Are You a Redneck or just the opposite?

[murphy1244]

Where I grew up calling someone a hillbilly could get your butt kicked..

 

[greasemonkeyok]

Unlike "hillbilly", the term "Redneck" is amorphous with its meaning derived in large part by the particular context in which it is used. It can be taken as either complimentary, or demeaning. Uttered at a cocktail party in the country club, it is probably demeaning. Uttered by someone wearing Carhart in the local watering hole, it is probably complimentary.

 

[Grumpy Old Man]

Newbury, If you own a tractor your a redneck or a redneck wannabe ! :thumbsup:

 

[greasemonkeyok]

Newbury, If you own a tractor your a redneck or a redneck wannabe ! :thumbsup:

Used in this context, I take it as complimentary-someone who is not afraid to do things, a "get 'r done" mentality.

DeepNdirt's next post shows a negative example.

 

[deepNdirt]

If my memory is correct I first started hearing the slang term "Redneck-Hick" back in the early 70's since then it has been abbreviated to just plain ( Redneck )....... If those who are admitting to being a redneck were to do a (Image) google search of Redneck-Hick you might be a bit more reluctant in proclaiming so, Unless of course you do think of yourself this way

 

[dave1949]

Where I grew up calling someone a hillbilly could get your butt kicked..

Yep, if you wanted to start a fight, that would do it.

 

[TripleR]

The term "Redneck" is amorphous with its meaning derived in large part by the particular context in which it is used. It can be taken as either complimentary, or demeaning. Uttered at a cocktail party in the country club, it is probably demeaning. Uttered by someone wearing Carhart in the local watering hole, it is probably complimentary.

Possibly with differences in demographics as some areas are more prone to view "redneck" in a positive light. I live in a primarily farming area and the term is not used positively in a country club or feed store. The people in my area who proudly proclaim themselves "rednecks" are totally clueless and are more often city/town dwellers than country folk.

My dad lived in an area where a redneck would have been a couple of steps up the evolutionary scale even with it being viewed with negative connotations.

 

[ljohnson778]

For my part in your quoted section I apologize IF it offends you, who puts in their place as in New York

Not offended at all... It's just that on TBN it seems we, myself included, have gotten a bit too serious lately. Sorry if I came off as a jerk. For what it's worth, I am a computer programmer by day, and redneck by night/weekend, and I certainly don't mean that in a condescending way. Even as an adult, I still try to play in the dirt as much as possible...

Be well all, certainly no offense meant on my part.

 

[hodge]

I would consider myself country, but not redneck. Where I live, which is my context, a redneck is someone who wants to portray a southern heritage, whether they have it or not. In other words, there are redneck posers. People who dress in full camo, but don't hunt. People who drive a bright colored, $50,000 truck, with a camo bug shield and fender flares. Around here, redneck is not really a compliment. Now, I am not talking about my perspective- I could care less. It's your life, your business. But, I see myself as someone who solves a problem myself, or knows who to ask, or how to figure my way through it. I can survive in less than ideal circumstances, and make the best of it. I don't blame others for my problems, I don't look for someone else to bail me out, and I don't condemn others for their problems. I may hold them responsible, but I don't condemn them. I will go well out of my way to help another person, and wouldn't think of taking money for it. Making a living is different than helping someone in a difficult spot. So, to me, based on my little worldview, a redneck is someone who wants to portray a way of life, whereas country lives that way of life. Does that make any sense?
In a pinch, I'd owe up to being redneck, although I don't see myself that way.

 

[JoeBuyer]

Did, but the VA said if I ate anymore I would have to go somewhere else to take care of my lead poison.

Leejohn, congratulations, you ARE a redneck.