Yes, we are transplants from a small mountain town [near] the Adirondack Park in upstate New York. We believe the people of Western North Carolina are the most friendly, open, giving people in the United States!
Everyone has a smile, greeting or a helping hand. No one purports to know everything; people here certainly have opinions and share them openly, particularly about football :) It seems a consuming passion, which we love.
It occurs to me that people who generalize about others and other regions of our country are slightly guilty of ignorance and a form of bigotry, which, of course, is not something that Western North Carolinians would accept or embrace.
There are certain rules when moving into a new region of the country: Don’t instill your values or judgments upon others — there is a rich and wonderful history here. Learn about it, celebrate it; if you can’t embrace it, keep quiet, and don’t try and change it!
I’ve learned in my six-plus years in Western North Carolina that there are at least six definitions to the term, “Bless your heart.” To the author of recent piece that offered a negative review of WNC residents, let me say, “Bless you!”
All my WNC friends know which definition of “bless you” I mean. :)
— David Heim
Fletcher
David Heim = off base on so many aspects related to the underlying article. subsequent letter and resulting comments, It would just take too long to clear it up. Bless his heart.
But, a bit friendly helpfulness: saying “Bless you” doesn’t mean the same thing as “Bless his/her heart.” You’re missing the intent of each.
“It occurs to me that people who generalize about others and other regions of our country are slightly guilty of ignorance and a form of bigotry, which, of course, is not something that Western North Carolinians would accept or embrace.”
I’m trying to decide if this is a joke or not.
I used to think the same thing until I realized that all of those “nice” people were after my money. After 8 years, my opinion has changed.
Truth is, most of the people in WNC are just as good/bad as anywhere else, but there is a distinct division and conflict between Asheville, which is mostly incomers who are resentful that the city is not the carefree, progressive, self-ruled paradise they were advertised, and Buncombe County, most of whom have lived here longer and feel that their home has been invaded by hippies, hipsters, socialists, witches and Yankees who want things done the way it was “where they came from”.
Plenty of hate to go around.
David,
As a 60 year resident of Asheville, I understand your intent and appreciate it.
We even let New Yorkers come here.
“We believe the people of Western North Carolina are the most friendly, open, giving people in the United States!
Everyone has a smile, greeting or a helping hand. No one purports to know everything”
Mr. Heim, meet reality.