[Mamzelle]

The author says Maine is Mean--but gives no examples, and would have liked some.

Of course, I've always thought the NE was a place of terrible stingy snobs, but that's just me.

[Sola Veritas]

“The author says Maine is Mean—but gives no examples, and would have liked some.”

It is a hard thing to explain. My father is from Maine but has lived in Oklahoma since he met and married my mother there after WWII.

I have many relatives in that state. I wouldn’t describe them as “mean” or even “unfriendly.” I would describe them as “Not friendly.” I don’t think they mean to be that way, it is just the culture where being outgoing and friendly was bad manners. Whereas, in my home state of Oklahoma, being anything other than friendly and outgoing would be considered bad manners. These are generalisms, but essentially the truth.

It was funny this came up, because I was trying to explain to my 16 year old son that he wouldn’t like living in Maine just yesterday.

[who knows what evil?]

Of course, I've always thought the NE was a place of terrible stingy snobs, but that's just me.

An accurate assessment...I amuse myself by dropping a nickel on the ground between two conversing New Englanders...I love the sound of their heads hitting each other...