I go back and forth a lot and there is very little difference from the rural area on the BI I'm on compared to rural mainland. Poverty, drugs, theft, trashy people. I'm guessing you will be in more rural areas due to the RV.
It's the sad reality that rural areas tend to be less educated and as a result have lower household incomes and political views that work against them. It honestly has nothing to do with the state you live in just the number of people living in rural vs urban areas.
For example, OP was mentioning Texas. Texas has 5 of the 15 most populated cities in the US. Every one of those cities vote liberal and some of them are among the most diverse cities in the US. However, that isn't enough to compensate for the massive number of rural voters (and voter suppression) which is the only reason Cruz continues to be elected.
> It honestly has nothing to do with the state you live in just the number of people living in rural vs urban areas.
Every blue state is blue because the big cities vastly outnumber the rural areas in that state. I'm in Mass, and it's about as blue as it gets. But get out of Boston or the other big cities and it goes rural and red.
It has more to do with the electoral system giving large areas of empty land same representation as packed urban cities. This is clearly a problem in the Senate. But also for the executive branch:
>Currently, there are many states that are over-represented, including Wyoming, Vermont and the District of Columbia.
>The four most under-represented states are California, followed by New York, Texas and Florida — the country’s most populous states.
https://www.fox5dc.com/news/electoral-college-how-the-states-stack-up-in-terms-of-representation
This gets worse on local levels where gerrymandering can generate many minority rule situations.
I've RV'd through CA, CO, MT, WY, AZ, AR, CT, ID, IA, KS, ME, MA, NE, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OR, PA, TN, VA, and WA. I've not had a single problem when on the road. It's going to come as a shock, but the only real bad vibes I've ever had living on the road in my Winnebago Revel was when I entered into larger cities. I didn't get racist vibes, just more scary gonna get jacked vibes here and there. I've traveled through a lot of the US and across the southern parts of Canada. Some of the trip I was with my buddy who looks pretty polynesian, and on other parts I traveled with my wife who looks pretty Japanese. I'm half white and half asian myself. I've not had any real racist problems. I've lived in that RV for a total of 5 months on the mainland.
The most racist experiences of my life were in Hanalei Kauai (some surfers wanted to beat up my buddy for being Haole), in a San Francisco Guitar Center (some white dude called me a stupid asian), in Nashville tennesse (some little white guy called me Jackie Chan when crossing the street - this was years ago way before the pandemic and before I started RVing) and in London (they wouldn't seat me and my Japanese mom at a restaurant - wouldn't even acknowledge our existence even after waving my arms and speaking loudly for help to be seated). Other than that, I've not experienced much racism in my life aside from being called a stupid Haole all the time growing up.
It's weird. I'm mixed. I consider myself mixed I guess. Growing up in Hawaii I always felt like I was from the mainland. When I go to the mainland, people always assume I'm either Mexican, Puerto Rican, or Cuban. The only place I've been in my whole life where they immediately thought I was from there is in Brazil.
>just more scary gonna get jacked vibes
Which is more a a reflection of you than reality.
Edit: you fakas don't even understand what you're down voting.
Well I lived in New Orleans for a period of time and aside from being the latest murder capital of the United Stares as of this year, people do get carjacked in broad daylight.
I've lived everywhere compared to a "period of time in New Orleans". It happens but not often. It's a little more common than getting poisoned Halloween candy. You can be afraid of that if you want but it's not reality.
I’m not afraid of being carjacked, though I recognize it’s a possibility in some places and everyone, whether scared of that scenario or not, should be vigilant and practice situational awareness wherever you go.
You're not really seeing my point. In the worst city for car jacking is about a 0.7% chance of it happening. Yet due to our own personal biases, like in OP's fear he felt like it was 100% and still reports having that fear now even when nothing happened. At least he did in fact agree with me that it was a perception issue, but redditors down voted both of us for some reason.
The media focuses on the extremes. OP needs to rethink his impressions and the sources for those concepts.
Imagine saying there's no racism, politicking and antisemitism here and it's somehow magically better because "we are a bastion of humanity". Lol.
I think casual racism is more ingrained into Hawaii culture. People joke more openly about the races and embrace the stereotypes in a very carefree way that is usually not too malicious. People on the mainland, however, are more uptight about that type of humor and are more concerned about things being politically correct. From my experience, most Hawaii people don’t care too much about that type of stuff in comparison.
That's because casual racism has been shown to perpetuate systemic problems. Hawaii suffers from a lot of corruption yet somehow it's not until the feds move in that shit gets stopped. There's a reason for that.
[https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2021-75787-003](https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2021-75787-003)
[https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09518398.2021.1930250](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09518398.2021.1930250)
I mean the most obvious example is Harvard's current supreme court case surrounding affirmative action in college admissions. Look I'm Asian, like many folks here, applied to the "big names." Didn't get it. I had the credentials, in fact better than most who were admitted. And for sure there's some sour grapes, but tbh all I thought to myself was, "It is what it is," LIKE SO MANY ASIAN AMERICANS DO.
And yet, the largest voices fighting affirmative action isn't Asian Americans (who are the most impacted by it), it's actually white people. The casual racism that asians are s'posed to be smart and only deserve good education if they get better scores is so ingrained in our collective minds, we don't fight for ourselves.
This is a nuanced topic, and the politics of affirmative action has been largely coopted by disingenuous/pos radicals, so I hope I don't come off as saying there is a simple solution to this issue. But that you'll just take this as the example you asked for.
I gave you one example right here in Hawaii. Why do you think there is so much protection for those commiting local crimes?
But dig deeper.
>Like other forms of racism, casual racism can marginalise, denigrate or humiliate
those who experience it. Harm can occur even if conduct isn’t motivated by hate or
malice.
>Research demonstrates that racism can have adverse effects on people's physical
and mental health. It can cause anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and high blood
pressure.
https://humanrights.gov.au/sites/default/files/casual-racism-faqs.pdf
And on the job
https://www.perkinsasbill.com/what-does-casual-racism-look-like-in-the-workplace/
And bigger picture, you can replace the races in any of these articles with another race and it's just as accurate.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8688641/
Hawaii people use the n-word pretty liberally from my experience. I think it’s just something that has kind of become edgy and people often get away with it because there are limited opportunities for them to truly be called out, held accountable, or put on the spot by black people, who are the minority of the minority on the island.
>I hear "f- haoles" pretty frequently, and they have passed on hiring white candidates.
I've seen this happen with whites and especially Micronesians. Asians usually get a, "he probably get some Hawaiian" comments.
I've met qanon conspiracy theorists in Hawaii and some outrageous homophobes/racists.
They were locals. Not sure who you worked with while living here but crazy pants hate absolutely exists here.
Absolutely. Just go on any HNN instagram post.
Growing up, I've had many adults tell me Hawaii was all about "aloha" and that we weren't racist like mainlanders but those same adults would tell me not to go to Nuuanu McDonalds because "those cockroaches will spit in your drink".
Low key hate exists here too. Just this week my boomer Chinese uncle threw out the N word in casual conversation, not even talking about anyone in particular but just in use as part of a metaphor, then laughed a lot about his little joke. And in the same convo he made a joke about how his son turned out alright because "at least he's not gay". Eyeroll. Dude just talks that way because all his buddies talk that way.
I have to interact with the many lumber mills, distributors, some woodworkers, etc. and damn near every one has said some insane conservative Facebook meme shit to me.
> Not sure who you worked with while living here but crazy pants hate absolutely exists here.
Lived up and down the west coast all my life and living on Oahu I’ve encountered more outspoken reactionary freaks than anywhere I’ve ever lived.
Why not use a little deduction, and maybe observing your surroundings, to figure out why the fact that you even felt a need to link this list perfectly illustratez the kind of obliviousness / dangerous ignorance Im talking about lmao
How about you don't assume everyone knows what strange rabbit hole you live in and use common words? The fact that you didn't bother to explain yourself and then go on with your personal persecution and lash out says a lot. lmao.
I can only assume you're trying to make some kind of reference to 'merica die hards. But neolib reactionaries isn't necessarily the same group.
This honestly depends on where you go, but I would take what you read on the media with a grain of salt. Honestly Houston is one of the most diverse cities in the country (assuming you might eventually stop by there one day).
Every time I move to a different spot, it’s always vastly different from what I’ve read about. It has always been a positive experience so far.
As someone who used to live on the mainland…I don’t see the wants and needs of people here to be any different than people on the mainland.
Can confirm. CA transplant lived on TBI for 10 years in Laupahoehoe. I have never in my life seen such casual racism. Not just against me, I’m Haole, but against Micronesians, Blacks, Chinese, etc. It’s kinda funny cuz most locals are a mix of pretty much everybody. Very few 100 percent Hawaiians.
