Immigrating.

Vampire_Hunter_Bob said:

Only in those low brow Northern states.

Honestly i don't get it I've ran into more back water hicks in New York state then Georgia, Delaware, Maryland and West/normal Virginia put together.

What are you going to say about that you crummy new yorkers!

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Didnt you see Ghost Busters, its every New Yorkers right to feel like crap and treat people the same (or something like that).

And to the cockroach comment, Im guessing you've never been to Hawaii, Ive seen roachs that are so big that when they fly (and yes they fly) into you, they can knock you down.

Honestly i don't get it I've ran into more back water hicks in New York state then Georgia, Delaware, Maryland and West/normal Virginia put together.

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That's because Maryland isn't really a hick state. Some of it is just farms and agriculture, but that's the case with New England as well. We don't speak with southern accents, we don't wave the confederate flag, and we don't vote like the south. Hell, Maryland has what's considered the smartest city in the country, Bethesda (determined by percentage of people with Bachelor's and Graduate degrees), and you'll find many of its public schools ranked in the top 100 in the nation.

As for Virginia, you will find a HUGE difference between Northern Virginia and Southern Virginia.

I have to say, if you don't like the American "zeitgeist", you'd best like the more left leaning European socialist politics, because things really aren't that different in Europe aside from that strain. Before Aaz attacks me, yes, I concede France is the exception in some ways, being a very secular and socialist leaning country when compared to England and Germany (I actually was shocked to find that I was one of two practicing Catholics on a tour of Notre Dame that numbered about 50! I mean, you people kicked out the Hugenots).

But frankly, you can take the rail across the continent and find very little variation aside from language these days, what with globalization. I think the Europe that is portrayed in American media is really the Europe of the 80's or early 90's, but the EU has really changed things. Capitalism is a bitch, I'm afraid. In my experience, anti-american sentiment within the EU is generated more by the residents of European countries detesting their embrace of many elements of our culture and economy than reflecting their outright differences when compared to us (again, France being an exception). It's really reactionary in regard to changes that have already set in, as opposed to fighting ones that are yet to come, I'm afraid.

Peregrine_Falcon said:

That's because Maryland isn't really a hick state. Some of it is just farms and agriculture, but that's the case with New England as well. We don't speak with southern accents, we don't wave the confederate flag, and we don't vote like the south. Hell, Maryland has what's considered the smartest city in the country, Bethesda (determined by percentage of people with Bachelor's and Graduate degrees), and you'll find many of its public schools ranked in the top 100 in the nation.

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I grew up in a town with hicks mind you! From my experience of living in New york I've seen people [not in the military] driving around with the confederate flag in the back of their car windows. Don't vote like the south? I'm from a traitor southern state, we vote democrat strongly every year, so you have to explain how the south votes to me then.

Bethesda? Really? I didn't know that about Bethesda

Sorry, saying that Maryland wasn't like the rest of the south because of its education was rude and I shouldn't have said it.

As for voting like the south, yes there are areas that vote democratic, but the majority DOES vote republican.

I have never met a single person from the north who wears the confederate flag. Everyone I had met was from the south and they said that it symbolized southern tradition. I'm surprised that anyone from the north would wear it.

I'm from a traitor southern state

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When did I call you traitors?

Peregrine_Falcon said:

Sorry, saying that Maryland wasn't like the rest of the south because of its education was rude and I shouldn't have said it.

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What? I wasn't even mad, I'm just confused now.

As for voting like the south, yes there are areas that vote democratic, but the majority DOES vote republican.

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My cousins are big supporters of the republican party, but vote democracy every election year. Or are you talking about the south?

I have never met a single person from the north who wears the confederate flag. Everyone I had met was from the south and they said that it symbolized southern tradition. I'm surprised that anyone from the north would wear it.

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I'm just saying I've seen it.

When did I call you traitors?

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I read it on some web site a while ago. i didn't even suggest you said that.

Not to completely jump in here, but I'm from the Appalachian part of Ohio, and most people in the southeastern quarter of the state consider themselves southerners (I'm talking Chillicothe, Portsmouth, and all of the river towns for my follow Ohioans). There are several barns along I-71, which connects Cincinnati to Cleveland, that have confederate flags on them and are nationally prominent for being centers of KKK activity as well. In fact, several counties in southern Ohio held slaves in defiance of the constitution until the Civil War, it's just that historians haven't really dealt with this in any great detail. I actually have quite a few ancestors on my mother's side who fought for the Confederacy despite being from Ohio, and some of my ancestors owned slaves in southern Ohio.

