Don't Judge

I had an experience in Gettysburg just the other day that I just had to share. My family and I went to Gettysburg to see the battlefield. We all had a great time there. After seeing the battlefield we decided to go have lunch at Pizza Hut. While there.. we were all talking about how great Gettysburg was and so on. There were 3 people sitting in a booth behind our table. One made the statement to the other that we were a bunch of "hillbillies". I personally did not hear this but was told by my niece and my sister who were sitting close to these lovely people. So lets get a few facts straight.. Not all southern people are hillbillies. Nor are we all rednecks. Just because we have a southern draw doesn't mean we are stupid. I am a southern Belle, born and raised that way. WE am gentle most of the time. We say yes ma'am and yes sir. We respect our elders. We show hospitality to anyone who needs our help. We go out of our way to treat all people with respect. We invite folks to sit in the swing and have iced tea under the Magnolia trees. Yes, there are some "rednecks" around, but we just roll our eyes and say " thank God I wasn't raised like that." I guess what I'm saying is..don't judge people by what you hear about them. I am from the South. Georgia to be exact. And I am proud to be a southern Girl. A southern Belle is what I am. I am highly educated, and classy. So please think before you speak.

Southern_Belle wrote:

I had an experience in Gettysburg just the other day that I just had to share. My family and I went to Gettysburg to see the battlefield. We all had a great time there. After seeing the battlefield we decided to go have lunch at Pizza Hut. While there.. we were all talking about how great Gettysburg was and so on. There were 3 people sitting in a booth behind our table. One made the statement to the other that we were a bunch of "hillbillies". I personally did not hear this but was told by my niece and my sister who were sitting close to these lovely people. So lets get a few facts straight.. Not all southern people are hillbillies. Nor are we all rednecks. Just because we have a southern draw doesn't mean we are stupid. I am a southern Belle, born and raised that way. WE am gentle most of the time. We say yes ma'am and yes sir. We respect our elders. We show hospitality to anyone who needs our help. We go out of our way to treat all people with respect. We invite folks to sit in the swing and have iced tea under the Magnolia trees. Yes, there are some "rednecks" around, but we just roll our eyes and say " thank God I wasn't raised like that." I guess what I'm saying is..don't judge people by what you hear about them. I am from the South. Georgia to be exact. And I am proud to be a southern Girl. A southern Belle is what I am. I am highly educated, and classy. So please think before you speak.

Belle,
If they were from PA I apologize for their ignorance. You are a Hillbilly because your from the hills of the Applalchian Mountains in GA, well I am a Ridge Runner use to roaming, hunting and fishing the ridges of the Appalachian Mountains of PA. Movies and TV shows gave the negative aspect to the name Hillbilly. Don't be ashamed of it I am a Ridge Runner and damn proud of it and how I was raised.
My wife and I have a place in Blairsville, GA, the mountains are like being home and the people are like my home town people. We love it!
So Cuz from a Ridge Runner to a Hillbilly enjoy life and have a great Holiday Season!

Hey Belle,
Now that I think about it born in the Appys of PA as Ridge Runners now enjoy the Appys of GA does that make us Ridge Running Hillbillys!

Challenger99 wrote:

Hey Belle,
Now that I think about it born in the Appys of PA as Ridge Runners now enjoy the Appys of GA does that make us Ridge Running Hillbillys!

Hey Challenger..hmmm don't know about that :) but the thing is.. I'm nowhere near the Appalachia. I live in rural South east GA . I'm actually about 1.5 hours away from the ocean. I just found it ignorant that people judge you from what state you live in. When I found out what they had said.. I wanted to say.. "No dear, I'm from SE GA, I'm not a hillbilly.. but if I was one, I'd be proud of it, and also..I'd rather be mistaken for a hillbilly than to have to go around in public with a face like yours." But..I'm a southern belle, and well... we just smile, keep quiet , and plot out our revenge later. Kinda like Scarlett O'..haha

Here is another example of why Gettysburg has seen a drop in tourism. I'd like to think this was an isolated case, however, we all know that isn't true. The people of Gettysburg, seem to be a very angry lot, with a complete distaste for the tourist trade. Not all of PA is like that. Next time, you come to visit try the PA Dutch country. Enjoy the sites, people, and food.
The people of Gettysburg are trying their hardest to ruin their area. If they don't have the tourist trade, they have nothing. Its time the locals wise up before its to late

Watching from over here wrote:

Here is another example of why Gettysburg has seen a drop in tourism. I'd like to think this was an isolated case, however, we all know that isn't true. The people of Gettysburg, seem to be a very angry lot, with a complete distaste for the tourist trade. Not all of PA is like that. Next time, you come to visit try the PA Dutch country. Enjoy the sites, people, and food.
The people of Gettysburg are trying their hardest to ruin their area. If they don't have the tourist trade, they have nothing. Its time the locals wise up before its to late

How do you know they weren't tourists?
I got cut off on the square yesterday and got flipped off to boot. He ran through a yield sign. Since I was behind them I got to see his Vermont license plate. Guess you should not jump to conclusions. Rudeness knows no borders.

Nile wrote:

<quoted text>
How do you know they weren't tourists?
I got cut off on the square yesterday and got flipped off to boot. He ran through a yield sign. Since I was behind them I got to see his Vermont license plate. Guess you should not jump to conclusions. Rudeness knows no borders.

Looking for an argument? I stand by my previous statement.

Southern_Bell, sorry for your experience, I have to say that although I don’t know everyone in the area I don’t know of anyone who would speak like that about visitors. But as Nile said, are you sure they were local people? You were probably not the only tourist in town that day, could it have possibly been some other tourist?. You are aware we also have a college in town that has students who are from all over the country.

