Privacy and the Highlands Ethos.

[EagleJCS]

I agree that there is at least a perception of the Appalachian/rural/"mountain" reticence or tendency towards privacy.

Having grown up in Kentucky - with family hailing from the more rural parts of the state - and having worked in other locations and with people who moved here from other locations, I have found that many people in the US outside this region tend to be more forward and/or direct in their dealings with strangers. Of course, I also tend to be a bit more reserved and polite (some would say shy and introverted) that some people I've met.

As has been hinted at, perhaps it is due to the Scots/Irish influence, perhaps it's the Southern 'genteel' manners, perhaps a combination of factors, including a slight distrust of outsiders. Who can say for certain?

[Bugbear]

Well... How would Scots deal with a situation where a new neighbor moves in and begins demanding that all his new neighbors start making changes to their houses,? Perhaps, often looks over people's fences into backyards... Better yet, gets "in your face" constantly, and has control freak tendencies?

[long_hand]

Hey John, you wouldn't happen to be from Paintsville would you?

[TheSp8]

Well, we were not from the hills but we were from small town TN. Keeping things in the family was the norm for us and everyone we knew. One of my uncles was engaged for a few months before my Grandmother learned of it. On the other hand, my sister and her daughters are very much the "loud Americans".

Ted,

I'd tell them the same I tell folks that move to the South and want to change it. You moved here, we like it this way. As for getting "in your face", I enforce the 36 inch rule.

YMOS,
Tony

[Phil]

It's called "wearing your heart on your sleeve". Some people do and some don't. Most Scots don't. It's not being secretive, just not blurting out something irrelevant. If someone asks if you've had a nice day they don't really want to hear that you've just got divorced for the third time, your children have been taken into social care and your uncle is awaiting trial for indecent exposure.

[Jock Scot]

Well... How would Scots deal with a situation where a new neighbor moves in and begins demanding that all his new neighbors start making changes to their houses,? Perhaps, often looks over people's fences into backyards... Better yet, gets "in your face" constantly, and has control freak tendencies?

Clan feuds have been started for less Ted and they went on(still do?) for centuries! These days though, the legal profession do the dirty work!

[Bugbear]

Ah yes, just like the estate tweeds.

[pdcorlis]

In Idaho they'd get shot Ted...

[EagleJCS]

Hey John, you wouldn't happen to be from Paintsville would you?

Nope, 'fraid not long_hand. I was born 'n raised here in Louisville.

Dad's family - my Scott line - started out in the Green County area (South/East Central KY) around 1790 and have slowly migrated north over the years.

Mom's mother's family was in the Edmonson County area (South/West Central KY, just a little west of Green & Hart Counties) and came north to this area for work in the 1930's.

[Galician]

That being said, I do find that other American heritages seem to be a bit louder, or perhaps more extroverted, than I would be comforable with. I'm mindful of an Italian/Puerto Rican friend who will happlily provide details of his sex life, medical status, and the state of his digestive functions upon any provocation.

It may be that the melting pot hasn't yet reached full boil.

As a part-time resident of Puerto Rico, KD, I know how loud parties held by Puerto Ricans can be (especially when held by Puerto Ricans outside of the island) but I can assure you that this behavior is considered more a matter of class, rather than culture.

Old-school Spanish culture can be very tight-lipped and reticient. Apparently the equal to some elements of Scottish and Southern culture? One big difference might be that our heritage actually included the harem as the proper place for women!