draggers.
The south.... ugh.... no thanks. I'll pass. I prefer education past 5th grade and Maine lobsters.
ROTFL @ Siara
So true, so true.
Awwww! Siara doesn't like the south! Boo hoo! Please keep your frosty northern arse in Maine then, we don't need cold hearted people like you down here. As for the embicile Pete, well....ah never mind, your too stupid to continue arguing with.
Please explain why I made 26 trips in a year to Boston to teach them how to set up business on a govt. contract. Please explain why my family was better educated all Masters and Dr's degrees and I was better dressed and more well rounded b/c I just have more expendiable income.
Please explain why I could afford to do things in Boston, Maine etc...that Natives have never done b/c they simply didn;t have to education or income that this Ga. girl did. As is everywhere there are educated, uneducated, ignorant, well rounded, well off and poor in the north too. as a matter of fact it is a very pronouced difference up north.
Pete, isn't it time to get back to your moms basement and head off to beddie bye? Your running out of comments, you seem to be recycling the same 2 or 3 over and over. Being stupid and lazy will never get you very far Pete.
To Pete in Michigan:
We're stupid? Hmmm . . . seems like us Southerners at least know the difference between "your" and "you're."
I'm not the only one that thinks Southerners are stupid knuckle dragging mouth breathers...so does Wall Street Journal, Toyota, and Nobel winning economist Paul Krugman.
Yea, all of us southerners are flocking to Michigan where you have a huge job pool and affordable housing. If the south sucks so bad I can't help but wonder why I see so many people from the north constantly moving down here.
I love the South I would not want to live anywhere else in the US. We are more prime and proper down here and still have manners.
Are you kidding. The place is one gigantic redneck trailer park
Texas has more fortune 500 companies, more college and nfl football players, a better economy, and more Marines serving than whatever 3rd tier jv state you are from. What do you have that compares?
To Mike – Texas also has more children living below the poverty line than any other state. And to all of you – employment in 3rd world conditions is nothing to brag about.
Yes I'm just another fried chicken mashed potatoe eating southern girl. Come people get over it not any place is perfect. Racism is alive everywhere no region is immune. Was raised when blacks and whites had separate areas and schools. No its not right never will be. Teach your children how to treat others ... with respect. WE COULD ALL USE A LESSON ON THAT.
Just got a job offer today in Mississippi, living in New York now. Will the racisim be more suttle in the south?
May have to do some thinking.
I wouldn't. Unless you intentionally like to surround yourself with stupidity, ignorance, and race hate.
So Pete, you are saying we shouldnt move into your neighborhood? Loser
Pete, you need anger management
Just stating the facts. Dispute them if you can.
Dispute them if we can? Haha, disputing anything with you is like taking candy from a baby, too easy chump change.
Pete, you have stated no facts for us to dispute. Would you like the opportunity to call a friend to ask for assistance? I will wait.
Pete, what parts of the south have you visited? Maybe you just had a bad experience during your time there.
It depends where, really. There's gonna be a little racism anywhere you go, mainly from the older crowd "stuck" in their old ways of thinking. However, if you're surrounded by more educated people then there shouldn't be any worry. There had been a story down in Jackson, MS (I believe) of a race crime somewhat recent, but it shouldn't be anything to deter you from moving here. I find that the area in the north of MS (DeSoto County) bordering TN, just South of Memphis, to not be a problem at all. (and not surprisingly, they have the highest test scores among high school students) Hope that helps!
Quite the contrary. I've lived in both areas, and the South is no more racist than the Northeast. The difference is that when it exists, it is overt. When you are the victim of discrimination in the South, you know who did it and why. In the Northeast, you hit a glass ceiling, perhaps unexpectedly, and you may never know why. The Devil you know is a lot better than the Devil you don't know.
Clearly one place you want to avoid is Pete, Michigan.
Violence is everywhere. Just avoid being poor.
Where in NY do you live? City or upstate? The racism in the south is just like the racism anywhere else. Younger people don't accept it, older people who grew up in a different time seem to tolerate it or make comments that embarress you because that's how they grew up. If was was moving to Mississippi I would worry more about the heat than the racism. Also watch out for the food, people don't get fat eating crappy food.
If you have kids, look up ranking of school systems by state and the average age for dropping out.
It's subtle btw and no it won't be. Up north they are segregated from minorities. Now many people in NYC or Philly hang out in minority neighborhoods. I live in the south and my town is 65% minority. Many doctors, lawyers, and othe professionals are all minority. You cant hide in a white cocoon down south.
Come on down, I have lived all over this country and now live in MS, it's a state that needs all the good people we can get to work together and bring it into the present....the food is good, the cost of living is low and the natural resources are just beautiful. But it does have it's problems just like every state in this union (even my beloved Hawaii were I lived for 15 years, has problems). But I live in a town that has more PhD than almost anywhere in the usa...only a little knuckle dragging going on. Just don't discount us because of location
@JanGreer. You have my admiration. That is what I told myself (and my wife) when we lived in AL. They need people like us to help moderate the society. But after the incidents I descibed in another post – and realizing I would always be an outsider – decided to move somewhere that was a better fit for us. Now in southern California. Not perfect here – not perfect anywhere. But we are MUCH happier here. On the little cul de sac we live on there are 2 white families, 2 hispanic famlies, 3 asian families, and 1 black family. All the kids play together just fine. All neighbors get along fine. I feel MUCH better raising my sons here. All the kids go to the same public schools – that are all within walking distance. I will add, NOT a gated community! Not perfect, but my wife and I (both very pale white) love it here! I am Democrat. Some neighbors Republicans. We can have civil debate about politics and we still all get along.
Hey Caribbeanman73. Here's my personal experience. take it for what it is worth. I grew up in small town in PA. I'm white male. Went to college in Philadelphia. Saw plenty bigotry there, but friend from Boston said she thought race relations there were much better than in her home town. I went to MIT in the Boston area. She was right. race relations there bad – much anger still from foced busing. Did post doc in Huntsville, AL. A high tech town. Things seemd good there as most people not from the south (lots of defense contractors); however – everyone knew if you were black you should not be in many nearby small towns at night. But not different than areas of Boston where you should not be at night if you were white or other areas you should not be at night if you were black. But – as I said in another comment – only place I ever lived where white people would use the N word in casual conversation (i've heard elsewhere when people were angry). Moved to Montgomery, AL. If your family had not lived there for at least 5 generations you were always an outsided. I also heard the joke about yankees vs damn yankess way too many times. Had very low property taxes – which was one reason public schools were terrible! other reason was any white family with any money at all sent children to private schools. My kids went to public school. Huge waste of time and mistake. Like said many times in these comments – racism and bigotry sadly can be found most places. Had young black girl kick my son during YMCA soccer game and say "take that cracker!" My son did not even know what a cracker was. That – and sign at local gas station that said "If you think we need to raise taxes to pay for better schools you should leave" made me decide to leave. I now live in southern California. Some bigotry against Mexicans here, but race relations generally much better. My sons are in the minority at the local public schools, but not a problem. Maybe depends on where in Mississippi, but the only thing I heard my none southern friends say when in AL was "at least we aren't in Mississippi!" So, I would beware of going there.
If you came to the south and didn't find southerners just the nicest people, here is the problem:
Its you.
They also find spelling difficult.
Funny. I live in Nashville, the city seemingly most slammed with southern stereotypes and I go to one of the top schools in the nation in terms of Academics and Sports achievements.
What school is it? Harward, Yale, Princeton, MIT, Columbia...?
The last I recall, none of those are in the South
@Sfar, balderdash! Arrogance is rude no matter where you're from.
No, it's not. I came to the south and found southerners obese, rude, bigoted, undereducated, recist and sexist.They do not even speak intelligible "English, and make no effort to learn it.
