I am a NY'er - not a Yankee! Now, in some folks estimation, a NY'er may be worse than a Yankee - but I am a PROUD NY'ER!!!

That being said, I also have a great deal of affection for the state of Alabama. This could start a long conversation and is best told over a few beers, but Southerners and folks from NYC have a lot in common. I have lived in both places for extended periods (Durham, NC, Auburn, AL, Cleveland, MS, Manhattan, and Staten Island [NYC]). Both areas of the country suffer from negative (albeit different) stereotypes. People from NYC are thugs, scoundrels, con artists, etc. who would throw their own mother down a flight of stairs to make a dime. People from the South are dummies or hillbillies who sleep with their sister. I usualy hear the latter stereotype more than the former. People are probably just afraid to say anthing about NYC because they figure I'll whip out my switchblade and stab them! Both stereotypes rattle my cage - and you know NY'er belong in a cage!!:D


Pete