6 ms·

"As a place that invokes classic style and traditional masculinity, Rhode Island is a wonderful place to start your career as a barber." What does that even me

"As a place that invokes classic style and traditional masculinity, Rhode Island is a wonderful place to start your career as a barber." What does that even mean?! That whole page just makes me not want to join a barber school!

CoastalCoder 4y ago
I can't even guess. I've lived in Rhode Island, and it's a pretty normal New England culture AFAICT.
- tony_cannistra 4y ago
  What part? I grew up there. Can confirm that as soon as you leave the WASP-y suburbs, dudes in wife beaters and gold crosses on chains really start coming out.
  - CoastalCoder 4y ago
    I'm told there used to be a really strong Italian / Portuguese culture around Providence / Warwick / Bristol. That might be where someone gets the stereotypes about machismo and Roman Catholic jewelry. I suspect this part has changed a lot in recent decades. Not sure "WASP-y" applies much of anywhere in Rhode Island. It's reportedly[0] the most Roman Catholic state in the U.S. Providence strikes me as similar to most other small-medium cities with universities. The folks I've met from the rural areas (mostly Exeter, Charlestown area) seem pretty much like people I've met in other rural areas in New England. I.e., more likely to lean conservative, more self-reliant for daily needs, etc. [0] https://www.wpri.com/news/eyewitness-news-investigates/ri-remains-most-catholic-state-in-the-country/ https://www.wpri.com/news/eyewitness-news-investigates/ri-re...
    - reynhout 4y ago
      > Not sure "WASP-y" applies much of anywhere in Rhode Island. It's reportedly[0] the most Roman Catholic state in the U.S. It definitely does. Barrington, East Greenwich, North Kingstown, Tiverton, Newport, and (parts of) Providence are very white, Anglo-Saxon, and Protestant. Also relatively high Jewish populations. Rural RI (and most of rural southern New England) is definitely "more" conservative than the suburbs, but it's nothing compared to Rural USA. There's a bit of self-reliance theater going on. Rural northern New Englanders are a bit more committed. And then there's Warwick, Cranston, Johnston, North Providence, Pawtucket, Central Falls. Long history of Italian and Portuguese culture, and the attendant Catholicism. Rhode Island is an interesting mix of cultures. It's also quite beautiful. Most visitors have only seen it from I-95 between NYC and Boston, which is by far the least attractive way to see the area. I miss RI pizza and seafood terribly. Nowhere else in the US really compares. However, I make the conscious trade for better Mexican and Asian food!
      - linksnapzz 4y ago
        Yeah, I had to move back; and I still miss Pho and street tacos at 1am.
      - CoastalCoder 4y ago
        What's RI pizza? Most of what I've had there is pretty generic. Is there something special around Federal Hill or something?
        jrumbut 4y ago
        I recommend Sicilia's in Providence. It's not representative of anything else in RI but it's delicious.
    - linksnapzz 4y ago
      To the extent that it has changed, it is an example of those Mediterranean peoples assimilating to the mores and culture of the Protestant Anglos who were here before them, as the Irish have done. The pace is slow (in Bristol, you're not really a 'native Bristolian' unless you have six generations' worth of ancestry in and around town); but it is happening.

CoastalCoder 4y ago

I can't even guess. I've lived in Rhode Island, and it's a pretty normal New England culture AFAICT.

tony_cannistra 4y ago
What part? I grew up there. Can confirm that as soon as you leave the WASP-y suburbs, dudes in wife beaters and gold crosses on chains really start coming out.
- CoastalCoder 4y ago
  I'm told there used to be a really strong Italian / Portuguese culture around Providence / Warwick / Bristol. That might be where someone gets the stereotypes about machismo and Roman Catholic jewelry. I suspect this part has changed a lot in recent decades. Not sure "WASP-y" applies much of anywhere in Rhode Island. It's reportedly[0] the most Roman Catholic state in the U.S. Providence strikes me as similar to most other small-medium cities with universities. The folks I've met from the rural areas (mostly Exeter, Charlestown area) seem pretty much like people I've met in other rural areas in New England. I.e., more likely to lean conservative, more self-reliant for daily needs, etc. [0] https://www.wpri.com/news/eyewitness-news-investigates/ri-remains-most-catholic-state-in-the-country/ https://www.wpri.com/news/eyewitness-news-investigates/ri-re...
  - reynhout 4y ago
    > Not sure "WASP-y" applies much of anywhere in Rhode Island. It's reportedly[0] the most Roman Catholic state in the U.S. It definitely does. Barrington, East Greenwich, North Kingstown, Tiverton, Newport, and (parts of) Providence are very white, Anglo-Saxon, and Protestant. Also relatively high Jewish populations. Rural RI (and most of rural southern New England) is definitely "more" conservative than the suburbs, but it's nothing compared to Rural USA. There's a bit of self-reliance theater going on. Rural northern New Englanders are a bit more committed. And then there's Warwick, Cranston, Johnston, North Providence, Pawtucket, Central Falls. Long history of Italian and Portuguese culture, and the attendant Catholicism. Rhode Island is an interesting mix of cultures. It's also quite beautiful. Most visitors have only seen it from I-95 between NYC and Boston, which is by far the least attractive way to see the area. I miss RI pizza and seafood terribly. Nowhere else in the US really compares. However, I make the conscious trade for better Mexican and Asian food!
    - linksnapzz 4y ago
      Yeah, I had to move back; and I still miss Pho and street tacos at 1am.
    - CoastalCoder 4y ago
      What's RI pizza? Most of what I've had there is pretty generic. Is there something special around Federal Hill or something?
      - jrumbut 4y ago
        I recommend Sicilia's in Providence. It's not representative of anything else in RI but it's delicious.
  - linksnapzz 4y ago
    To the extent that it has changed, it is an example of those Mediterranean peoples assimilating to the mores and culture of the Protestant Anglos who were here before them, as the Irish have done. The pace is slow (in Bristol, you're not really a 'native Bristolian' unless you have six generations' worth of ancestry in and around town); but it is happening.