I love the Southern response to cold hard facts about their crappy selves and their crappy region.
"Your fat, your stupid, your lazy, your ugly, your inbred..."
...
"bbbbbbbbuh buh buh but we're niceeee"
lol
So says the loser from Michigan who probably has never stepped foot outside of his own state. Please do not come to the south and infect us with your hate.
Oh don't worry, I think you've about reached the saturation point on hate.
So says the hypocrite from MIchigan, your home state must be so proud.
Gee, Sugar,
Ever actually been to the south? I think your getting a little cabin fever there, perhaps? Bless your heart, maybe they can up your meds? I know being iced in all winter takes a toll on human charity.
Pete in Michigan, I think you mean "you're" instead of "your"...... nice try though
I wish all yankees hated the south so you would stay your ass up north.
Behold, all it takes is a little poking and prodding and the "Southern Hospitality" masks come off revealing the barely hidden, seething hatred that simmers just under the surface.
I think "hate" is just in the knuckle dragging white trash southerner's DNA. They can't help it, they're born that way.
But then you'd miss all that northern money that props up your economy...
Pete in Michigan- The correct word is YOU'RE....as in YOU'RE the one who is stupid, for not knowing the correct use of GRAMMAR. Bet you're fat and lazy, too. Check yourself before being so judgemental.
Pete in Michigan...do you not know how to use proper grammar? "Your fat, your lazy"? Come on, it's you're and you're you imbicile! Stay up North please and leave the people who love and can be loved down here. What a 'tard from a state of 'tards.
I heard lots of loving is within family and between cousins
inbreeds
Gee Pete, I've been to your state, Michigan, which is the home of the Michigan Militia and lots of weird ultra-conservative provincial folk. I felt like I had landed on Mars and vowed never to return again as long as I live. You live there so it seems normal to you. How much time have you actually spent in the rest of the country, I wonder? I'd rather live in the South any day, oh, and I am not Southern.
What coincidence! I was just offered a job in Mississippi today, and from my name I am from the caribbean and living in New York.
Tell me people will it be any different between these two state? I have some thinking to do.
Don't act like you're better than anyone else and you'll get along just fine.
GGinBhamAL, the only problem with your advice is it's subjective. Exuding confidence is frequently perceived as arrogance by the uneducated and uncultured. More's the pity.
Caribbeanman, have the confidence in yourself to just be yourself and you'll do fine. People who think you're being "high falutin'" don't know the difference and aren't worth your time.
Racism is just as bad in the north as it is in the South, the difference is in the north they try to mask it whereas in the south if someone is a racist you will know it, right or wrong they usually don't hide it. I prefer to know someones intention rather than trying to play a mind game.
As a "good ol boy" from Louisiana, Texas, Tennessee, and Mississippi (throw in a little Alabama too, tons of 2nd cousins there!) working on two Masters degrees, I would like to say Southern hospitality is alive and well! We know how to do some good home cookin', whether we kill it ourselves or buy it from a store. We know how to have fun, whether it's taking a 4×4 through the mud, sitting on the front porch sipping some sweet tea on a hot summer day, or fishing out on a boat with a couple of 6 packs. We love outdoor festivals, dancing in the mud, and Mardi Gras. We love our football, and yes, many love Nascar as well. We are diverse, yet we are all tied together by Southern culture. So I say to you, if you have any doubts about the South, come down here and enjoy some pork BBQ from Memphis or beef BBQ from Texas, have some sweet tea, don't be scared of our guns, and enjoy the great (warning: humid, bipolar, tornado-stricken) weather! I'm sure you'll find we're just normal people, too, when you get to know us. We just grew up differently.
If by "Southern Hospitality" you mean, "Treat all outsiders like they are scum". Then yes it is alive and well.
I have lived in GA for 8 years. That is 7 years, 364 days too long. And yes I am trying my hardest to get out, but this area does nothing but drain your life away. Every time I take 3 steps forward this state pushes me 4 steps back.
When did Texas migrate from the West to the South? I must have missed that meeting.
"Southern Hospitality" Sorry I had to literally LOL at that one. Apparently they have never lived here. Southern people are the biggest A-holes then anywhere else in the country. I moved from FL (not considered the south) the NC in 1997, then to TN and GA. If you are not in their jacked up truck, hunting, tobacco spitting, beer drinking club, you are treated like crap.
When I went to N. Carolina, I was amused to find Mac-n-Cheese listed on the menu as a "Vegetable".
Wait a cotton picking minute...cheese is a vegetable. Isn't it?
Sally, you're not that far off–the Federal govt. lists ketchup as a vegetable for their subsidized school lunches, and not just in the south.
Best post yet.
Cheese a vegetable? Not sure about that. I thought it was the grains in the Mac that is a growing plant, therefore, a vegetable? My conclusion is that on some menus, "Vegetable" means "Side Dish".
I'm guessing Big Al isn't from Michigan, and Shut_Up isn't from the South. They are both just trolls (maybe the same one?) who like to antagonize people and foment discord.
Having lived in the "midwest," northeast, south, and California. My guess is you are correct.
If'n y'all woud jes thaynk of us'n as a seprit kountrie thayn the YOUnited States it would all maybe bettah sense.
Mocking Ebonics is not appreciated.
It is in my Hood. Bootylicious.
Whhhuut are yew train' tew say, mister?
Whut's rong with Hooods Johnny Cochrain? I like 'em. I'll even shew one to ya if'n yew liak.
The weather may be warm down south, but so are the people. It's cold up here in Seattle, and so are the people. Can't wait to move back down.
I am from the south. Born and raised. I am not racist, and never have been. Yes alot of my family WAS racist during the early 20th century like most. You want to talk shit about the south and how fat we are, but I promise you will never find more hard working, honest, nice, tell you like it is kinda people anywhere else in America. People down south do not care that they are fat. Because they have a different look on life than you do. Most people down south have a "We're all going to die one day" attitude, and live life very care-free. Enjoying simple things.
I am so glad I live in S. Texas and Not some Bigoted State like Indiana or Allah be Praised,ArrrrrKansas. Inbred Infidels.
What's funny about you talking down to Arkansas about being inbred is that it is illegal to marry first cousins in arkansas, while in texas it is socially accepted and fully legal. I'm not from either state just thought it was funny.
Your grasping at straws Eddy and your full of BS. Please cite your "laws" in Texas that says you can marry a first cousin.
Texas may be in the southern half of the county, but it is not the south more of a western feel. Come To SC or GA and you will experience the south. It has its bad parts but the good out weigh them. I am stationed here in Beaufort and leaving to Calif next week. I'm going to miss it, beats the hell out of stuffy city people that get offended when you say hi.
And some of the women keep saying 'Hun', pronounced 'Hernnnn"., no matter where they are and it just does not work for me up here in New England...way too familiar to call a stranger or, worse as in this case, a customer !!
Really? That is your problem? Wow....hun....
Well, Darlin, you jus stay an old meanie, ain't no skin off our nose.
Well, Dylan hun, just bless yo little heart suga. It's meant to be kind and warm, like visitin' with your grandmother.
My Dad's family is from Tennessee. They're Appalachian. There's a huge difference between the traditional Southern foods my grandparents grew up eating like soup beans & ham, greens, cornbread with NO SUGAR, etc and what my Appalachian relatives eat now. My grandfather said the worst thing the government ever could have done was start giving out free cheese and food stamps to pay for high fat junk food. I have relatives who live on acres of farm land that could be used to garden, raise chickens, anything, but all they live on is food stamps so they buy their fried tyson chicken strips and microwave mac & cheese. Southern food use to be very practical, very affordable, and nutritious. It's not about just fried junk and mac & cheese.
