My newcomer profile of Ken Pietrowski on Saturday sparked a fair amount of response. Pietrowski, who moved to Huntersville from Rochester, N.Y. in September, said the people here are friendly but when behind the wheel they are terrible drivers. They tailgate. They don't signal.
My e-mail and voicemail boxes are full of readers saying that Pietrowski is wrong. Some said the bad drivers are actually newcomers. Others said that drivers are much worse where they came from. And still others said Pietrowski is right on.
What do you think?
182 comments:
One rule about taking over this newcomers assignment should be that you don't re-publish the same garbage over and over again that your predecessor did. Bad drivers, rednecks, and racists are everywhere. North Carolina does not have exclusive rights to them. Stop with the stereotyping for heaven's sake!
thank you to the above comment. the last newcomer columns were littered with the same garbage about bad drivers, racist people, and it was just recycled month to month. this type of stuff is found ALL over the world, it would be nice if you could tap into something that is UNIQUE to charlotte and the surrounding areas, not an event that is found across the world.
Being that so many people here are from somewhere else, is this really even relevant? And, I simply adore the upstate NY bad attitudes and compliants about Charlotte. Seems to be a trend.
if people would stop talking on their phones and pay attention to driving, this would help a lot. i know in a lot of northern big cities (ny, chi), this is banned, so it's one less source of distraction.
Agreed, this horse is already dead.
That said, I notice a major difference in the aggressiveness of driver's between Charlotte and Concord. People in Concord tend to be pretty considerate and chilled out, but within Charlotte's city limits the driving reminds me of northern cities, well with less sign language.
Don't know why that might be the case, but it's something I've noticed.
I am also from NY. But I have been here since 1988. The drivers here have always been bad. So it's not the newcomers.
No turn signals, EVER. Can't merge if their life depended on it. In general, very timid drivers that simple get confused when put in a situation that may take a little bit of common sense. Yeah, Southern drivers are horrible for sure.
That said, NY driver also drive way too fast and dart and weave. Hell, Atlanta drivers are even worse for that.
Put us all in the mix and it's a nightmare. That's why I have been taking transit for over a year now.
I would have to be on the bandwagon of the bad drivers in the area are 'imports'. The influx of people from the Northeast to Charlotte is dramatic. I can include myself as one of these folks, although I'm from very far north and we need to be good drivers 7-8 months of out of the year, so I'm inherently a good driver!
It would be stereotypical of me to point to any one state that has bad drivers but many of us who have visted certain cities in that part of the country know what the drivers are like. I really think everyone on the road around here needs to practice a little more courtesy and patience while getting from Point A to Point B.
The only ones complaining about the criticism are the abd drivers, rednecks and racists. Of course they don't want bad things written about them. Well, tough!
I lived near Hartford, CT for three years. I'll have to say, Charlotte drivers are indeed less courteous.
"The only ones complaining about the criticism are the abd drivers, rednecks and racists. Of course they don't want bad things written about them. Well, tough!"
or we are the people who have been living in Charlotte for many years, enjoy reading the Charlotte Observer and cringe at the sight of these articles appearing almost monthly in some 'neighbors' section or in the local section of the paper. they have truly beaten a deat horse with this.
Rather than addressing the real problem about what is disctracting motorists, this writer has simply chosen to ask are people bad drivers. I would prefer the Observer did more investigating rather than simplpy stating the facts that people here are not nice drivers. How about talking about the electronic billboards that distract drivers, the short merge lanes, or the fact that 90% of women drivers are in an SUV talking on their cell phone going 30 mph under the speed limit. Rather than going in depth about any of those topics, she chose to simply ask 'do people drive poorly?'
It doesn't matter where they're from, what matters is drivers here are terrible. Between the aggressive drivers mentioned here to the ones that don't understand that green arrow means go, that being "nice" to let people in isn't being so "nice" to the people that are waiting for the lights to change, to the tailgaters that sit behind you for miles, moving over when you move over, not passing unless you actually come to a stop, to the South Carolina drivers who don't get the concept of a passing lane on a highway.
It's bad here, and the poorly designed, maintained and controlled roads (is it so hard to direct traffic when it's backing up for miles?) make it even worse!
charlotte drivers are terrible.
i'm from a much bigger city, known for its aggressive drivers. but at least the people there KNOW how to drive.
drivers in charlotte are just careless. they never signal. they run red lights. they back up on major streets. they make right turns from the left lane, cutting in front of cars in the right lane. it's absurd.
i've seen people run red lights or be totally reckless right in front of police and never get pulled over. i think that's part of the problem.
I've lived in Atlanta, New Orleans and Los Angeles. Charlotte drivers are hands down the worst drivers of the group. It's amazing to me how such a friendly city has such a lack of courtesy/etiquete behind the wheel.
Merging is a constant adventure here. Give a hole/take a hole people! I swear, it seems like some people think you are taking a piece of their soul if you merge in front of them.
Doesn't this story apply to EVERY city or Town?
However,I just move to Colorado from Charlotte, NC and I must say - I miss my fellow NC drivers. So what if people don't use their blinkers - if you were paying attention to what was going on around you, that wouldn't be an issue - at least they DRIVE! I miss driving in a city where everyone thinks they are a Nascar driver.
^
enough said ???
This is the mentality here.
lets ask all these bad drivers where they are originally from. 99% will tell you a place other than North Carolina.
