Charlotte, North Carolina SperlingViews

If you go to the Charlotte craigslist page and look under "rants and raves" you will see many many racist comments about various races. The news is always placing Hispanics in a negative light (it used to be African-Americans, but I guess they grew tired of that). I am not of either of these races... I am just tired of all the negativity. I was dismayed to see the mayor make blatantly racist comments about Black youth with no consequence. If you go downtown there are the banks and there are Irish pubs and bars... that's about it! This is the only real city I've been in without diverse restaurants? What is up with that?? NOTHING else - no Chinese, Indian, Ethiopian, Cajun restaurants... NOTHING.

If you are white and don't like being around other races or learning about other cultures or are raciest and expect all minorities to fit stereotypes you see on tv then maybe you will fit in here.

Of course, most people here think they are so open-minded... but I find that is because many are from small towns and just have no clue.

Move to Atlanta or NY or California if you want some diversity and a creative culture. This is a white-collar suit and tie banker's town.

Login to reply to SperlingViews. (Membership is Free)

re: I am Asian American - there is a lot racism h - 6/1/2011
I had a question for anyone with feedback. I am a multiracial minority married to a European white male and he would like to move to Charlotte. He is not from the states and I grew up and still live in upstate NY. I am used to cultural diversity and am used to being in inter-racial relationships that appear to have been overall accepted by others (I guess). I am a professional female and my quality of life is important and especially diversity. I was wondering how things would be for me if I moved to NC and how I will be treated, any feedback...?

Report Abuse

re: I am Asian American - there is a lot racism h - 7/26/2009
You're saying a city of 492,000 people only has restaurants of American cusine?

Report Abuse

re: I am Asian American - there is a lot racism h - 7/26/2009
I have been researching different cities on this site for about 3 months, trying to find the perfect place for me to relocate. Every city has someone complaining about racism. There are Asian people who are rude to other Asians and they don't call each other raciest. There are African Americans who are rude to other African Americans and they don't call each other raciest. There are White Caucasians who are rude to other White Caucasians and they don't call each other raciest. Get my point? Just because you are of a different race or nationality does not mean if someone is rude to you, it means it is "racism". It is people who constantly rant racism who keep it alive and well.

Report Abuse

re: I am Asian American - there is a lot racism h - 10/25/2011
You must have been gagged and blind folded when in Charlotte. Charlotte is just like any other larger city in respect to race relations, but Charlotte's is likely much better since a black mayor, city manager, and many other positions have been voted in by a majority white population. Charlotte consist of a citizenry that is 65 percent from other places than N.C. including many newcomer overseas people. There is a great diversity of restaurants in Charlotte. I prefer Indian for which there are 27 Indian restaurants in the city. There are literally hundreds of restaurants from all other countries including Ethiopia. Why would one from Charlotte wnt to move to California? They haver race riots out there. We have never had one here. Looks to me that someone has stolen your girlfriend or boyfriend and he was white and from Charlotte. HEHE. Get over it.

Report Abuse

re: I am Asian American - there is a lot racism h - 10/5/2008
I can tell you this, Darling. I am a white caucasian living in South Korea. This is the most racist place I have ever lived. You should be happy living anywhere in the states because atleast there are communities of different diverse races but when you live in a xenphobic country like South Korea, the people almost never smile, they run into you, never say excuse me or Shilehamnida ion Korean as well. They hate Americans and for that matter foreigeners and the ones whop seem to like you really don't like you at all, they just want to gain some benefit from you and that's it. Hard to find someone that will invite you for a cup of coffee unless there are strings attached or if they want something. Trust me, I live here and see it everyday. Koreans have basically Koreanized me so now I just run into them now, never speak to them. I never say excuse me. I jump in front of them like they do and I just do to them what they do to me everyday. It is actually nice to not have to be nice. I guess that is why Korea is one of the rudest places on earth to visit and tourist that come here don't usually have good things to say about it except the food. It is good. There are good people here but you have to jump through hoops to get one to like you and trust you. Stay in Charlotte, your asian country of your origin is probably more racist than in Charlotte. Don't play games and play victim. Be smart.

Report Abuse

re: I am Asian American - there is a lot racism h - 3/6/2011
I am African American and I grew up in Charlotte, but I think you're going to find racism wherever you go. And it most likely depends on which part of Charlotte you live in. I grew up on the North side/ University area. Growing up there I was surrounded by an abundance of people from all races and nationalities. There are large groups of Indians, Koreans, Liberians, Latinos and many others there. And to the Steve guy, I don't think Jennifer said anything about being Korean, only that she was asian. Maybe it's her family's country of origin...maybe not.