As a sociologist, I can tell you, there is nothing more important than diversity. That is why it is so important to embrace racism and celebrate our differences, rather than trying to make everyone think the same way. It is only through vigorous and open discourse that we can hope to make the world a better place. So please, when someone voices an opinion that is racist, don't respond in a knee-jerk fashion by calling the person names like "bigot" or "ignorant." But instead open your mind to hearing a different point of view. Who knows, you might even learn something.
Commy pinko phaggut condescending idjut a$$whole...
Er...racism IS bigotry. Is English your first language? If not, where did you get your PhD, because, seriously, they should give you your money back.
Cultural differences, yes...they're what give the world its spice. But racism, by definition, consists of disliking others simply because they are different from you, and there's NOTHING positive about that!
I love the Southern response to cold hard facts about their sh***y selves and their sh***y region.
"Your fat, your stupid, your lazy, your ugly, your inbred..."
...
"bbbbbbb Buh buh buh but we're niceeee"
lol
I absolutly adore southern food. Chicken fried steak baby! That being said, southern food adores my a s s and way over stays its welcome:(
lol, fatties🐷 🐷 🐮
I love the South. I can be a little overweight and still sleep with anyone I want because comparatively, I have the body of an Adonis.
Gross
What about the bodies of those you are sleeping with, tho? :)
"Adonis" is crushing them.
Southern Hospitality??? Well, I guess if you're white.
A more accurate description would be "Bigotry with a Smile".
You should have an open mind and not be so ethnocentric.
🔴 Why risk being lynched ? The south sucks anyway, there's nothing there but poor jealous inbreds and most of them hangout on CNN. There are Waaaaaaaaay better places in the world to be.🔴
Speaking from personal experience Ann?
Isn't what you said being a bigot??
No, Blacks that avoid Racists are NOT being bigots. It's called self defense , and you know it. If blacks respond to racism with racism that's not BLACKS being racist. Nice try.
Nice try Ann, but racism is racism, it doesn't matter who was "first" to use it. Two wrongs don't make a right, but you know that don't you? It is easier to play tit for tat though for people like you.
🐷 If your going to eat greasy southern food, It may as well be cooked by blacks, White people can't cook. That's why the Clinton's Cook was a black woman. lol lol lol lol lol 🐮
I've lived in the North and the South. Generally I find racism and bigotry more common in the North.
I noticed the same thing when I lived up north. Boston is considered one of the most racist cities in America yet you hardly hear a peep on it. Let's face it, people who feel inferior will always point their fingers at others in order to elevate themselves and give themselves a false sense of being "better" than others. It is quite common in the north east.
As a Southern man who happens to be black, I very much agree. I get along very well with Southerners of all races, including whites. Meeting them in foreign lands (like DC or points north) is like coming across a long-lost relative. I don't generally don't encounter racial discomfort around white Southerners. By contrast, I have never been more conscious of being black (and out of place) than when living in the North. When I settle down, it'll be in Dixie.
You sir know nothing of which you speak.
Ah, the South - where mayonnaise is its own food group. Don't miss the heat, humidity, or the bugs (fireflies excepted), but the barbecue was to die for. The banana pudding, too.
Top ten fattest states of 2011. Lived here for 6+ yrs, never seen so many obese people in my life here in the south.
Disgusting..
1. Mississippi (34.4%)
2. Alabama (32.3%)
3. West Virginia (32.2%)
4. Tennessee (31.9%)
5. Louisiana (31.6%)
6. Kentucky (31.5%)
7. Oklahoma (31.4%)
8. South Carolina (30.9%)
9. Arkansas (30.6%)
10. Michigan (30.5%)
How the heck did GA not make that list? I'm drowning a slow painful death down here in a never-ending sea of fatties.
It's because we Atlantans are trying to stay healthy for the rest of the surrounding Georgians!
Those are also the poorest states:(
Pennsylvania should be somewhere in that list.
Why are people so racist against the South? People say it's because the stereotypes are true, but if anyone were to say that about any other kind of racism, they would be criticized. So why is it acceptable to be racist against the South?
Tell us please... How can you be RACIST against a REGION?
Remedial vocabulary for you.
That's such a typical response to being called out on being racist: justifying racism.
Obviously you are not originally from the South if you are smart enough to have figured out a way to be racist against an entire region of a country. That's innovation.
Southern isn't a race. Nor is pointing that out justifying racism, as it isn't racism in the first place. You can ask about stereotypes and prejudice about and against the south... but it isn't racism.
Because, unlike the racism and stupidity of Southerners, the prejudices against the South are totally founded.
Born and raised in the South myself, I can certainly appreciate Southern food, Southern hospitality, and Southern women. Unfortunately the deep fried methodology of cooking coupled with the "mac n' cheese as a vegetable" mentality has led to some seriously overweight Southerners. That is to say, we have waaaay too many fat people down here. One trip up North or out West (or to any other country in the world) is enough to see what I mean by simple comparison. Is it really too much to get your Southernly hospitable butt on a treadmill a couple times a week? C'mon people.
Moved to California two years ago and was surprised by the quantity of fatties here too. Kinda thought everybody out here was into exercise and healthy eating, not so much so . . . .
Hey Frits, quit being a dick, fat people are EVERYWHERE
Hey Frits, quit being a dick, fat people are EVERYWHERE,
Hey Frits, quit being a d***, fat people are EVERYWHERE, as an SC transplant and a world traveler I can assure you that fat folks are everywhere. Heres another bit of info, most of the ones I have met have been quite pleasant. there is a word for your attitude, narcissistic, and did I detect a hint of hate???? look in the mirror
Why do northern people hate the south so much? I mean really what is it that you have to gain? What is it with you people? Unfortunately for you, you are just as hated there as you hate, believe that. So make sure you don't ever go there, for your own sake, as those people have lots and lots of firearms so you can take that for what it's worth. It's pretty sad but the southerners don't like you very much either, so that makes you two equal in your stupid boring hateful attitudes. I'm reminded of that every time I go home to visit my family.
I am a southerner having grown up half time in KY and GA the last ten years of my life spent in Washington DC. I have frequently flown into NYC for work, spent 2 years living in Europe during my education. I have family living in Manhattan. I have been around this entire planet and I can say everybody has the same provincial bullsh*t attitude toward people from elsewhere. You are some boring pathetic souls. I see the same percentage of obese people in NY as I do in the south. I see the same stupid people in NY as I see in the south. People in DC are just *ssholes from both ends.
Is southern hospitality a myth? So what? Hospitality in general is a myth because nobody cares about anybody else these days anyway. You all should know that by now. Southern food ain't no myth though, it's good. Believe that. Is it fattening? Absolutely right. So is high end French cuisine. First time you eat real French food you get gout so don't talk to me about high fat content. NY style pizza ain't no healthy eatin' and neither is Chicago style so don't try and argue that it is. IQs? What are you joking? Who gives a sh*t? Southerners have a lower instance of college completion but I can say this about them- they have more common sense than northerners. They are at least smart enough to stay where the weather is awesome most of the time, and the cost of living is low. Northerners are not all rich yet they will do anything they can to appear as such. The southerner will not betray himself in this way. The southerner is humble where the northerner is not.
In the end it's tough to decide who wins. Everyone regardless of their geographical location must eat, sh*t, shower, and put their pants on one leg at a time so I guess it doesn't matter but I can say that the north-south argument is boring as hell. Personally I'd rather the southern weather and cost of living compared to where I am now. If I could only get the enlightenment of the north to take root in the south there would be no question of where I would live.
I live in Virginia, and come from a deep rooted Southern Virginian family. there is nothing lie sitting on the front porch in a rocing chair with an ice tea when it is hot outside. There is also nothing like your grandparents cooking, whether it is the Green Beans that cook for 4 hours at a time, or the country ham at christmas, nothing beats being southern, growing up in the south, and southern food.
Amen to that. I'm a Virginia transplant, but my family is originally from Florida, where I was born. We're American by birth, Southern by the grace of God, and there's nothing on earth quite like Granny's homecooking.