People in Charlotte merge going 45 mph when the cars on the expressway are going at least 65 mph. They do not use the whole length of the merge lane which causes cars already on the expressway to slow down, thus more congestion. They travel at the same speed in all the lanes, forgetting that the left lanes are for faster speeds and people passing. They do not use their signals. Not sure if is people from the south or people from the north but in general some of the worst drivers around.
Very timid drivers in the Charlotte, which causes more accidents. A study was done stating the majority of crashes are cause by slow/ timid drivers. Charlotte needs shoulders on the expressways and main roads to allow the flow of traffic to continue when a car breakdown or makes a right hand turn. Have noticed that southern drivers can only make a turn going 3 mph or less. What is with that?
Selfish, distracted drivers in big cars driving too fast. That says it all. Solutions: Enforcement, get rid of cell phones in cars, bring back redlight running cameras, make fines $$ higher.
And God help you if you're a pedestrian - NC drivers don't have any respect for the law or pedestrians.
^
That's for sure. I've had drivers nearly run over my feet crossing by the Harris Teeter uptown on 6th st.
Two sets of warning signs with flashing lights blocks before the crosswalk and then flashing strobe lights in the actual cross walk and they will still run your butt over.
Total losers here as well as the city officials and police.
I'm making my money and moving the hell away a.s.a.p.
I have driven in many cities & states and the worst drivers tent to be in large northern cities so I suspect bad drivers & tailgaters are newcomers though these people are everywhere.
I am from South Carolina, been here 12 years have worked downtown, south arrowwood area, and University and driven in every day. Sure sometimes I get a little upset by a driver who seems to be clueless, but I dont think of them in a certain group, usually predispostion for hate will serve prejudices either way.
I try to drive defensively and trust know one on the road (No accidents here). If one drives with full attention, Usually bad drivers are not a problem.
The drivers here drive like maniac race car drivers while in motion - although when having to complete a driving action from a standstill - let's say a turn into traffic - they sit there forever like timid children. Also, what is with the assumption that I will let you merge when you go to the very very last foot of the merge lane? Same thing for needing to get off the highway at an exit. What makes you think that a turn signal and a slight merge into my lane will cause me to slow when there is much space behind me to complete your action? Prepare to miss your exit and/or ride the shoulder. Be considerate and conscious - not self-absorbed and selfish behind the wheel.
-Charlotte natives are HORRIBLE drivers!! The WORST!!
-No it's you YANKEES who are so rude and inconsiderate!
blahblahblah...
You lost. Get over yourself already Redneck. Suck it up and move on.
There are bad drivers in every city. If you don't like it here, then move.
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...
^
I tried to move. I got cut off by a southern driver, smashed my car and I am now blogging from my hospital bed.
Southern drivers are far the worst, bar none!!!! They dont signal when they turn, they drive slower in the passing lane, than others in the right lane and they talk on their phones to no end. NC needs to adopt the NY law and ban all divers from using cell phones, unless they have a hands free device. Yankees are better at so many things compared to Southerners and driving is at the top of the list
You know, this blog is corrosive. You might think it's helpful because it allows people to vent about one group or another-but all it does is get people irate about one group or another. I guess sowing steam and irateness is useful because it gets more "unique visitors" to charlotte.com.
@2:07 p.m.: you're so right. this blog could do a lot of good, but chooses not to.
Who cares? Get a life and focus on your own driving.
Growing cities are built by ambitious people.
Amnitious people are also impatient and somewhat agressive. Not necessarily a bad thing. It's how things get done.
Those traits are also exhibited on the highway.
Some of the folks are from here. Many are not.
Is this really news?
I like to drive slow in the PASSING lane. I like my CELL phone very much. Hold on while I slap my kids in the back seat. Please let me merge at the end of the lane; my time is more valuable than yours. I'm going to merge as soon as I can while driving 23 mph under the speed limit.
WATCH OUT!
As a newcomer of 3 years to Charlotte, drivers here are very rude and inconsiderate to others. No one, whether they are transplants or not, use a turn signal. I have never seen so many traffic accidents, seen so many people pull right out into oncomiing traffic. Part of the problems though are terrible traffic patterns that cannot accomodate all the traffic. Even newer areas do not have this is mind when they are designed and built. There are some nice folks at times who will stop or slow down to be considerate and let a driver turn out in front of them. Plus don't even get me started on the rude smokers throwing out thier cigarette trash into the streets, especially during a drought!
Unfortunately its going to take a generation or two to weed things out, but eventually the ways of the north will take hold around here. Its called survival of the fittest and the people holding up progress on the highway or anywhere else arent fit to survive around here
It isn't really the drivers. Bad, rude, inconsistent driving is everywhere, not just Charlotte. Most of the problem is a total lack of infratstructure which is worse in Charlotte as a function of growth than any place else... badly designed interchanges and too short ramps, highways that lack lane capacity, terrible pot holes, lack of turning lanes, poorly timed lights, and highway exits controlled by stop lights... yikes.
The ways of the north will never take hold. Maybe in Yuppieville (uptown), or some suburban s***hole they moved into, but that's about it.