Report Abuse

re: I am Asian American - there is a lot racism h - 11/15/2010
Trust Your instinct... You can probably guess that the person whom wrote you called Steve is defending the racism that you are inquiring about. You see, what I have come to understand is that the lines between intelligent and the unintelligent is covered up by the unintelligent with the use of racism. it is the way that dumb people fit in here. Just look at the history of this country. The fake classes of folk here have been told for years that what distinguishes them from one another is wealth. That is why racism is such a presence here. you have political wealth from good ol days. This is wealth that good ol boys still maintain by use of local and state politics. This is why politics and race has such a hand-in-hand relationship. This is how kkk can sustain itself here in Charlotte. The political side has been hidden and the physical presence is only the by-product of the sick and unintelligent here whom constantly tug on political parties for influence...And as we know...the south has a loooong history of grounded academia even present day North and South Carolina ate very close to the number 50 in terms of educated states of the united states with number 1 being the most educated... like 48th and 48th. Most of the whites here and in local and state gov are racist and if not are just as responsible for turning attention away from the mistreatment that you will receive (if you move here) just in tradition of satisfying their friends and family whom they call political constituents. The politicians here are mostly from dumb and uneducated, unintelligent and lazy whites whom have a previous slave enriched history and they do not have what it takes to keep their wealth other than through regenerating racism through government. That is southern tradition. You heard the steve guy... he is ready to burn your house down now. Did you not feel it???

Report Abuse

re: I am Asian American - there is a lot racism h - 10/14/2009
Well I can kinda understand what your saying. But on the same token. It is the dirty south. I think Cathy has some really good outlook's at your point of view. I'm white and have been discriminated against here mainly by black, and hispanic, but hey it happen's to everyone in the south...Life sux man...get use to it...

Report Abuse

re: I am Asian American - there is a lot racism h - 12/22/2008
I'm African American and yes diversity is good, but it doesn't make a place suitable. It's all about what you are looking for in a livable community. I'm sorry, but Atlanta is not that diverse it's a city where the population is majority African Americans but it's somewhat diverse, but not that diverse. Mostly California, Florida, and New York State is pretty much diverse. Georgia is mainly Blacks and whites pretty much of the Deep South is not diverse but blacks and whites

Report Abuse

re: I am Asian American - there is a lot racism h - 2/7/2008
Hi Jennifer...I will have to disagree with you a bit on a couple of things. For the comment about no diverse restaurants, I live 10 minutes or less from several of the ethnic eating places that you said are not here. And yes, there are quite a few white people here, but I have met just as many people of other races, and I personally haven't seen much of the racism. Don't get me wrong, there are some rednecks around here, but aren't they a little bit of everywhere? If I were you, I wouldn't pay attention to half of the people ranting and raving on Craigslist...not a source I would recommend to get good info on the area...but this is all just my 2 cents worth.

Report Abuse

re: I am Asian American - there is a lot racism h - 10/23/2008
I recently went to Charlotte to visit and find out if this is a place where I would like to live. We did the "Queen City" tour and got a feel of the history of Charlotte and went to a ton of restaraunts, shopping malls, etc. and what I found is that (and this is MY opinion) that it wasn't welcoming. Charlotte has ALOT of growing up to do in terms of being labeled as a diverse and "booming" city. I did see alot of construction which could mean more jobs and a better economy, I also noticed that there aren't many restaraunts and/or clubs or just plain out recreation for different races and cultures. Yes, there is racism everywhere so I don't understand why people are getting so upset about Charlotte being called a racist city, IT IS. I noticed this from how my friend and I were starred down when walking into businesses as well as hotels and restaraunts. I mean to stay on "Queen Blvd" you have to do like three 90 degree angles to stay on that street because the guy who designed it that way didn't want certain "people" on that street (check your history)!In some form of fashion, EVERY CITY is. And the Bank of America stadium sits right in the middle of downtown Charlotte which is like asking for congestion and there isn't much to see or much that grabs your eye. Its really boring to me. But, I think for minorities, you probably should try Raleigh if you MUST relocate to North Carolina.