'about time we had a positive article on the south. =)
Wall Street Journal: "Southerners too stupid to build aircraft" http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB10001424052702304186404576388062830875084-lMyQjAxMTAxMDIwMDEyNDAyWj.html#articleTabs%3Darticle
States ranked by high school dropouts / flunkouts: http://www.statemaster.com/graph/edu_per_of_peo_who_hav_com_hig_sch_inc_equ-completed-high-school-including-equivalency
#45 Arkansas: 80.2 %
#46 Louisiana: 79.9 %
#47 Alabama: 79.5 %
#48 West Virginia: 79.4 %
#49 Texas: 78.7 %
#50 Kentucky: 77.6 %
#51 Mississippi: 77.3 %
Toyota: "Southerners too stupid to build cars"
http://southernstudies.org/2005/08/toyota-reveals-limits-of-great.html
Pete Too Stupid For Copy and Paste
Obviously you can't refute what I say. So by your obfuscation you admit that the South....IS THE WORST REGION IN THE WORLD!
Tim, as a fellow southerner-I need to let you know that you trolling this board makes Southerners look worse...relax and take it easy.
Oh I agree. Michigan is a great state. Low crime and low unemployment rates. What a model for what the rest of the nation should strive for. *sarcasm. Go make another TV commercial about why the rest of the US should feel sorry for Detroit.
He's just sayin'...
I think Nissan, BMW, Mercedes and Hyundai (at least) would disagree southerners can't build cars. If you're going to post hate, at least make it realistic
you will notice that georgia and florida are not on this list, because they have some of the best and most accessible collegiate programs in the nation. You can go to school for free on merit based scholarships in these two states (hope, bright futures) which have some top tier technical and scientific universities. It has nothing to do with "the south" its all about who invests the most in their citizens.
Guess BMW is wrong for opening plant in SC...
I'm sure the poor Germans will regret it when they have to demonstrate to the hillbilly knuckle draggers with picture books on how to pull levers.
Pete=Bitter, party of one
@valm.
Hahahahahahahaha! Bravo!
The WSJ article does not say that Southerners are too stupid to build aircraft. That article is in an OPINION piece written by a labor lawyer, asserting that "... when major firms move South, it is usually a harbinger of quality decline." The article is not credibly argued, giving no substantiation for its claims against quality. The only facts presented, are disparities in wage rates.
Last time I checked there were only 50 states in the US. Maybe Michigan should be #51 on that list instead. LOL
Conservative repuglicans are the enemy of anyone with more than 2 brain cells. Will be Opposed by any means possible.
And this has what to do with southern cooking???
liberal democrats are the friends of those with 1 or less brain cells. Chump your brain is slick as a peeled onion.
Ah, the south. Good food, barely concealed racism, child abuse accepted in public, domestic violence hidden away.... I say this as a white girl, white as can be from the West. Take your fried goodness and enjoy it, we're OUTTA here!
Can I see your fake t!ts before you leave?
Ah, a true southern gentleman. See, it's all fake cra%. It's a show...faker than fake t!ts. :)
Oh Tim. If you're going to talk about fakery, let's talk about the Southern women with their over-processed, over-bleached, over-sprayed bouffant hairdo's and their Avon makeup applied with a 1/4 inch v-notched trowel. Tammy Faye Baker was a clown, but too many Southern women wanted to emulate her.
At least racism is out in the open in the south, unlike the north where it is hidden. I prefer to know my enemies.
Brilliant!
Yes, good argument. Wait...no it's not. We are talking about the southern gentry, so nice and polite and all about Jesus...until it comes to treating fellow human beings nicely. Racism is wrong in any form, anywhere. Duh.
Oh please, because the West doesn't have any problems right? Give me a break. Every region of this country has it's own set of problems. Keep your rude, hateful comments to yourself. Oh and I'm a white girl that lives in the West too, but somehow I manage to withhold judgement of people that I've never met before. You should try it.
Yankees SUCK
Keven Quit being a suckee and grow up.
Says the white girl from the state with rampant illegal immigration, drug trafficking and drug use, sky rocketing debt, blatant racism, more race and gang riots than the rest of the country combined, and an overblown sense of self worth that translates to people like you. Id take a southern girl over a california s**t any day. And I have been to your hole of a state for years, live in the south now.
Best post on here!
Better hurry, your Hispanic yard man is waiting for his cash, and his sister, your maid, needs a ride home.
Racism worse in the south, my eye.
Schools were integrated, by agreement of governor in MISSISSIPPI, in 1957. Boston was still keeping blacks out of good schools into the late 1970's. Almost twenty years later! Yeah, southerners are so racist.
Please don't come back to the South – really nobody's cares that you don't like here.
The south is full of repuglicans and hot crud. Best to stay out and let it fester.
Not everyone here is a Republican, it just tends to be the majority. It's ignorant to make such assumptions. ;)
Go fester yourself!
We also love our unique Southern dishes like liver mush, tomato pudding, and anything covered in gravy.
You left out pinto beans cooked in ham hocks, corn pancakes to scoop em up. Johnnycakes some call em. Fried green tomatoes with gravy along with your eggs in the morning. There are so many southern style foods I am getting hungry thinking about them. Heading to the grocery store.
And a big slab of liver mush on the side.
These guys must have gone on vacation in the south-they seem to have no understanding of southern food. Try ordering a sweet tea in Denver or fried green tomatoes or pickles in Boston. Nice general article for the high school newspaper.
I live in Baton Rouge and I must say the food is Amazing and for the rest of my life I will always crave it. Don't really like sweet tea though and whenever I order plain tea I get some confused looks. Oh yea and there is a lot of racism here. I have never encountered racism like this before. It's crazy.
Yes and the farther out from a city you go, the heavier the accent and the bigotry.
The farther south you go, the lower the IQ. I'm just sayin'.....
So, I'm guessing you're from the deep south? Just sayin...
Nah, I'm just a dumb Yankee.
No he his from so far north that when something happens to all of our electrical systems on this planet go down, for whatever reason war or natural disaster. He will starve because those dumb southerners won't give him anything to eat and he will not have anything or no way to get it. Just saying. I am from the deep south and guess what I have a college degree, your statement isn't correct at all.
Well if we are going for the stereotypes, lets do it both ways. If a southern accent makes you dumb, a northern accent makes you rude and inconsiderate.
But at least you UnderstANd me! :-)
IactuallythinkthatmostsouthernerstalkabitslowbutIamawarethattoyouweprobablytalkkindfastandthatmakesussound.................different.
Here is the deal everybody. You have to understand the southern hospitality thing. Southern people are hospitable to everyone, as long as you don't move down there. If you do that you are an outsider who is likely not to be accepted unless you come from another southern state. The Meat and 3 is only in small towns all over the south, it exists. And how do you have a section on Bourbon and not name Jack Daniels, or Wild Turkey. I know Jack isn't a Bourbon its Whiskey but still after I saw that I must say its a horribly written article.
Oh yeah I forgot being from the south I learned alot of what you are suppose to do when you meet new people. I have shocked alot of people just on the way I meet them. You shake hands you look them in the eye and say your name. No matter who they are older or younger, job interview or just people out in the world. I am in Indiana now and everybody that I do that to has just looked at me shocked because they have not seen anybody my age act the way I do. And all of my friends back home are exactly the same way. So there is a difference in the locations, and attitudes of people.
We had friends who moved to Georgia and after three years of being "outsiders" trying to make friends, they transferred back to the Pacific Northwest. These were nice and normal friendly folk too. The outsider mentality broke them. I've never lived in the south but the southern cooking I've had should be everyones home cooking. Mmmmm good!! Now I got to go home and cook some greens.
