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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All the people I know like this are this way, IMO, because of a lack of travel.

My parents are both from WV. They moved to VA in the 80s and had my siblings and I here. 99% of my relatives are still in WV. They're very much like this with the WV pride because they know of no other places, for the most part. Many have been to visit us in VA and they absolutely hate it here and in DC. Other than that, they go to Myrtle Beach in SC for vacation. A motorcycle event in OH. None of them have passports or any desire to ever travel internationally.

I've been to 5 continents and over 30 countries.

Don't. Mess. With. TEXAS.

Have a friend working in TX and I said "Might as well be in another country". She laughed, didn't believe me. She does now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lack of exploration. Limited exposure to other places.

Funny. I have traveled the world and lived in several other states and it is precisely BECAUSE of that that I have strong pride in my home state. Growing up I thought it was sooo boring and uncool but once I started getting exposed to other places I realized how high the quality of life really is there (I'm from Minnesota).

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All the people I know like this are this way, IMO, because of a lack of travel.

My parents are both from WV. They moved to VA in the 80s and had my siblings and I here. 99% of my relatives are still in WV. They're very much like this with the WV pride because they know of no other places, for the most part. Many have been to visit us in VA and they absolutely hate it here and in DC. Other than that, they go to Myrtle Beach in SC for vacation. A motorcycle event in OH. None of them have passports or any desire to ever travel internationally.

I've been to 5 continents and over 30 countries.

Don't. Mess. With. TEXAS.

Same travel profile here.

And NJ messes with anyone it wants.

[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.

This is so true about NYC and Boston, and also about NYC and Philly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have never understood this, but I also don't get being really into where you went to college. I love where I'm from and have fond memories of college, but I don't find either of these things defining aspects of my personality.

And I guess that's my read -- people who get really into their state/city of origin or their alma mater are using it as a proxy for developing actual interests or personality traits. It's just easier to decide early on "I'm a Texan! I love hot sauce and big hats! This is my identity!" than to spend some time figuring out who you really are underneath. And I say that as a Texan (and UT grad who loves both hot sauce and solid cowboy hat. It's just those things don't define who I am.

I find it interesting that no one acknowledges the social privilege aspect of big college football team pride in this era.

There are many people that are big college fotball team supporters that never went to that college, or any other college.

+1 Anyone who thinks otherwise has spent way too much time in the northeast and mid-Atlantic, and not enough time anywhere else in the U.S.

[Anonymous]

I’ve lived in CO for 20 years and I have Colorado pride, I just love the state- it’s home and all the beauty and quirks are endearing to me.

I was actually raised in CA but I try to avoid mentioning it at all costs!

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Using three States where people I’ve personally met seem incredibly proud to be from - Texas, New Jersey and New York. I’ll also throw in the city of Cleveland because I know someone who boasts proudly of having lived there for their entire childhood.

Are you raised to be proud of your State? How did it work for you?

Why is it certain States or cities and not others that have a good portion of the population that carry that pride everywhere they go? Is it encouraged?

The 3 states you listed have a lot of residents who are multigenerational residents of that state. There are also a lot of deeply traditional people there - and I really applaud that and respect it. Lastly those 3 states get trashed a lot - bullied for lack of a better word.

[Anonymous]

Non alums who are big fans of the state university team exist, yes

It is a strange phenomenon, though

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Delighted to be out of California for good

Yes too bad the liberals destroyed a good part of CA. Use to go to Seattle a lot but same thing...a lot of homeless and crime. Residents started getting trucks and taking their tents and crap out of the parks and downtown. My friend lives in Portland and it's changed a lot there as well. Former cool cities with bad politics.

Californian here:
This is exactly what I'm talking about. I just need to roll my eyes at this foolishness. Pretty much every major city in the US has homelessness, unaffordable housing, etc. That's the way its been since....forever.

I'm very happy that Governor Newsom is pushing forward with legislation that would create court-ordered mental health services and institutionalization:

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-03-04/what-is-newsom-care-court-plan-homeless-mentally-ill-californians

+1. Fox News is terrified of California and always blares the same nonsense about the state. The idiots just parrot what they hear. Sad for them because they’re just embarrassing themselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why anyone would be proud to be from New Jersey is beyond me.

I feel the same about Texas!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I get a fuming, deep, defensive sense of anger inside of me when people call my hometown (in the PA coal region) a “shithole,” that’s for sure. So goddamn insulting.

I’m from Philly and I feel the same.

[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.

I love Michigan! Michiganders know how to enjoy a weekend, whether up north, on a lake, or in their own back yard. I am in awe of the Great Lakes although as an east coaster there is just one small part of me that is like, this needs salt. Would be perfect, if salty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I get a fuming, deep, defensive sense of anger inside of me when people call my hometown (in the PA coal region) a “shithole,” that’s for sure. So goddamn insulting.

I’m from Philly and I feel the same.

There is no sports mascot that better personifies Philly’s energy than gritty.