Report Abuse

re: I am Asian American - there is a lot racism h - 2/23/2008
Jennifer I would have to somewhat disagree with you on some points. I think Charlotte is what you make it for the most part and you just have research a little bit to find the interesting aspects of the city. There definitely are areas of the city that fit the stereotypical white color feel associated with banking city, but I've met some really great people from all ethnic groups and even went to a few diverse restaurants. The main problem is that the City is so decentralized, which makes it harder to find the hidden gems. I happen to think some of the other places you mentioned have there own issues with race as well!

Report Abuse

re: - 11/16/2009
Charlotte has Cajun, Chinese, Japanese, Ethiopian,Indian, Mexican, Salvadoran, Japanese, Thai, German, Italian, French, Korean, etc. restaurants and I've eaten at many of them. I suppose what you experience in this city depends very much on what you expect to find.

Report Abuse

re: I am Asian American - there is a lot racism h - 7/2/2008
I was born and raised in Charlotte, and have seen much of what you are talking about and then some. I agree with you 100% with what you said about this town in regards to racism.

Report Abuse

re: I am Asian American - there is a lot racism h - 4/22/2010
I am originally from Boston, MA but raised in Charlotte. All cities have there share of racism and of course Charlotte was one of those cities. I have seen the population boom to about 33% with people coming from all walks of life and slowly I see the southern mentally that I hated start to fade. The city still has alot of growing to do but it is heading towards the right direction. Of course Charlotte is primarily a white and African American city. Recently Mexicans has state their claim and of course west indians are starting to move in as well. Charlotte now has many different cultural events yearly that enables someone who like to venture and experience new cultures to go to. Unlike Boston and your major cities you cannot walk everywhere except for uptown so definitely the restaurants and venues are not going to be visible from one visit. For the most part in my opinion the cities racism is decreasing with the population that is migrating from everywhere else.

Report Abuse

re: I am Asian American - there is a lot racism h - 1/12/2008
Hi Jennifer, Sounds like you need to venture outside your perimenter a little. There are numerouse ethnic restaurants in the Charlotte area. The news stations report NEWS. I don't really think they pick and choose what groups to target. If a white collar banker is caught driving drunk, the wrong way on 485, hits and kills an innocent victim I'm sure it will make the news.

Report Abuse

re: - 3/10/2008
Jennifer, go just for one day to Southwest Florida. You'll learn it means really racism. It's like all the racist, bigot and rednecks of America, move along over there. I moved to Charlotte just 3 weeks ago, after living in Florida during 28 years. I ask myself everyday why I didn't take this step 2 decades ago. BTW, I'm a professional Latino and I strongly recommend you a Colombian Restaurant Los Paisas, in South Blvd. Delicious latin food and very nice people!!

Report Abuse

re: I am Asian American - there is a lot racism h - 3/30/2008
Wow, I am a 31-year old Black American male. Wow, really! Your points are extremely constructive. You have written from your Soul and that is impressive. I was planning on relocating to Charlotte, NC for a few months beginning May 2008. Uhmmm! You've place another spin on the entire landscape. America is one if not the most RACIST countries in the world. Feel me honie? I've been almost all around the world and the racism in this country is still lethal; PATHETIC! Where can one go as a miniority and live among people who are ethnically colorblind in this country??? Where darlin? I was born in San Francisco, CA and it is now racist too because the Chinese have taken over and the white gay community in San Francisco is extremely RACIST too! So where does one go... Amsterdam? That's ok! :)! Thanks for your feedback. As I only have to be there for four (4) months... it should be ok. Where are you now... still in Charlotte???

