[Grovenet] Re:Bubbaville

[allnutt]

This reminds me of my first job in Texas.
I was given a 'nickname' (which I won't repeat because it could be taken the 
wrong way).  I was not particularly pleased but my co workers explained to 
me that in south Texas if you are given a nick name it meant that you were 
accepted. I noticed that the other nick names were similarly either 
insulting or endearing depending on how you interpreted them.  But that was 
many years ago. I suspect that if the same thing happened today I would 
likely win a harassment suit and I doubt that nicknames are given out very 
frequently, at least in large businesses. Your comment about things being 
corrupted by time and usage hit home with me too.

There may be a shorthand way to get the demographics you want for educated 
populace by simply choosing a community that has a university or a large 
research complex  within its borders. Of course since I am a fan of Forest 
Grove I would suggest here. We have a pretty decent university.
But since like minded people tend to find each other no matter where you go, 
you will find them. They are just easier to find in places that have higher 
concentrations. If you wind up in a community that meets all your other 
criteria except this one, then you could become the leader and draw other 
knowledge seekers to join you in your new town. Maybe even someone who was 
called Bubba when they were little.  ;  )

Katie

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <JBlair2154 at aol.com>
To: <grovenet at rdrop.com>
Sent: Saturday, June 03, 2006 12:09 AM
Subject: [Grovenet] Re:Bubbaville


> Robert, your comments about unlivable places such as "bubbaville"  in the
> South made me smile. I know exactly what you mean. There is still a lot 
> of
> poverty and ignorance in the South -- at least in some areas -- and I 
> certainly
> hope there is less of it in the Pacific Northwest. But I'm not smiling 
> because
> of the images you evoke; rather, by the word "bubba. " I consider  it my 
> duty
> to enlighten you (and most of the rest of the world): this is a fine,
> meaningful word corrupted by time and misuse.
>
> I first realized this as a young AF wife living in Turkey.   American GIs
> were wont to refer to all male Turks as "habes."  (For  example, every bus 
> had a
> "back door habe," who monitored and assisted passengers  exiting through 
> the
> back door.) My Turkish dictionary informed me that "habe" is  defined as a 
> word
> of respect meaning " elder brother."  And I  immediately thought of my
> childhood, and my own beloved brother who had  been killed in a highway 
> accident
> when he was a teenager and I was only 3 years  old.  I had always called 
> him
> "Bubba."  My older siblings had called  him "Brother," more often than by 
> his
> given name.
> You see, Southerners are prone to give nicknames to people they  like, and
> toddlers can't always pronounce those nicknames properly.  (Grandparents
> especially get labeled with some really strange monikers, don't  they? 
> LOL) So
> "Bubba" is a word brimming with love and respect, in my own  mind, and 
> isn't it a
> shame that it has become synonymous with pot-bellied,  beer-swilling, dumb
> rednecks?
>
> That said, I'll go on record as confessing that I would like to  live in a
> community where demographics show a higher-than-national-average 
> educational
> level. Not because people with less education, wherever they live,  are
> necessarily better people, or less intelligent people, but because I need 
> the
> stimulation of associating with those who share some of my thirst for 
> knowledge and
> curiosity about our world....and common interests, such as  environmental
> concerns and the natural environment.
>
> Geri, we Southerners used to have a certain snobbishness about the  South,
> too, and I'm sure certain residents here still do. However, we are better
> travelled now and more aware of our own shortcomings, and besides, are 
> learning  to
> like some of the Yankees who now live among us. (grinning)  And I'm 
> relieved
> to learn that not all of you GroveNuts agree about everything. I'd be
> worried if you did!
> Joy
> "Save  your Confederate money, boys, the South shall rise  again!"
>
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