What causes one to have deep pride for their State? Proud to be from …? (Ex: Texas,NJ,NY)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know a lot of very rich, successful and relatively high class people who live in New Jersey. I never understood its bad reputation. It's like some sort of meme? I don't get it.

So we should only appreciate NJ because of its rich, high-class people? I’m not from NJ but my mom is, and I spent a lot of time visiting family there as a kid. I still have a lot of affection for the relatively low-class portions of the state. So many interesting ethnic groups coming together. The food is so good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m from Michigan. I’ve noticed a distinct culture of “Michigan pride” among those in my age group (mid 30s), especially people who have left the state. I think it is the outgrow of a bit of trauma - many of our parents lost their jobs in the early 2000s. Detroit was the first major US city to file for bankruptcy. Many people feel they have to leave home (often permanently) to be successful. Michigan pride is a way to flip the narrative. It is also a way to process the complicated emotions associated with leaving one’s home state (and family of origin) due to economic necessity.

Good points. The area has never fully recovered from the 2000's. As with my daughter, white collar leaves after college graduation. What I will say is that Southeast Michigan has a very unique, insular culture. You either live in that culture or you don't. For an outsider, unless you have a job that would not be easy to replace somewhere else, you wouldn't want to be there forever.

And if you do live in the culture, it’s a good life.

[Anonymous]

Have lived in three states and audited everywhere for reasonable periods of time. Points:

- have met interesting people in all of them. Even a middle of nowhere place has some good stories.

- are there regional differences, sure. But when it comes to the little games people play, you will find just as much politics in a small company in North Dakota as a Manhattan skyscraper.

- once you get out of the larger, transient cities, life is very different. Not necessarily better or worse, just different. Birds of a feather flock together.

- local customs are fun as part of heritage. Love hearing about annual this or annual that because it is passed down from generations.

- supporting a college team, even if you did not graduate from it is cool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m from Michigan. I’ve noticed a distinct culture of “Michigan pride” among those in my age group (mid 30s), especially people who have left the state. I think it is the outgrow of a bit of trauma - many of our parents lost their jobs in the early 2000s. Detroit was the first major US city to file for bankruptcy. Many people feel they have to leave home (often permanently) to be successful. Michigan pride is a way to flip the narrative. It is also a way to process the complicated emotions associated with leaving one’s home state (and family of origin) due to economic necessity.

Good points. The area has never fully recovered from the 2000's. As with my daughter, white collar leaves after college graduation. What I will say is that Southeast Michigan has a very unique, insular culture. You either live in that culture or you don't. For an outsider, unless you have a job that would not be easy to replace somewhere else, you wouldn't want to be there forever.

And if you do live in the culture, it’s a good life.

Depends. Plus that culture is not really open to outsiders. With my daughter's friends, they either left the state because the opportunities are not as good or have stayed because they are dating someone and prioritizing that. The ones who left do not seem to miss it much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m from Michigan. I’ve noticed a distinct culture of “Michigan pride” among those in my age group (mid 30s), especially people who have left the state. I think it is the outgrow of a bit of trauma - many of our parents lost their jobs in the early 2000s. Detroit was the first major US city to file for bankruptcy. Many people feel they have to leave home (often permanently) to be successful. Michigan pride is a way to flip the narrative. It is also a way to process the complicated emotions associated with leaving one’s home state (and family of origin) due to economic necessity.

Good points. The area has never fully recovered from the 2000's. As with my daughter, white collar leaves after college graduation. What I will say is that Southeast Michigan has a very unique, insular culture. You either live in that culture or you don't. For an outsider, unless you have a job that would not be easy to replace somewhere else, you wouldn't want to be there forever.

And if you do live in the culture, it’s a good life.

Depends. Plus that culture is not really open to outsiders. With my daughter's friends, they either left the state because the opportunities are not as good or have stayed because they are dating someone and prioritizing that. The ones who left do not seem to miss it much.

Did your daughter and her friends grow up in MI or just go to Umich?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m from Michigan. I’ve noticed a distinct culture of “Michigan pride” among those in my age group (mid 30s), especially people who have left the state. I think it is the outgrow of a bit of trauma - many of our parents lost their jobs in the early 2000s. Detroit was the first major US city to file for bankruptcy. Many people feel they have to leave home (often permanently) to be successful. Michigan pride is a way to flip the narrative. It is also a way to process the complicated emotions associated with leaving one’s home state (and family of origin) due to economic necessity.

Good points. The area has never fully recovered from the 2000's. As with my daughter, white collar leaves after college graduation. What I will say is that Southeast Michigan has a very unique, insular culture. You either live in that culture or you don't. For an outsider, unless you have a job that would not be easy to replace somewhere else, you wouldn't want to be there forever.

And if you do live in the culture, it’s a good life.

Depends. Plus that culture is not really open to outsiders. With my daughter's friends, they either left the state because the opportunities are not as good or have stayed because they are dating someone and prioritizing that. The ones who left do not seem to miss it much.

