Dear Southerners,

After being born and raised in the Hudson Valley, which is north of New York City and living in Southeast Texas for two years, I feel as though it's about time I clear up some false stereotypes of us New Yorkers. I'll admit that I, too, am guilty of stereotyping Southerners into a category lead on by misconception. I realize that these misconceptions and falsified personas that we have of one another are due to the inability to experience each other's way of life.

First of all, every single time (literally) I tell someone I'm from New York, they assume I'm from New York City. Believe it or not there's more to New York than just the city. I mean, it actually is a state. I'm from the Hudson Valley, which according to, "Iloveny.com" is, "One of National Geographic Traveler's Top 20 Must-See Places on its "Best of the World" list, the Hudson Valley is a photographer's paradise. Home to some of America's most visited sites, this region has everything from sweeping rivers and majestic valleys to quiet farms and little towns." This explains the face I make when people ask me, "How are you likin' it here down South?" I try to tell people how incredible my hometown is, but there aren't nearly enough words to illustrate its beauty in its entirety. The Hudson Valley, in comparison to the city, is incredibly calm, collected, and rural. (my family owns three tractors that I know how to drive)

I will be the first to tell you that the tendency for New Yorkers to constantly be in a rush is spot on. Though we may not necessarily be in a rush, it's simply second nature to walk at a fast pace due to the fast-pace lifestyle that is New York. I have noticed that I am starting to acclimate to the slow lifestyle of a Southerner, which is actually very nice.

In addition, not all New Yorkers talk with an accent that makes "coffee" sound like, "cawfee." That will mainly be heard from people, like my father, who were born and raised in the Bronx. Sometimes if I'm lucky, people have no idea that I'm from New York because they don't hear any type of accent.

Finally, this might be the most important point of all, not every New Yorker is mean. Yes, I know this is something you all hear constantly, but it is not true. I admit that I find Southerners to be much more approachable, but even then, I am not saying every New Yorker is mean. I believe it's that New Yorkers and Southerners thoughts about hospitality are completely different.

So, now that I have clarified some of the false stereotypical thoughts a Southerner might have about a New Yorker, I hope that you better understand my lifestyle. I sometimes may come off aggressive or unapproachable, but that is simply due to my cultural background, one that is completely different from yours and it is this that completely relates to the falsified persona.

Sincerely,

A Friendly New Yorker