Report Abuse

re: I am Asian American - there is a lot racism h - 8/16/2011
Oh my gosh! North carolina where do I start? I was born here and my parents were from Ohio. So of course I developed their accent. I went through school with the torture of teachers calling me over, kids not picking me to play with them because I had a "weird accent"(my parents Ohio accent), girls running around calling everyone Bs and saying I said it, kids dissing teachers in high school, saying my dad was a yankee in front of me when I was 13, teachers constantly saying I was too fast in assignments when I was smart, my getting almost no help in school while teachers cuddle up to their "favorite" little "babies.",guys totally ignoring me for the fatter more ugly girls, me being in the cafeteria with a bunch of teachers talking to the kids and not me, Southern moms never talking to my mom, Girls talking about getting pregnant and wanting to murder their cousin, dozens of racial lumbees(I live in lumberton, nc), teachers never getting back to my replys on assignments, the list goes on and on.......... The way I see it is the parents raise their kids to straight up hate northerners. They become smart allecky , jealous, and hot headed. The southern hospitality is only seen unless you want to live there. Then people will start saying, " You think your all smart... bla bla bla bla." ITS CRAZY. You know what the funny thing is? Most of the time you dont say a word. If you smile or try to make friends in about 4 months they are gone. They swing in and out. A lady said from upstate new york that the cool thing about the north is once your friends your friends for life. In south its partial. I have met a few friendly people... but there's always a pause between friendship and 'what am I going to get from this?" Some ratial teacher talked about northerners in my class and told the students to not wear bright colored clothes like in the north, and to wear closed in shoes.' She also said that smart people from north are taking jobs others are fighting to get. Thats a bunch of bunk. Southerners get a grip. If you came to the north I'm sure you'd find plenty of people who are friendly. My moms mom was southern and the people just adored her and her unique accent. So yeah its been torture... I have to tell you growing up here has been like hell. I have not had one genuine friend. I'm outgoing smart, and friendly. I might consider moving to boone when I get my degree. As for now wish me good prayers my fellow people.

Report Abuse

re: I am Asian American - there is a lot racism h - 9/19/2008
Im plannig to move their but if it is rascist problems like you said. I dont want to move their any more.

Report Abuse

re: I am Asian American - there is a lot racism h - 10/4/2008
I wonder anyone who "just returned" from Charlotte feels justified in commenting on what it's like to live here based solely on a visit? Interesting...

Report Abuse

re: - 11/17/2008
I currently live in NY and plan to move down to Charlotte in May. While I know little about Charlotte, I do know much about NY. Is NY very diverse? Yes. Is it the worst place i've ever lived? Yes... The two don't go hand in hand, obviously, but diversity doesn't mean a good place to live. Houses are 3-4times the amount of Charlotte and Indianapolis(where I grew up). Property taxes are over 4 times as expensive in NY. Yet the salary compensation is only approx. 40% higher. There is a reason the population in smaller cities like Charlotte are growing, because places like NY are stagnant because no one can afford to live here. Its great to have diversity in a city but there are far more important things to the quality of life. As for restaurants, well you can't go to any mid-major city and expect the same diversity as New York. Apparently you have never been to very many cities, because any city that is not a major city, seriously lacks in a wide range of restaurants. I actually read an article the other day saying Charlotte was the best place for food in the south, while that may not meet your NY criteria, it probably means something. Let's not forget, every city has its problems, especially when they are growing fast, but NY is done growing and its way overpriced, you have traffic from 6am-11pm everyday. It is a disaster area, and I personally would rather live anywhere else. One mans junk is another man's treasure.

Report Abuse

A Total Waste of Time! - 4/20/2013

Worst city ever! Sad sad state of affairs. The culture is centered on two thing, how much you can show you're a conservative christian, and how much they can steal from you in the process of finding out how much you're a conservative christian. As long as you never trust a word anyone ever says in Charlotte, you will be okay. If you're a scheming, conniving, manipulative, judgement-casting individual, you'll fit right in. Oh, and if anyone states that the out door activities are great... They are already lying. [read more...]

Skeptical - 4/6/2013

I've been reading reviews in here on different cities and I'm surprised that they all sound the same. Crime, racism, jobs, weather...etc. I was seriously thinking about moving to Charlotte after visiting the city and liking it. Now, reading all these negative reviews for this city and other cities. I'm afraid to move..lol. [read more...]

not the best - 4/2/2013

I lived in Charlotte for over 15 years. I saw it grow from a large small town to its current state that tries to surpass Atlanta. They have succeed in areas of pollution, Heavy traffic and violent crime. Charlotte is a great place if you are between the ages of 25 to 35 and are a banker. It is a very superficial ,status conscious and money hungry place. I have lived in many places but Charlotte youl be last on my list. [read more...]

