The problems happen when we, identify ourselves as part of a group, and that identification is more our validation of worthiness than our individuality is.

When we give priority to our “group” as our identifier we become embroiled in competition with other members of that group to prove we are MORE group than they are. Then, of course, we are in competition with other groups and we must attack and ridicule them as much as possible to maintain our bona fides in our own group and further to prove our group is superior to their group. Therefore, if our group is superior to their group and we are more group in our own than other members of our own, then we are really special and can feel all kinds of good about ourselves.

It’s all bullshit, but that’s the way we play.

One observation about New Yorkers and maybe a comparison or two. I have experienced New Yorkers putting themselves at considerable inconvenience to help another. The thing I notice about them as opposed the good ol’ southern boys I grew up with, is that they will not smile at you or appear to be very accepting of you or your story. Whereas the good ol’ southern boy will smile at you and shake your hand, engage you in all kinds of small talk and just seem to be real “down home” friendly.

The southern boy grew up in an area and society where he usually knew where to find you if you did him wrong and being overtly friendly wasn’t apt to be any real detriment to himself so aloofness holds no particular allure for him.

The New Yorker deals constantly with people he will never see again and being from one of the people magnets of the earth is aware that skells of all kinds come looking for prey. Therefore, even when he helps someone out he doesn’t smile at them or be overtly friendly just in case he is being scammed. That way he saves himself the embarrassment of having to admit he was totally taken in. Yet I have experienced them going a deal out of their way to help another.

Both are usually good guys, until they assimilate with their group. Then they become insufferable

Or I could be wrong and Yankess and Prunepickers could all just be pricks.

It’s about towns which often had signs at the city limits saying, “Don’t let the sun set on you here, Nigger!”

There was exactly one of them in Georgia.

There were many, many of them in Illinois, the Land of Lenin, uh, Lincoln.

I think you’re missing South Jersey, which is its own animal.

Agreed!

Uncle:
But they’re supposed to be, unlike tolerant liberals.

No, they’re the liberal elite, remember?

Actually, I think the bigger issue is that “asshole” is neither a partisan nor a regional demographic. It exists across the entire spectrum, in every region of the country, in large numbers. But if you grew up in the South, you’re used to Southern assholes, and if you grew up in the Northeast, you’re used to Northeastern assholes, and neither of those groups is likely to have any idea what to make of the other.

And in both regions, there are all-too-frequent examples of people who perpetuate the negative stereotypes, whether it’s loud-mouthed, know-it-all New Yorkers, or rednecks who continue to have their inexplicable love affair with the Confederate flag…

There are only two types of people in New Jersey: those who relate to New York and those who relate to Philadelphia. There is no middle ground.

Not much different than Southern conservatives, in my estimation

But they’re supposed to be, unlike tolerant liberals.

(Just kidding, but it seemed the perfect punchline to your comment. )

Not much different than Southern conservatives, in my estimation. Different views, sure. But their attitude toward people who disagree with them? Remarkably similar.

ALL libs are insufferable, no matter where they live. What I cant figure out is why they think they’re so superior to everyone else since all they ever do is whine and lie.

For many of them, the south begins west of Albany and south of the New York border. Those leeches, taking my tax money. Screw NYC.

But I do agree, any place is better than New Jersey, though.

I think almost all of them that have actually tried living up here would agree that I was right. Northeastern liberals are insufferable.

The tourests from NY feel the same way about folks here in Wyoming too. They’re rude and insulting to us and then wonder why we dont extend “western hospitality” to them. I’d sooner extend hospitality to a skunk than a New Yorker. Plus they’re forever getting lost. I guess there has to be a street sign every 300 feet for them to figure out where they are. New Yorkers are the last people on earth to call anyone else pathetic.

“It must be tough to think of yourself as so cosmo and still live in hell”

Anyone who lives in NYC ought to know about that firsthand.