I believe yuppieville and the suburbs are all that really matter at the end of the day
I'm not saying it's worse here than any other part of the country. However, considering the fact that every time I finish my Rock Hill to Charlotte commute and vice versa, I almost want to drop and kiss the ground because I made it alive, I'd say there are at least a fair amount of people who drive dangerously. WAY too fast and erratically. Oh, and I'll move when the car in front of me moves, it's not rocket science and running up inside my trunk isn't going to make it happen any sooner.
It's the prehistoric bone heads that design the roads in this state. Andy and aunt Bee need to retire.
I've driven in a number of major cities in this region, and Orlando's got the worst drivers, by far. That's because there are so many people--Yankees, Southerners, foreigners, and every freakin' body else--who aren't from there who are trying to find their way around. It also doesn't help that there is just one main drag through the city--Interstate 4, which connects Daytona Beach and metro Orlando to Tampa/St. Petersburg. Yes, there's the Florida Turnpike and the Beachline Expressway (FL 528), but those are through roads as well. There are no true bypass routes down there.
Now I've visited Orlando many times over the years. I know my way around pretty well. Same is true for Atlanta, Jacksonville, New Orleans, Richmond and the Tidewater metroplex. So I don't have a whole lot of patience with folks who don't know what they're doing or where they're going. And I really have no patience with the idiot drivers here in Charlotte.
I grew up in this area. And as the years go by, the drivers get progressively worse. It isn't just the natives, because there aren't that many left. (People look at me like I just fell off a truck when I tell them I actually grew up here.) It's the folks from Boston, New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Francisco--and, lest I forget, South Carolina, who also come nowadays from places like Boston, New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and San Francisco.
Of course, though, that's the price we pay for being a big city. We have to deal with it or maybe just pack up our stuff and head for Nunavut.
thank god for the abundance of NY drivers in charlotte. Us country folk needed someone who knows about city living to tell us how to drive..... I heard that the best way to hone your driving skills is to ride the subway everyday in NY. If we play our cards right ya'll laugh at us when we rush to the store and buy milk when it snows..................
Bad drivers are everywhere but it hasn't helped Charlotte with the growth of this city. We seem to have accumulated more than our share!
I agree with a lot of what has been said in the comments section. My experience has been that the worse drivers are folks who are not "native" to this country. Hispanic workers (painters, landscapers) are horrible for cutting one off in traffic. Indians/Hindus (from India or that area) are just as bad b/c they don't drive the speed limit and don't use signals - it's like they are on a constant sight seeing tour. And whoever said that folks from SC don't realize that the left hand lane is for faster moving traffic hit the nail on the head. When I'm irritated with the driver in front of me (or sometimes beside me), it is 9 times out of 10 one of the above.
Sorry to be so blunt but the truth is the truth.
Bad drivers are everywhere.
Several things contribute to the problems here: 1). So many newcomers not familiar with the roads combined with so many new roads that even the old-timers here aren't familiar with; 2). Horrible design of the roads; 3). Way too many cars to safely be on the roads; 4). The combination of retirees and gung-ho NASCAR fans that give you people driving too slow on the same roads where others drive too fast.
I have driven in all but four of the United States of America and the District of Columbia. I have come to the conclusion that there are both good and bad drivers in every state. I come from a long line of excellent drivers which began with Captain Samuel Northington who made repeated voyages to the colonies and finally decided to settle in Virginia in 1681. His descendants ran ferries, hacks, and stage coaches as time went by in North Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas.
As a native of Charlotte (born here in 1952) I completely agree.
The drivers in this area are some of the worst I've seen in the US and far worse than europeans. In europe they tend to DRIVE when behind the wheel as opposed to talking on cell phones, putting on make-up, reading the paper, displining their kids, etc.. In most of the rest of the country they do know what that stalk on the left of the steering wheel is for and that green means GO.
I'm a native southerner that has lived and travelled all over the country. Do I think that Charlotte drivers have a unique identity? Yes, but similar to Raleigh or Atlanta. Do Charlotte drivers drive better than other southerner areas? Yes, or they would be dead at the speeds they drive.
When I leave the Charlotte area I do have to remember to allow for the lack of driving skill in more rural areas. Rural drivers tend to wander between lanes and missjudge speed/distance. Rural drivers tend to trying blocking manuovers and other versions of road rage. The mix of rural and city drivers can be a dangerous mix of speed and bullheadedness.
To me taking a drive to California from NC is a fun thing to do. I do have to allow for the type of areas I'm in while traveling at any given time.
Oh I love the Southerners can't drive bit, we NEVER hear that enough. Well here's aquestion for all the northern transplants. Can any of you explain why none of you are attractive? What, did the attractive northeners kick all you ugly people out of town and make you live somewhere else. Seriously this is no joke. Are there any pretty people up north? Any at all?
Charlotte Drivers are horrible.
Road rage is rampid. People in other cities and counties outside of major areas like Charlotte, Greensboro, Raleigh, Cary, Winston-Salem are much more tolerable.
The biggest issues are the riding the lanes on the interstates until the end then backing up traffic, not using turn signals and the constant cutting off of people, especially on Harris Blvd.
Use your HORNS people!!!
I have to say that I am not a native to NC, but I have been here over 15 years. The driving behavior has progressively worsened in the past 8-10 years and my unofficial survey indicates a correlation with the increased number of New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania license plates in the area. I think the bad drivers are moving in! Can't everyone just SLOW DOWN a bit and enjoy life?!?
I use my horn....and finger!
This column has officially become worthless.