Yuppy, narrow minded culture, humid summers - 2/17/2013

About the only appealing thing about Charlotte is that fall and spring (although relatively brief) are mild and the foliage is scenic. Otherwise, growing up in a culturally diverse town such as I did (suburbs of Los Angeles and San Diego) has made it difficult to fit in even after 15 long years. I am thrilled to be planning my move back to the future (California) this fall when I graduate college. The people here are very "sorority-like" cliquish and not easy to meet unless you are a stepford wife wearing golf gear or belong to a gang and wear your jeans around your ankles. I fall into the artsy group which is a very small percentage here. Somewhat decent cost of living, schools are awful unless you have your child in private school, however, even those are yuppy baptist. Montessori are nearly impossible to get into unless you know someone or live two houses down from the school. Even then they are VERY LOOSELY Montessori. It's ok if you like a city with very little change, very high racial tension, high crime for such a "small" town feel as some say. If you wear khakis and work at a bank and love the Tar Heels as a male you might like it. As a female if you want to marry a man who wears khakis daily by the age 23, love to dress up to the 9's to go to Harris Teeter and talk behind you neighbors or co-workers back and chant sorority songs then you'll fit right in! Can't wait to escape before my daughter gets trapped in this nightmare existence! Oh and the summers are very long, usually end of April to October being hot, humid (90% all summer) and full of bugs! [read more...]

Charlotte - 2/9/2013

I agree with some. It takes a while to make and meet friends, but isn't that with any city? I am not that young anymore. I am female, 51, single and not thin with stylish clothes. I do not work in the Corporate world, and am not looking for a guy, just friends. I moved back recently after living near Asheville,NC for almost 3 years. If you work in retail, in the winter time if you don't have a job, you are SOL. The work is so seasonal even though the mountain views are beautiful. I had no trouble making friends while there, and with the exception of getting together sometimes with one female friend for breakfast here and there, I didn't hang out with the other "friends". Actually one guy up there describe his friends as "good time friends". It depends who you are and what type of people you want to associate with. Me, I don't care what you do for a living, if you want to be a friend, that's great. Trying to look for single groups to meet people for social events so it's not just working and going home for me.[read more...]

Charlotte has a lot - 1/24/2013

There is a lot to offer here in Charlotte. A lot of outdoor activities like hiking nearby, disc golf, sports teams to join and spectate, and the white water center. There is also a lot of mountain biking trails. It is easy to meet people here and make friends fast. [read more...]

The Land of Oz for Yuppies - 12/31/2012

I was born in Charlotte and grew-up in the piedmont region of NC during the 70's and 80's and have no bad memories of that time, despite the fact it was not an idyllic upbringing by any measure. However, as I got older soon realized that it was not a place I wanted to live and moved out west once I graduated college. It is true that people are cliquish and trendy, insipid and vain, but the worst part is how they are oblivious they can are realizing this character trait. It's as if they actually believe there is no greater place on Earth to live. I came back in the 1990's and it had become a dull place to be despite all of the new marketing terms and infrastructure -- just an inbred corporate landscape of shopping malls, banks and churches. In fact, that's what Charlotte is: A giant Church/Bank/Shopping Mall connected by miles of endless traffic jams. A city full of pretense and contrivances, no culture independent of the mainstream corporate-sponsored programming. If you like talking to people about what tv shows they watch, or just get drunk and have a pretend existence full of phoney, backbiting friends, then this city is for you. Move to Charlotte, buy an overpriced, cheaply constructed monopoly house in one of those fake neighborhoods and join a mega-church. Your life will improve immediately following the ads from your sponsors.[read more...]

Love Charlotte - 12/5/2012

I have lived in Charlotte since 1994 and have seen this city grow quickly. The climate is great. The winters are mild, but we do have a winter. Spring and Fall are just beautiful. Summer can get hot, but I'm a southerner so it's something I'm used to. One of the things I love about Charlotte is the quality of restaurants. Yes, we have your typical chain restaurants here, but some of the locally owned and run restaurants are world class. You are a couple of hours from the mountains and a couple of hours from the beach. There are 2 large lakes to go boating on and with the Panthers and the Bobcats uptown you can make a day or evening of tailgating and cheering on the teams. The city has become so diverse with the growth of the banks and Chiquita moving its headquarters here. tennis, LaCrosse, golf, football, soccer and baseball can be found all over Charlotte. The YMCA system here is excellent and has every type of activity for kids. Plenty of public parks in the city and events everywhere. If you are a runner there is a 5K a couple of times a month somewhere in the city. If you are considering moving I highly recommend Charlotte. It is a very livable city.[read more...]

