from dictionary.com and why the term redneck is so offensive to most southerners.

red?neck ( P ) Pronunciation Key (rdnk)

n. Offensive Slang

Used as a disparaging term for a member of the white rural laboring class, especially in the southern United States.

A white person regarded as having a provincial, conservative, often bigoted attitude.

snowrooster, I said I would not go to Punta Cana in the DR because all of the resorts are AI. I don't go to AI's. That's not derogatory. Anyone who is considering going to Punta Cana might like to know that "small" fact.

Don't you work?

Who did I call a redneck? NOBODY!!! I passed on a term I've heard from many people about a place. Never even said it was true, just what I've heard.

Let me make you all happy . . .

Myrtle Beach is divine. I hear Donald Trump has a home there. If you love art, culture, and fine dining then go to Myrtle Beach. There are no rednecks there. How accurrate is that?!?

Diana - You commented on a place you've never been, right? Nuf said.

Of course, it's ironic you contrasted it to the "diversity" of Key West, since KW could easily be described as tawdry given all the drunkeness and cruisers. It's a great place, but not exactly the French Riviera or your Hilton Head.

Can we please chill now? Many thanks.

snowrooster, the difference is that I did not come on a public board and make nasty, thoughtless comments about an entire area that I have NEVER even been to.

You are WRONG here, and if you are too dense to see it from all of the many people who are trying to point that out - in most cases very tactfully - then there's not much else we can do for you but just ignore you and hope you and your narrow views just recede into a distant roar.

All you are doing is backpedaling and digging your hole deeper.

I didn't call any place "tawdry" - that was someone else putting words in my mouth. I went to Key West for spring break in college and loved it (though I'm sure it is different during non-spring break season). By diversity I meant that there are many non-traditional couples there (which I think is great) but some people are not as comfortable with this kind of diversity.

Diana - I made one comment "redneck riviera" that I've heard made often by many people. I have admitted I've never been there and that I don't know everything. However I don't take back the fact that people call it that 'cause they do.

You did comment on a place you've never been which is what you called me out for - like it or not.

Snowrooster...calm down..I read this thread and laughed and laughed.

We have a small little redneck beach house in North Myrtle and love it!

Just went down over the 4th and the grown daughter commented that it is her favorite beach in the whole wide world. Our grandchildren love it just as much as she does! The DH can't wait to shag with them!

But, GoTravel and others, I, too, have heard it referred to as the RR. The DH and I went down over Easter and I commented to him while we were on the pier in Cherry Grove that I could see why people referred to it as such due to those who were on the pier fishing that day.

This time down we took the kids to Alligator Adventure and they loved it, as did we. Barefoot Landing is fun, fun, fun for everyone. It was way to hot to golf, but per capita, I believe Myrtle Beach is the golfing capital, is it not?

I happen to be one of the gazillions of people who love Myrtle and Gatlinburg!

Snowrooster, please chill. It's not worth arguing especially when it's differences of opinions that make the world go round. Wouldn't it be a dull place to live if we were all the same?

Can we chill NOW?

snowrooster,

my wife and I had to put one of our cats to sleep (after 14 too short years) this past Spring. You have my sympathy.

And you should at least get a chuckle out of this. One of my favorite t-shirts (purchased locally) has a picture of a golf cart with the words: "Redneck Riviera Transit Autority," and the motto "We Get There When We Get There."

So while I do think it is inaccurate to describe MB in a travel forum as (solely, or mainly) a redneck riveriera, I do think it's important to be able to laugh at one's stereotypes.

She was a great cat, thank you.

I never even said that I thought it was a "redneck riviera" but that's how I've heard it referred to by others - personally I've never been there. Thanks for mentioning the t-shirt as that proves I wasn't making up the phrase.

BTW, we had a nice mini-trip to Gatlinburg in the fall and it is a total "redneck" kind of place, but that doesn't mean it's all bad and can't be fun if you are in the right mind set!!

Too many people here are too sensitive and easily upset. That was never my intention.

Well, I think it's worth noting that calling something "redneck" is a very classist thing. No one really considers being called a "redneck" a compliment, just as anyone really enjoys being called the n-word. While it may not have the same impact, it is important to realize that calling something "redneck" is condescending and elitist and can offend people.

It's really not that hard to avoid making offensive comments, so why try so hard to defend it?

It can be a Jeff Foxworthy kind of thing. All my life (and I grew up in the South) I heard Panama City Beach, Florida referred to as the Redneck Riveria. I did a web search and learned today that Gulf Shores, Alabama actually markets themselves (complete with RR Tshirts) as the RR. Myrtle Beach and Gatlinburg have often been grouped in that category as well.

Perhaps it's a combination of a regional/ personal thing. We can talk about ourselves that way but we just don't want YOU to talk about us that way.

Having said all that...MB and HH both have beautiful beaches, good restaurants and golf courses, but they ARE on the opposite ends of the social spectrum. Just ask co-workers from the expensive gated community that just returned from HH but wouldn't be caught dead at MB or friends from the mountains that are planning a trip to MB and would never go to HH (too snooty).

Different strokes for different folks. Isn't that what's great about the USA...and this forum?

San Diego,LaJolla comes to mind, or go North up the coast towards Santa Barbara, Carmel. Depending on what month you're talking about Florida is probably too humid. Everytime I've been to Florida it's been muggy.

Hi, I have to agree with Snowrooster. Myrtle Beach may be cheap especially off season but the place is just rather nasty. I saw porn places all over and that is something I choose not to see on my vacation any more than I want to see proverty on my vacation(as in mexico) I am not rich and I work very hard for my vacation. Myrtle Beach is much like Cancun. Filth in the streets, lots of tourist traps and not many safety rules. My son and son in law rented dive gear with no ? asked if they could dive. Neither had to show a C-card. I do go to SC twice a year to visit my mom and we usually go to Isle of Palm, however my advice would be go to GRAND CAYMAN. Total paradise.

izzy, funny how you've only ever posted on Fodors to trash Myrtle Beach and have no other postings.

Methinks that maybe izzy is really another poster hiding behind izzy's name.

Just to clarify ONE MORE TIME . . . I never called Myrtle Beach anything. I passed on the fact that I have heard (as others evidently have as well) it referred to as "redneck riviera." That's what some folks call it. I don't need to be told to calm down - I'm not the one who is upset. It's the Myrtle Beach lovers who are jumping all over me. I can't imagine why you'd be so defensive unless there is some truth to the phrase. I don't know, never been there myself. I have been to Gatlinburg and don't mind that it is considered "redneck" - I enjoyed my visit and that's what matters. Maybe some of the rest of you should consider the same attitude.