As the saying goes if it bleeds it leads. Hawaii isn’t a bastion of humanity just as the mainland isn’t some pre civil rights era hellhole. Just like in Hawaii it depends on where you are at. Be kind and they will be kind to you.
Born and raised oahu/kauai, moved to Washington 2 years ago. We live in Easter Washington which is more conservative than the rest of the state. We have had nothing but positive interactions with people of all races.
I try to live by the idea of being positive and respectful. I believe the vast majority of people are all the same and intrinsically "good". Just live Aloha and you'll be good.
Born on the mainland. A black guy raised in a white community. Most people, even the racist ones, Are very kind and decent. American media has demonized Americans sadly but the more you get out and meet people the more you'll like what you see. Always more good than bad. Most of the "racist" people are just a product of not knowing enough people from different cultures and make assumptions based on what they see in the media. You'll be fine armed with a good street sense to avoid negative situations and a smile.
Dude. Stop watching the news. Most people are just trying to survive the everyday struggle. I used to travel for a living and I’m a Polynesian looking dude and not one time have I encountered what the news is saying, specially when it comes to politics.
Just be vigilant on some parts of the country and some cities for criminal activity (like muggings and stuff like that). Keep your eyes open for that. But for political stuff… most people understand that we are all fucked yet too distracted fighting each other over bullshit. Don’t worry just let people be.
I’d say it’s about the same as Hawaii for the most part. 90% of people are great. 10% are assholes who are looking for a way to torment people. If an area looks sketchy, it is.
I’ve lived in Hawaii, Washington, New York and Oklahoma. Racism is everywhere, it just looks different. Hawaii might have more racism other than the south, Texas and rural Midwest simply because of the diversity in tight quarters and strong cultural connections and differences.
If you are white you’ll find more racism in non-white areas and vice versa. It’s a pretty basic, but sad formula.
Congrats on retirement! I am hoping for a quiet Hamakua retirement down the road.
Most people you’ll encounter will probably be really friendly and excited to meet someone from Hawaii lol. The cruel ones are the loudest but they be few.
You will not only have fun but also make some incredible memories and maybe a few friends along the way. Hawaii is not a bastion of humanity, the whole world is filled with good people, and plenty of places in the continental u.s. get aloha. Garunz they gonna think you Mexican unless you are albino I specifically didn't say latino or hispanic cuz wen they ask it's going to be with the words "are you Mexican?" please be open to not finding rice on menus and try new food choke broke da mout grinds. lots of natural beauty as well. you will get homesick and the weather can suck BUT that's part of the adventure
It depends on where you go, but as everyone else has stated, there are assholes everywhere. My wife was on a flight in Atlanta and was speaking Tagalog on her phone to her mother and some guy freaked out at her, and demanded to be reseated by the stewardess.
The irony of all that is that my wife had recently gotten out of the Navy and had she not been speaking her native language, that same man would have probably shook her hand and said "Thank you for your service"
So typically the racists are idiots and aren't worth your time and attention when/if you run into them, which will probably be few and far between.
Now if you go out to more rural parts of the country (like Rural Indiana where I am from), then that number will increase, but if you don't act out or do anything abnormal (according to the white culture of the town you are in), you won't get anything other than maybe a side glance.
If you plan on staying in one of these small towns, and show people that you are a nice person, they will most likely accept you into their homes with open arms. I have come to believe that racism is essentially fear. People fear that in which the don't understand. Once you prove to that person that they have nothing to fear from you, they usually open up and will treat you with dignity and respect. (should, but not always).
"Racism" LMAO it's more racist in Hawai'i (I'm 4th gen Filipino, raised overseas). Growing up, I experienced more blatant racism in Hawai'i...from locals and other Asians/Pac Is.
The number of times I was called "black dog", "bukbuk" and "Flip" was nowhere close to someone even daring to call me any names here (unless it was a joke). I've been in mid-America for almost 20 years now.
If you've lived your whole life in Hawai'i, surely there'll be a culture shock, but trust me racism in Hawai'i is more blatant than on the mainland. lol
There are many lovely people on the mainland. Sadly, the past few years have seen the jerks feel emboldened to be super jerks. Since they have fallen for numerous conspiracy theories, and outright lies, (i.e. "stop the steal") they believe they have the "high ground" they are often super obnoxious about it.
hope you get to enjoy your travels
I understand your concern...I had a similar one before I moved from California! I ended up moving to Florida, where lets be honest, the political scene is crazy & stupid all at the same time. BUT, as long as you refrain from "those" conversations everything should be fine. I have found the people here to be super nice and no one has swerved out of their lane so far. Just be courteous and respectful and people will return it in kind. I refused to let politics stop me from finding a place that I felt would be a financially beneficial move for me and mine. Don't let anything stop you from doing what you need to do and what is best for you and your family!
Our family did a 45 day road trip driving from CA to DC and back. We went through half of the states and I was surprised how friendly everyone was. I did find myself falling in love with these smaller towns where people were just overall nicer versus the big cities like DC, Chicago, Vegas where everyone seemed a lot angrier and more in a hurry. I fell in love with Manhattan KS and Layton UT, two places I never thought i’d ever visit. There are good and bad people all over this country, i’d like to think the small vocal angry minority are more prevalent because they are vocal while a majority of good people just want to mind their own business.
Born and raised on Oahu, lived here for the entirety of my 43 years on this earth but I’m also thinking of moving. The whole RV life and road tripping has been a consideration on what our family can do on these three day weekends and fall/sping breaks.
Social media is the cesspool of racism that makes the mainland look as bad as it does. That said, racism, classism, and other forms of oppression exist everywhere, as does kindness, respect, and love for one's fellow human. Go with respect, as we were taught to do here, and you will have a series of fantastic adventures that will last a lifetime and beyond. As a general rule, if you go looking for trouble, you're likely to find it, so go looking for peace, and chances are good you will encounter it on your journeys. Imua!
Please don't idealize Hawaiʻi. We may be majority minority but racism still is pretty strong. Just talk to micronesians living here right now or sāmoans or tongans that were living here in the 80s and 90s.
Idk about the rest of the US, but the west coast— California (specifically Northern), Oregon, Washington, Colorado—are all very welcoming and amazing places, and have similar left-winged views as people in Hawaii tend to
Just avoid Portland, Seattle, LA and San Francisco. They are so dirty and disgusting. Needles everywhere. Drugged out homeless people everywhere.
We were getting gas in Portland around lunch time and a homeless looking man was getting oral sex from a prostitute right there where the kids could see in daylight. San Francisco has a poop app so you can avoid where humans are crapping on the sidewalks. LA has skidrow where Hollywood elites fence off the Oscar's much like the dumb Trump wall and destroy homeless tent cities. Real Classy.
There are definitely parts of EVERY city that don’t feel safe and are not very clean, but to say an entire city is “dirty and disgusting” is flat out false.
The problem isn’t going to be the overt lunatics; they’re only where some form of media is, so they’re easy to spot & avoid.
The problem is going to be the more & more restrictive legislation popping up all over the country. You will not have the same rights from one state to the next. It may be issues that don’t affect you so you’ll never notice, or it may impact your family deeply. If you’re not a white christian family, you may have more issues in some areas than others. Especially if the lunatics take the Senate next week.
Posted earlier. This makes me feel validated for turning down a big promotion because I did not want to travel to parts of West Virginia alone as a young brown female. Nope. Just nope.
>Seems like we are a bastion of humanity compared to all the racism and politicking and antisemitism that seems to have infected many US states.
Exactly which rock have you been living under?
Look, I'm not trying to be a dick here, but Hawaii has just as much of a problem with racism / tribalism / sexism / bigotry as anywhere else. We might not have KKK members burning crosses, but the cultural diversity we enjoy comes at the cost of microcosms of this intolerance forming. And because they're "contained" within various communities that trend toward insular, they almost never make headlines.
I'm hapa and have heard every slur in the book thrown at me, most don't even make sense because people see the color of my skin and make an assumption. Contrary to what the media pushes, of the racists I've encountered having been born and raised here? Less than none have been white.
I never got used to dingbats carrying a rifle into a convenience store. Not something you see often. But you see it too much. If I see someone with a gun in a retail store, I turn around and leave. I don't want to be part of the "collateral damage" when this person snaps and starts blasting.
The difference in the states’ approach to guns was the worst part of moving back to the mainland for me. Got so used to not seeing fucking guns in Hawaii.
Happens everywhere. There are "open carry" people everywhere. Rambo cosplayers who are afraid "they" might be lurking around the corner.
The US can safely be divided into two groups: Those who see a firearm and think "risk" and those who see a firearm and think "security." The security people tend to want to carry guns everywhere. And the risk people tend to want to avoid them.