Haaa Haaa Haaaa !!!
All Northerners are ugly. Take a look around you inbred hick. You bubba looking tractor drivin' fat a$$ fools take the cake. Sure, I will give you that some of the women down here are beautiful, until they open their mouth and ignorant that drawl comes out. But the majority are first in line candidates for Jerry Springer.
Don't even get me started on you southern guys with your hair cropped so short you look like cancer patients.
You don't like the northern look because it represents a melting pot. A large community of multi racial people all getting along and yes marrying across the racial line. Europeans have a similar look. I bet you hate that too.
Inbred is best, screw the rest, eh ?
Woooooo Hooooooo I bet you are first in line at the J&K cafeteria. Or is it Golden Corral ?
People who make jokes about the South and Southerners should officially contract syphillis and die.
Seriously.
I knew if I pushed the buttons of the ugly people they would eventually cave in to ignorant retaliation. Now we are all fat, inbred, and racists on top of being bad drivers. So tell me ugly guy, why did you come here? I mean to be around a bunch of Springer candidates and all. Admit it, you love the scenery. And by the way, our ugliest southern women are more attractive than any northern woman.
Sorry Bud,
Married a beauty from PA. Just here for the money and weather. Live uptown to be as far away as possible from people like you.
I will make my bundle and eventually leave for a better place. But for now uptown suits me just fine.
Thanks for asking.
Now roll over and wake your sis up. She's late for work at the Waffle House.
Oh, so you are here for work. Maybe those employers know something you don't. Your prize winning best in show wife will find plenty of pastures here to graze in as well. And finally, living and working uptown, what could you possibly have to complain about on a bad driving blog. Shouldn't you be walking. Now stop looking in the mirror every five minutes to see if it's true. You are ugly and the only one who loves you for your appearance is your mother. Now you leave the wit and wisdom to the select few on this blog and stop trying to be something your not. Intelligent and beautiful. Tell your wife I said "Moo".
Tell them like it is fellow Northerner. They like their southern bells because they look just like they do.
A.K.A. (inbreeding)
Fact is most beautiful Southern bells have mommy and daddy's from the North. Don't fool yourself redneck.
The new Southern woman is a beauty, not the ones of days gone by.
Let me correct you, moron. Her only 115lb ass is YOU. What did you not understand?
Yeah, she may agree with you from time to time on that. But I am her 6' 4", lifting at the gym 5 days a week, 220 lb. ass.
So if you want to discuss it outside of the blog just name a place and time. I would love it to be uptown so I wont have to get into traffic. Don't worry, it's a short trip to Presby where they will take good care of you.
If not, stop wasting my time.
Now you want to fight. What's the matter? This inbred, sleeping with his sister, bubba hick getting on your nerves? You never had an argument with someone with a brain before? Lifting 5 days a week will not get you any better looking. Just remember, she will always be keeping her 115 lb figure in shape for someone else. Thought you were off to SOHO to bus tables for the CASH anyway. Why do keep coming home to check the blog? No worries. Your wife's first in call appointment isn't for much later in the day. Now go to work already ugly boy.
I work for myself at my own office so I can blog from time to time. So it seems you are the typical Southern pussy. All talk, no balls.
Ahh, that's how you ended up losing the war.
Offer is still on the table puss.
Wow, Ugly you honestly think I'm afraid of you? You pose no threat to me. And don't get it mixed up. Just because you they gave you your own bus pan, don't call it an office. But hey look on the bright side. After all the appointments your wife has today, she may just get down to 110lbs. Now you go lift some weights and think about that.
Children please!!
Play nice!
Amy, you remove my comment insulting the Yankee but you leave all of his hate-filled vitriol in place? Give me a break.
^
Seems you are even hated by your own kind.
Now that's funny.
Now is about the time you will be going off about how the Observer is a Liberal, Northern , light rail supporting piece of trash.
Come on, we are waiting.
I'm not the same guy who you were blogging with earlier. I not even a guy. I am a woman. Southern by birth but I actually refer Northern men.
They tend to have much more style and no how to treat a woman. Lets not even get into their better tastes in food. Lets not even go there. Lovers, hands down.
Your bitter arguments are old and tiresome. Likely why I am more attracted to Northerners as well.
Ugly, is that you? Sorry I've been away for a while. I've out lifting 115 lbs. several hundred reps. What?, are you in here picking on others? I thought I ran you off. Are you still talking about fighting? Loser get a life. One that requires a few brain cells. It is your ugly parents' fault you look the way you do, nobody else's. Stop bad mouthing Southerners for your bad genes. Keep on lifting weights and thinking you're a bad ass fighting machine. Your rippling muscles and hairy chest (if rippling enough and hairy enough) may take the focus away from your ugly face just long enough for us to tolerate you. Now kiss the wife for me, but take my advice, not on the mouth, okay.
You got the wrong person angry boy.
I believe the one you are talking about gave up on you hours ago from the time stamps on the blog.
I'm late to the blog but it reads like you were too chicken to give a time and place.
Ta Ta for now Farmboy.
Attention posters: Profanity will be deleted.
Oh is this West Virginia girl calling herself a Southerner but prefers the Northern men. Yeah exactly who was it calling out for a fight? Mr Anonymous? How brave of him? I'll tell you as well fatty. The beautiful people prefer other beautiful people and fat toothless women like you take whats left. What? You wanna fight too?