Now I don't exactly think that the "outsider" mentality is right but thats just how southern people are, me included. I grew up in a small town in East Tennessee and when I was little I knew every family within ten miles. When I left to go to college back in 2007 I knew only about half of them. I never communicated with most of them because they were and still are viewed as outsiders, ie Yankee's. Even if they aren't from the north they are different. We see it as an encroachment on our way of life, a blending of cultures if you will. I hold the same mentality but thats my raising. We treat everybody with respect we don't like anybody that is not from around our homes unless you have family from there. But if we go anywhere we show the utmost respect for everyone that we meet. Now thats not to say there aren't idiots in the south that are just bad but generally we all think the same. I am not taling about anyone from a town above about 50,000, that is a big city and they will not share the same views. In order to understand it all you would have had to have been born and raised there. Sorry I wrote so much, fingers got happy tonight.
This is the one post here that seems to have it right. Hospitality is not the same thing as acceptance; people in the South will always be polite, but you can live here for decades and not be accepted if you were born elsewhere. And, seriously, leaving out Jack Daniels... the author loses all credibility with that one...
Where else would you find a store that sells anything and everything with a confederate flag, also it's really called the War of Northern aggression
The South is the only place I will hear "Oh, so you're an Oriental?".
No, that's wrong. I hear that in Arizona as well.
So... you are an Oriental?
Being that oriental is a correct term, as is Occidental.. Pick up a dictionary and drop your racist big otry.
🔴 I often wonder who raised these IDI 🅾.TS. When they're not insulting non whites they're asking people how much they earn or how much they paid for something. No Class👎
I'm sure the South is going through a transition. While Southern Hospitality may not be what it once was, the truth is it is probably being diluted by all the non-southerners with their "superior opinions of themselves" who move to the South after decades of "brain freeze." I'm originally from the South, and moved around a bit. The people of Chicago really did think they were superior to Southerners simply because of the cess-pool from which they lived. The arrogance displayed by folks from other regions is downright appalling. People from the South tend to be conservative, and to the liberal mind, that automatically makes them backwards. I still haven't figured out how the attitude that you should take care of yourself and your own without relying on some government program is backwards. Or spending borrowed money is somehow progressive. And for the post regarding the IQs of the southerners, the stupidest Tennesseean moving to Michigan would raise the average IQ of both states.
I moved to S.C. 1-1/2 years ago..the people here are just as nice as can be. The food is great...and, no snow!!!
I haven't been down south for a while now, it's so HOT down there; BURNIN' up! Maybe it's time to go again, maybe to Atlanta...
Don't come during the summertime. Heat is unbearable. UNBEARABLE!
Add to the heat the humidity and you need to change clothes a couple of times a day, and showers are every other hour.
Sounds nice, I live in frozen AK where in the summer time we rarely see temps obove 70F.
The best thing you can do is to stay NAKED, like I do.
I guess I was too subtle. My whole name is WILLIAM TECUMSEH SHERMAN.... SHERMAN....HOT down there. BURNIN'.... Hello? Test test, 1,2,3.... Is this on??? No civil war buffs in the crowd?
I think the South is the only place that the old school "chivalry" still exists. While its not universal down here, it is more common. If you start pushing around your girlfriend at a bar you are gonna get popped. And when the cops show up they will shake the guys hand that hit you.
I think you have that backwards.
Raised in the south. Live in the south.
1) People are racists.
2) People are ignorant.
3) People are generally dumber than western and northeastern US regions. (I'm talking IQ here....)
4) People let a grossly misinterpreted Christianity control any and all aspects of their lives.
5) People are generally nice....as long as you are white, heterosexual, have short hair, and claim to be Christian.
As a Yankee transplant to the South, I still want to know how Mac n' Cheese became a vegetable. (Not that I'm complaining.)
There was a guy named mac cheeser, he got whipped by a southerner and now he is a vegitable............................................
There isn't an "i" in vegetable. Another way the South is different, outstanding education
That's so true! Mac and cheese is often a vegetable option for the meat and three dinners!! I'm a Southern transplant in the NE and I miss our good old Southern food!!! Anybody remember dinner on the grounds after church?! The best meals I ever ate were the ones we had at our church after Sunday worship...The old church ladies often tried to outdo each other by bringing their best homemade desserts; when we grabbed our plates, everybody would look for particular pies and casseroles because they were expecting their favorites. Oh, the good ol' days!!!
Its not necessarily viewed as a vegetable in the kitchens I cooked in it was regarded as a starch.
I was born and raised in the South and I live in Minneapolis, MN now. I love where I live, but I will say this – "Southern Hospitality" is as fake and gossipy as "Minnesota Nice" is for passive-aggressive. It doesn't matter where you live; people are people with human traits. You have the good and the bad wherever you go.
Born and raised in northern MN, lived in the south for a bit, still go there a lot for work. Completely agree with your assessment.
MN resident here traveling to the South for work M-F for the past 3 months. You hit the nail right on the head for both regions.
Well, bless your heart...
I know what that means.... Good for you. I agree with you.
Well said Bill. Mike, I have never been to someone's home (even without notice) that I wasn't welcomed in and offered a glass of tea and a slice of pie or often even a full meal. People will be as kind as can be if you are likewise. If you take advantage or don't show appreciation then you may not get a deep warm welcome. And by the way, to those of you not from the south, "bless your heart" is generally a term of pity.
Once, we were passing through a small town in Texas late at night and needed gas. The station was closed. We drove up the road behind the station and stopped at the first house. Knocked on the door and asked the man if he knew who owned the station because we needed gas. The man happened to be the owner. He got his hat and drove down and turned on the pump for us. Not one grumble. Nothing but kindness from him.
Truth hurts I guess...
Grew up in Texas and totally believe your story about the man who owned the gas station . . . now you've gone and done it, I'm homesick :-)
Well, here is another story for you valm. Another time, another place but same story. Needed gas late at night while passing through West Texas (live in East Texas but visit cousin at military base in NM- you know, "the sun has riz, the sun has set but here we is in Texas yet".) Well this time the pump was left on at the station even though the station was closed. Pumped gas, left money on top of pump with rock to keep it from blowin away. I can promise you that money was still there when the owner arrived the next mornin to open up shop. For you youngins, this was one of the old pumps before "pay at the pump" came along. I don't know how long you've been away valm, but people still wave when they pass another vehicle on the FM roads.
Southern Hospitality...In the South we try our best to insult you openly without you knowing.
And remember, if you don't have anything nice to say, come sit by me. :)
HA! Sean, I know folks from Ohio who have "insulting you without you realizing it" down to an art.
Don't forget the overt racism and homophobia!
You couldn't PAY me to go down there.
I'm from a liberal Western state and now live in a "Deep South" state. Culture shock? Yes. But after my initial shock wore off, I learned about the deep current of kindness in the people and the focus on family that is almost sacred. You get that around the country, but in the South there is a connection to the land, to one's families, and to each other that is hard to find anywhere else.
The things I don't like: the right-wing politics, the predominance of guns, the hypocrisy of making a big show of church-going even while the "good ol' boy" network keeps dishonest politicians in office. I also find some of the surface "niceness" artificial and cloying. Also, you can attend any cultural event you like, as long as it's college football or NASCAR.
What I am surprised about is the relative lack of racism, and I'm speaking from experience as a person of color. I had more trouble with racism in my "liberal" Western state!
Home prices are low, but cost of living is surprisingly high. So do I think about moving back out west? Sure, I think about it every now and again, but whenever I visit "home," my old friends remark on my Southern accent, which crept up on me without my even realizing it. So who can say if I would even fit back in at "home"?
And, really, this is probably home now.
Well said Andrew26; I'm originally from Wales but have called South Carolina home for half my life, and I for one can attest that it is a wonderful place full of warm good hearted people.
