I grew up in north Florida, to parents from Louisiana. We are southern, no doubt about it. FI's family is dyed in the wool New Yorkers. They fall into all the stereotypes- cops, firefighters, big, Irish, Catholic Republicans. Generally, I like them a lot. They are very welcoming, very kind, very excited about me joining the family. FI and I have been together for 3.5 years and they have ALWAYS welcomed me into their family.
But they say the DUMBEST crap. Lately, it has been about our wedding and "the south". We are getting married at my home church and having the reception at a beautiful plantation home. I have been able to ignore all the Gone With the Wind comments, all the comments about searsucker suits and handlebar mustaches. But yesterday.....
FIs parents are driving from upstate New York to Tallahassee. They are concerned about driving "in the south" and making sure they only stay in chain hotels because what may happen to them otherwise. They think it is The Bates Motel once you get south of Queens - you know, dead mothers and serial murders. They also are afraid of driving because, apparently, "in the south" people step in front of your car so their friends can then rob you once you get out to see what you hit.
I can usually let this crap roll off my back, but yesterday I couldn't. I was like "EXACTLY WHERE DO YOU PEOPLE THINK I AM FROM?!". I grew up in a town of 300,000, it is the the state capital. I have a Master's degree, both my parents are college-educated. Our friends are smart, nice people and I don't know anyone who has been murdered in a hotel. I hate the ridiculous over-generalizations about a place where I spent 25 years of my life, a place I would go back to if FI was interested. I also don't want them to say this kind of stuff out loud to our family/friends and end up insulting the crap out of people.
So, what sort of dumb stuff do your FILs say?!