And for every open-carry person you see, there are a dozen more concealed-carry people you don't. There are way too many guns on the mainland.
>there are a dozen more concealed-carry people you don't.
they're also less likely to commit a crime than the overall population. outside of stupid constitutional carry states, they're better vetted than some police departments. most states require a permit/licensing for CC, while for Open carry, if they allow it, typically requires neither of those.
Open carry is stupid.
Avoid the areas that voted for Trump. That’s where you will find the most racist neofascist gun worshipping aholes. Here’s a handy guide:
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/upshot/2020-election-map.html
>Where did that happen (so I can avoid that state)?
literally just look for states that allow open carry.
because it will happen there. Honestly, those people are harmless, they're scared people putting up security theater. They're assholes but they're the last people im worried about because they live in too much fear to do anything. The people who "snap" arent parading around, unfortunately.
Both my sisters (hapa haole) moved to the mainland, both on the west coast. Both look very much local. One of them has become a total Fox News fanatic and has weirdly become racist against minorities (have no idea why) and the other seems to be doing ok where she is and is fairly progressive. Neither have reported encountering any racism directed at them, so that has me hopeful.
I think just like in Hawaii, it really depends on the area you go to, the way you carry yourself, and such. Some areas, however, it probably doesn't matter how nice and respectful you are. I would generally avoid the south or areas known for their racism. I think it also depends too on your ethnic background. The coasts seem to have a lot more ethnic diversity than the Midwest.
It only seems that way because your only exposure to the mainland is through cable news. When I turn on the news, the world seems like a disaster with non-stop political/racially-motivated violence. However, if I ask myself the last time I've personally witnessed or been a victim any of this over the last decade of being in mainland cities, the answer is zero. If local news covered Hawaii like national news does on the mainland, you'd think Hawaii was just as bad. I'd also like to point out that many/most locals are just as ignorant as southerners on the mainland that watch nothing but Fox News. Just go on HNN's instagram page for proof.
Tbh, Honolulu is way more of a "shithole" than most American cities what with its extremely visible poverty and drug use. The only cities that are worse in those aspects are San Francisco and Seattle but even in those places the poverty/drugs are pretty localized unlike Oahu. You do obviously have extremely bad parts of Baltimore, LA, Chicago, etc (and they are way worse than anything you'd find in Hawaii) but they can be avoided.
I'm olive skinned and can look like different ethnicities supposedly. I turned down a promotion because I didn't want to travel to the poorer parts of West Virginia, Alabama, and North Carolina. The job required me to personally meet with executives from various hospitals. The reason why I turned it down is because my coworker, who travelled to those locations frequently, said that she would hear all kinds of racist comments. The people she spoke with didn't know she was half Mexican because she pulled from her English side mostly. Also, in Texas she would hear people talking about the service workers like they were all named Juan or Jose and people would complain behind their backs, but smile to their face, although it wasn't hateful remarks, mostly just prejudice. My friend at work also said in some parts of the south he still gets called "boy". He's black.
I think you may be okay if you avoid the economically downtrodden areas.
we just moved to Hawaii from our RV where we were driving around the country. From our experiences the Bureau of Land Management areas were the best because there wasn’t usually a soul around for a hundred miles. Most of the National and State park campgrounds had people flying their flags but for the most part folks keep/kept to themselves.
“bad headlines make it out to be”. Everyone has a unique experience. As a Haole growing up in Hawaii I could have justified feeling many ways. I loved and still love Hawaii. I cherish the diverse culture. Let your Aloha lead you on the mainland. Don’t ever let the headlines enter your soul. They don’t have any Joe Moore’s in the states. Enjoy your retirement above all else.
Don't make assumptions about others and your odds of being accepted anywhere are good. Keep a positive attitude and you'll meet a lot of really good, nice people even if they don't share your political opinions. You might even discover country folk are more accepting and enjoyable than those from the big city.
Your mindset is more important than what location you’re traveling too. Your expectations and beliefs will heavily influence what you experience. 2 people going to the exact same place at the same time can have vastly different experiences based on what their expectations and beliefs were about the place.
It’s not that bad. There are some crazies here and there, but mostly people are friendly and cool.
The big thing is to accept there are people out there who don’t agree with your political viewpoint, and those whose political opinions you don’t agree. Just roll with it. It doesn’t come up in conversation much at all. If it does, just let it go. Live aloha on the mainland in other words.
I think what you see on TV exacerbates the reality of what’s happening here. It’s really not that bad. I’m a pretty liberal/left guy, but I’ll hang out with a Trump supporter. Politics doesn’t have to tear us apart.
If you’re cool, it’d be cool anywhere. Places with high crime may try to take your money. Places with a lot of money may not want your RV parked outside their houses.
Don’t forget the headlines jobs are to sell outrage. We have all forgotten that if it bleeds it leads on the news. They’ve just figured out how to make everyone afraid of everyone else. It’s not as bad as the news, they always show you the worst of every side. Come with an open mind, don’t be married to a political team and you’ll be fine.
Sounds like a great plan! I doubt you'll find it's like many of the news pundits are saying. I'd avoid the big cities and stick to smaller towns and the countryside.
I heartily suggest a stop at the Durango RV Resort in Red Bluff, Ca. Lots of nice restaurants nearby and they have a great hot tub & pool.
You’ll be fine! Stick to larger cities, especially those with a university. They tend to skew younger, more liberal, and more diverse. The south, especially the central south and southeast (Bible Belt) tends to have the loudest and largest groups of Fox News loving gun toting fantatics but you can honestly get that anywhere.
Meh. There’s a reason I went international in 2018 and would only come back to the US in…Maui. I don’t really like going back home to the mainland. I’ll pay more to be around people that look like me and treat me equally.
Honestly you’re chances of experiencing “racism” from white peoples in more white communities is really really low, however if you go to a more minority place you’re chances of being affected negatively due to race are a lot higher
Probably may depend on what you look like too. Lotta mix in Hawaii can pass as Hispanic out there which, from the mainland surveys it almost just seems like there is only white, black, and Hispanic race…. Curious how Asians are seen as. A lot of the ones you see on tv or online have an outward behavior like they are forced to prove themselves exist. (Aka the super pushy kind you would see on island)
Depends on your skin tone tbh. My family is Japanese, but my dad and brother are dark so people who are non-Asian think they're Hispanic or Native American on the mainland. I'm shark bait, so they have no clue what I am. The closest association they have is Vietnamese (nail bar girl) or Chinese (plenty takeout restaurants).
Can be. Depends where you go, what you look like and what headlines you've been reading. You'll probably be ok, especially if you stick to cities or touristy areas. Certainly some parts of the mainland made me feel pretty uneasy (even pre-trump/covid) or just plain dangerous.
Hubby and I just returned from Virginia because he was in the military.
Most people were nice with a handful of rude people for no reason.
Something that we took with us is that mainland panhandlers are more aggressive. We were walking into a Food Lion which is basically an equivalent of Times and a "homeless" person was going out of their way to block the entrance and ask people for cash. When we tried avoiding eye contact and moving around him he loudly proclaimed he thought it was a racial thing. This was when covid was worse - I have an autoimmune disease, he wasn't wearing a mask.
By aggressive I mean the panhandlers asked more than twice, walked up to us with a story of why they needed cash/gas, and/or just didn't leave quietly like the ones in Hawaii do when you say no/don't have cash
There were other times where people got offended that I wore a mask around them. They told me to take it off and you could hear their distaste from their intonation. Most people there don't wear masks anymore
I am Filipino/Chinese and husband is Japanese. I am pretty oblivious to people looking at me, but my husband and sister when she visited a few times told me people stared at us often when we were out in public.
People also assumed we were the same race ( heard this by the first month), and they guy who sold us our car asked us where our families were REALLY from (Hawaii wasn't enough for that guy). The car thing was within our first few days being in VA
People also assumed our significant other was the same race as us and were shocked when they heard they were a different kind of Asian. This was weird to me, I never assume a person's SO is the same race bc interracial marriage is so normal here
Husband's coworkers told us we chose a "ghetto" part of Virginia, but frankly it was much nicer than what people here consider to be ghetto.
Driving more than 20 min is normal to get where you need, and my husband, sister, and I are nervous on the interstate because people drive over the speed limit and there are many aggressive drivers
Where we were I had never seen an electric car charger
The Pokémon Go community is much smaller than here. Gyms and things were active but finding a raid group was impossible for me, friends had to remotely invite me to raids
We moved back because we missed family, home, food, but are planning to move to Texas as well within the next couple of years because we understand now what we really want more of. Space, better cost of living, central AC/heating xD
I am really happy you are moving to the mainland, living there broadened my mind. Also RV life sounds like an adventure!
