i dont like to argue on a computer, but what does it matter if im from illinois? you and me have had this discussion in an earlier "redneck/ southern" thread. illinois shares a border with 2 states of the confederacy. im not trying to be someone im not, i wasnt there during the years of the confederacy although i wish i was. but this is who i am. and nothing will change that.

 

I'm with ya, Rebel... I've seen rednecks in da yooo pee!

 

My point was a simple one Rebel "People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones."

On first impression, given the immediately available info on you from FTE, my first impression would be to lump you right in with the "posers" you so dislike. However, having the background on you that I have from the post you mentioned, I know that you genuinely relate to the southern way of life, despite the fact you live in Yankee Illinois, and I know that the image you present genuinely reflects your beliefs. In short, I know you aren't a "poser".

I'm not trying to insult you or offend you here, only point out that everyone has a different take on life given their likes/dislikes and forms a different image of themselves to fit that take, just because you or I don't understand it, or necessarily agree with it, doesn't mean it's wrong or they're "posers". Remember, those same people are likely forming an opinion of your image as well, and it may not always be what you think it is. Whether that opinion is truthful and fair is another matter altogether, get my point?.

Given your situation, you more than most should realize the dangers in stereotyping others or dismissing them because they aren't what you consider "real", and therefore be a little more cautious when it comes to criticizing so quickly.

I'm not trying to ride you here, only to make that point, so I'll leave it at that. I've probably overstepped my bounds already, I'm sorry if I have.

Waxy

 

no, sir, i understand where you are coming from. i just took what you said as "im not a southern rebel just because of where i live" i just believe that doesnt change the fact that i am who i am. the only reason im here is because this is where my family is and im not old enough to move out. i do have intentions of moving south in the future.

i just dont like the "posers" because i dont believe in trying to be someone you arent. and instead being proud of who you are and being true. and also i hate that the city folks new fashion is to dress like a redneck. we can probably thank ashton kutcher(?) for that, who i now strongly dislike. rednecks arent supposed to be something you would see hollywood stars dressing up as. considering the fact that country life aint supposed to be about the money, lights, or fame. its about the simple, more important things.

 

I'm getting the feeling from this thread that anyone who likes country music and works for what they got but dosent live in the south, is a poser no matter what they call them sleves. No one has called them selves a cowboy or cowgirl. We call ourselves rednecks becasue thats what society has labeled us as weather we grew up in the southland on a farm or not. When the general public sees someone driving around in an old truck, listening to country, wearing levis, etc. we get named as a redneck. If society were to call us gansters or I dont know country slickers or anything else you can think of, would you still argue with everyone who dosent live in the appropriate region? Most of the people that I grew up with that grew up on farms or in the country and work hard dont have flashy lifted trucks with a bunch of redneck stickers all over them, nor do they walk around like there &^% dont stink, nor do I. So if I am to be called a redneck "poser" I'll make sure that I put stickers proclaiming poser redneck or redneck wanna be on my truck just so that theres no mistaking it.

So when I do move south I'll make sure to remve the redneck wanna be and replace it with just redneck because it must be fine to call our selves redneck in one of the confederate states even if we aren't.

personally I consider the posers to be the ones that all of suden when they get with a certain group of people suddenly become a hick, and suddenly they like country music, so they buy a truck then complain about the bad ride or other truck characterirstics, then they lift em and slap redneck stickers all over em for the world to see, if society cant tell without putting a bill board pointing at you then I have to ask, why throw redneck stickers all over the truck?

yes I do agree that you shouldn't try to be something you arent. But tell me just what should those few americans that grew up in a country lifestyle, but dont live in the south be called?? If you can think of something that desribes some of the people here better I will start using it. Certainly can't call us folks city slickers cause oh wow, we dont live in a big city, or even a big town for in some cases. So that would make us a poser city folk. I guess were just missfits right? Alright then I will call my self a misfit because I clearly dont fit into any other "society" group.

Jon
the self proclaimed misfit.

 

Um... One question. When did being called a redneck become desireable?

 

I was born & raised in the city, but get along in the country just fine. I hunt down in the country woods, can shoot better than most, and can skin a deer just as fast. Down there they call me "citydick". Fine with me - when I get back home to the city, folks here think it means something else.

 

some of us are proud of who we are.

but thats what i dont understand about the yuppies that think its cool to dress like a redneck. those people anger me.

to personalize the truck showing who you are and that you're proud of it.

i assume you might be talking about me because the rear window of my truck has 4 confederate flags and a sticker that says "redneck" (see gallery)

 

Yep I am. Most every thing on my truck cost more than the truck (tires, wheels even my CD player), currently no 2 body pannels are the same color. I wear a grungy Ford Racing hat everywhere, most local junk yards know me by name, I wear carheart coats rocky boots that are covered in cow crap, I live on a farm, my friends call me Boomhower (king of the hill) because of the way I talk and look, Im a weekly patron of the local stock car track, and i love Nascar (Go Dale JR!!!!), tractor pulls, and monster trucks. I aint no wanabe Im a hardcore hick as everyone I know says

 

I understand what your saying HaulingBoat. Back in the late 60s or early 70s (I was in the 1st or 2nd grade) Ernest Tubb, Grandpa Jones and Jerry Clower were in Southern Ca to do some shows. One of the HollyWood producers referred to them as HillBillies and Grandpa Jones told them in a serious tone "Boy, you damn well smile when you call us Hillbilly!" I think that was the same trip that someone tried to mug them on the Strip and thought better of it due to what Ernest Tub was packing.

There is a difference in a RedNeck and HillBilly.

 

Actually rebal I dont mean you, I was affraid that you were going to think that. I see alot of the poser type around here that have to proclaim who they are with redneck stickers because you cant tell when there not in there truck, and thats who I am talking about. Those are also the ones that go around thinking there *&^% dont stink and are rude as all can be. I have seen your truck by the way. I like it.

 

alright i understand, thats some of the poser type i dont like. part of being a redneck is respect. whether its for your elders or a woman it dont matter. but a true redneck has it. i hold doors for women whether i find them to be attractive or not. these are some of the values i talk about people having in the south. you dont see much of this in certain areas such as big cities.

and thank you for the compliment. hopefully theres no hard feelings.

i have those redneck stickers in my window just to personalize my truck. my truck is like a rolling picture of me. and unlike those posers, when i get out im actually a redneck. not just some punk kid trying to be a badass.

 

I agree, redneck is a state of being, not clothes or a mailing address.

 

Anyone familiar with the term, "BlueNeck" which is similar to "RedNeck" but I think it applies to yankee () RedNecks like the old steel workers such as the 70s Pittsburgh Steelers fans as personified in the Charlie Daniels Band song "In America"?

 

Hello All,

(Waxy, I can tell you're a Canadian because you apologize for your opinion when it isn't nececcary.)

There was a guy dressed in a cowboy hat, boots, chaps and spurs sitting at the bar in an old west saloon. A woman comes in and stares at him amazed.

"Are you a cowboy?"

"I chase cattle in the morning, I rope them and I brand them in the afternoon, I fix fences, and I ride the range in the evening, so I guess that makes me a cowboy."

"Well, I'm a lesbian. I think about women in the morning, I think about them in the afternoon and I dream about them all night long."

Later on, a tourist comes in and asks "are you are real cowboy?"

"I used to think I was a cowboy, but I just found out I'm a lesbian."

Cheers,
Charlotte
( definitely NOT a lesbian)