May I ask how old these folks were? Were they young folks or people who were more mature? I realize that age is not excuse, but you know how kids can be sometimes.

Again I am sorry for your bad experience and I hope it was the only disappointing part of your trip.

Watching from over here wrote:

<quoted text>Looking for an argument? I stand by my previous statement.

Then you are guilty of exactly what the person that wrote the first statement brought to your attention. You are judging without really knowing who made the comment. I'm not looking for an argument. I'm just pointing out that you are a hypocrite.

Nile wrote:

<quoted text>
Then you are guilty of exactly what the person that wrote the first statement brought to your attention. You are judging without really knowing who made the comment. I'm not looking for an argument. I'm just pointing out that you are a hypocrite.

Nile, that car with the Vermont plates was obviously stolen by someone who lives in Gettysburg. What are you thinking? ;)

Southern Belle, I'm sorry about your experience. Ignorance and rudeness, unfortunately, knows no borders. Don't let that experience color your trip, which from what you said in your post was for the most part enjoyable. Think of all the smiles, thank yous, and good things that happened that day, and don't dwell on the rudeness and ignorance of a few.

Nile wrote:

<quoted text>
Then you are guilty of exactly what the person that wrote the first statement brought to your attention. You are judging without really knowing who made the comment. I'm not looking for an argument. I'm just pointing out that you are a hypocrite.

I stand by my previous statement.

Watching from over here wrote:

<quoted text>I stand by my previous statement.

Good luck to you if you are ever called to a witness stand.

Watching from over here wrote:

<quoted text>I stand by my previous statement.

Good for you.
You are entitled to make baseless accusations all you want.
Isn't America great!
If you can find in the original statement anywhere that it was known they were locals you are something special.
Even if it turns out they were. Way to let a comment by one person lead you to knock an entire county.
I guess all out of towners can't read YIELD at the square and are rude about it to boot. See, I can play that game too but at least I know how stupid it is.
Do you even remotely understand the message the original poster was communicating or are you so blinded by your prejudices you can't even read?

NowThatsEntertainment wrote:

<quoted text>
Good luck to you if you are ever called to a witness stand.

If she were atypical of the world we would still be saying the world was flat and witches float. "I stand by my previous statement".

Nile, I stand by statement that Gettysburg is filled with miserable, bitter people, thank you for confirming this.

Watching from over here wrote:

Nile, I stand by statement that Gettysburg is filled with miserable, bitter people, thank you for confirming this.

If me pointing out the hypocracy of you consoling the original poster then making blind statements that make you guilty of just the same thing she spoke out against makes me misreable then count me guilty. I think you should go look in the mirror though.

Nile wrote:

<quoted text>
If she were atypical of the world we would still be saying the world was flat and witches float. "I stand by my previous statement".

Nile, I can’t speak for Gettysburg Ohio, or Gettysburg South Dakota, but I feel very sure Gettysburg Pennsylvania is a nice friendly town. Unless of course you are one of those who come to visit and act like we owe you something for visiting us and act like you are a privileged person who is superior to anyone local, and should be treated special.

Those who visit Gettysburg to enjoy the history, the local scenery and other local attractions are usually treated in a friendly manner, and with respect.

Fire Marshal Bill wrote:

<quoted text>
Nile, I can’t speak for Gettysburg Ohio, or Gettysburg South Dakota, but I feel very sure Gettysburg Pennsylvania is a nice friendly town. Unless of course you are one of those who come to visit and act like we owe you something for visiting us and act like you are a privileged person who is superior to anyone local, and should be treated special.
Those who visit Gettysburg to enjoy the history, the local scenery and other local attractions are usually treated in a friendly manner, and with respect.

Agreed FMB. I have many enriching conversations with tourists when I encounter them in a situation that allows it. If you are a tourist that wants to make your own rules,(read: ignore the yield signs around the square) then you can expect some consternation from people. The guy that ran a yield sign then shot me the finger when I beeped at him is probably up north by now complaining about it. I don't need holier than thou people telling me how I should think. Those folks will not have as an enriching conversation. In fact, quite the contrary. Speaking of enriching conversations we need a G.O. meeting soon.

Nile wrote:

<quoted text>
Agreed FMB. I have many enriching conversations with tourists when I encounter them in a situation that allows it. If you are a tourist that wants to make your own rules,(read: ignore the yield signs around the square) then you can expect some consternation from people. The guy that ran a yield sign then shot me the finger when I beeped at him is probably up north by now complaining about it. I don't need holier than thou people telling me how I should think. Those folks will not have as an enriching conversation. In fact, quite the contrary. Speaking of enriching conversations we need a G.O. meeting soon.

But Nile, you know that most tourist are friendly and interesting and I am sure you do not judge all by the actions of that one. I also have had some wonderful experiences talking with tourist, and many of them have interesting stories of ancestors who were here during the battle.

And G.P. is a wonderful place, I have meet a few tourist there and enjoyed the conversation.

Fire Marshal Bill wrote:

<quoted text>
But Nile, you know that most tourist are friendly and interesting and I am sure you do not judge all by the actions of that one. I also have had some wonderful experiences talking with tourist, and many of them have interesting stories of ancestors who were here during the battle.
And G.P. is a wonderful place, I have meet a few tourist there and enjoyed the conversation.

Again, agreed on all counts. Making generalizations and blind accusations is for the ignorant. I do find I drift into with the NCG faithful at times. Some of them really are not as bad as others. The young kid from NY does not fit their normal profile. My knowledge of local "watering holes" has helped many a parched tourista.