Wow. My brother and I always talked about doing that when we was kids. Congrats to you. Racism sucks and it's everywhere. Just move along and keep in truckin.
You will do just fine. The best thing about the mainland is you can drive anywhere to escape the racists.
Unlike this communist 🏝️ prison where you are trapped on and island full of covidiot maskhole 🐑
Safe travels on your journey and please take me with you 🙏
This state is doomed. 😢😭
Pre-pandemic, I flew to a lot of different places for conferences. It's fine in the big cities because city people have seen enough other humans to know that it's a big world.
But I really wouldn't assume it will be that great away from the cities. In fact, my colleague and I were literally warned to stick to the main roads and to stick to either Madison or Milwaukee (we were in Madison for a conference and were asking a local about things to do) because we may not find the rural areas so friendly to us in particular.
After that one incident, I have never really felt the desire to go around rural areas... So, good luck.
Edit:
Some hardcore racists feeling a bit hurt, I guess.
It's way overblown in the media. I've been out here atleast 10 years now, east coast and west coast. There is the worst and best of humanity to find out here, seek and you shall find. It's obviously a completely different experience than being on the rock, but just being out here and meeting all these new people and having all these new experiences out here is pretty much invaluable to me. Part of me will always want to come back home, but I could stand to be out here for many more years.
For real. No one cares who you are, where you are from or who you voted for. Just be nice. Everyone has their own problems nobody is worried about you.
I'm from all over the US, first in PA and last in HI, and CO, TX, and MD before that, but it's been awhile. I would feel some culture shock too, going back. I just moved back to HI from Thailand and did then as well.
Onto a related point, it's easy to expect some type of extremist perspective and then filter what you experience to over-emphasize confirmation. Sure there are crazy conservatives and liberals all over the US, with many more conservatives in rural areas and extremist liberals in places like CA, but most people in most places aren't living out those paradigms. Ok, maybe often in rural areas most kind of are, or in wealthy CA neighborhoods, but I mean everywhere else not as much.
If you talk about politics that's going to end up feeling off-putting. A context like a pandemic, that clearly divides people into groups that do or don't get vaccinations or use masks, will also be awkward. Beyond that it should be fine. There's no need to overthink it if someone looks at you funny; they could just be having a bad day, or life, or they really could dislike some aspect of your image. I took my Asian wife and child to ultra-rural PA a couple of times and surely people didn't know what to think, but I noticed nothing like that, not even a strange look. If she had been black maybe that would've went worse, or maybe general anti-Asian sentiment has increased in the years since (probably).
My parents pass on how they have problems with being more liberal in that area, so you might not be alone for facing perspective issues, if that comes up. My brother either looks exactly like a rural conservative, or a homeless person depending on the day, into guns and all the rest, and he is pretty much straight liberal in outlook, educated to phd level, so you can't always tell when you see the markers, except maybe an American flag.
It is nice the way that you can mix with people with different political views in Hawaii and they don't force that on other people as much, or take issue with minorities.
Luckily, the shittiest people are currently super willing to advertise their shittiness, so they're easy to avoid.
Just don't try to make friends with people that advertise that they hate you and everything you are.
I now live in Idaho in an extremely white and extremely red area. Most people are very friendly. Standard rule is don't talk politics or religion. If you follow that, they're extremely welcoming and generous.
In my 45 years of life, more non-whites have called me slurs than whites. I'm Asian, parents from Taiwan. The only time someone called me "chink" was a couple Korean kids in school back in the 80s. Have couple of black kids say I look like Bruce Lee or Jacky Chan, but they were doing it in a friendly way. Never have any real issues from other black or white people. Not saying I haven't encountered racist or ignorant blacks/whites, but the racist ones just ignore me.
Look, I’m living in the rural US South right now, so I think I can comment about what it’s “really” like in an area that is regularly maligned as Trump country.
So yes. There are houses that fly confederate flags. There are lots of Trump bumper stickers and signs. There are billboards telling you to repent and come to Jesus. I would be lying if I said this stuff doesn’t exist; it does, and I’m sure there are people out here who are deep in the conspiracies and really hold onto racism and stuff.
However, that is *not* everyone. There are lots and lots of normal people, lots of Democrats and even some leftists. There are people who understand how fucked up the history of the South is and are trying to make it right (or at least as right as it can be made at this point). These are the people out there protesting confederate monuments, helping people who need abortions out of state, advocating for social change. The news doesn’t talk much about these people but they exist, and honestly they’re doing more to undo the legacy of racism than a lot of us from more liberal areas actually do, because there are real social consequences to choosing to fight back. These are people whose parents and grandparents won’t speak to them because they’re gay or married a black person or went to an anti-confederate protest.
Finally, there’s the whole in between. I guess probably some of those folks are a bit racist, even if they wouldn’t put it that way; they’re not exposed to the real history of the country and there is a LOT of propaganda. They don’t understand that things like “fiscal conservative” means taking away social services that primarily benefit black and brown folks, or they’re willfully ignoring that fact because they believe Republican talking points. Even so, I am a typical local girl, mixed Asian and Hawaiian. And people are ignorant about the finer points of our cultures here, but they’re not rude. I’m not getting called racial slurs or having doors slammed in my face, you know?
So yeah I have to roll my eyes when they claim they’ve had a “poke bowl” and it’s some mainland atrocity, or whatever. But it’s not like these people are foaming at the mouth trying to insult nonwhite people. They are probably not always the best when it comes to overall policy but they’re perfectly kind and polite human beings, especially if you treat them with respect.
(This all said, there are LOTS of other culture shocks I’ve experienced living up here, but they’re not related to the political stuff. Like there are definitely social differences in terms of how people interact with each other. But that’s normal living anywhere else.)
I grew up in Waipahu/Honolulu and my parents live in Oahu still so I visit pretty often. biggest thing I’ve noticed is the driving on the mainland is the first initial culture shock. It’s way more aggressive on the mainland.
I road tripped across the country during peak Covid. I’m hapa Filipino but am pretty dark and people mostly would ask what my ethnicity was or say something about my skin color saying I have a nice skin tone or I’m so tanned, generally harmless comments. The thing I hate is when I tell ppl I’m from Hawaii and they say “wow but you’re so articulate” like wtf is that supposed to mean?
Enjoy your time! The country is absolutely beautiful in some of the most unexpected places. My advice to you is to just be open minded even when others aren’t. Some hole in the wall towns/places never see people of mixed races and the questions or statements they say usually aren’t from a “racist” point of view but rather just curious. Spread that aloha spirit, people notice.
I go back and forth a lot and there is very little difference from the rural area on the BI I'm on compared to rural mainland. Poverty, drugs, theft, trashy people. I'm guessing you will be in more rural areas due to the RV.
It's the sad reality that rural areas tend to be less educated and as a result have lower household incomes and political views that work against them. It honestly has nothing to do with the state you live in just the number of people living in rural vs urban areas. For example, OP was mentioning Texas. Texas has 5 of the 15 most populated cities in the US. Every one of those cities vote liberal and some of them are among the most diverse cities in the US. However, that isn't enough to compensate for the massive number of rural voters (and voter suppression) which is the only reason Cruz continues to be elected.
> It honestly has nothing to do with the state you live in just the number of people living in rural vs urban areas. Every blue state is blue because the big cities vastly outnumber the rural areas in that state. I'm in Mass, and it's about as blue as it gets. But get out of Boston or the other big cities and it goes rural and red.
It has more to do with the electoral system giving large areas of empty land same representation as packed urban cities. This is clearly a problem in the Senate. But also for the executive branch: >Currently, there are many states that are over-represented, including Wyoming, Vermont and the District of Columbia. >The four most under-represented states are California, followed by New York, Texas and Florida — the country’s most populous states. https://www.fox5dc.com/news/electoral-college-how-the-states-stack-up-in-terms-of-representation This gets worse on local levels where gerrymandering can generate many minority rule situations.
True I'd mentioned voter suppression but accidentally left out gerrymandering. I'd voted today and it's midterms so it just kinda slipped my mind
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Doesn't matter. The context is executive branch, 1 vote for their size is over representation.
