So I’m in Tennessee this last weekend visiting my daughter. I decide to check the ammo situation in Jackson. I find a Dick’s Sporting Goods, and find they have all cal’s from .380’s to .45 available. About that time a local comes up to the counter and starts looking. I see this chance to strike up a conversation about the ammo situation. I guess my first mistake was starting out my inquiry with Ya’ll as in “Ya’ll having any problems finding ammo up here?” At first I didn’t think he was going to answer at all, then finally he looked at me and gruffly starting saying something about Obama, then that he had worked in Texas about 30 days, hated it and would never go back. I wasn’t sure what to say then, so I said something like at least Obama isn’t from Texas. He must have taken that as some insinuation that I was saying Obama was from Tennessee, because he came back with something about Obama not being from Tennessee either. I wasn’t real comfortable with the instant attitude from the start and I wasn’t sure where that conversation was going when fortunately the clerk showed up about that time. I got some .380’s and 9mm and went on about my way. By the way the Walmart I checked looked about like the stores here, 1 box of 45’s.
I don't know if there's something wrong with us Texans as much as something wrong with that Tennesseean. I guess southern hospitality doesn't go east of the Mississippi.
"We are oft to blame in this / 'Tis too much proved -- that with devotion's visage / And pious action we do sugar o'er / The devil himself." Μολὼν λαβέ | NRA Lifetime Member
Don't paint all the Volunteers with a critical brush based on your encounter with one curmudgeon.
On any given day while back in Texas, you could also try to chat with someone and things
would not click at the gun counter.
Be assured that you are a special snowflake, just not to everyone!
N. Texas LTC's hold 3 breakfasts each month. All are 800 AM. OC is fine.
2nd Saturdays: Rudy's BBQ, N. Dallas Pkwy, N.bound, N. of Main St., Frisco.
3rd Saturdays: Golden Corral, 465 E. I-20, Collins St exit, Arlington.
4th Saturdays: Sunny St. Cafe, off I-20, Exit 415, Mikus Rd, Willow Park.
Yeah...it was probably my fault. A few months back, some guy from Tennessee tried talking to me about ammo at the Academy. I just grunted at him and walked off. Sorry about that, something about toothless guys in gimme caps makes me uncomfortable. I saw deliverance as a teen and can't get the image out of my mind. It was most likely the same guy.
jeeperbryan wrote:There are 2 types of people in the US. Those that are Texan and those that wish they were Texan.
Always wanted a reason to pick that emoticon...
"Perseverance and Preparedness triumph over Procrastination and Paranoia every time.” -- Steve
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"Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?"
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Generally speaking, it's the rare Southerner, whether from Texas or Tennessee, or Georgia or (?) that isn't friendly from the git go, but it happens.
On the other hand, Northerners, especially East Coasters, are generally quite distant at best unless they've lived down South for a while. They then learn to drop the unnecessary guard and almost always come around to being friendly in general too.
East Coast Northerners in general, range from reserved at best to downright hostile to strangers. I think it may be due in part to overly crowded living conditions and a vast cultural difference. These folks are generally very wary of those they don't know and you're suspect in general until proven innocent.
Abraham wrote:Generally speaking, it's the rare Southerner, whether from Texas or Tennessee, or Georgia or (?) that isn't friendly from the git go, but it happens.
On the other hand, Northerners, especially East Coasters, are generally quite distant at best unless they've lived down South for a while. They then learn to drop the unnecessary guard and almost always come around to being friendly in general too.
East Coast Northerners in general, range from reserved at best to downright hostile to strangers. I think it may be due in part to overly crowded living conditions and a vast cultural difference. These folks are generally very wary of those they don't know and you're suspect in general until proven innocent.
The doctor will now leave the room...
All kidding aside...your right. I traveled around the country racing for a couple years and immediately became aware that my typical greeting to a stranger, "HOWDY", was not always returned with enthusiasm. Many times the reaction was more of a cold stare. My racing buddy and I got such a kick out of the coldness of Northeasterners that we would intentionally keep being nice to them, just to make them mad .
Oldgringo wrote:HEY! I'm from Tennessee and you won't find a nicer more understanding guy than me nearly anywhere...and that's the truth.
BTW 03Lightning, Deliverance was set and filmed in Georgia. Speaking of toothless guys (and gals), are you familiar with the Big Thicket?
Hmm, I guess the Big Thicket starts east of Jacksonville, Tx. (I have been to Zavalla!)
Laws that forbid the carrying of arms... make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man. Thomas Jefferson
txflyer wrote:You can always quote Davy Crockett in that situation.
"Be sure you're right, then go ahead"? Or maybe that's just Fess Parker as Davy Crockett. That's the only quote I remember from the Disney TV shows.
The quote I'm thinking of is the one he made after loosing re-election to Congress for Tennessee. He told his district where to go and said "I'm going to Texas".
About that time a local comes up to the counter and starts looking. I see this chance to strike up a conversation about the ammo situation. I guess my first mistake was starting out my inquiry with Ya’ll as in “Ya’ll having any problems finding ammo up here?” At first I didn’t think he was going to answer at all, then finally he looked at me and gruffly starting saying something about Obama, then that he had worked in Texas about 30 days, hated it and would never go back. I wasn’t sure what to say then, so I said something like at least Obama isn’t from Texas. He must have taken that as some insinuation that I was saying Obama was from Tennessee, because he came back with something about Obama not being from Tennessee either. I wasn’t real comfortable with the instant attitude from the start and I wasn’t sure where that conversation was going when fortunately the clerk showed up about that time. I got some .380’s and 9mm and went on about my way. By the way the Walmart I checked looked about like the stores here, 1 box of 45’s. 
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