Charlotte....hmmm - 12/4/2012

I've been in Charlotte for 2 years due to a company relocation. Best summarization I can come up with is that is not a 'bad' place, but certainly isn't the greatest either. Based upon personal experiences I guess. You can find things going on if you look. wouldn't categorize it as 'boring'. Certainly depends on who or what you are. The challenge for me has been the general populace of Charlotte, as so many others have pointed out in one form or another. So one conclusion to draw is that Charlotte is what it is, a young growing city that doesn't know what it wants to be when it grows up yet. It can't decide if it wants to be another fast paced southern city like Atlanta, or model itself more closely to a more established older city like one on the northeast I95 corridor. It hasn't matured. And as a result, the inhabitants haven't matured yet either. People are a product of their environment. This is why you will run into so many wanna-be's, cliques, snoots, what have you, individually they have yet to find their place in this town, which can make them annoying. Too much to prove. Chip on the shoulder. It seems that so many folks here, whether they are a native of the area or not, immediately think they have to jump on some kind of bandwagon to be accepted somewhere. It's the epitome of Every Man for Himself, Charlotte style. Until that day comes, fair warning. Never take people here at face value. They are very shifty. [read more...]

Don't Do It - 11/19/2012

I lived in Charlotte from 1993 to 2002. I was miserable the entire time. While it was a definite upgrade from the small city in Georgia that I came from, there was were things to be desired. "Boring" is the only word I can think of. I relocated to DC in 2002, and I can go in on that, but Charlotte is a misery. It prepared me for the aloofness of the "north." The people are cliquish - concerned about what church or association you belong to. I don't understand the ego because there's nothing going on there. No real culture. No real style. The woman are homely. I was convinced the men were crazy. A lot of pinned up frustration. Not a good place to be single. It will suck the life out of you. Charlotte has changed over the last ten years I have been away (escaped). I drive through and I'm amazed, but I keep moving. The school system is horrible. It is one of my biggest regrets in life - subjecting my son to it. Don't do it.[read more...]

Looking to relocate into charlotte,Nc - 10/30/2012

I am currently residing at reading,Pa. I am looking into relocating to Charlotte,Nc[read more...]

No Place like Home - 10/23/2012

Having Grown up in Charlotte in the 50's the changes have be amazing to watch. The area is expanding at a very fast rate and usually for the best. The weather is great with long Falls and Springs and a short winter. People associate us with banking but our biggest industry has always been distribution. Housing ranges from downtown high rise condos to historic neighborhoods to new housing surrounding the city. We are two and half hours to the beaches or the mountains.[read more...]

How to live in North Carolina - 9/12/2012

I have experienced many racist jokes while living in North Carolina. Though; It had been by both local residents and non-local residents. Charlotte and many others towns here are very new. It's a hot spot for lower cost of living, hence the enormous amount of people moving to the south. When you mix up people from all walks of life, there will be big differences. Its guaranteed and unavoidable. Its been over six years since I moved here with my husband. I'm Asian but married a white guy...caucasian. He's from here and so is his family. They are wonderful "folk" and I love all of them. It took a little getting use too. I don't take offense at racist comments because most times they are funny and I can dish it out too! My attitude has changed from six ago til now. I feel everyone is ignorant about new people and new things. We should try to help understand differences rather then fight it, argue it, or run from it. So when I meet people who hate it here, I think it's a mixture of home sickness and experiencing a different town. The best thing to do is embrace new things and meet people in the same situation, hang out and stop complaining!!!!![read more...]

