Ah, Mike, now there we have to disagree. I've been down here 16 years, having come from rural and urban areas of NY, and go back often to visit. There is no geographical difference in work ethic. That is a stereotypical response that only someone ignorant to the two ways of life would say. You have been reading too many books about front porch swings, mint juleps, and straw-between-the-teeth-negroes. Or something. If you would like to get into the details, I welcome the discussion, but I have serious doubts you have anything but anecdotal support for those dated comments.

UPDATE: Doh! Sorry Mike, I reread your post and realized that we do agree. It must be Tracy that I disagree with. My apologies.

>I agree with you for the most part. I also worked hard from a fairly young age and don't think it did me a bit of harm. (I am just coming into my lazy years now ;-) ). The one thing I disagree with in your message is about there being a disparity in work ethic between north and south. I think it is more a case of changing times. When you lived in Wisconsin American teenagers in general were more likely to work (or less lazy, if you want to put it that way). Now you live in the south and are attributing the work ethic you see to geography rather than changing times.