Farm Boy
Do you think you can tell where a person is from after meeting them? I am not talking about using clues like the way they talk, or they way they dress, but just based on their personality. (See how Today’s Idiom inspired this post)
I don’t think I can tell where people are from, but I know some people firmly believe they can judge which state, and sometimes which city you are from, based on the way you act.
A few years ago, I took a summer sociology night class. For one class, the professor invited us to bring a guest so we could play a game.
So I brought Steven with me. The purpose of the game was to illustrate how money is distributed in society – the large difference between the wealth of the rich, and the destitution of the poor. Everyone started out the game with the same amount of “money” (I think we used poker chips or something), then by luck, you ended up in one of three groups – lower class, middle class, and upper class.
The twist to the game was that every class got to vote on how the money was distributed – but the upper class had the most say, the middle class had less, and the lower class had barely any.
The game got people REALLY worked up. I think that is the point of playing.
Steven ended up in the upper class. I was in the lower class. When it came time to vote on something, he campaigned to make the money distribution more even. His team was full of a bunch of nasty biotches (I knew this because I had been going to class with them all semester) who vetoed him. So on principle, he LEFT the group to join the lower class.
This caused quite a stir.
And apparently prompted one of the biotchy girls to call Steven an “Iowa Farm Boy.”
This upset him.
He’s not from Iowa. He’s from Kansas City, Missouri. Which is kind of a big city. The biotchy girl assumed he was from Iowa, because I am. And for the RECORD, I did not grow up on a farm, and am actually from a very diverse city in Iowa.
Anyway, that story kind of relates to what I am getting at today…
It seems like I have written something similar like this before. Am I repeating myself?!
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Today’s Idiom: I’m from Missouri – a skeptic, one who is not easily convinced
(I’m not even going to attempt to use this one in a sentence – any ideas?)
Themocracy
I think people can pull it once in a while (heavy accent, etc…) but I think it’s usually pretty useless to prejudge someone.
BTW, I think I comment more on your site because you ask questions. I feel like I have to answer them. 🙂
I can not tell where people are from usually unless they have an accent. I’m horribly bad at it.
Hmm… Well, the thing is that there are different mannerisms and attitudes depending on the region. I have seen it. But, as always there are so many exceptions to every rule you can’t really make it an absolute.
But, overall what I have noticed is that people on the Upper East Coast have a reserved quality to them, and sometimes a flat-aggressiveness in self-assurance. It is something that can seem to others as if there is a club and you aren’t invited. Mid-Westerners are a little more laid back, with a bit more “gossiping” going on – but competitive, very competitive. South, they seem laid back but also seem to have an ingrained rule of propriety and manners (tell you thank you and to have a nice day even if they run over your cat on their way out.) West, busybusybusy, but laidback… but busy busy busy. And they share a competitiveness with the midwesterners. Heading towards the west coast you get a lot more ladiback people with lots of talking going on, but if you assume that laid back means lazy you’ll get slapped upside the head.
Now, my point with laying all that out is that not everyone fits into that, but I DO believe in a cultural influence over behavior and mannerisms that exists in certain regions. Cultural/Societal anthropology. It’s just to different degrees for every single person. Each area comes with the good and the bad. Neither one being worse than the other, but some are just more familiar to me because of where I was raised, vs all the places I have lived as an adult. But to JUDGE someone by that is just stupidity, and stereotyping… which says more about the person being the judge, rather than the person who was judged.
I had a whole ‘hair’ thing in college about girls/young women and bangs. Where I grew up bangs were decidedly declasse. Where I went to college, EVERYone had bangs. Over the years, I’ve noticed that when I visit someplace I can tell if there is a local hairstyle. In the Big City West of Us, there is a certain ‘look’ to women’s hair that seems to define the locals and set them apart from…well, me. 😉
I like Steven. I’d’ve quit my group too. I’m such a commie-pinko. huh (and for the record, my roots are suburban far-midwestern, not farm either)
I’m from Missouri (no really, I am) and I take absolute displeasure knowing it’s an idiom. Who would’ve thunk?!
I’m not sure I can tell where people are from based on their personalities, though after getting to know them, when they tell me where they’re from, it usually makes sense. So, there likely is a relationship, though I’m not sure it’s all that direct.
you didn’t grow up on a farm? but aren’t those cows on the top of your blog? muahahahaha. Just kidding. I can’t tell where anyone is from so I usually just ask. I like hearing where people grew up or originated from and it is pretty pointless in prejudging someone.
I have no idea where anyone is from based on anything other than what they tell me. What I do know is that I like Steven’s way of playing the game.
If it’s any consolation, Nilsa, I’m not convinced that’s an idiom. I’m not saying it’s not in your book, kilax, just that it seems sketchy to me.
As for telling where people are from, I’ve been greatly entertained the few times that someone had the impression I’m not even from the US (based on my accent).
ajooja – I only notice accents as well. And it’s definitely useless to prejudge… but I think a lot of people do it. I will make sure to keep asking questions!
sizzle – I am horribly bad too 🙁
Kyra – I think you hit what I was referring to exactly – this certain stereotypes that some people from certain regions seem to have. I hope that people don’t judge from this though – I think it just something they pick up on – whether or not it is there.
Cat. – HA HA! I didn’t even think about hair! Now I am going to have to watch that closely. 🙂 And I am happy to hear you wouldn’t have vetoed Steven… or that you would have left the group with him!
Nilsa S. – I think that idiom is very very strange. I don’t think I have ever heard ANYONE use it. But as I read it to it, I understood the “Show Me” state slogan better!
Gina (Mannyed) – You caught me! That is my pet cow Bessie! Just kidding! 😉 Those are actually Italian cows from a place called “hombre.” And I love hearing stories about where people are from, and what their experience has been like.
tori – People have to tell me too. Unless they are European, I usually pick up on that.
claire – It does seem sketchy. I wondered about even putting it up here! So… where are you from? (I probably know, but don’t remember right now!)
Hi sister! Miss you!!
I can never tell where people are from, even when they have accents! I have a hard time distinguishing one accent from another!
“Look, there’s a lunar eclipse!” … “Yeah, and I’m from Missouri…”
Interesting project in sociology… they do sound like a bunch of rotten biotches…
to me accents are helpful but that’s about it. i would have no idea how to go about “knowing” where someone was from based on their personality.
totally off subject- i love your new pic at the top- Data is so handsome!!!
=^..^=
Christina – I miss you too 🙁 And your Iowa accent. Heh heh 🙂
javaqueen14 – Hey, that’s a good example! Maybe I should consult with you on my idioms! 🙂
CourtneyInControl – I only do accents too. Thanks 🙂 Data wants to see some more photos of his Texas cousins in their new digs 😉