FyuckerFjord t1_ix0j8qo wrote
I moved here not to change things, but to participate in the local economy and be left alone. Still, when I found my elderly neighbor wandering around near my house, I was friendly and asked if he needed help with anything.
He proceeded to tell me how much he hated "the bitch" that lived here before and how she rented to "high-flying beaners" and when I smiled and pointed out my wife is Mexican he said, "Not her, she's a good one."
Also had my truck keyed for having out of state plates. Encountered some of the most entitled people I've ever met and run into Vermont exceptionalism more often than fairly priced maple syrup.
In fact, Raleigh, NC felt a million times friendlier than Vermont, so maybe your view of Vermonters is askew.
So Vermont may not be the birthplace of kum-bah-ya you feel it is. It's also more expensive than where many of us come from, so you're welcome for my family's willingness to pay higher taxes to help state programs that benefit all Vermonters.
And believe me - I want costs to go down. Period. Exclamation point.
foomp t1_ix1g7rj wrote
Vermonters are friendly. But it takes a long time for it to happen. Until then it's usually taciturn standoffishness.
The 'I moved to "participate" in the economy' is a very very not Vermont thing to say. The 'be left alone' bit is pretty Vermont of you though.
There's an old Vermont saw that goes like this:
> A farmer and his neighbor were sitting on the porch when man from down south drives up.
"Excuse me, is this the road to Jericho? I'm running late and a bit lost, any help would be appreciated".
"Yup. 'bout thirty more miles an' yer there".
The stranger headed off down the road. When he was out of sight the neighbor turned to the farmer.
"Why didn't you tell that man the bridge is out?".
"He didn't ask."
FyuckerFjord t1_ix1j2eh wrote
Don't get me wrong, I've met some very friendly Vermonters, about half transplants here 25 plus years and half native. The natives have given me the lay of the land, and mostly, they're the families that understand a last name will go a long way with getting permits approved, and they don't have that last name. So they're the, damn I don't wanna say lower class in Vermont natives, but it's somewhere close to that. And you know what, thems my peeps. I don't like the exceptionlists.
With regards to participating, what I meant is I buy local. Farmstands. Mom and pops. Aubuchon instead of Home Depot. I don't want to come here and change things - I didn't vote in the primary but did in the general. I figure let the locals who know more than me (as a 2-year resident) decide the party representatives.
All in all, I'm trying to be as sensitive to a small state as I can, but I also realize that I busted my ass to get here and won't be marginalized. It's a fine line to walk. I'll tread it out of awareness for the state of this state, but it's also my home as well.
Happy to be here. :)
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