No fight here. Actually getting ready to leave work early since I finished my project ahead of schedule.
Meeting my Northern man at the gym for a quick work out and then off to dinner and a show.
We will be at Sonoma Restaurant on Tryon and Trade for dinner at 6:30 pm. I will be in a red shiny evening dress. I am brunette, 120 lbs, 36C and quite attractive. My boyfriend is about 6 foot 1 inche, good build and has mid length blonde hair and from Long Island, NY. Not sure what he is wearing tonight, but likely a suit.
We would love to meet you and discuss your issues. Hell, I'll even buy you dinner and a drink if you have the nerve to show. The name is Diane and I am not from W. Virginia. I am from Charleston, SC.
Look forward to meeting you.
Amy Baldwin is a hack. Like her 'Out of the Red' column wasn't bad enough she has added her 'talents' here too.
^
Vile little southern man :-)
What's the matter ? Too much room in the front of your trousers ?
Show up for what? Discuss issues. What issues? You want no fight yet you give me your man's measurements. He's six foot and has 1 inch, I'd keep that to myself. I know where the Sonoma is and dinner souds lovely but I am afraid I'll pass. I can tell the conversation would be rather dull, being it will comprise mostly of insults and untruths. Northerners will complain about any and everything about the South. And it's all because they just didn't have it as good where they came from. Enjoy your dinner in our fine city of Charlotte NC.
Oh and I will admit SC is sooooo much better that W.Virginia.
Silly, I gave you our description so you would be able to recognize us. That's all.
Cut me some slack on Charleston. It's not the same as the rest of SC. Not by a long shot.
My boyfriend isn't into cutting up on Southerners. He's very laid back and a gentleman. Actually thought that it would be nice to hear why you have so much hatred towards a group of people. Ones you don't even know. You can't lump everyone into the same category.
Anyway, enjoy your evening.
Likewise, enjoy your evening. Been to Charleston and you are correct. Not nearly as bad as the rest of the state, which I have very personal reasons for disliking it. Still attractive people in SC, don't get me wrong. I wouldn't want to give the Northerners an opening. And not to be rude and insult your man, but honey you had my attention @ attractive brunette in a red shiny evening dress. No need for his description.
As a state employee in the NCDMV. Let me set the record straight. From1 996 to 2006, of the applicants taking the written driver's exam in our state, 78% of the applicants that failed were licensed in other states previously. That means that just 22% failed that were either previously licensed North Carolinians or never licensed before. Furthermore, of these applicants who failed the written exam and were licensed in other states, 56% were licensed in northeast and midwestern states. The other southern states comprised just 15% of the failures and the remaining 29% were from the central and western states as well as immigrants. Just the facts.
Nice profanity from the Northern contingent.
Sorry,
Bless you !!!
Is that a more polite way to say the same thing ?
Jerk off.
So if you are allowed to use emergency lanes up north then you MUST be able to do it in NORTH CAROLINA as well, right? Wrong!
If you want to use them then go back up north where YOU SAY it is legal to do so. Because it isn't legal in North Carolina. And if you think it is legal and you want to do it anyway, please pass a NC State Trooper in the emergency lane. You will learn really quickly what a dumb*** you are.
Another uneducated northerner, using his huge vocabulary of obscenities in place of logic and reason. Pathetic.
[sarcasm]
Amy, I want to congratulate you on stirring up the hornets' nest of "North vs. South" once again, and for giving us all the opportunity to see what decent, considerate, and above all articulate folks we have moving down here from up north. Really gives one a warm and fuzzy feeling to know that we are being colonized by such nice people.
[/sarcasm]
Yes Amy thanks. I mean the northerners are angry because they can't have what they want back home. Employment, low cost of living, and nice weather year round. So what do they do? They dump on the southern people, their laws, and way of life. It's okay Northerners, You're Welcome!
Excuse me but I just finished reading this blog and there is plenty of blame to go around for the southerners posting here as well. So get over the self righteous crap already.
Spineless crybabies.
The difference is, we didn't move up north and start complaining about it. You moved here and started whining about how backwards this place is. Were you not aware that all places are not the same?
If you don't like it, I-85 and I-77 both conveniently offer northbound lanes.
Sorry, we are here to rape and pillage your economy and turn your city into a cesspool. Then maybe we will leave, with the cash.
Hmmmnnnnn, sort of like old time isn't it Rebel ?
Ugly's back! And as ignorant as ever.
sorry, wrong guy Jeb.
This isn't angry.
You won't leave.
You will be assimilated.
UGLY, not angry. Still ignorant nonetheless.
Someone please remove the disgusting comment above.
Actually, my 'great-granpa' was black, as am I. But thanks for the lovely racist imagery, jerk.
Oh my god! You really are stupid. You think the South is the only area in the US where slaves were owned, blacks were hung, and civil rights were violated. You are not even worthy of a conversation on the topic. YOU my friend are an idiot. Get an education.
What's really funny as hell is that I am born and raised in Mathews, NC and have been posting all of this crap for the past 2 days. Pretty funny, I guess the South is just a bunch of Aholes ?
I'm just one of you.
I am so stupid I even spelled my home town wrong
Haaaa, that's funny. Think I'll go bang my sis now.