Charlotte is very racist - 8/11/2012

I lived in Charlotte for 7 years and even finished college there. Horrible place if you're Asian or just not prejudice. I once worked somewhere where my favorite clients, a couple, told me they were moving. I was shocked. They told me it's because they didn't want their newborn growing up in such a racist city. They were both Caucasian, and your average middle to upper-middle-class family. It pained me to see how real it was when people of the same race as the majority who were ignorant toward me for years, saw the same thing I had. In many ways it was quite refreshing too. In 7 years living there, I had 1) a suited and well-dressed Caucasian male (I'd call him a man, but a real man wouldn't be racist) with two other professionally dressed of the same, all with long, trenchcoats, pass by me as I left The Fox and Hound restaurant and actually say to me, "That must be a hard job!" I didn't pass them until a few blocks away from the restaurant and I wore a very modest close to the knee skirt and a nice modest top that didn't even show cleavage. That a** made me feel low, bringing himself up. He wanted to think Filipinas, even one born and raised in the South in the US, were all mail order brides and prostitutes. 2) I walked in a commercial tire/oil shop and the guy on the phone was speaking at regular pace, normal, not too fast not too slow, just normal. Suddenly, he gets off the phone and says, "Maaaayyyy Iiiiiii heeellllllpppp youuuuuuuu???" I wrote the company, they called me back, I told them I didn't want to sue just wanted to let them know how stupid he was, and they fired him, and gave me several discount coupons...but I never returned. Not even to this day to another one. But I was glad for their formidable attitude. 3) I brought my then boyfriend's dog into a vet, I walked in and no one greeted me. I sat thinking they're busy in the back, even hearing voices and not even muffled. The door chime even rang and it was a very small clinic. Then a Caucasian enters, same door, same chime sounds, and out comes the receptionist. 4) I was in a grocery store. Quick stop. I see two well-dressed, in suits again, gentleman across the aisles looking over at me. They had to be in their 50's. One looked over his shoulder at me and then back at his friend and started saying, fairly loudly, "Ching chang chong..." I was so appalled, I walked halfway over to him and asked loudly in clear English, "DID YOU JUST MAKE FUN OF ME?" Tail between his legs, he said a stupid answer of "No." 5) I was at the mall, and as soon as I stepped on an escalator, a man passes me and says, "Konichiwa"...I'm so American, I guess, that I probably didn't even spell something he believes I know, correctly. 6) I was in a restaurant, they had karaoke, I was asked by someone who was pointing to the karaoke DJ, "Oh, is that your husband?" 7) I was in another restaurant, a former military guy sits at my table without asking, mind you, I grew up around military people and never once had anything remotely of this calibre happen to me...I tell him I just came to eat alone and if he'd mind not sitting down with me. He threw the chair a few feet, slammed it back and left the table. 8) I was seated with a colleague who invited me out with his friends. Halfway through dinner, the question of what to do came up for after dinner. When I ran down a list and mentioned karaoke, one of his friends said this, "Us white people, we Caucasians don't like karaoke, we don't do that!" My colleague never breathed anything to me during or after, or while at work. I asked him later why not, he still didn't know what to say. It was the worst stunner I had as it was within the first few months of moving there for college. I probably have a few more events, but you get the picture. I gave it 7 years, with 3 being after college. I couldn't take it any longer, when the last straw was with a different company and my stand in manager while our manager was out of town yelled at me to "SIT DOWN" when I was tired of her yelling at me and I had to stand up to leave and quit. I had enough of this that racist town, I married a Caucasian, I have a half-Chinese/half-Caucasian step son, and I now live in what turned out to be another very white community, but with no racist remarks whatsoever. Must be because I am up North! Thank God for that![read more...]

Cost of Living Salary Comparison for Atlanta, GA - 6/5/2012

Cost of Living Salary Comparison Currently at 47,500[read more...]

Charlotte, NC - 5/31/2012

I'm new to charlotte, been here for about 9 months.. My only concern so far is that if charlotte is so diverse as the city is potrayed then why don't the city allow or support more black owned business! That's one of the reasons why Bob Johnson left as the head of the BOB cats. Go ahead google it he made similar comments and I find this to be true. To claim a city of diversity, means we all have the same opportunities.[read more...]

Charlotte Culture - 5/30/2012

The culture & recreation is growing in Charlotte. However the cost of everything is also growing rapidly.[read more...]

Don't move to Charlotte, NC! - 5/25/2012

I am Chinese American and lived in Charlotte for 5 years now. I can't wait to leave, but stuck here due to my husband's job. I totally agree with you. I lived in Manhattan for most of my life, in the city of London and in Seattle. I've never been treated any different from other nationalities, including all my white friends. For the first time in my life at the age of 41, I really feel like an outsider. Don't get me wrong. I have plenty of friends and I definitely get positive attentions, but I get the most ignorant questions everyday here. And for the first time, some kid in a car called me "Ching Ching" while I was jogging. I never once encountered this in any other cities that I lived at. I definitely feel like an outsider here and not an American just like every else. I would absolutely not recommend Charlotte or any place in NC to others considering moving down here. Stay away while you can! Another side note on how ignorant folks are over here...They voted against Amendment one.....yet this state allow cousins to marry. There's definitely no love here for anyone that are not white and straight. [read more...]

Question for single 20 and 30-somthings - 4/4/2012

I am potentially moving from California to Charlotte for my masters program. I want to know about the young culture in Charlotte. I plan to live in uptown. Is there a lot to do? Is it walkable? Is the nightlife fun and are people relatively progressive? [read more...]

Living in the QC - 11/16/2011

I have lived in Charlotte since 2007 and find the city to be a good but not great place to live. [read more...]