Rafter S":39m6nkqi said:
A lot of what you northerners take so seriously wasn't meant to be serious. In many cases it's not intelligence that's lacking, but an appreciation for, and understanding of, what we consider humor.
For an example, I'd be astonished if the remark that got bestoutwest so upset was meant to be anything other than a friendly insult (which we don't do to people we don't like). Do y'all not understand that concept?
I understood perfectly which comments were intended "with malice aforethought" and which were ribbing. ( I wasn't troubled by the one Best reacted to).
The "insult" thing varies by region in my experience. I was born and raised in the Midwest (fairly rural area). People were expected to have good manners above all. I once got in a boatload of trouble with my parents for using the word "fart." (probably why I curse like a sailor now). One did not make bodily function jokes, or use insults unless you meant them.
Then I lived in Chicago for awhile. There, basic Midwestern politeness was still the golden standard (even if people crammed like sardines can't always uphold it).
Now, living in NY (even though upstate and rural), the "friendly insult" thing has taken some getting used to. People are much rougher; just a different culture. I think the concept of the "friendly insult" is far more nuanced than north v south.