Later Y'all
OK, so here is what I've gathered from the comments so far. Drivers here are too timid but drive like a NASCAR driver. They don't use the whole merger lane and they try to go all the way to the end of the merge lane. They expect people to let them over just because they have a turn signal on but we don't use our turn signals and we won't let people over when they do use their turn signal. People from the north are better at everything than people from the south and with such humility at that. Basically we need to hurry up, slow down, merge later, merge sooner, use our turn signals, pay more attention, be more courteous but don't expect it from anyone else and bow to the great northerners who have come here to save us from ourselves because everything we do is wrong but they really like what we have. They will teach us how to drive more aggresively after they get us to quit driving so aggresively.
Anyone else confused??
Basically your are wrong and I am right and you need to learn to do things my way if you want to do it correctly.
Signed,
Red McYankee Neck
Born in (Insert Southern or Northern City of your choice)
As you go into Asheville you will see beautiful women there and not many by the ocean side I have seen because the SUN makes their sun look like' Willie Nelson'. One thing for sure true Southern Hospitality is in Charleston and English/British descedants. Not all but I do believe some women in Charlotte shave and that scares me.
Southern Men dont have to worry about Northerners dating their women; We are not jumping into the frying pan into the fire ! Ive seen how Women here treat their men like a doormap and always complaining about anything; I would like some land and a house but you can keep the women.
Many Newcomers come here with a minimuim of $50,000 dollars we just want some sunshine, birds that sing and an ocean and mountains to go to once in a while; We dont want your stuff we got our own.
Be carefull about Venerial disease here the moderate temperatures make it easy to grow here; Like in Bana Republics the heat makes it spread quicker; Everday a semi brings in Valtrex by the skid load so be careful and use resources Hint Hint .
If I brought a Southern women back to Ohio to meet my Mom ,I would be cut out of the will; I have an AUNT thats from down down here and Kentucky ad my aunts hide their purses all the time.
Lets face it Jerry Springer Recruites from the South all the time; Marriages go sour because of the economy and flirting that goes on. The Deep South is where real Hospitality begins like after Georgia into Alabama on down.
Another interesting fact is North Carolina has the most Psychiatric wards from the 192o's to 40 erra; Now they are historic relics and some museums; They used to make fast moonshine here and add embalming fluid to enhance the effects in bathtubs. People would often loose their minds and have to get commited.
Let's get back on topic. The DMV has spoken yet northerners are arguing what now?
Typical dumba$$ !
Someone blogs that they are "THE" NCDMV and they take everything these say as truth.
Keep drinking the Kool Aid !
More facts. NC has some of the lowest automobile insurance rates in the nation. And insurance companies love to give the best rates to the states where drivers are the most hazzardous, right? Don't want to beleive that either? Can you argue without the profanities and insults? Go home brainless?
So I am guessing by me saying "Keep drinking the Kool Aid" I am spewing out profanities and insults ?
And you telling me to "Go home brainless" is okay ?
Typical Southern "Holier than Thou" mentality. As is thinking anything "said" is truth without investigating it.
I moved South long ago. Back in the mid 90's and when I left NY fo rCharlotte my rates went up about $175 a year if I remember correctly. I also had zero points on my license. This was with the same insurance company as I had in NY.
Thought so. Can we have people qualified to make statements on this blog before allowing them to spew their nonsense? An intelligence quotient of some sort.
Typical DumbA$$, You notice I said some of the lowest,not the lowest and being you don't have a brain, me calling you brainless isn't an insult or profane. 56% of the failed driving applicants came from previously licensed states in the Northeast and Midwest. If you don't believe it, present facts to the contrary. Koolaid is good
Same as a Bible thumper. Always wanting others to prove you wrong while it is you who spews b.s. "because I said so".
You prove the 56% failed were from the North East !!
You can't and you know it because it's B.S.
..... just like you.
And you know damn well you were refering to the North East with you comments about NC being cheaper than most.
You do you think you are fooling you little child ?
Enough of the day wasted on you. I'm sure I'll be turning on the t.v. soon enough to see you have been arrested or on the Springer show.
Can anyone really argue NC having some of the lowest automobile insurance rates in the country? Isn't that common knowledge. Can we get the State DMV employee back on to give irate northerner what he so truely needs to hear, MIDWEST and NORTHEAST comprise 56%. Can we get a break down by state so this speedbump is satisfied. Or better yet, get a reliable source of information because this guy can't stand being wrong. I know the truth hurts.
Again a intelligence qualifier please NY guy is off the map with his statements.
Typical South, can't stand to be told like it is. Especially from an outsider.
So, let me see, lets get the so called "DMV" person back to tell us some facts.
Idiots ! They are no more a "real" NCDMV employee than you are I.
This whole blogging concept is b.s. or haven't you figured that out yet ?
Man I sure hope NY guy's parents can no longer reproduce.
You still don't get it do you ? It's all make believe on the blogs.
I'm not from NY I am from the Charlotte area. I'm one of you Buffoons and you don't know it.
It's hysterical. You just keep bashing away and it's your own kind you are bashing.
I'm dying here :-) !!!!!
Sorry NY guy, you cannot be one of us no matter how bad you want to be.
Haaaa :-)
Native Goob.
Man you people love to bicker. Personally I lived in Ny for 30 yrs and now here (Concord but travel to Charlotte everyday) for 6yrs.
Let's face it there are Bad drivers from every state. While I have come across the occasionally inconsiderate driver I have also come across very considerate drivers, more so than any time in NY.
