Probably going to get a fair amount of negative karma over this, but... here goes with the "in my experience" stereotypes (albeit largely also agreed to by a fr

Probably going to get a fair amount of negative karma over this, but... here goes with the "in my experience" stereotypes (albeit largely also agreed to by a friend from the Gulf states who spent time in both Atlanta and Boston): In the Northeast and much of the West coast, being tolerant is not saying a thing. In the Southeast, it's saying a thing with humor or empathy. Example: my friend makes a joke with an African American friend in Atlanta referring to a stereotype in a humorous manner. In the Southeast, that plays like "we both know our friendship is solid, and yes, some stereotypes we're both aware of are amusing." In the Northeast? Surrounding people (not the friend in question, mind you), "How could you even refer to a stereotype out loud? That just shouldn't be done." Call me crazy, but I subscribe to the Mel Brooks theory of laughing at a thing is the strongest form of rejection. You can reject his language, but not his right to use it.