Wales is a magical place with a beautiful language. Sláinte. (Yes, I realize that's more of an Irish/Scots toast.)
why dont you go back to that sewer if you hate it so bad in the south? we can send a yankee under each arm with you when you go....................
Hey genius, their post had absolutely no hatred for the south in it. Come up north if you'd like to learn some reading comprehension.
My friend, I don't hate the South at all, and I'm too fat to carry a Yankee under each arm.
Peace!
I guess you represent the crappy part of the south.
shut up and go eat some greasy food, yankees kicked your ass and showed you who's the boss
tha south is last in everything except in poor, uneducated people and pregnant teenage girls
DfromA – We have jobs. You are in luck though, I bet wait another government bailout is coming for you guys any day now!!
I moved South from NY. Biggest mistake of my life. Evil place. It's the US's third-world country. Greasy, gravy-sodden food, hypocritical religious bigots and horrid music. Intelligence quotients and shoe sizes equal. Before you tell me to go back to NY, please take up a collection so that I can afford to do so, and I'm gone in a heartbeat. hank you.
Well, I'm a Southerner but I have lived in the NE for the past several years. I miss that Southerners are more laid back and don't give you attitude about every darn thing. Attitude is so prevalent here. However, there are more opportunities and I consider some people here nice. It's not a bad place to live but it definitely takes some getting used to....
Also, I totally agree that Southerners are connected to land. I miss not having space for a vegetable garden. There's something special about growing things.
I love the South! Every time my brother (who's half black) and I go down there they always wave at us with one finger.
you do know there's no such thing as "half-black", don't you? it's all or nothin. one drop and you're black. DUH! it's not like "half-german" or "half-french" - black is black.
Your an idiot.
I'm going to assume the intent of the comment was inter-racial. Thus, yes, you CAN BE "half black". If a German man marries a woman from Japan......??? That child would be part German and Japanese. I understand there is still some racial tensions down in yer kneck of da woods just past dat der tree but surely you can understand races can and do mix.
From my time living in Georgia, I can assure you that all the things listed are 100% true, especially the hospitality and southern food.
really best food
there are places in the world that produce just good food: Thailand, China, France, Spain
The Southern states produce original very tasty dishes and are of the best in the world
This article should be titled "The Five Reasons I Love Nashville" nothing more, nothing less.
Sounds like Big Al was down there with the wrong people. But his point is a good one insofar as to claim that all these wonderful features epitomize the "South" is to ignore the fact that everywhere, people are people, and there are plenty of turds amidst the roses. As for the unhealthy diet, if you are determined you actually CAN find edible things, but you mght have to go do some marketing and not eat in restaurants. Which would be fine with me, I hate eating in restaurants anyway, no matter where I am. I would be very upset to be on a business trip, though, and forced to eat in restaurants and only have fried and buttered and greased and battered foods available to me. Under those circumstances, I just don't eat. A few days won't hurt and it's always good to sieze any opportunity to miss a meal. As long as they don't try to trade my coffee in for chicory, I'll get by, LOL!
1. Illiteracy
2. Bigotry/Intolerance
3. Obesity
4. Religious Extremism
5. Lack of dentition
Southern hospitality is a lie and southern pride is just a mask for shame.
I would rather have a southern fried chicken leg than a yankee doodle dandee. Yankees are like the hemmoraids, they are really a pain in the azz haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Awwwwww, someone still upset about the war?
@ HUH? Nah. They just haven't made it to 7th grade yet.
It's true. We are hospitable down here. I took a workshop last weekend with a professor from New York and she couldn't believe how many people here in New Orleans spoke to her and made eye contact. It's a very warm place, literally and figuratively.
Ever been here?
I always love visiting the South. Such nice people down there. I used to go down there all the time because half my family lives in Mississippi
more racism exist in the south
Not really. I see WAY more racism in the North like New York now than I do anywhere in the South.
more bigotry in the north
I've lived in Alabama all my life, then I went to Ohio and was shocked at how much racism there was there! Y'all got NOTHING to talk to us about today.
Yes, Ohio is bad about that.
Grew up in Texas and moved to Cleveland when I was 30. Was never ever near a KKK rally until we moved up north and 3000 people showed up. I was shocked!
... he says as he spouts a racist statement of his own.
Ok, so you're blaming people for associating negative traits with a specific group, by associating negative traits with a specific group? Well, since anyone who would write a comment like that would automatically assume I'm with the KKK or something, I just want to let you know I'm a Muslim
Well played sir!
Not true. I've lived all over the place and have noticed far more racism in the midwest than anywhere else. Ohio and Indiana being the worst.
I was raised in the South in the 50-60s. Couldn't wait to leave because of all the racial stuff and red necks. I moved to Denver the day after I graduated HS. My first week there, I saw a jacked up Chevy with a Confederate Flag and heard people using words like wet-back and beaner. When I served as a nurse in Vietnam, there was plenty of racism to go around. When I came home and moved to Seattle and then Portland in the 80s, they hated the Asians and Native Americans. When I lived in Ohio in the 90s, well, they hated everybody. Now, I'm back in the South and yes, there's still racism and red-necks and intolerance and too many blah-blah-blah. However, I like Memphis, the music, the huge trees, the low cost of living, the diversity of Midtown and Downtown, and there is a warmth in the people. The summers are still too hot but oh well. It is to say that there's racism and intolerance everywhere and we all need to just chill and enjoy things. Time is running on us.
Oddly, some of the most racist, hateful, vindictive and vitriolic people I have ever come across are the online posters on some of these sites. some of the things that people say online just blow my mind. The rednecks of the 60s got nothing on some of these folks...
... said the person who does not know what they are talking about.
After living in the South for 25 years, I still miss some things about it, and Nashville is the crown jewel. Just getting lost there made me new friends! And Southern flirting is second to none. Now I live in the midwest, and although the flirting isn't as prevalent, the hospitality is. Never have I met more genuine people. But the food cannot compare to the South.
Don't forget the fact that there are just more attractive people in the south.
Southern girls are the prettiest. I'm not saying Northern girls aren't pretty; there just aren't as MANY...
Nothing better than a smoking hot southern chick in a pair of skin tight blue jeans drinking an ice cold beer.
I would like to see a spread of America's IQ averages. I'll bet cash on the barrel-head that the South's IQ average is a good 15 – 35 points lower than the better parts of the country. I've never been to the South and I sure as hell will never set foot in that backwards wasteland of inbreeding, bigotry, racism, obesity, and outright stupidity. As Olberman would say...WORST REGION IN THE WORLD.
Na.... we do much more of that here in Detroit. A excellent chef prepared meal is chicken at Church's.
Um.....judging without ever having been there, no first hand knowledge of a place or people.....Yup. Sounds like bigotry to me.
Well Pete we still have jobs down here.
You're judging everyone in the region without ever visiting there. Ya, I don't think it's Southerners that are bigoted. I think it's you.
Oh and don't come over to the Midwest either. We don't want your type of people here.
Higher or lower, IQ doesn't pay the rent, bigot. Please... stay where you are.
Ha! You talk about the south being racist backwards bigots but have never even been there? Sounds like you are the racist bigot my friend.
Tim, as a fellow southerner-I need to let you know that you trolling this board makes Southerners look worse...relax and take it easy.
More kind, tolerant words from another northern liberal. Your true colors are showing, Pete.
For those judging me for judging the South without having been there:
Do you really have to go to North Korea to know its some place you don't want to go? Afghanistan?
You forgot Michigan. My, my. Are we slipping or what?
George Washington and Thomas Jefferson didn't come from N. Korea or Afghanistan.
As a southerner who has been to Afghanistan (and Iraq) I would like to tell you to go fvck yourself. Oh, and I would love to compare IQs with you. PhD in Computer Science with minor in Mathematics. Tomorrow evening I am going to enjoy our 70 degree weather and go fishing out on the lake in my bass boat. Have fun driving in the snow.