Law abiding drivers may be looked upon as bad drivers because the laws are different in your home state than in NC. Safe drivers are law abiding drivers. No one can come to NC and expect all traffic laws to be the same as where they come from. ENOUGH SAID.
Oh yeah, and all Northerners are gay.
I think they call that a cocktail weenie.
I'm dying here :-) !!!!!
Would that it were true.
It's all the rednecks in their pick up trucks that they drive like sports cars! AHAHAHAHAHA.
A true southerner knows how to drive. We've been driving since we were twelve. An example is a southerner stays home when snow or ice is on the roads. We know there are not any "salt trucks" (like up north). Southerners wait until the sun comes out to melt the snow or ice. You Yankees are the ones out there sliding into the ditch cause you just don't know any better.
Not using a turn signal is from the Florida Driver's Handbook of Offensive Driving. Rule #1 in the book: Never signal because it tells the other drivers what you're planning and they'll cut you off.
Of course we know where all the Floridians came from...UP NORTH!
Goodjob Ken! You have jumped started "Civil War 2"! Run for cover everyone!
Et tu, Brute?
Comon' Molneezy !!
It's all in fun. Besides, all the posts aren't from me.
It's so fun stirring up ignorant northerners. They get beside themselves at the least little thing. I love it when the use the obscenities to cover their lack of vocabulary. It shows their intelligence level.
Using obscenities does not necessarily mean they lack in vocabulary. As does it not show their I.Q.
Northerners are known for being more passionate and it comes out in heated moments. It's a regional thing.
This North / South debate needs to be put to rest. We are all different. The Northerners miss their great food choices that they use to have. The Southerners don't like hearing that people don't like their cuisine. Then it escalates from there. It all starts with "that's not how we did it up North" or "Yankee".
It's one country and we are moving towards one world. If we can't stop this little bickering between states how will we ever solve the real issues out there ?
Look Souhterners need to go back home to West Virginia and Kentucky if they cant stand the heat get out of the Kitchen; Look most Southerners made tattoo shops millionaires down here; Now remember People save room on your body for the mark of the beast or he wont be able to save you.
Look I speak Hillbilly if anyone wants me to listen; Look if you want to wear a straw hat and have a toothpick hanging from your lip thats fine but dont stop me from wearing a New York turbine while I wear shorts and a tee shirt ,. HAHAHAHAAHAHAAH
Look I dont tell People im a Southerner ; I want People to think Im smarter than that. I didnt create this mess here dont blame me Im from Ohio the other Hilljack state; HAHAHAHAHAhahahahahahha People from Ohi are West Virginians without an accent.
Another ignorant Northerner. Food choices? What? Ovens and stoves cook food differently in the south than they do up north. Did everyone get that? Oh, only Chicagoans can make Chicago style pizza. And only New Yorkers can make NY style pizza. This very well may be true. But did it ever occur to you that it is these transplants that are opening those types of restuarants in the South? Yet it only taste a certain way in the north What, only Northerners get the best ingredients and magic ovens that cook to a certain taste? Get over yourself and go back home. I love NY style pizza by the way. Oh wait, now your going to tell me I've never tasted it because I got it down here.
I need some lunch, I want a Philly Cheese Steak. Let me go book my flight to PA since that is the only place to get one.
"I'm Passionate, therefore I curse"
I think I read that on a bumper sticker somewhere.
Did you hear the one about the northern woman who went fishing with the 4 southern men and only came home with one red snapper?
I think what he was trying to say is that Northern states have a very diverse population and you can get any type of authentic food you desire. From Italian, French, Pakistani, Cuban, Greek, Jamaican, Vietnamese to Ethiopian.
Granted, you can get most of these here in Charlotte if you look hard enough. But at the same time most of them cannot compare to the quality of their Northern counterparts. It's just a watered down version.
As a friend of a long time NY pizzaria owner who has since moved to Charlotte the secret is in the ingredients AND the water. Not that one water is cleaner than another. But one may have a different amount of iron or hardness to it which greatly affects any type of baking.
But you have to admit that there are far fewer examples of great Southern cooking compared to what you can get in NY. Look at Southern cooking on a whole and it's lard, fat back, grits, liver mush, margarine, Crisco, etc., etc., etc.
Crap ingredients make for a crap finished product. Simple as that.
When I first moved here 20 years ago there was a great little NY Italian bakery as well as a NY deli over in the Carmel Commons area. Both were like stepping off a plane and being in NY. Both also went out of business within 2 years. Why I asked the owners ? Because people complained that they could get a neon colored, Crisco filled slop 'o crap pastry from BiLo for 50 cents less than a made from scratch butter cannoli shell, just filled with a creamy home made ricotta and sugar filling, complete with pistachios and chocolate chips.
Same for the deli. Customers said they could go to Subwway for $1 less a sub. Nevermind the Boars Head meats or breads flown in daily from Carnagie's in NYC.
At the end of the day it comes down to the fact that Southerners eating habits are that of migrant workers and they are just plain cheap.
