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Something really interesting is happening in the snoburbs of Washington, D.C. and on our snoburbia website. NBC4 Washington wrote a snarky piece here about our Maryland > Virginia t-shirt. Suddenly, I started to receive dozens of emails from Virginians asking why I didn't have a Virginia > Maryland shirt. They professed their deep hatred for Maryland.
So I posted a response on the NBC4 blog saying I would add the Virginia shirt here. We also have tees for Arlington – has everyone seen the Arlington Rap? – and now McLean. What more do Virginians want?
Now it's turned into war, as the NBC4 blog has whipped the centuries old rivalry into a froth with their next post here. Who are you calling a loser, land of Lee and Ollie North? I'm hearing from both sides of the Potomac.
Why do Virginians hate Maryland so much? And why do Marylanders hate Virginia so much? I know people who swear they never cross the Potomac into Virginia. Why can’t we all just get along?
Do tell, dear readers.
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It's because we (the northerners)like the song says "Drove Old Dixie Down" (i.e. won the Civil War. Although I'm sure many Virginia residents are transplants from other states there's the Northern vs. Southern mentality and all that goes with those stereotypes including the Republican(VA)vs Democrat(MD)factor. I drive through the state of VA and WV regularly, you still see the confederate flag here and there.
Posted by: Angelika | June 18, 2009 at 03:33 PM
I don't think it's as bad as NYC > New Jersey, do you? Much more one-sided!
In Paris, which has a 75 license plate, everyone claims they can spot a 78 or a 92 driver even before they see the license. Suburbs!
Posted by: Sedulia | June 19, 2009 at 02:25 PM
As we say in Maryland, you need a passport to get to Virginia. It is a completely different country than Maryland: the people, the culture and the roads! I agree with Angelika that the main difference is North and South (Confederates), Democrat and Republican etc.
Posted by: Evan | June 20, 2009 at 07:03 AM
Maryland beats VA any day!!! Been on this side of the river my whole life (45++ years) and the dislike of Virginia is instilled early. Its so different - its palpable: they pack heat, they have insane traffic, no sidewalks and, um, how can I say this nicely - they talk funny. Ninety-eight percent of the people I grew up with in DC moved to Maryland (it was the '80s the days of the "bitch set me up" so it really wasnt a question of should I stay in DC or move to Maryland - it was how fast can I move to Maryland.) One percent stayed in DC, one percent moved to VA. Need I say more about which state is better.
Posted by: Liz Brennan | June 21, 2009 at 06:04 PM