Sunday, November 27, 2005

Regionalism

One of the things that has always fascinated me is how different regions in America are so different.

The West is different from the Midwest which is different from the South which is different from the Rocky Mountain region which is different from the East Coast. And California is a whole different world unto itself. There are some slight differences in language, some definite differences in values and culture, there are variations in accent, and even in musical styles. As a matter of fact, all a person has to do is look at the last election to see this truth.

In my life I have visited every section of the country except for the Northeast (I consider Pennsylvania mid-atlantic). Here are some differences that I seemed to notice.

Music:
Have you ever noticed that California Rock has a whole different feel than Jersey Rock and Southern Rock? Not to mention the Seattle alternative music scene.

Have you ever heard people talk about East Coast vs. West Coast rap?

Lesser known, there is a lot of regionalism within country music. Texas country sounds different that Texas country and Western country.

Values:

Racial attitudes are much different in the midwest and the south than they are in the west.

Certain areas of the country are a lot more smoker friendly than others.

The West seems more focused on the individual and their rights, while the south and midwest seem to be more focused on conformity.

Anyway...that is a start to the observations.

What kinds of things do you notice?

7 comments:

San Nakji said...

We definitely see that from this part of the world. The west coast is more liberal, the south the opposite and the east coast seems cold! Your country is so big and with the semi independence that each state has I guess that's why.

Brotha Buck said...

When I first moved here I noticed children were much more mannerly in Texas than in Iowa. Yes Sir and No Mam, and thank you. Hey, question: what do you think about that crying Mary? And people crowding around her and praying to her. I can't find the news story, but its not the one in Vietnam, its here. I think

rubyslipperlady said...

Is it a 'sucker' or a 'lollipop' a 'coke,' 'soda,' or a 'pop.' It is fun to live outside of my "birth region" and listen to the differences and hear yourself mocked as you in turn mock them. What is no accent or only a slight one in one place is considered a huge drawl in another. God is amazing! As a former student, and friend, used to say, "He rocks my face!"

see-through faith said...

as a european it's hard to see the differences, only that smaller townships are more laid back that big city folks

and in the south they speak slower too :)

Rell said...

That people in the Midwest call it "Pop" while we here call it Soda.

That's weird to me, what the hell is pop anyway? arghhh

San Nakji said...

Soda is weird to us here in New Zealand, we call it fizzy drink or soft drink. When it comes down to it, you all speak funny!

rubyslipperlady said...

You could also call it a coke. All of it, as in when you go out to eat and the waitress asks you what you'd like to drink and you tell him or her, "A coke." They he or she replies, "What kind?" you then come back with "Dr. Pepper, thanks."

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