P-L-E-A-S-E stay where you are. I don't believe the South wants you here any more than you want to be here...and that does not take a rocket scientist to figure out!
Wow, for someone who has never stepped foot in the south you sure do know an awful lot about us Southerners! You think we're all a bunch of bigots, but you should be pointing the finger at yourself – broadly labeling an entire region of your fellow citizens as a bunch of know-nothing neanderthals doesn't make you out to be a very open-minded person. You can stay in Michigan and continue being miserable – I'll enjoy the company of my neighbors (and yes, the wonderful food) down here in WORST REGION IN THE WORLD!
Ah, Michigan. What a wonderful place. So wonderful that half of the license plates in Florida are from the Wolverine state. I wonder why, Pete? Does Michigan really suck that bad or are they just gettin' away from you and your like?
You're doing the same thing he is. Michigan is a wonderful place. Some people just really don't like winter.
We kick all of the illegals out and our IQ would be 100 points higher than the new yuckers. If new yuck is so smart, how much oil, gas, farm land, cotton, wheat, food,mining do you have? Texas could be a state on its own with the largest army base, Houston space center, tech, oil, wowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
The only thing new yuck raises is politicians. oh never mind you wouldnt get it as your car uns on your IQ.
Gosh, Pete, I never realized there was so much bigotry and prejudice in Michigan.
As natives of the south my IQ and the IQ of my Autistic son range in the high 130s. One wonders where you score...
All you folks complaining about backstabbers, you should realize there are hypocrites everywhere. I've met them in every state I've traveled. It doesn't matter whether a person is from Michigan, California or Virginia, they can be a hypocrite and a backstabber or they can be honest and forthright. Personally I prefer honesty and forthright people. I can't bear a hypocrite, no matter what state of country of origin.
Mmmkay, before you really take this stand, you just *might* want to look at a map showing the demographics of the region.
Wow, I see bigotry is alive and well in Michigan and on MSNBC. If you cannot see your own bigotry friend, you need a doctor.
Pete doesn't represent Michigan. Trust me.
Well Pete, I have lived there, and you are 100% right about the IQ thing. I lived in Florida for awhile, never met more mouth-breathers in my life.
Florida=Southern Yankee. Thats just a fact if you are from anywhere south of the Mason/Dixon Line and don't live in Florida. Sorry thats just how it is.
GMHTP?
Glad My Hotel Takes Pennies?
Give Me Hot Throbbing Penis?
God My Head Throbs for Pete?
GMHTP, "... lived in Florida for awhile, never met more mouth-breathers in my life ..." only because you haven't yet attended one of your own family reunions, Bright eyes. (Give Me Hope To Procreate?)
Florida isn't part of the cultural or geographic South. Most of Florida's geography is described as the Tropics. The anomaly about Florida culture is, the farther South you travel in Florida, the more Northern the culture – and vice versa for obvious reasons.
Other than some undeveloped coastal areas, the minimally influenced "true" Florida that still exists is the Spine of Florida. That's where farm & ranch country still thrive – and shoot back. Don't mess with Cra ckers.
I know Kwame Kilpatrick is proud of you taking a stand for Michigan!!!! I live in Charleston SC...best food, nicest people, and the best looking I might add. http://www.asylum.com/2010/11/09/travel-leisure-charleston-s-c-is-city-with-the-most-attractive-people/ Hard to be polite, happy, and attractive without one thing....JOBS!!! Which we have....
Pete, you can be smart...we will take care of the food, hospitality, and getting laid.
Kwame and Pete do NOT represent Michigan as a whole. It's a beautiful place with a great culture. And guess what? There are jobs in Michigan too. Just because it took a bit of a hit doesn't mean where you live is that much better than Michigan.
I do think the south is beautiful. But don't knock an entire state based on one person. You're just doing the same thing Pete is.
As a native Michigander, your attitude disgusts me and attaching "Michigan" to your name has sullied the reputation of a beautiful state. Just look at some of the hateful bile being spewed about it. Michigan is a wonderful place.
That said, the south is an amazing place too. You're missing out Pete, and from your attitude it is your loss only.
Well, since you bring up the ugly topics of bigotry and racism, Pete. One of the most infamous accounts (and photographs) of a lynching is the injustice done to Thomas Shipp and Abram Smith. This happened in 1930 in...Indiana. No one has a monopoly on bigotry. Sir. But I tend to believe the South has a solid hold on gentility. And our nation could benefit from a great deal more of that.
"I sure as hell will never set foot in that backwards wasteland of inbreeding, bigotry, racism, obesity, and outright stupidity"
Why should you when you have a pretty good one going in your own home?
Iol,,"I've never been there" lol
... Pete I really doubt you are MENSA material, so quit ragging on Southerners ... Besides, they shoot back ... You just shoot off what's in your hands!
You've hit the nail squarely on the head. I love you! I DETEST THE SOUTH
Agree with everything here. Living in Louisiana I get the added benefit of the intersection of Texas and Memphis barbecue, classic deep south soul food, and of course our own Cajun and Creole cuisines. Getting excited about crawfish season! And yes, Southern Hospitality does exist. Maybe Big Al was too much of a Yankee to get to know anybody.
I think you meant Big Al was a "yank off."
You forgot to mention: Obesity. The south is the worst in the nation because of the food and the laziness of people here.
Yeah, we're so lazy that we still have jobs. How about you?
Good one, Flip!
Only stereotypical southern places/people do these things.
1# Southern hospitality isnt real.
2# If you dont live out in the middle of nowhere, you buy from regular grocers, Walmart, Target etc.
3# Never heard of meat an 3.
4# Stereotypical southern food.
5# Only in Texas, Tennesee, Kentucky, Arkansas. Other states like Florida, North Carolina, Georgia etc arent moonshiners.
have you even been to the real south or did you just fly through Atlanta and now your the expert
I can attest to #1. I lived in NC for 6 years....and the Southern Hospitality thing is a myth. Not that people aren't nice, but more often than not, if they *don't* like you, they fake that they do...which...being from Upstate NY, you can imagine this is quite a cultural shock for me! If we don't like you, you'll know it!
The fresh produce thing...yeah, not so sure about that, either. I was always hard-pressed to find produce that wasn't trucked in from somewhere else, which made it not only not the freshest produce in the world, but also kind of pricey!
I will say, though, that I've had the most pleasant experiences in NC at, of all places, the DMV! This is not sarcasm. DMV in NYS and MD is AWFUL. People at the NC one(s) were extremely pleasant and genuinely so.
I happen to know that during the summer there are at least a half dozen farmer's markets within a few miles of me, not to mention at least a couple of curb markets. They don't come to you though. For just one look up pepperplacemarket.com.
Southern hospitality?!?! In Alabama, they are interested in your church and spouse children as well as which SEC football team you are into. Tell them you aren't born again and got it right the first time, have never been marrried, prefer European football to American, have tendencies towards vegetarianism and aren't interested in guns and they pretty much leave you alone.
As a "good ol boy" from Louisiana, Texas, Tennessee, and Mississippi (throw in a little Alabama too, tons of 2nd cousins there!) working on two Masters degrees, I would like to say Southern hospitality is alive and well! We know how to do some good home cookin', whether we kill it ourselves or buy it from a store. We know how to have fun, whether it's taking a 4×4 through the mud, sitting on the front porch sipping some sweet tea on a hot summer day, or fishing out on a boat with a couple of 6 packs. We love outdoor festivals, dancing in the mud, and Mardi Gras. We love our football, and yes, many love Nascar as well. We are diverse, yet we are all tied together by Southern culture. So I say to you, if you have any doubts about the South, come down here and enjoy some pork BBQ from Memphis or beef BBQ from Texas, have some sweet tea, don't be scared of our guns, and enjoy the great (warning: humid, bipolar, tornado-stricken) weather! I'm sure you'll find we're just normal people, too, when you get to know us. We just grew up differently.
