What's the deal between Yankees and Southerners??

Question

Call me stupid but,,Why do Southerners hate "yankees",,And are southerners really toothless and backwords and mannerless,,lol

Answer 1

I think there are many differences in cultural values that contribute to this perception, but IMHO, the biggest difference appears to stem from the value of *loyalty* taking precedence over the value of *intelligence*. Simply put, it's dog vs. cat. Which one's smarter? It depends on how you test them. A cat can usually figure things out faster, but a dog will more easily perform what you teach him.

"Mama always said.." takes priority over "the latest scientific study reports..". A Southerner is less apt to accept new ideas, because of his loyalty to old ways. "You can't teach an old dog new tricks." This conveys a perception of being 'slow'. "Mama said".. think Forrest Gump, or the Waterboy. But he'll do what you tell him as long as he trusts you - think GWB or Wal-Mart. Cats and Yankees generally are more pushy, less trusting, and usually end up getting more for their efforts. Cats get the food, the shelter, AND the wild birds, rats, lizards, etc... and just compare CT income with that of MS.

A Southerner is less apt to cut you off on the freeway, because he is loyal to you until you cross him. In addition, he is less tolerant of any breach of that loyalty. Where most of the world will think a quick cut-off on the road is just someone trying to get ahead, many Southerners are intolerant of this - much like many obedient dogs are intolerant of impertinent cats!

A (damn) Yankee believes in 'survival of the fittest', 'never give a sucker an even break' and 'we'll speak the truth if the whole world be damned (or even if it's impolite)' - which are all highly competitive values that reward the strong and weed out the weak. And, in a Machiavellian way, this is what is best for mankind to some degree. At some point, you have to cut the dead weight before the entire ship sinks.

To the Yankee, being blunt is just being honest - and being polite is being fake. Similarly, a cat doesn't usually 'play dead' just to get some attention. No pretenses there.

The Southerner believes in carrying the weak as long as is possible, because, remember, the highest value is loyalty. So, the 'dead weight' slow Sunday driver on the left side is more tolerated. The dumb or illiterate are defended (and, quite so, even elected - because they 'obviously' share the same values). Think "no child left behind" .. more of a loyal pack animal, nurturing mentality than the independent and more adaptable cat.

Finally, dogs bark when they feel threatened, while cats turn and run unless they're cornered. Just like Fido above who threatened your teeth :). Funny how you're not hearing many cats barking - probably because they already 'know' they are superior, and they don't feel the need to call attention to themselves when there is no real threat.

Answer 2

My family has been in the South since landing in this country, living in LA, KY and FL. I'm fourth generation Floridian and not only do I see how Northerners discriminate against Southerners, but they also treat native Floridians like servants. Like we owe them something for them overpopulating our state.

I don't know anyone that is toothless or backwards. I, myself, can hunt, clean what I kill, fish, make a fire from flint and stick. Does this make me backwards? We always called them camping skills. My husband is from Michigan and has called me murderer on more than one occassion when I've gone hunting with old friends. Yet he's the one that feels we need a gun in the house. I've never killed anything with a gun, I use an old fashioned bow and arrow.

As for mannerless? I guess you've never heard of Southern hospitality! Come down South to a nice little 'hick' town and say hello to someone and see how quickly you get a smile and a hello back. I made the mistake of acting like myself the last time we went up to MI and could not believe the looks I got from people at the grocery store when I said good morning. My father-in-law explained that people aren't the same up there as they are where I'm from.

And I think that's the key. We are One Nation under God, but we still nurture those old bounderies.

To answer why Southerners 'hate' Yankees. If a Southern child is lucky enough to have a Southern History teacher they learn the nasty true details of what the Yankees did to our women, homes, crops and towns as they swept through during the Civil War.

The Northern Army came through and raped the women, stole family heirlooms, burned the crops and homes. The Confederate Army didn't do these things.

Also, many Northerners treat Sotherners like we are automatically illiterate and ignorant. My mother-in-law is like this, even though I have 6 years of college on her!

I, personally, try to accept all people as people. But I sure can 'get my Southern' on when I hear someone with a Northern accent talking down to me. lol

Answer 3

JB answered this quite well. I am from New England but currently live in North Carolina. I truly believe southerners are anti-northern. It was real bad when I lived in Georgia in 1996. I had people tell me they should have beaten us in the civil war, etc. The cultural differences are amazing. Yes JB, if you cut someone off in the south they go nuts or call the police.

Northerners have high expectations. If I pay for a service I have an expectation I will get what I paid for. For example, the restaurants in NC are extremely inconsistent. You can go to the same place 3 times in a week and not get the same service and food quality for the same dish. My problem, if I send the food back the waitstaff gets bent out of shape and takes it personal. I do not know if its my northern accent; I always say please and thank you. I just don't think they want us here and I do not think direct or even indirect criticism or the "plain truth" rolls well with these folk.

I feel uncomfortable in urban areas within the south. There is a lot of crime and it seems there are always people around me begging for money. It happens up north but the per capita poverty here is amazing. A lot of these shenanigans would not be tolerated up north. Case in point, like JB said the south tolerates it because they either have a sense of loyalty or godly way of thinking about things. In the north God or Loyalty has nothing to do with it. To us its get a dang job and stop begging.

Now I am sick and tired of hearing about the Civil War. Listen people, I am of Italian descent and MY family was not even in this country during the Civil War. This hatred is engrained into the southern society and it is a dysfunctional way of thinking. Us northerners do not look at it as southern pride. It reeks of racism and ignorance.

Another difference is in our laws. CO and WA have already legalized Marijuana. The New England states have already decriminalized it and are well on their way to legalize as well. I was in SC a few weeks ago and they do not serve alcohol on Sunday. I understand it is based on old religious blue laws. As a northerner I do not need anybody telling me when I can and cannot have a glass of red wine with my meal. But, this law is only a fraction of the Souths problem. If you look around SC the state obviously has no money to pave their roads and clean up the litter. They won't serve booze but you sure can drive up highway 85 and stop at Asian Spa for a tug on Sunday but god forbid if you drink.

The south can simply be an amazing place. but to us Northerners the laws, customs, and way of doing things just appears to be so darn backward. You folks do not come of as reasonable or flexible. I will admit though if you get on the right side of a southerner they are very charming.

Answer 4

It's about the way of conversation or "the way people talk". As what I've learned in call center about the U.S culture, the "Yankees" or the Northerners like New Yorkers or people who lived near it like New Jersey, etc.. was talking pretty fast. Maybe because they are too busy or they are in the business/corporate field so they want things to be straight and fast. Unlike the "Southeners", their location was not that much for a corporate so they take their time to think of everything and especially talking, they are not straight to the point and they talk slowly compared to the Northeners.

Answer 5

I've lived everywhere, the best way to describe it is to imagine there are only two football teams, basketball teams and or two baseball teams. People side up with their "home team" even if they haven't won a game in years. Most of the time it's just good natured bantering, however, you do get some serious die hards.

Answer 6

Southerners are not toothless and not mannerless. That is a stereotype! You guys think we are different because we are not like you but you guys are different from us

Answer 7

Some people still think that the civil war is still going. Most southerners are good folk.

Answer 8

im a southerner , would you like to be toothless, ask me that question in person. you will not last long in here with your slur statements.

Answer 9

don't be old fashioned. I live here in Austin. People here are nice. They wave hello when you drive by. They ask you how are you just to ask. I have all of my teeth.

Answer 10

ever hear of the civil war?