Now, now, Ima, I'm a city slicker, too, and I've been to lots of those little towns in West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky and the Carolinas. They have their own culture, but they just don't let outsiders see it. Their "culture" is as different as that in a foreign country. To you, they're scary. To them, we're stoopid...

Well, if they left their area, then they might be the ones feeling stoopid. They tend to be close-knit people. I found these people to be extraordinarily friendly and hospitable.

So, Ima - you're scared of them - and as Ridge said - they may also have cause to be leary of you - wouldn't that mean they aren't the only ones living a sheltered life? If people from other states shake you up - I'd put off any plans to leave the country if I were you.

You’ve actually been out of the country? Well…you certainly can’t tell - you must have spent a lot of time in your hotel. Oh well, maybe sheltered wasn't the best choice of words - supercilious snob is probably more accurate.

To chime in for a moment (I'll probably regret this ;P)... I'm not sure it's entirely supercilious to call out folks who actively avoid exploring anywhere but their hometown for being sheltered. I've had the opportunity to speak with a number of people who share the same aspirations residing in another state and those experiences left me underwhelmed and generally concerned. One such man was eager to tell me about his conspiracy theories regarding the transmission of AIDS by mosquitoes and other such uninformed opinions.

Obviously there are people who lack exposure to other cultures for purely socioeconomic reasons, but LMA didn't seem to be referring to these folks in her review. It's a far cry from being one of the most populous states, so a review based upon experiences in the backwoods of Appalachia seems more than relevant to me. Here's a population density map in case you're interested: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:West_Virginia_pop ulation_map.png

There's a Hopi word, "pahana". It has many different meanings, depending on how it is pronounced. It's core meaning is "white man". It is deeply entrenched in Hopi culture. One day, The Pahana will ride up to Hopi with the missing piece of a puzzle and will be thought of as a savior. I have had Hopi hands on my shoulders and called "my pahana friend" and I have made a Hopi so mad, that he called me a pahana!...or a stupid white man. My first visit to The Mesas had me asking myself why these people lived the way they lived when there was so many other ways to live...ways familiar to me. They have been living up there for a long time...longer than anyone else on American soil. They had adapted to their environment...a harsh, arid and semi- isolated place.The reason they live up there is that it is their best chance of preserving their culture.
The hill and mountain people of the Appalachia and the Adirondacks aren't much different. They have been there a long, long time. The world has changed, and sped-up in ways that have nothing to do with them. Industries have come and gone and raped and abused these people...but they're still there. They are fully adapted to their environment And the reviewer does not possess one skill that would advance their adaptability. There is no doubt that she has been the recipient of "the look"...which means that "she has nothing to offer us except complications that we don't need". They see her looking down her nose at them, because they don't know what she knows (where the gift shops are), or have seen the things she has seen. She cannot differentiate between "better", "worse" and "different". And they know that. How much more evident can it be said when the reviewer stated, "Sorry, I prefer a more cultured person and place for my vacations." Well, this kind of place won't make a great destination, unless you enjoy climbing, rafting, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, history, painting, etc. But, to write-off an entire culture (yes, I said culture) because they've never been to Philadelphia is shallow and far more ignorant than they are about your culture. You're the reason they prefer to stay isolated.
PS: The original comment seems to have been altered. The second from last sentence originally read, "Its just a place with no culture." THAT is what spawned this thread. (ants have culture!) An entire subculture of human beings has been reduced to being, simultaneously, friendly and scary. There's something fishy here...

Hopi culture is one of the most advanced on the planet.



Not so sure about West Virginia.

"Obviously there are people who lack exposure to other cultures for purely socioeconomic reasons…

Ya think?

My point in my remarks to this poster is that while she may have more finances (?), education (?), and a much bigger ego (definitely) – these facts do not make her better, more worthy or maybe even less “scary” than the great unwashed of WV. The fact that she called them scary in the first place pretty much proves my argument that she is basically full of herself. And I was certainly not suggesting the “hideous” idea that she or anyone else should vacation in WV, mingle with these awful people, spend money there or even drive through the area – for God’s sake no! Furthermore I don’t give a rat’s rump if she likes this or any other state. But I do think her attitude is condescending and that her language shows a glaring lack of compassion not unlike a 6th grader making fun of the retarded kids on the short bus. And unless I missed something in the description of this topic, I was under the impression it was for the purpose of discussing the state – not trashing the residents. An assessment of Appalachia or anywhere for that matter and its people (even the negative bits) can be done sans name calling. It’s easier the other way so I’m not expecting any improvements from certain sections of this crowd – just don’t expect me to stay silent every time.

Hey, fit...what do you know about Hopi that you haven't gleaned off youtube? If you can answer that question without providing a link (unless it shows you working up on the Mesas), then we might have something else in common.

"Hopi culture is one of the most advanced on the planet."

Yah, right. That alone tells me you know next to nuthin' about these People. "Advanced" isn't quite the word I would use, here...

My experience with West Virginians, by and large, has been Positive, although in all Fairness I have never been to Spellman. I have Lived in other Parts of Appalachia (Tn and KY) and Have relatives in some of the Most Hillbilly areas. My experience with that part of the country has been this: For the Most part the people are genuinely friendly, good- natured People. Unfortunately it is the 'Scary' ones that make the Deepest impression. There is an area in the Tn/KY line where my grandmother lives. I used to make it a point to ride up there on bike trips. Had some fun, made some friends, one of whom was Murdered. To be fair I have known other people Murdered before, one more heinously then this Dude. But this area that it happened, way back in the Heart of hillbilly heaven, makes the Event significant. Because on some of those hills, we Don't know whats going on. Some of those hills you do not want to make eye-contact With anybody. In the case of my friend, he Was shot right in front of the Police, who I think did Not do enough to prevent it. In that same area, half the Police force was gunned down about a Year and a half ago. In some Areas you do just feel a lot Safer with your mouth Shut and your eyes open. Spellman may be one of those Areas. I do not know.
I am not trying to say that all People in Appalachia are scary murderers, far from it. But when you do Come across that less than 1% that are, it tends to Leave a bad taste in your Mouth. But realistically is it any Different in any other Geographic locale?

Over 3/4 of Fits content is not his own, yet he rockets to the top of the most helpful list?

How is that?

Consider it a referral service.

>>How is that? <<

Lack of original thought is the standard of the day. Not only accepted but expected.

Good point Bee.

My knowlege of Hopi culture is - of course - second hand. I learned about their highly advanced non-violent philosophy - long before there was a You-tube or an internet - from a conscientious objector who lived "up on the Mesas" a half century ago.

I provide links to interesting information for those who are interested.

Apparently some people appreciate my efforts and others don't.