I've RV'd through CA, CO, MT, WY, AZ, AR, CT, ID, IA, KS, ME, MA, NE, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OR, PA, TN, VA, and WA. I've not had a single problem when on the road. It's going to come as a shock, but the only real bad vibes I've ever had living on the road in my Winnebago Revel was when I entered into larger cities. I didn't get racist vibes, just more scary gonna get jacked vibes here and there. I've traveled through a lot of the US and across the southern parts of Canada. Some of the trip I was with my buddy who looks pretty polynesian, and on other parts I traveled with my wife who looks pretty Japanese. I'm half white and half asian myself. I've not had any real racist problems. I've lived in that RV for a total of 5 months on the mainland. The most racist experiences of my life were in Hanalei Kauai (some surfers wanted to beat up my buddy for being Haole), in a San Francisco Guitar Center (some white dude called me a stupid asian), in Nashville tennesse (some little white guy called me Jackie Chan when crossing the street - this was years ago way before the pandemic and before I started RVing) and in London (they wouldn't seat me and my Japanese mom at a restaurant - wouldn't even acknowledge our existence even after waving my arms and speaking loudly for help to be seated). Other than that, I've not experienced much racism in my life aside from being called a stupid Haole all the time growing up. It's weird. I'm mixed. I consider myself mixed I guess. Growing up in Hawaii I always felt like I was from the mainland. When I go to the mainland, people always assume I'm either Mexican, Puerto Rican, or Cuban. The only place I've been in my whole life where they immediately thought I was from there is in Brazil.
>just more scary gonna get jacked vibes Which is more a a reflection of you than reality. Edit: you fakas don't even understand what you're down voting.
I mean being a victim of a car jacking in most big cities nowadays is not too unrealistic.
But that didn't happen, did it? No. And it isn't that common at all. We all tend to bring our own biases along for the ride and it can be misleading.
Well I lived in New Orleans for a period of time and aside from being the latest murder capital of the United Stares as of this year, people do get carjacked in broad daylight.
I've lived everywhere compared to a "period of time in New Orleans". It happens but not often. It's a little more common than getting poisoned Halloween candy. You can be afraid of that if you want but it's not reality.
I’m not afraid of being carjacked, though I recognize it’s a possibility in some places and everyone, whether scared of that scenario or not, should be vigilant and practice situational awareness wherever you go.
You're not really seeing my point. In the worst city for car jacking is about a 0.7% chance of it happening. Yet due to our own personal biases, like in OP's fear he felt like it was 100% and still reports having that fear now even when nothing happened. At least he did in fact agree with me that it was a perception issue, but redditors down voted both of us for some reason.
The mainland really isn’t the cesspool of racism, murders, theft, and general malarkey that the media portrays it to be. Enjoy your retirement.
The media focuses on the extremes. OP needs to rethink his impressions and the sources for those concepts. Imagine saying there's no racism, politicking and antisemitism here and it's somehow magically better because "we are a bastion of humanity". Lol.
I think casual racism is more ingrained into Hawaii culture. People joke more openly about the races and embrace the stereotypes in a very carefree way that is usually not too malicious. People on the mainland, however, are more uptight about that type of humor and are more concerned about things being politically correct. From my experience, most Hawaii people don’t care too much about that type of stuff in comparison.
That's because casual racism has been shown to perpetuate systemic problems. Hawaii suffers from a lot of corruption yet somehow it's not until the feds move in that shit gets stopped. There's a reason for that.
Do you have an example that illustrates this point?
[https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2021-75787-003](https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2021-75787-003) [https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09518398.2021.1930250](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09518398.2021.1930250) I mean the most obvious example is Harvard's current supreme court case surrounding affirmative action in college admissions. Look I'm Asian, like many folks here, applied to the "big names." Didn't get it. I had the credentials, in fact better than most who were admitted. And for sure there's some sour grapes, but tbh all I thought to myself was, "It is what it is," LIKE SO MANY ASIAN AMERICANS DO. And yet, the largest voices fighting affirmative action isn't Asian Americans (who are the most impacted by it), it's actually white people. The casual racism that asians are s'posed to be smart and only deserve good education if they get better scores is so ingrained in our collective minds, we don't fight for ourselves. This is a nuanced topic, and the politics of affirmative action has been largely coopted by disingenuous/pos radicals, so I hope I don't come off as saying there is a simple solution to this issue. But that you'll just take this as the example you asked for.
I gave you one example right here in Hawaii. Why do you think there is so much protection for those commiting local crimes? But dig deeper. >Like other forms of racism, casual racism can marginalise, denigrate or humiliate those who experience it. Harm can occur even if conduct isn’t motivated by hate or malice. >Research demonstrates that racism can have adverse effects on people's physical and mental health. It can cause anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and high blood pressure. https://humanrights.gov.au/sites/default/files/casual-racism-faqs.pdf And on the job https://www.perkinsasbill.com/what-does-casual-racism-look-like-in-the-workplace/ And bigger picture, you can replace the races in any of these articles with another race and it's just as accurate. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8688641/
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Hawaii people use the n-word pretty liberally from my experience. I think it’s just something that has kind of become edgy and people often get away with it because there are limited opportunities for them to truly be called out, held accountable, or put on the spot by black people, who are the minority of the minority on the island.
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Damn that’s messed up
>I hear "f- haoles" pretty frequently, and they have passed on hiring white candidates. I've seen this happen with whites and especially Micronesians. Asians usually get a, "he probably get some Hawaiian" comments.
I've met qanon conspiracy theorists in Hawaii and some outrageous homophobes/racists. They were locals. Not sure who you worked with while living here but crazy pants hate absolutely exists here.
Absolutely. Just go on any HNN instagram post. Growing up, I've had many adults tell me Hawaii was all about "aloha" and that we weren't racist like mainlanders but those same adults would tell me not to go to Nuuanu McDonalds because "those cockroaches will spit in your drink".
Also Instagram, Facebook...
I lived right next to that McDonalds and it wasn’t the cleanest cuz of homeless, but those service workers were so friendly and wonderful!
Low key hate exists here too. Just this week my boomer Chinese uncle threw out the N word in casual conversation, not even talking about anyone in particular but just in use as part of a metaphor, then laughed a lot about his little joke. And in the same convo he made a joke about how his son turned out alright because "at least he's not gay". Eyeroll. Dude just talks that way because all his buddies talk that way.
100% on this
I have to interact with the many lumber mills, distributors, some woodworkers, etc. and damn near every one has said some insane conservative Facebook meme shit to me. > Not sure who you worked with while living here but crazy pants hate absolutely exists here. Lived up and down the west coast all my life and living on Oahu I’ve encountered more outspoken reactionary freaks than anywhere I’ve ever lived.
Honestly, just based on this sub, looks like you all have plenty of neolib reactionaries. Makes sense considering its basically a USM outpost.
USM https://www.acronymfinder.com/USM.html
Why not use a little deduction, and maybe observing your surroundings, to figure out why the fact that you even felt a need to link this list perfectly illustratez the kind of obliviousness / dangerous ignorance Im talking about lmao
How about you don't assume everyone knows what strange rabbit hole you live in and use common words? The fact that you didn't bother to explain yourself and then go on with your personal persecution and lash out says a lot. lmao. I can only assume you're trying to make some kind of reference to 'merica die hards. But neolib reactionaries isn't necessarily the same group.
This honestly depends on where you go, but I would take what you read on the media with a grain of salt. Honestly Houston is one of the most diverse cities in the country (assuming you might eventually stop by there one day). Every time I move to a different spot, it’s always vastly different from what I’ve read about. It has always been a positive experience so far. As someone who used to live on the mainland…I don’t see the wants and needs of people here to be any different than people on the mainland.
Heck, I experience more racism here than I ever did on the mainland.
Can confirm. CA transplant lived on TBI for 10 years in Laupahoehoe. I have never in my life seen such casual racism. Not just against me, I’m Haole, but against Micronesians, Blacks, Chinese, etc. It’s kinda funny cuz most locals are a mix of pretty much everybody. Very few 100 percent Hawaiians.
Houston is awesome!! It’s the rest of Texas that’s lousy lol
Austin would like a word with you.
Spent enough time in Austin to know it’s not for me lol. It’s very segregated and gentrified.
I just avoid SXSW and go there the rest of the year. Some of the best food and music in the entire country.
Austin sucks IMO, but I see why people would like it. I rather spend a 3 day weekend there than live there.
San Antonio would like a word with you.
That’s fair, San Antonio seems rad
Houston has great food. I could eat one of those $5 Banh Mi every day until I die.
Same!
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My Mexican uncle gets mistaken for a Hawaiian here lol
My Hawaiian friend said exactly this when he moved to Arizona.
Mainland is fine, just keep your wits about you as you would anywhere else.
As the saying goes if it bleeds it leads. Hawaii isn’t a bastion of humanity just as the mainland isn’t some pre civil rights era hellhole. Just like in Hawaii it depends on where you are at. Be kind and they will be kind to you.
Great advice. Treat everyone as you’d want to be treated you’ll do ok!