Honestly, about half of them use the Confederate flag because their families have considered themselves "southern" for generations, and some are just blatantly racist. I'd say it's about 50/50. I'm not surprised that you "haven't seen it", it's not like people overtly advertise it in this day and age, it's the kind of thing that's kept in private by those who still hold those beliefs. For instance, most of the farmers where i live kept confederate flags in their barns, but would never dare to fly them outside. Frankly, I find the racist aspect disgusting, but I do understand why those who have ancestors who died fighting for the Confederacy feel some connection. Personally I don't, and think the flag should be frowned upon, mainly because I realize how wrong my ancestors were for holding slaves and fighting for their right to do so.

So yeah, you crazy coastal people don't really know what goes on in private in the border states, and Bob is right on the money.

What? I wasn't even mad, I'm just confused now.

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I grew up in a town with hicks mind you!

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sounded mad in my opinion, but that's the problem with internet communication; it's not always clear.

My cousins are big supporters of the republican party, but vote democracy every election year. Or are you talking about the south?

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I was talking about the south.

As for racism, those damn "handout" comments really piss me off.

Aazealh said:

Sorry to tell you, but that happens quite often in some parts of the USA...

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Doesn't happen around here. I sometimes forget how "diverse" our country is.
Coincidentally, I live in New York; Bob.

@Forest Wraith: Your problem would seem to be the same as mine. Good luck finding salvation anywhere where you won't need to struggle simply to survive.
Of course, the main reason that so many americans are "as they are" nowadays is simply because life's been so easy for so long.

bph said:

Personally I don't, and think the flag should be frowned upon, mainly because I realize how wrong my ancestors were for holding slaves and fighting for their right to do so.

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Oh come on States rights people! Slavery was the least of everyones worries back then!

Dirty Dog said:

Coincidentally, I live in New York; Bob.

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I live in New york also. I hate this state! >=[

Vampire_Hunter_Bob said:

I live in New york also. I hate this state! >=[

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So do I. D=<
Winters are too damn cold, summers are too damn hot, and the women are too damn sleazy (for my tastes, anyway).

Still, doubt I'll do much better anywhere else.

Heh, Bob, you're definitely right that states rights were the cause for most Confederates. My ancestors just wanted to keep their slaves, though, and were afraid of having to keep them on as sharecroppers, or at least that is how our oral family history has always told it. They didn't even respect the right of Ohio to ban slavery, after all, and were hoping that the southeastern counties would secede into West Virginia and Kentucky.

Still though, my cousins who have Confederate flags in their garages and whatnot just drive me nuts, but what can you do?

Dirty Dog said:

So do I. D=<
Winters are too damn cold, summers are too damn hot, and the women are too damn sleazy (for my tastes, anyway).

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Eugh, I hate Fort Drum winters. Specially when it gets -40 and you go out to the field that week. I almost had hypothermia from having to stay out for so long!

Still, doubt I'll do much better anywhere else.

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You know after a New York winter, walking around in a t shirt and shorts when it's 30 doesn't feel all that cold.

bph said:

Heh, Bob, you're definitely right that states rights were the cause for most Confederates.

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I'm a yankee through and through ever since my great great great great great great grand father came to the States from Ireland and joined the Army of the Potomac!

Sorry about derailing this thread btw!

bph said:

I have to say, if you don't like the American "zeitgeist", you'd best like the more left leaning European socialist politics, because things really aren't that different in Europe aside from that strain. Before Aaz attacks me, yes, I concede France is the exception in some ways, being a very secular and socialist leaning country when compared to England and Germany (I actually was shocked to find that I was one of two practicing Catholics on a tour of Notre Dame that numbered about 50! I mean, you people kicked out the Hugenots).

But frankly, you can take the rail across the continent and find very little variation aside from language these days, what with globalization. I think the Europe that is portrayed in American media is really the Europe of the 80's or early 90's, but the EU has really changed things. Capitalism is a bitch, I'm afraid. In my experience, anti-american sentiment within the EU is generated more by the residents of European countries detesting their embrace of many elements of our culture and economy than reflecting their outright differences when compared to us (again, France being an exception). It's really reactionary in regard to changes that have already set in, as opposed to fighting ones that are yet to come, I'm afraid.

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Thanks bph, it's Honest impressions like this that I'm looking for, I figure that getting multiple accounts of what living in Europe is like is a good way to figure out what to expect.

