Regarding the politics, is it the politics per se, or potential quality of life issues based on such politics that he may be concerned about (since you say in another thread that he is an “ORM”)?
He doesnt want to discuss much on this topic. I believe its current policies and mainly restrictions on LGBTQ, reproductive rights etc.
A lot of students may make assumptions of the South from their parents’ influence and/or media portrayals.
My wife is from New England. She will tell you that the students at Rice were the happiest, most collaborative accepting people.
I have traveled and spent time in 45 states. By far the rudest people I have ever met are folks from New Jersey/Phillly/and NYC. Boston has a history of extreme racism.
There’s literally an article last year that poses the question if Boston is the most racist city in America? In one of the supposed most accepting “liberal” states in the nation.
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I had a very good friend who moved from a southern state to Boston and who used to tell me exactly that (about his experiences in Boston). I have no personal experience living in the south so I can’t compare.
S23 chose not to apply to southern schools purely because of the weather. If they only had Edinburgh or Seattle weather, several of them would have made it onto his list!
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Northern vs Southern states shouldn’t be how we think about the divide we have today. The divide is really between more densely populated areas vs more sparsely populated areas. There’re more densely populated areas in the Northeast and along the two coasts. But even within some of the most densely populated states, there’re area that are very sparsely populated and they’re very different places. Perceived rudeness is also related to density. In more densely populated areas, people tend to be in a greater hurry and thus less patient.
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I travel and speak at conferences. The attendees in places like Philly and NYC will literally take out a newspaper and read it while you speak or talk loudly to other people while you speak. This is not about being in a hurry.
Ive seen and experienced it multiple times and not only to me but to other speakers as well. This does not happen in most places. The best story is how people in Philly booed and threw snowballs at Santa Claus.
Going back to the topic. I find it interesting whenever I see a parent talk about their S or D and why they dont want to attend a school in the South because of intolerance and yet they always seem to “love Boston” even with their ugly history of racism.
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I agree with you that density isn’t the only factor. Behaviors aren’t formed overnight. They may take years or even generations. Some people who are used to more hurried life may do things that appear impolite to others. Intolerance seems to correlate well with how monolithic a place is. There’re cultural norms and biases in every society. We tend to stereotype others whom we aren’t as familiar with. Densely populated areas are more likely to be less monolithic.
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In my earlier post I didn’t name Boston but I spent time there many years ago and had the same opinion. Many years later we visited colleges in Boston with our kids. Not much had changed.
I see Los Angeles is making the news too.
Both of my sons seem to be enjoying their southern schools. Both have mentioned that perception hasn’t matched reality.
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Perhaps it’s the subject matter or presentation. Sorry but rather than generalizing about an entire region being rude perhaps an Occam’s razor rationale should be considered.
I say this a bit tongue in cheek but there is a bit of irony in rudely criticizing others as being rude.
And for what it is worth I have found southerners and particularly Texans to be great, polite and kind people.
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If it’s the subject matter or the presentation, wouldnt I have experienced it elsewhere? Ive delivered thousands of presentations.
And it’s not just me but other people as well.
Hadn’t realized it wasn’t just you but “others”. You are clearly right and I stand corrected. People from NY, NJ and surrounding areas are the rudest😀
At least they aren’t the most judgmental or prone to gross generalization apparently.
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Im sharing my experiences. I guess Im not the only one.
Perhaps all these people are also rude for sharing their experiences?
It’s also ironic that you are critiquing my opinions with rude comments.
Agreed all such publications or “first hand” accounts should be viewed as gospel…
Back to the topic?
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We’ve traveled a bit across the US over the years hitting 49/50 states and most of those more than once (very few just once - and the missing state is Alaska).
There are good, bad, and ugly people everywhere. Fortunately, most are good. Even where some are rude, it’s not the majority. They’re just loud or trying to be obvious in some way (driving, walking out, cutting in line, etc) because it’s how they get their jollies.
For us, we’re not fond of cities. We credit our crowd allergy. Nature is awesome. That said, even in nature (campgrounds, hiking) there are good, bad, and ugly (sigh).
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I have always lived in the South - different states and all in cities - and I still do. Until a couple of years ago, I would have said the same thing. I would have agreed that there are a lot of untrue stereotypes, and that the urban/rural divide in every state is what matters.
But things have changed. The new laws enacted by state legislatures that apply state wide really do make a difference. I have two children and one is lgbtq. Until a couple of years ago, I would have laughed at all the people saying to stay away from the south. Not anymore. I want my daughters out of this state. I understand a lot of you will say this is hyperbole, but in my opinion, as a lifelong southerner, it really is different now.
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There may also be COVID-19 effects. For example, a student who opposes vaccination, masking, and other mitigations may find the state of Florida more hospitable. But one who is highly concerned about avoiding COVID-19 may have the opposite view of the state of Florida.
I am a lifelong southerner as well. I agree with you 100%. I have 2 sons going to college in Florida. One will be graduating & will likely leave the state. My son who is a sophomore is giving serious consideration to transferring to a school out of state and I will support this and pay for it. I will be moving away in the next 2 years when business allows for it. I can’t leave soon enough.
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Absolutely agree. The change over the last few years is palpable. Our jobs keep us tied here, but we will be encouraging our kids to go to school out of state when the time comes if things haven’t improved, even if that means increasing our budget and giving up the tuition benefits our kids would have staying in state.
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UGA just announced that their EA applications increased by 21% this year. For those citing political issues with the South, GA has one of the most restrictive abortion laws in the country. Didn’t seem to matter.
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