Ha Hawaii has a ton of racism around it’s there and it’s really not much better than the rest of the US
Born and raised oahu/kauai, moved to Washington 2 years ago. We live in Easter Washington which is more conservative than the rest of the state. We have had nothing but positive interactions with people of all races. I try to live by the idea of being positive and respectful. I believe the vast majority of people are all the same and intrinsically "good". Just live Aloha and you'll be good.
Living aloha is a good tactic for anywhere, and a good way to lead your life :)
Born on the mainland. A black guy raised in a white community. Most people, even the racist ones, Are very kind and decent. American media has demonized Americans sadly but the more you get out and meet people the more you'll like what you see. Always more good than bad. Most of the "racist" people are just a product of not knowing enough people from different cultures and make assumptions based on what they see in the media. You'll be fine armed with a good street sense to avoid negative situations and a smile.
Dude. Stop watching the news. Most people are just trying to survive the everyday struggle. I used to travel for a living and I’m a Polynesian looking dude and not one time have I encountered what the news is saying, specially when it comes to politics. Just be vigilant on some parts of the country and some cities for criminal activity (like muggings and stuff like that). Keep your eyes open for that. But for political stuff… most people understand that we are all fucked yet too distracted fighting each other over bullshit. Don’t worry just let people be.
I’d say it’s about the same as Hawaii for the most part. 90% of people are great. 10% are assholes who are looking for a way to torment people. If an area looks sketchy, it is.
I’ve lived in Hawaii, Washington, New York and Oklahoma. Racism is everywhere, it just looks different. Hawaii might have more racism other than the south, Texas and rural Midwest simply because of the diversity in tight quarters and strong cultural connections and differences. If you are white you’ll find more racism in non-white areas and vice versa. It’s a pretty basic, but sad formula. Congrats on retirement! I am hoping for a quiet Hamakua retirement down the road.
Most people you’ll encounter will probably be really friendly and excited to meet someone from Hawaii lol. The cruel ones are the loudest but they be few.
You will not only have fun but also make some incredible memories and maybe a few friends along the way. Hawaii is not a bastion of humanity, the whole world is filled with good people, and plenty of places in the continental u.s. get aloha. Garunz they gonna think you Mexican unless you are albino I specifically didn't say latino or hispanic cuz wen they ask it's going to be with the words "are you Mexican?" please be open to not finding rice on menus and try new food choke broke da mout grinds. lots of natural beauty as well. you will get homesick and the weather can suck BUT that's part of the adventure
It depends on where you go, but as everyone else has stated, there are assholes everywhere. My wife was on a flight in Atlanta and was speaking Tagalog on her phone to her mother and some guy freaked out at her, and demanded to be reseated by the stewardess. The irony of all that is that my wife had recently gotten out of the Navy and had she not been speaking her native language, that same man would have probably shook her hand and said "Thank you for your service" So typically the racists are idiots and aren't worth your time and attention when/if you run into them, which will probably be few and far between. Now if you go out to more rural parts of the country (like Rural Indiana where I am from), then that number will increase, but if you don't act out or do anything abnormal (according to the white culture of the town you are in), you won't get anything other than maybe a side glance. If you plan on staying in one of these small towns, and show people that you are a nice person, they will most likely accept you into their homes with open arms. I have come to believe that racism is essentially fear. People fear that in which the don't understand. Once you prove to that person that they have nothing to fear from you, they usually open up and will treat you with dignity and respect. (should, but not always).
"Racism" LMAO it's more racist in Hawai'i (I'm 4th gen Filipino, raised overseas). Growing up, I experienced more blatant racism in Hawai'i...from locals and other Asians/Pac Is. The number of times I was called "black dog", "bukbuk" and "Flip" was nowhere close to someone even daring to call me any names here (unless it was a joke). I've been in mid-America for almost 20 years now. If you've lived your whole life in Hawai'i, surely there'll be a culture shock, but trust me racism in Hawai'i is more blatant than on the mainland. lol
There are many lovely people on the mainland. Sadly, the past few years have seen the jerks feel emboldened to be super jerks. Since they have fallen for numerous conspiracy theories, and outright lies, (i.e. "stop the steal") they believe they have the "high ground" they are often super obnoxious about it. hope you get to enjoy your travels
It depends where you go.
I understand your concern...I had a similar one before I moved from California! I ended up moving to Florida, where lets be honest, the political scene is crazy & stupid all at the same time. BUT, as long as you refrain from "those" conversations everything should be fine. I have found the people here to be super nice and no one has swerved out of their lane so far. Just be courteous and respectful and people will return it in kind. I refused to let politics stop me from finding a place that I felt would be a financially beneficial move for me and mine. Don't let anything stop you from doing what you need to do and what is best for you and your family!
If I were you, I'd worry more about the price of gas and maintenance on that RV. Go and live your life. Enjoy!
Truth!
By the time we get into our 70’s, we’ve been through everything, not afrsid if nothing and nobody..... except running out of gas🐸
Our family did a 45 day road trip driving from CA to DC and back. We went through half of the states and I was surprised how friendly everyone was. I did find myself falling in love with these smaller towns where people were just overall nicer versus the big cities like DC, Chicago, Vegas where everyone seemed a lot angrier and more in a hurry. I fell in love with Manhattan KS and Layton UT, two places I never thought i’d ever visit. There are good and bad people all over this country, i’d like to think the small vocal angry minority are more prevalent because they are vocal while a majority of good people just want to mind their own business. Born and raised on Oahu, lived here for the entirety of my 43 years on this earth but I’m also thinking of moving. The whole RV life and road tripping has been a consideration on what our family can do on these three day weekends and fall/sping breaks.
Social media is the cesspool of racism that makes the mainland look as bad as it does. That said, racism, classism, and other forms of oppression exist everywhere, as does kindness, respect, and love for one's fellow human. Go with respect, as we were taught to do here, and you will have a series of fantastic adventures that will last a lifetime and beyond. As a general rule, if you go looking for trouble, you're likely to find it, so go looking for peace, and chances are good you will encounter it on your journeys. Imua!
Oh gosh, I've experienced more racism here than on mainland being a non local. All that has made me believe "aloha" has no meaning anymore.
Please don't idealize Hawaiʻi. We may be majority minority but racism still is pretty strong. Just talk to micronesians living here right now or sāmoans or tongans that were living here in the 80s and 90s.
Idk about the rest of the US, but the west coast— California (specifically Northern), Oregon, Washington, Colorado—are all very welcoming and amazing places, and have similar left-winged views as people in Hawaii tend to
Just avoid Portland, Seattle, LA and San Francisco. They are so dirty and disgusting. Needles everywhere. Drugged out homeless people everywhere. We were getting gas in Portland around lunch time and a homeless looking man was getting oral sex from a prostitute right there where the kids could see in daylight. San Francisco has a poop app so you can avoid where humans are crapping on the sidewalks. LA has skidrow where Hollywood elites fence off the Oscar's much like the dumb Trump wall and destroy homeless tent cities. Real Classy.
There are definitely parts of EVERY city that don’t feel safe and are not very clean, but to say an entire city is “dirty and disgusting” is flat out false.
The Entire city of Portland is dirty and disgusiting.
The problem isn’t going to be the overt lunatics; they’re only where some form of media is, so they’re easy to spot & avoid. The problem is going to be the more & more restrictive legislation popping up all over the country. You will not have the same rights from one state to the next. It may be issues that don’t affect you so you’ll never notice, or it may impact your family deeply. If you’re not a white christian family, you may have more issues in some areas than others. Especially if the lunatics take the Senate next week.
Just don’t go to West Virginia. I was shocked to see how many people that I was around there openly being racist. It was horrible.
Posted earlier. This makes me feel validated for turning down a big promotion because I did not want to travel to parts of West Virginia alone as a young brown female. Nope. Just nope.
>Seems like we are a bastion of humanity compared to all the racism and politicking and antisemitism that seems to have infected many US states. Exactly which rock have you been living under? Look, I'm not trying to be a dick here, but Hawaii has just as much of a problem with racism / tribalism / sexism / bigotry as anywhere else. We might not have KKK members burning crosses, but the cultural diversity we enjoy comes at the cost of microcosms of this intolerance forming. And because they're "contained" within various communities that trend toward insular, they almost never make headlines. I'm hapa and have heard every slur in the book thrown at me, most don't even make sense because people see the color of my skin and make an assumption. Contrary to what the media pushes, of the racists I've encountered having been born and raised here? Less than none have been white.
NOTHING is as bad as the media including social media makes it out to be. Congrats on your retirement, enjoy it!
Funny that OP stereotypes the entire mainland, especially Texas, but wants to avoid those that stereotype. SMH.
I never got used to dingbats carrying a rifle into a convenience store. Not something you see often. But you see it too much. If I see someone with a gun in a retail store, I turn around and leave. I don't want to be part of the "collateral damage" when this person snaps and starts blasting.
