JanetKMR

We live outside of Roanoke Va and I see someone said they are usually in Blacksburg at a football game. We went to VA Tech and lived in Blacksburg for years. But now live 45 min away from Blacksburg.
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My DH and stepdaughter both went to VT. We have been season ticket holders since 2003.

And keep on with that sir and ma'am......good manners are never out of style

nytraveler

Here calling someone ma'am or sir does indicate that you think they are substantially older than you are - at least a generation - unless they are in some specific position of responsibility over you (like POTUS or similar).

I would drop it if you don;t want to give offense to locals.

BigRuss

>

To blazes with that advice. We still say it and insist the kids do too. Just because northerners have no bloody manners isn't an excuse. (I'm originally from NYC, the wife is southern and we live in the southwest). And when I return to the City I don't drop the sir and maam courtesies.

nytraveler

Even knowing that you are offending many of the people you are speaking to?

nytraveler

Sorry - I remember the first time someone called me "ma'am. I was about 30 and throught to myself - who the hell does this guy think I am? Or is he just being a jerk to get attention?

Had never heard it used in live conversation before.

HappyTrvlr

I love people with manners however as a Northerner if someone calls me Ma'am, i take it as a sign that think I'm old. I am with nytravler on this.

jubilada

Me too, actually.
When in Rome.....

Fra_Diavolo

Total nonsense. I am an American, New York born. New York, that raucous city . . . and we call people ma'am or sir or lady or mister or buddy or guys as we see fit and if you don't like it, there are plenty of less virile places to which you can retire.

Ackislander

How can you expect people who stand "on line" rather than " n line" to understand anything?


Joke, folks! But one with a point. People from every region of the country say things that drive other people crazy. People from the upper Midwest say "a couple blocks" instead of "a couple of blocks"; people from Wisconsin ask if you would like to "go with;" Southerners crack up our British friends when they offer to "carry you out to the airport."

Get a grip. Be nice to each other during the approaching Holidays.

JanetKMR

I love people with manners however as a Northerner if someone calls me Ma'am, i take it as a sign that think I'm old. I am with nytravler on this.
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I call my granddaughter ma'am and she is 2 years old. I've been a Southerner since the day I was born and could no more stop saying ma'am and sir than I could cut off my arm.

IME, most people understand that it is part of the culture of the Southern US and when you say it with a Southern accent it comes across differently than when someone who is not from the South says it....or I could be completely wrong

Birdie

Your mission, HolCT, should you choose to accept it, involves the introduction of Southern niceties to Connecticut. Along with the use of "Sir" and "Ma'am", you will be asked to wave at your neighbors as they drive by, say "hello" as you pass people on the street, and chat up strangers in line at the food store (it won't be a Food Lion.)

JanetKMR

Great post Birdie!

nytraveler

BigRuss -

OK - you can say ma'am and sir if your want - as long as you aren;t offended if northerners you meet at home greet you with "hey girlie" or "yo, bro".

After all, per you comment we should should not modify our local usages in other places.

HappyTrvlr

Just be prepared for negative reactions. nytraveler and I are trying to let you know how it may be interpreted in a negative manner. Nothing to do with manners.

sharona

Hi HolCT. I'm just seeing your thread and maybe I can help a little. I was born and raised in southwest Virginia and I met my husband while we were both students at Tech. We now live in the Boston area but along the way during my husband's pursuit of higher education we lived in Branford, CT for a couple of years.

First of all I would not live east of New Haven. Commuters going into New Haven either to work or to catch Metro North clog up the roads and traffic is stop and go on I-95. Your husband's commute would likely be more than 40 minutes from, say, Branford or Madison, even though they are both desirable towns. I'm not that familiar with the towns around Bridgeport but it looks like you've received some good advice.

You probably won't have too much trouble with the weather. You are already used to some snow and cold. It'll just be a little more of each in CT. The worst part is that spring can take its sweet time to arrive. I always say if Boston just had one more month of summer....

You'll just have to get used to the traffic, which will be a LOT more than what you're used to. You'll get used to making plans around rush hour traffic. Traffic is just a fact of life living in a populous area. You'll also discover the joys of hopping on a train to get to NYC or even to Boston. Metro North is the commuter train from CT into NYC and it's easy and convenient.

We used to go to Hammonasset Beach in Madison when we lived in Branford. It's a nice beach but no real waves. The water isn't too cold being the Sound. As someone else advised you'll need to go to the Rhode Island beaches to find real waves.

I wouldn't worry too much about any cultural differences. Think of it as a new adventure and a chance to learn a little bit different way of life. We've lived all over the east coast and even growing up Southern I feel very much at home in the northeast.

What likely will be a shock is the difference in prices. Everything is more expensive here. Hopefully your husband's salary will make up the difference but be aware that this is not an inexpensive area in which to live.

And one last thing. I've never found people in the northeast to be unfriendly. Yes, people here aren't as chatty to strangers as you'll find in the south but that never bothered me in the least. Different isn't necessarily bad.