Just came across this thread and lack the patience to read all of the posts......
That said:
I was hatched in Philadelphia, PA. Lived there or near until the ripe old age of 20 or so.
After lots of stuff in between that I won't bore you with, I ended up in Florida via the U.S. Navy.
At first, the south seemed a bit slow and undeveloped. Lots of unrealized potential for commercial profit.
Anyone from the north would have looked at the boarded-up oceanfront in Jacksonville Beach in a complete state of confusion. As I did.
It took a few years to understand. They knew the boom was coming. They were just holding out for the bux. Now it's a zoo. Like the Jersey shore.
Yuk.
The truth is, to me, redneck is better. I'm almost fully converted. (just can't seem to get used to boiled peanuts or smoked mullet).
Stereotypes are just that, but a bit of truth is in there as well.
When comparing folks from the south to folks from the north you must be fully aware of your own bias.
Northern folks spend all energy in pursuit of the dollar. They miss out on the good things life has to offer as a result.
Where southern folks, regardless of income, take full advantage of their surroundings and enjoy what the land and life has to offer.
This is often mistaken for a lack of ambition. Nothing could be further from the truth. People in the south have an ability to balance work and play in a way that northern folks have yet to learn.
"Nobody lies on their death-bed wishing that they had spent more time at work".
Maybe it's me. Maybe it's just the city life that I "don't miss". (can't stand Florida cities either)
But I do believe: REDNECK IS BETTER! and a warm, snow-free climate is a bonus.
BTW: Ate fresh flounder Friday night. Caught it, cleaned it and ate it after work with only a few hours of daylight to work with. Can't beat it.