Southerners can't cook now. Our ingredients are cheap. And our tastes for food is the same as those of migrant workers. Your favorite "off the plane" restuarants might have made it had there been more of a demand for those authentic flavors YOU seek. Yes someone will always make a cheaper product as long as there is demand. But it had to be the cheap alternatives that put your eating spots out of business. It couldn't have been the fact that restuarant businesses are the some of the most riskiest businesses to be in. I mean had they been established up North, they would still be making money hand over fist. right? I might could buy the water bit, perhaps. But lost me on the crisco and lard complaint. Those ingredients don't exist up north?, I'm sure. My advice, "when in Rome". If that's not good enough then open your own eatery and feed the unhappy transplants.
Yeah, if anyone has to ask how there can be a difference between regional food they must be a total Moron be they from the North or South.
Yeah, it's all about the stove - Jacka$$.
Geographical location of where food is prepared has no bearing whatsoever on how it tastes. Who are YOU calling a moron? What's next?, Music sounds better in Motown than it does in the rest of the world?
I am sure Criso exists up North but only trailer trash use it. Any REAL bakery uses 100% butter. Speaking of REAL bakeries, we have none in Charlotte. Nova is total crap and Marguerite's French closed her doors due to "lack of interest from local"....her words.
So you see, you do have ZERO taste.
And if you don't know what I am talking about with the margarine and crisco just go open any of your mamma's cookbooks and take a look.
As far as eateries being risky, they sure are. But there are far more that stay in business up North than here. Most of the places I grew up on 20 or 30 years ago are still family run and doing great.
Charlotte needs to lose some of the "chain food" mentality and would be better for it.
Trust me, the transplants are getting happier by the day. More and more fine eateries are opening every month and the owners are not locals. Thankfully.
Don't even start with Charlotte has always had great food. Not true, been here 20 years. Actually almost moved out of state about 10 years ago because I was sick of the lack of quality dining, entertainment and culture.
I am grateful we have at least started getting the first two in the past decade.
Lets all hear it for the Coffee Cup and Open Kitchen. That's darn good cookin' Ya'll.
Yes, when in Motown and the music is performed live at a Motown club I would have to say it would sound better than if Bubba was jamin' it out down on the farm.
That's what I'm getting at. Regions may have something to do with it as far as water type or ingredients not being readily available. But more so is the fact that NYC is filled to the brim with great chefs from the best cooking schools.
How can you argue that simple fact Mr. BoJangles ?
You arguments are lame and boring. I'm outta here. Enjoy typing to the masses.
Mr. BoJangles, that's funny SH*T !
No SH*T, I'm sure we can hear better blue grass tunes down here than in NYC. Same thing Southern Bozo. Get a grip. You NO COMPREHENDIE what the blogger is trying to say ?
Run Forest, run ! Dumb Hick.
You have derailed, you don't like us because our tastes are different. You don't see me looking for a Bojangle's in your NYC, do you? We don't like you because you complain and whine to much. Go home whiner? Get you a cannoli or whatever back home if that makes you happy. Don't expect us to cater to you. Bojangle's Rocks!!!
Bojangle's Rocks!!!
???????????????
You just explained Southern migrant worker tastes to everyone. Thanks ! and Bless Your Heart.
Goodbye, have a nice day Mr. fast food.
I never said I didn't like YOU. Just not your food.
"NYC has some of the finest chefs". I would hope so being, I don't know, they have about 8.5 million more people to cater to than in Charlotte, NC. Lame is as lame does. Get that cannoli out of you mouth and enjoy some good home cooking. A biscuit and grits from the Bojangles sounds great.
Don't worry Southerns, we will never be like you and we sure as hell don't want to be like you!
What are you talking about, home cooking? You don't think we have our own version of home cooking? How about a good, home cooked italian meal! Anyone can make chicken and mashed potatoes with lard juice. No wonder why your women are all so fat.
At least they will likely die soon from all the lard. That's always a plus.
Italy FOREVER !!!
Look. The Guido population decided to chime in. Watch what you say folks, they might have their cousin Paulie and uncle Petie come and pay you a visit. What's the matter? You hairy backed greasers tired of getting turned down by our fine southern women?
There's no such thing as lard and grease in the north folks. Nothing ever is fried there either. Fried foods isn't even considered cuisine in the north. There's no McDonalds or KFC. All the food there is prepared in sit down restaurants where you order from a folded menu. You know, the type of restaurants that just don't exist in the South. The French and Italian chefs only can cook "authentic" french and italian foods in the north. Once they step into the southern region they forget how to prepare authentic foods. It just can't exist here in the south. So what we've been eating at our best restaurants pale in comparison to what what is served by a street vendor in the big northern cities. The south also has no culture or arts. Also only rednecks and northerners live down south, that's it. Rednecks are only in the south. No such thing up north. The only thing the southerners have are attractive people. The south just can't buy ugly. They have to import those from the northen states.
Fine southern women? AHAHAHHA. Not only can they not dress well, they look like imbred elephants.
Italians make the best lovers. We look a lot better than you camo-wearing, skinny, pick up driving rednecks.
Just look around. The South has the ugliest people in the entire U.S. If it weren't for the transplants, it would only get worse. We all know how southern women love to reproduce like pez-dispensers.
See Amy, look what you have started? Why bother posting these articles? They turn into a civil war circus! Please, for the love of mankind, can you stop with these stupid articles!!!!!
Southern people are mad ugly, and they can't dress either.
Everyone loves an Italian Stallion. Screw you ugly, trailer park looking inbreds. Only the ugly southern women want you. You could never land a REAL woman (with actual class, style, and intelligence).
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