PP should’ve said if you’re [/i]born [i] in the culture…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m from Michigan. I’ve noticed a distinct culture of “Michigan pride” among those in my age group (mid 30s), especially people who have left the state. I think it is the outgrow of a bit of trauma - many of our parents lost their jobs in the early 2000s. Detroit was the first major US city to file for bankruptcy. Many people feel they have to leave home (often permanently) to be successful. Michigan pride is a way to flip the narrative. It is also a way to process the complicated emotions associated with leaving one’s home state (and family of origin) due to economic necessity.

Good points. The area has never fully recovered from the 2000's. As with my daughter, white collar leaves after college graduation. What I will say is that Southeast Michigan has a very unique, insular culture. You either live in that culture or you don't. For an outsider, unless you have a job that would not be easy to replace somewhere else, you wouldn't want to be there forever.

And if you do live in the culture, it’s a good life.

Depends. Plus that culture is not really open to outsiders. With my daughter's friends, they either left the state because the opportunities are not as good or have stayed because they are dating someone and prioritizing that. The ones who left do not seem to miss it much.

Did your daughter and her friends grow up in MI or just go to Umich?

Yes to the first. Oakland County HS-think Troy, Rochester, or Birmingham. Combination of UM, State, GVSU, Central.

[Anonymous]

People from New Mexico are really proud of their state. A lot of people grew up with a different family home language, yet aren’t immigrants. They have their own cuisine and traditions, plus it has a very distinct history from any other state in the US. Their license plates are the only ones that state USA on them. There is a definite New Mexican identity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Deep cultural traditions.
Great food.
Great sports teams.

+1

Might be a highly desirable ($$$$$$$$$$$$$$$) place to live, more desirable than where they live now (assuming they moved).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have lived in three states and audited everywhere for reasonable periods of time. Points:

- have met interesting people in all of them. Even a middle of nowhere place has some good stories.

- are there regional differences, sure. But when it comes to the little games people play, you will find just as much politics in a small company in North Dakota as a Manhattan skyscraper.

- once you get out of the larger, transient cities, life is very different. Not necessarily better or worse, just different. Birds of a feather flock together.

- local customs are fun as part of heritage. Love hearing about annual this or annual that because it is passed down from generations.

- supporting a college team, even if you did not graduate from it is cool.

+1

Family may have roots and wings in that place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know a lot of very rich, successful and relatively high class people who live in New Jersey. I never understood its bad reputation. It's like some sort of meme? I don't get it.

So we should only appreciate NJ because of its rich, high-class people? I’m not from NJ but my mom is, and I spent a lot of time visiting family there as a kid. I still have a lot of affection for the relatively low-class portions of the state. So many interesting ethnic groups coming together. The food is so good.

Some of the NJ beaches are amazing - you have to know where to go ("local knowledge").

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: Hey, have you all noticed that no one brags about being from Northern Virginia?

+1

UNDERSTANDABLE!

Soulless and depressing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in MA. Not a lot of state pride.
Lived 18 yrs in DC/MD. Same.
Moved to CO 3 yrs ago- so much CO love all around and I totally get it now- it’s an awesome place to live from every angle.
Not sure if that helps?

So many people from the Boston area have so much pride! Or maybe they just have pride in the sports teams?

Bostonians seem to spend a lot of time comparing their city to New York. There is no comparison. New York usually forgets that Boston exists.

Ha, this is so true. I'm from NYC and Bostonians are quick to pick a fight. I just kind of hold my tongue or say something like, "I do like Boston" but it would never occur to me learn someone is from Boston and start comparing our two cities or say something like, "oooh, we're going to have beef!"

I don't have particular NY pride. Most people say enthusiastic things, "I love NYC! I've always wanted to go to NY! Etc so feel no need to defend it. The few people who immediately start shit talking about how much they hate it and could never live there I just say it's not for everyone, which is true. Rural Nebraska is not for me.

I love both cities for different reasons and it never occurred to me to compare anything (maybe sports?) between NY and Boston - nor anyone I know. No one cares, really - except those who are completely unfamiliar.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am bemused by the people who think that pride in one's state is due to lack of travel or exposure. I'm from Michigan and didn't really appreciate it until I moved away. I have also travelled a lot and lived abroad. Michigan is so beautiful, people are friendly and down-to-earth as well as smart and educated, and there is a terrific culture of enjoying outdoor activities.

People who hear me talk about Michigan might think it's pride-- and it is, somewhat-- but it's mostly great affection. I don't think it's superior to everywhere else. It's more like because I grew up there, its best attributes resonate deeply with me. I can visit the ocean and be wowed by its power and beauty, but seeing the intense blue water of the Great Lakes, sailboats and freighters on the horizon, pine trees along the rocky shoreline, and falling asleep to the lap, lap, lap of the waves on the beach just fills my soul.

People who don't grasp your affinity for where you grew up are people who probably do not have m/any happy memories from their own upbringing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Two different scenarios:

If other people make fun of your state a lot (New Jersey, Kentucky, West Virginia), you're probably going to be talking up your state a lot.

If you are from a state with a lot of assholes in it (New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts), you are likely to be an asshole yourself and therefore talk about yourself and your state a lot.

Nah, if you call people from those states a-hole they will shamelessly thank you for it! And mean it!