In regards to your take on point 5, have you ever been to North Carolina? Do you know any of our history? Moonshining has been and remains a pretty common practice in the NC Appalachians.
Ever read a book called Albion's Seed? Interesting book about how the mountains of Carolina and Georgia got settled, who settled it (the Scots!) and much of the history about whisky ( no 'e' intentionally) which was a poor Scot's livelihood. They may have forgotten where there ancestors came from but the behaviors are still there.
Buffalo Trace makes fantastic bourbon.
As far as mid-range bourbons go, Buffalo Trace is far superior to Maker's, which I find way too flowery.
Sounds like Big Al has a big chip on his shoulder...I moved to the South from NYC and I've never seen more kindness and generosity. People bring you dinner at the drop of a hat and I received more welcome wagon gifts in a week than I did in nine prior moves all together. I love the South!!
Thank you for being a refreshing change of pace. They opened their hearts to you and you showed appreciation for their efforts. THAT'S how hospitality works in any region – North or South.
A Pixies song as food inspiration? These are my kind of chefs. :)
I lived in both the North and South. What I like about the North is there are a lot more gay bars, the getto hoods, the stench of heating oil, and the number of unemployed in the cities. Nothing beats saturday night in Detroit.
Your sarcasm makes it clear you've never actually spent a Saturday night in Detroit.
He's being ironic.
Greetings, Mr. Troll. How's life under the bridge?
I lived in the south, and believe me Southern Hospitality is indeed a myth. They pretend to be nice, but turn around and you don't want to hear what is said behind your back. I have never been so uncomfortable in my life as when I sat down with some "Southerners" to do almost anything. Other wonderful features of the South include extremely unhealthy diets, obesity, and a total ignorance that anything or anyone else exists in the world.
You nailed it Al. I found the same thing when we lived there. They never met a vegetable they couldn't ruin with by boiling it and added some sort of grease.
Since you are not from the south you just proved how rude non-southerns can be. Thanks Big Al for your rude comment.
He's not "rude", he's correct. It's all a facade. Now I really do like the South a lot. I lived in NC for 6 years and just moved back again despite my family all living up north. That's how much I like it. But I've experienced what Al has. You can figure out when people are being fake & of course, you generally find out when they are talking sh*t about you, too.
There are ignorant people everywhere, but I've never been pulled over before any where else but in the south b/c the cop didn't like my Obama bumper sticker. Of course, he never came right out and said that, but his "reason" was bogus & you could tell he just pulled me over to give me a hard time.
Big Al, sounds like you just don't like the South. My guess is you really haven't experienced it.
Southern Hospitality isn't a myth, it's just a fancy way of saying that they won't say anything rude to your face. Behind your back, to everyone else's faces, is a very different story. So you can have a seemingly lovely meal with your host, and think you got along splendidly, only to discover the next day that word has gotten around that you're (insert libelous slander here).
On another note, "Well Bless His/Her/Their Heart/s" is code for, "They can go ****", or, occasionally, "They deserved it."
And yes, ignorance and intolerance are celebrated. That always drove me crazy.
MT- The Southerners were probably trying to be nice to you until you were rude to them, and THEN they started talking about how annoying you are...See? You have to be nice for people to say nice things about you! ;-)
Big Al, you wrote exactly what I was about to write. I moved from the North East to the South for a few years in my early 20's. A majority of the people I met were a bunch of two-faced people: they smile and "hi ya'll' you to your face, but once you turn your back, they talk about you. I also couldn't stand the ignorance. I remember once being on the phone with a local car insurance person, and when they asked me my marital status (I said single), they said, "WOW! That's RARE around here. You better get goin' darlin'!" I wanted to lecture her about female independence, but then I realized it would have went over her head anyway. ;)
"...but then I realized it would have went over her head anyway. "
As English seems to have gone over yours.
Big Al, I will come to your defense. I am a born and bread southerner who escaped that most backward aspect of the country (thank goodness!). Southern hospitality is a myth, and you are correct that they will stab you in the back the moment you turn your back. The funniest thing is that living in the North, people tell me I am too polite and so much of a hostess, guess living in the south taught me that, but when it 's not sincere, then what does it mean?
LOL Al, I bet as a child you weren't loved on enough by your mother. Did you hear the story about the man who kept moving from town to town to escape terrible neighbors? He pulled into the newest town and demanded of the first person he saw, "What kind of people live here?"
"What kind were they where you come from?" was the query.
"I've had the bad luck to have dirty, no-account gossips live around me every place I've moved."
"Well, I reckon that's probably the kind you'll find here, too."
Southerners will get it, but for those who might live further North: Dude, it's you.
Love that!
That's along the lines I've been thinking since I started reading these comments. I'm inclined to think it's more about the person than where they come from. Seems like the people who are most unhappy are the one's who will lob the most derogatory comments – Northern and Southern alike.
I agree with Big Al, Southern Hospitality is really a myth, and if anything if you look "famous" they will give you attention because they are all fake. And they are VERY ignorant!!!! I am Hawaiian and Navajo (all though I am very very pale) they referred to me using derogatory terms behind my back. I would never ever wish to travel to the South ever again.
Oh yea, I forgot to mention, I lived there for 15 years
obama is a hawaiian , so that is where he gets his smarts, the empty suit pile of doggie grunt prez. mr bark bark odummy
Y'all showing your Southern manners. My friend is Jewish and went to Duke, and all the public buses played Christian religious music all year. That's tolerance for you.
RH,
That's because he went to Duke. All the locals know it is full of Yankees. Carolina is just a few mile south on the same road and sooo much nicer. Crooks is in Chapel Hill too and there just isn't anywhere better to eat!
I have heard people from southern states visiting New England talk about their southern manners, then they'll start a conversation by ripping northern food, nightclubs, roads, drivers, work environment.... etc. I'm sorry, if these are "soutrhern manners," they can keep those manners down south and learn to behave civilly up north.
Robert its just that an important facet of southern etiquette is talking about our Northern neighbors. He he.
Where do you think the food you are eating came from? The oil that powered your truck? what has the yankees contributed to society? the south has food, timber,oil, gas, mining, seafood, hi tech? how in the heck do you survive? we should just cut the gas off and freeze a yankee. haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
It's such a shame your northern attitudes infest the south. All southern hope is lost for Florida due to the infestation called the north. If everything is so much better in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts then go the hell back.
C'mon J. You know as well as the next person that there are rude & catty Northerners AND rude & catty Southerners. It's just how rude, angry, uncultured people behave – regardless of where they come from.
I have heard people from southern states visiting New England talk about their southern manners, then they'll start a conversation by ripping northern food, nightclubs, roads, drivers, work environment.... etc. I'm sorry, if these are "southern manners," they can keep those manners down south and learn to behave civilly up north.
Well, if they were rude, I apologize on their behalf. However, I have given my unvarnished opinion about different things in the NE because I don't want to lie. If someone asks me how I like it, I generally say there are pros and cons. If they push, I tell them what I don't like about NE.
I don't know where you lived in the south, but I've lived in New Orleans area all my life. Southern hospitality is alive and well here, and if someone doesn't like you, they aren't shy about telling you to your face. In other words you will find great food and the friendliest people you could ever hope to meet that truly know the meaning of making you feel welcome and at home. But we know how to keep it "real."
Have you ever considered that the problem was probably you? No mirrors at your place, eh? How convenient.
We know life exists outside of our tropical southern paradise bubble...we just do not care. Beaches, BBQ, shorts and flip flops all year long...yeah, it sucks here.
Ahh, yes, GRITS. I love them all, but belong to only one.
You must have lived next to Yankee transplants. Unfortunately in some cases we have lots of them. Change neighborhoods.