Today, I was told that I "really have that Oregon thing going on." But it was kind of a today-only comment. As in, the people I work with probably think that of me all of the time, but today they let me know. When the comment was delivered, I was eating raw snow peas, my hair was parted down the middle, and I was carrying a large cloth grocery bag filled with books.
I'm turning 26 in a matter of weeks. I still don't wear make-up (eyeliner, occasionally). I've had the same haircut since my freshman year of high school (straight hair, middle/sometimes side part, no bangs). And lately, as in this year, I have this insecurity that I'd better conform to the typical Southern woman, or I'm going to be escorted back to Portland by Jeb Bush. In the middle of the night. Torture will probably be involved.
When I say "typical Southern woman," I mean I'm stereotyping of course. Typical to me is a Southern woman by way of New York, or Southern by way of plantation. The Southern woman is high maintenance, looks like a million dollars at Starbucks or the grocery store, and wears amazing clothes (by Southern standards). She also has her nails done, regularly. I can't explain it, other than to say the Sowo invests a lot of time and money in beauty. Is it Oregonian of me to not want to?
Everyday I have a fight with myself. This fight is: Oregon v. Florida. Three years here in the Sunshine State and I'm still walking around like I'm fresh from the NW. And I guess, I am. It will always be foreign to me that I haven't once lived in an apartment builidng or worked somewhere that recycles. Also, when you say "public transportation" people turn up their noses. And I live in a red state now. Excuse me? Did I hear myself correctly? Whatever happened to my values!? To this, the girl who started 12 different "Save the Earth" clubs during her youth (I never took minutes. I am convinced that's why they all failed). And then Florida takes a few punches on Oregon. And then Oregon shoots back. And then my inner-Madge says to the both of them, "Stop. Please. Just stop. You're in Florida right now. Love where you are now."
So does that mean I stick out like I don't belong, or do I finally do something about this haircut?
Regional assimilation. It's tough. Oh.so.very.tough.
5 comments:
1. I hope you are not really mad at me.
2. I KNOW what you mean. SoCo's are making my life a lot more difficult. The standards are so much higher and there's just this obsessive cleanliness about them that's frightening...
3. I like black nail polish and apparently, that isn't 'in' around Atlanta
4. Forget having opinions! Just blend in and say 'Honey' a lot.
5. We should form a support group for displaced women of the North...
Oh my gosh! My meanness worked! Woohoo! No, darling, I'm not mad at you.
When I say 'honey' it sounds very empty.
Also, support group for women of the North...I like it...
The transition from the NW to the Pacific Islands sounds much easier. You can fit in with locals here if you're beached and not dressed up. But the one thing that I can't bring myself to do to fit in is let my toe nails grow out... it's just... disgusting
Please don't do big hair. Please please. I transplanted from Oregon to L.A. 20 years ago. I'm kind of a cross between the two. People from home say, "You're not from around here" and people here in L.A. say I look "wholesome." That means I still have my own boobs, fingernails, and haircolor. Just be yourself, I say.
i was born and raised in south florida and even i feel like i don't belong sometimes. i guess i've never really felt out of place, though, only because i've gotten used to it. or i mock it in grocery stores or starbucks (ack, i'm one of those who 'hangs out' there). or, i just don't associate myself with those people. i've found a wonderful niche of friends who don't fit the "typical" southern mentality. at least, i'd like to think i have.
i don't wear makeup (like you, eyeliner occassionally), and while i didn't start 12 "save the earth" clubs, or even one, for that matter, i appear to be the lone recycler in my townhome complex (i have to drive my trash to the usf dropoff site).
i constantly daydream of moving to a bigger city up north, one with public transportation and good food, so i wouldn't have to have a car.
and then i wonder - would i be able to handle the "regional assimilation?" we'll see when we get there...
what's up w/ me and long posts?
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