Forest Wraith said:

Nice, what kind of work are you doing exactly? I've studied extensively and I hope to work in Bladesmithing, Home Furnishings and maybe a little Architectural metalwork.

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Well right now I'm learning the basics, but I plan to learn blade smithing and armor smithing as well.

Dirty Dog said:

So do I. D=<
Winters are too damn cold, summers are too damn hot, and the women are too damn sleazy (for my tastes, anyway).

Still, doubt I'll do much better anywhere else.

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I don't know which part of New York you guys are living in, Long Island or something? Or upstate, because upstate would make sense.

Dirty Dog said:

Also, might I suggest Canada? Sure, it's colder than fuck... but it's got alot of upsides. I mean, it's usually ignored. You certainly won't need to worry about any stupid ass wars anytime soon.

(I'm american, but I've been considering moving to canada for quite some time myself)

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I don't know if you've been through the outback of Canada, but it honestly looks like an american state there, Canada's not that much of a Mom and Pop country anymore from what I've seen and heard. And also they don't use their signals.

And about the epic battle about Germany and France. French food is amazing, and one of the most amazing cuisines I've ever tasted.

As for New Yorkers, we are alot nicer than folk in most other cities. Hell, I can't even count the times I've helped Russians who spoke like 4 words of english find 8th st. (who knows why they'd go there though...)

As for leaving the country, I'd say don't do it, but I've always been somewhat considering it myself espesially since I'll be able to apply for dual citizenship in Italy in about 2-3 years. I wish someone would tell Italian immigrants to stop changing their goddamn names though...

But I'm sure if you do go to France, you'll have some amazing food to eat, and some amazing wine to drink (and now my knowledge of France is at an end). It's not odd to find yourself out of place within your country, but sometimes other places might not be all you expect. Basically just don't get too far ahead of yourself with it all. And also, French is the least phonetic language ever (not a fact), so you may have a bit of trouble with that.

Eddie said:

I don't know which part of New York you guys are living in, Long Island or something? Or upstate, because upstate would make sense.

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Hour north of Syracuse.

Edit: I should be moving out of this shit hole in a month.

Vampire_Hunter_Bob said:

Hour north of Syracuse.

Edit: I should be moving out of this shit hole in a month.

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Ah yeah, I can agree with that whole sentiment then, I don't really find upstate NY all that fun or intresting. It's nice to go up to some places in the catskills for a while, but I can imagine how living up there must get. Also, I know Binghamton is really really depressing because I had to look at their college. Where are you planning on moving? Further from NYC or toward it?

Eddie said:

Ah yeah, I can agree with that whole sentiment then, I don't really find upstate NY all that fun or intresting. It's nice to go up to some places in the catskills for a while, but I can imagine how living up there must get. Also, I know Binghamton is really really depressing because I had to look at their college. Where are you planning on moving? Further from NYC or toward it?

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Binghamton depressing? Binghamton is my favorit city! When I'm leaving NY and I see the exit for Binghamton I know it's only going to be a little while longer before I hit freedom!

I'm planning on going back to Maryland. I really don't want to come back to this state ever again. Maybe only to see Alexandria Bay, I liked that place.

I live in Georgia and not in the big city either.

People are surprisingly polite, helpful, and well educated here despite the sterotype although we might have the southern accent .

Vampire_Hunter_Bob said:

Hour north of Syracuse.

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I'm from an hour north of Syracuse, too. Waterloo, heh.

I live in Raleigh, NC now. If NY had a warmer climate I wouldn't have moved. I do miss the rustic Adirondacks, Saratoga Springs, Watkins Glen and the 'Gorges' Ithaca. Pretty people are hard to come by in NY, but not pretty scenery.

I hope you fare well on your move, and good luck with blacksmithing. Hope it makes more money in real life than in world of warcraft, lol.

_Noone_ said:

I'm from an hour north of Syracuse, too. Waterloo, heh.

I live in Raleigh, NC now. If NY had a warmer climate I wouldn't have moved. I do miss the rustic Adirondacks, Saratoga Springs, Watkins Glen and the 'Gorges' Ithaca. Pretty people are hard to come by in NY, but not pretty scenery.

I hope you fare well on your move, and good luck with blacksmithing. Hope it makes more money in real life than in world of warcraft, lol.

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I've been in Watertown/Fort Drum area for a while now and i've noticed there are better looking chicks showing up now. Then agian, if they are good looking they are jack asses. I like those College ladies

I'm a big fan of Alexandria Bay personally.