Last Splash

The gene pool could use a little Chlorine.

I consider myself a more cultured/sophisticated Southerner, and I am very proud of where I'm from. I get really defensive when I hear "Yankees" lump us all into one category of country bumpkins, because I know plenty of Southern people that are just as well-educated and well-presented as anyone north of the Mason-Dixon. We were not ALL extras in Deliverance, although most of us know someone that could be.

My very special pet-peeve, being proud of who I am, are people who move here from, um, other areas of the country (okay, basically, New Jersey) and refuse to go home but do nothing but complain about the place I love, the schools, the people here, the way we drive, how slow we are, and on and on and on. If it sucks that bad, why are you still here? It's also really difficult to live somewhere as beautiful as NC is, especially in a metropolitan area (well, we'll get there eventually) . When people who were living in the Northeast and in California sell their dumpy little houses, they make about 600,000 and can afford to come here and buy whatever they want, driving up the real estate market for hardworking natives like my husband and I, and making it even more difficult for us to by a house with a half acre yard and 2000 square feet.

All of this being said, though, I will agree with our friendly transplants on one thing. Southern people cannot drive in the snow. Granted, most of the time we get ice, not snow, and no one can drive on that, but honestly, I am terrified of driving in the snow. Even being the most careful driver does not guarantee that I will not slide off the highway, and being too careful will ensure that one of my Yankee neighbors will probably get frustrated and nudge me off the highway anyway. I can't stand it! I am always really nervous at first, and then I get to a major road and get a little more comfortable, but as soon as I get above 35 or 40, I start to feel like maybe I'm being over-confident, and as soon as I let go and drive I'm going to hit a patch of black ice. The worst is when it starts to melt during the day, and then refreezes overnight into a worse mess than before. As if my fear isn't enough, I also have the other side of Southern drivers to deal with: the rednecks that go mudslinging in their four wheel drive pickups, so they think they can get out and make an obstacle course of any road with slush on it.

So, midwesterners and northerners, I will concede on this point. You were right, Southern people, we really can't drive in winter weather. So now you can stop making fun of us about it. Or else we might have to start discussing the fact that NO ONE in America wants to see the Patriots win another Super Bowl.

posted by: Cannonball14 at 13:30 | link | comments (5) |

Comments:

#1  18 January 2007 - 14:07

 

Agree with you on both points---my wife is originally from Georgia. We spent the first five years of married life in Alberta, Canada---she had never seen snow never mind driving in it---horror! And the Patriots---god yes, come on Saints (I think), or Colts, or Bears (maybe not.)

JustMe63

#2  18 January 2007 - 14:11

 

God, not the Saints either. I can't take another "America's triumph" win in sports. I'm all COLTS now, baby! (Da Bears would be a second choice...I mean, it's time...)

Cannonball14

#3  18 January 2007 - 18:48

 

I'm definitely cheering for the Colts and Peyton "I'm a lovable goober" Manning. But should they go down this weekend...I'm cheering for the Patriots.

I understand where you're coming from as far as how the rest of the world sees you. Non-midwesterners always make comments about how Iowa is just full of corn and pigs (forgetting the fact that we have soybeans and cattle, too!). Iowa's not flat. Part of it is flat, yes, but there are rolling hills galore, the Loess hills (found only in Iowa and China), cliffs, wetlands, woods, lakes...it's beautiful. Education is tops in the country. People are generally friendly and helpful (though admittedly very set in their ways). It's pretty safe (though certain groups of people seem to be moving from Chicago and St. Louis). But people look at us and see a bunch of hick farmers. Which is fine...we'll keep the secrets to ourselves.

greeneyes

#4  22 January 2007 - 02:23

 

Hellz yeah!! Did you see my boys Dallas and Bob? Such sweethearts...and pretty good football players to boot!!

greeneyes

#5  22 January 2007 - 18:28

 

I agree with you on all points... even the one on the Patriots. lol Being a transplant myself - it still makes me mad when transplants can't find enough to bitch about the south, yet choose to stay. lol I love NC. Been here for 6 years now, my parents for 8 years. My Family's Chicago natives and we cheer for the Bears and the Cubs (yes, the CUBS! lol)-- but we remember winters up there... last night's game was played in 28 degree weather, sleet and snow. Don't know how the players did it! Guess it hust shows their athletisism and love of the game. We know it literally hurts to breathe in that kind of weather. lol So we love NC. Wouldn't change it for the world-- plus we know even Chicagoans can't drive in winter weather well either. But shhh... that's supposed to be a secret. lol ;) ~Hawkeye

hawkeye

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