Depending on where you’re drinking, you may end up talking with someone who grew up believing that dinosaur bones are a hoax created by the devil or that condoms are murder. Unless you’re planning on marrying/starting a business with them, let it go. What are you, one of those Richard Dawkins types who has to call everybody on their bullshit? Save it for the internet. REDNECKS AND “REDNECKS”
This one is kind of tricky. When most people say “rednecks” they mean poor, rural whites with bad educations. It’s not cool to make fun of the disadvantaged, but it’s doubtful you’ll be within 50 miles of any of these guys. Then there are the suburban shitstains who make tons of money as realtors or something and drive brand-new trucks with enormous “mudding” tires. This is who most Atlantans are referring to when they complain about rednecks. Middle-class frat boys who’ve taken up a bunch of southern working-class affectations to make themselves feel more authentic. Half the time they’re from fucking Massachusetts. Do not hesitate to lay into these fuckers. If you hear someone going on about being proud to be a redneck, they’re probably from the latter camp. RACISM
Don’t get bugged out by people wearing shit with the Confederate flag on it. Usually they just mean it in an “irk the North” sort of sense, like when Siouxsie Sioux wore a Nazi armband. If you’re dealing with an honest-to-God racist, you’ll be able to tell because the hairs on the back of your neck will try to leap out of your skin the second they start talking.