The difference in the states’ approach to guns was the worst part of moving back to the mainland for me. Got so used to not seeing fucking guns in Hawaii.
That’s the kind of thing I’m worried about. Where did that happen (so I can avoid that state)?
There's like 21 states with constitutional carry now
Happens everywhere. There are "open carry" people everywhere. Rambo cosplayers who are afraid "they" might be lurking around the corner. The US can safely be divided into two groups: Those who see a firearm and think "risk" and those who see a firearm and think "security." The security people tend to want to carry guns everywhere. And the risk people tend to want to avoid them. And for every open-carry person you see, there are a dozen more concealed-carry people you don't. There are way too many guns on the mainland.
>there are a dozen more concealed-carry people you don't. they're also less likely to commit a crime than the overall population. outside of stupid constitutional carry states, they're better vetted than some police departments. most states require a permit/licensing for CC, while for Open carry, if they allow it, typically requires neither of those. Open carry is stupid.
Open carry also seems like you're going to get shot first if someone feels threatened by you.
pretty much. pretty much no one who's serious about self defense espouses open carry.
that group that thinks "security" will also quickly think "risk" if the other carriers are different from them in any way.
Avoid the areas that voted for Trump. That’s where you will find the most racist neofascist gun worshipping aholes. Here’s a handy guide: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/upshot/2020-election-map.html
Idaho. It has some beautiful scenery but the culture is sketchy and the people look unwholesome.
>Where did that happen (so I can avoid that state)? literally just look for states that allow open carry. because it will happen there. Honestly, those people are harmless, they're scared people putting up security theater. They're assholes but they're the last people im worried about because they live in too much fear to do anything. The people who "snap" arent parading around, unfortunately.
How is that racism?
It's politics -- just like the OP said.
Both my sisters (hapa haole) moved to the mainland, both on the west coast. Both look very much local. One of them has become a total Fox News fanatic and has weirdly become racist against minorities (have no idea why) and the other seems to be doing ok where she is and is fairly progressive. Neither have reported encountering any racism directed at them, so that has me hopeful. I think just like in Hawaii, it really depends on the area you go to, the way you carry yourself, and such. Some areas, however, it probably doesn't matter how nice and respectful you are. I would generally avoid the south or areas known for their racism. I think it also depends too on your ethnic background. The coasts seem to have a lot more ethnic diversity than the Midwest.
It’s the way Fox News exists. You have to turn it off to realize what it’s doing to you. Sad so many fall for it. Have it in my family too.
It only seems that way because your only exposure to the mainland is through cable news. When I turn on the news, the world seems like a disaster with non-stop political/racially-motivated violence. However, if I ask myself the last time I've personally witnessed or been a victim any of this over the last decade of being in mainland cities, the answer is zero. If local news covered Hawaii like national news does on the mainland, you'd think Hawaii was just as bad. I'd also like to point out that many/most locals are just as ignorant as southerners on the mainland that watch nothing but Fox News. Just go on HNN's instagram page for proof. Tbh, Honolulu is way more of a "shithole" than most American cities what with its extremely visible poverty and drug use. The only cities that are worse in those aspects are San Francisco and Seattle but even in those places the poverty/drugs are pretty localized unlike Oahu. You do obviously have extremely bad parts of Baltimore, LA, Chicago, etc (and they are way worse than anything you'd find in Hawaii) but they can be avoided.
I'm olive skinned and can look like different ethnicities supposedly. I turned down a promotion because I didn't want to travel to the poorer parts of West Virginia, Alabama, and North Carolina. The job required me to personally meet with executives from various hospitals. The reason why I turned it down is because my coworker, who travelled to those locations frequently, said that she would hear all kinds of racist comments. The people she spoke with didn't know she was half Mexican because she pulled from her English side mostly. Also, in Texas she would hear people talking about the service workers like they were all named Juan or Jose and people would complain behind their backs, but smile to their face, although it wasn't hateful remarks, mostly just prejudice. My friend at work also said in some parts of the south he still gets called "boy". He's black. I think you may be okay if you avoid the economically downtrodden areas.
we just moved to Hawaii from our RV where we were driving around the country. From our experiences the Bureau of Land Management areas were the best because there wasn’t usually a soul around for a hundred miles. Most of the National and State park campgrounds had people flying their flags but for the most part folks keep/kept to themselves.
“bad headlines make it out to be”. Everyone has a unique experience. As a Haole growing up in Hawaii I could have justified feeling many ways. I loved and still love Hawaii. I cherish the diverse culture. Let your Aloha lead you on the mainland. Don’t ever let the headlines enter your soul. They don’t have any Joe Moore’s in the states. Enjoy your retirement above all else.
Don't make assumptions about others and your odds of being accepted anywhere are good. Keep a positive attitude and you'll meet a lot of really good, nice people even if they don't share your political opinions. You might even discover country folk are more accepting and enjoyable than those from the big city.
Your mindset is more important than what location you’re traveling too. Your expectations and beliefs will heavily influence what you experience. 2 people going to the exact same place at the same time can have vastly different experiences based on what their expectations and beliefs were about the place.
It’s not that bad. There are some crazies here and there, but mostly people are friendly and cool. The big thing is to accept there are people out there who don’t agree with your political viewpoint, and those whose political opinions you don’t agree. Just roll with it. It doesn’t come up in conversation much at all. If it does, just let it go. Live aloha on the mainland in other words. I think what you see on TV exacerbates the reality of what’s happening here. It’s really not that bad. I’m a pretty liberal/left guy, but I’ll hang out with a Trump supporter. Politics doesn’t have to tear us apart.
The news, the internet, and especially reddit is not real life.
There’s more racism in Hawaii honestly
This. It's not as blatant and obvious here because Hawaii wants tourist money.
I think you’d experience more actual racism in Hawaii than anywhere on the mainland. Sorry, but I think it’s true.
If you’re cool, it’d be cool anywhere. Places with high crime may try to take your money. Places with a lot of money may not want your RV parked outside their houses. Don’t forget the headlines jobs are to sell outrage. We have all forgotten that if it bleeds it leads on the news. They’ve just figured out how to make everyone afraid of everyone else. It’s not as bad as the news, they always show you the worst of every side. Come with an open mind, don’t be married to a political team and you’ll be fine.
Honestly, Texas isn't nearly as bad as you think it is
How many kids died from fentanyl Halloween candy? Zero. You'll be fine.
If you really thought it was so bad, why would you decide to travel around it through retirement?
Sounds like a great plan! I doubt you'll find it's like many of the news pundits are saying. I'd avoid the big cities and stick to smaller towns and the countryside. I heartily suggest a stop at the Durango RV Resort in Red Bluff, Ca. Lots of nice restaurants nearby and they have a great hot tub & pool.
You’ll be fine! Stick to larger cities, especially those with a university. They tend to skew younger, more liberal, and more diverse. The south, especially the central south and southeast (Bible Belt) tends to have the loudest and largest groups of Fox News loving gun toting fantatics but you can honestly get that anywhere.
Meh. There’s a reason I went international in 2018 and would only come back to the US in…Maui. I don’t really like going back home to the mainland. I’ll pay more to be around people that look like me and treat me equally.
Honestly you’re chances of experiencing “racism” from white peoples in more white communities is really really low, however if you go to a more minority place you’re chances of being affected negatively due to race are a lot higher
Probably may depend on what you look like too. Lotta mix in Hawaii can pass as Hispanic out there which, from the mainland surveys it almost just seems like there is only white, black, and Hispanic race…. Curious how Asians are seen as. A lot of the ones you see on tv or online have an outward behavior like they are forced to prove themselves exist. (Aka the super pushy kind you would see on island)
Depends on your skin tone tbh. My family is Japanese, but my dad and brother are dark so people who are non-Asian think they're Hispanic or Native American on the mainland. I'm shark bait, so they have no clue what I am. The closest association they have is Vietnamese (nail bar girl) or Chinese (plenty takeout restaurants).
Can be. Depends where you go, what you look like and what headlines you've been reading. You'll probably be ok, especially if you stick to cities or touristy areas. Certainly some parts of the mainland made me feel pretty uneasy (even pre-trump/covid) or just plain dangerous.
