When Florida or other southern natives ask me how I like living here -

Me:  I hate it here.  I hate the weather, I hate the culture, I hate the politics, I hate the income level, and I hate the people.  I have some friends out here who are exceptions to the rule, that's why we're friends, but generally speaking, this place is conservative, intolerant, and backwards.

Them:  How can you say that?  This is Orlando!  We have Disney with all the gay people!  And all kinds of black people and don't forget the Puerto Ricans!

Me:  That's what I'm talking about.  I grew up in the Pacific Northwest, with influences from San Francisco, LA, Portland, and Seattle.   And even *those* places have their problems.  But compared to them, this is a small town with delusions of grandeur, complete with the small-town thinking that goes with it.

People who grow up in truly diverse environments would never think that Disney is "diverse" just because it's OK to be out as gay and employed by them, or think that it's diverse or tolerant just because there are people of color physically present.  That statements like that are uttered are exactly why this place is too backwards for me.

Them:  ...

Them:  Well, I guess if you're from San Francisco...

Me:  Yeah, that's what I mean.

#RealLifeConversationsIHave #Repeatedly