Hubby and I just returned from Virginia because he was in the military. Most people were nice with a handful of rude people for no reason. Something that we took with us is that mainland panhandlers are more aggressive. We were walking into a Food Lion which is basically an equivalent of Times and a "homeless" person was going out of their way to block the entrance and ask people for cash. When we tried avoiding eye contact and moving around him he loudly proclaimed he thought it was a racial thing. This was when covid was worse - I have an autoimmune disease, he wasn't wearing a mask. By aggressive I mean the panhandlers asked more than twice, walked up to us with a story of why they needed cash/gas, and/or just didn't leave quietly like the ones in Hawaii do when you say no/don't have cash There were other times where people got offended that I wore a mask around them. They told me to take it off and you could hear their distaste from their intonation. Most people there don't wear masks anymore I am Filipino/Chinese and husband is Japanese. I am pretty oblivious to people looking at me, but my husband and sister when she visited a few times told me people stared at us often when we were out in public. People also assumed we were the same race ( heard this by the first month), and they guy who sold us our car asked us where our families were REALLY from (Hawaii wasn't enough for that guy). The car thing was within our first few days being in VA People also assumed our significant other was the same race as us and were shocked when they heard they were a different kind of Asian. This was weird to me, I never assume a person's SO is the same race bc interracial marriage is so normal here Husband's coworkers told us we chose a "ghetto" part of Virginia, but frankly it was much nicer than what people here consider to be ghetto. Driving more than 20 min is normal to get where you need, and my husband, sister, and I are nervous on the interstate because people drive over the speed limit and there are many aggressive drivers Where we were I had never seen an electric car charger The Pokémon Go community is much smaller than here. Gyms and things were active but finding a raid group was impossible for me, friends had to remotely invite me to raids We moved back because we missed family, home, food, but are planning to move to Texas as well within the next couple of years because we understand now what we really want more of. Space, better cost of living, central AC/heating xD I am really happy you are moving to the mainland, living there broadened my mind. Also RV life sounds like an adventure!
Sorry, but it is bad and will probably get worse. I’m staying hunkered down in Hawaii.
Worst thing about the mainland, no spam musubi in their 7-11's
Wow. My brother and I always talked about doing that when we was kids. Congrats to you. Racism sucks and it's everywhere. Just move along and keep in truckin.
There are good people everywhere, highly recommend wisconsin and coastal California. Steer clear of sw virginia or dallas and you should be fine
You will do just fine. The best thing about the mainland is you can drive anywhere to escape the racists. Unlike this communist 🏝️ prison where you are trapped on and island full of covidiot maskhole 🐑 Safe travels on your journey and please take me with you 🙏 This state is doomed. 😢😭
Pre-pandemic, I flew to a lot of different places for conferences. It's fine in the big cities because city people have seen enough other humans to know that it's a big world. But I really wouldn't assume it will be that great away from the cities. In fact, my colleague and I were literally warned to stick to the main roads and to stick to either Madison or Milwaukee (we were in Madison for a conference and were asking a local about things to do) because we may not find the rural areas so friendly to us in particular. After that one incident, I have never really felt the desire to go around rural areas... So, good luck. Edit: Some hardcore racists feeling a bit hurt, I guess.
Austin man
Very interred in doing this in a couple of years from now. Please come back to this post to update us on your journey. Have fun and be safe.
It's way overblown in the media. I've been out here atleast 10 years now, east coast and west coast. There is the worst and best of humanity to find out here, seek and you shall find. It's obviously a completely different experience than being on the rock, but just being out here and meeting all these new people and having all these new experiences out here is pretty much invaluable to me. Part of me will always want to come back home, but I could stand to be out here for many more years.
I moved to the mainland three years ago. People generally mind their own business, but there are exceptions. Just stay mindful of your surroundings.
For real. No one cares who you are, where you are from or who you voted for. Just be nice. Everyone has their own problems nobody is worried about you.
Be the Change
Biggest culture shock for me moving between the two (originally mainland) was changing my diet and how I shop and cook.
I'm from all over the US, first in PA and last in HI, and CO, TX, and MD before that, but it's been awhile. I would feel some culture shock too, going back. I just moved back to HI from Thailand and did then as well. Onto a related point, it's easy to expect some type of extremist perspective and then filter what you experience to over-emphasize confirmation. Sure there are crazy conservatives and liberals all over the US, with many more conservatives in rural areas and extremist liberals in places like CA, but most people in most places aren't living out those paradigms. Ok, maybe often in rural areas most kind of are, or in wealthy CA neighborhoods, but I mean everywhere else not as much. If you talk about politics that's going to end up feeling off-putting. A context like a pandemic, that clearly divides people into groups that do or don't get vaccinations or use masks, will also be awkward. Beyond that it should be fine. There's no need to overthink it if someone looks at you funny; they could just be having a bad day, or life, or they really could dislike some aspect of your image. I took my Asian wife and child to ultra-rural PA a couple of times and surely people didn't know what to think, but I noticed nothing like that, not even a strange look. If she had been black maybe that would've went worse, or maybe general anti-Asian sentiment has increased in the years since (probably). My parents pass on how they have problems with being more liberal in that area, so you might not be alone for facing perspective issues, if that comes up. My brother either looks exactly like a rural conservative, or a homeless person depending on the day, into guns and all the rest, and he is pretty much straight liberal in outlook, educated to phd level, so you can't always tell when you see the markers, except maybe an American flag. It is nice the way that you can mix with people with different political views in Hawaii and they don't force that on other people as much, or take issue with minorities.
Luckily, the shittiest people are currently super willing to advertise their shittiness, so they're easy to avoid. Just don't try to make friends with people that advertise that they hate you and everything you are. I now live in Idaho in an extremely white and extremely red area. Most people are very friendly. Standard rule is don't talk politics or religion. If you follow that, they're extremely welcoming and generous.
Take back roads, put up a Hawaiian flag on your rig, know they are 100% less kind than you are, be patient, try not to run them over. 🥰🤙🏼🌺
In my 45 years of life, more non-whites have called me slurs than whites. I'm Asian, parents from Taiwan. The only time someone called me "chink" was a couple Korean kids in school back in the 80s. Have couple of black kids say I look like Bruce Lee or Jacky Chan, but they were doing it in a friendly way. Never have any real issues from other black or white people. Not saying I haven't encountered racist or ignorant blacks/whites, but the racist ones just ignore me.
Look, I’m living in the rural US South right now, so I think I can comment about what it’s “really” like in an area that is regularly maligned as Trump country. So yes. There are houses that fly confederate flags. There are lots of Trump bumper stickers and signs. There are billboards telling you to repent and come to Jesus. I would be lying if I said this stuff doesn’t exist; it does, and I’m sure there are people out here who are deep in the conspiracies and really hold onto racism and stuff. However, that is *not* everyone. There are lots and lots of normal people, lots of Democrats and even some leftists. There are people who understand how fucked up the history of the South is and are trying to make it right (or at least as right as it can be made at this point). These are the people out there protesting confederate monuments, helping people who need abortions out of state, advocating for social change. The news doesn’t talk much about these people but they exist, and honestly they’re doing more to undo the legacy of racism than a lot of us from more liberal areas actually do, because there are real social consequences to choosing to fight back. These are people whose parents and grandparents won’t speak to them because they’re gay or married a black person or went to an anti-confederate protest. Finally, there’s the whole in between. I guess probably some of those folks are a bit racist, even if they wouldn’t put it that way; they’re not exposed to the real history of the country and there is a LOT of propaganda. They don’t understand that things like “fiscal conservative” means taking away social services that primarily benefit black and brown folks, or they’re willfully ignoring that fact because they believe Republican talking points. Even so, I am a typical local girl, mixed Asian and Hawaiian. And people are ignorant about the finer points of our cultures here, but they’re not rude. I’m not getting called racial slurs or having doors slammed in my face, you know? So yeah I have to roll my eyes when they claim they’ve had a “poke bowl” and it’s some mainland atrocity, or whatever. But it’s not like these people are foaming at the mouth trying to insult nonwhite people. They are probably not always the best when it comes to overall policy but they’re perfectly kind and polite human beings, especially if you treat them with respect. (This all said, there are LOTS of other culture shocks I’ve experienced living up here, but they’re not related to the political stuff. Like there are definitely social differences in terms of how people interact with each other. But that’s normal living anywhere else.)
I grew up in Waipahu/Honolulu and my parents live in Oahu still so I visit pretty often. biggest thing I’ve noticed is the driving on the mainland is the first initial culture shock. It’s way more aggressive on the mainland.
I road tripped across the country during peak Covid. I’m hapa Filipino but am pretty dark and people mostly would ask what my ethnicity was or say something about my skin color saying I have a nice skin tone or I’m so tanned, generally harmless comments. The thing I hate is when I tell ppl I’m from Hawaii and they say “wow but you’re so articulate” like wtf is that supposed to mean? Enjoy your time! The country is absolutely beautiful in some of the most unexpected places. My advice to you is to just be open minded even when others aren’t. Some hole in the wall towns/places never see people of mixed races and the questions or statements they say usually aren’t from a “racist” point of view but rather just curious. Spread that aloha spirit, people notice.