"I'm from Yorkshire" : anyone else notice this?

[Odilla]

Why do people from Yorkshire feel the need to tell you that? It is fairly unremarkable given that the collective Yorkshire counties form a large part of England so lots of people are from there.

Yet still they do. Repeatedly. And will shoe-horn this revelation into any given conversation. Eg "I'm from Yorkshire so I don't like spending money on heating". Well yes I'm sure this is true; nevertheless this is not a special circumstance given that most people do not enjoy spending money on heating. Or they take something that is particular to them and still gas on about Yorkshire eg "I'm from Yorkshire so I don't wear blue shoes".

Never have I met a crowd of people so keen to assert common identity yet so unaware as to how common identity actually works. Although ironically that's an identity of sorts.

Not something I've noticed, to be honest.

My DM is from Yorkshire, she left aged 17 but, as you say, announces the fact at any opportunity.
I suppose she see's it as an inherent 'quality' similar to saying I tan easily.

That’s bollocks ! But then I tell it like it is … because I’m from Yorkshire

I really am from Yorkshire and I think you are right. I occasionally do it a very little bit, the self deprecatory stuff. I realise it’s big yawn. It’s irrational but I am strangely pleased I come from Yorkshire!

It does have a strong identity. There an an old cricketing story about Yorkshire playing Northamptonshire or something (sorry, clueless about cricket) and Yorkshire weren’t shining, somebody shouted out: “Come on Yorkshire! They only mek shoes!” I don’t know why that tickles me but it does. Even though the only things my family has made in recent generations is moderate amount of money.

Sorry, I’m really illustrating your point.

I don't believe that I've ever announced to anyone that I'm from Yorkshire, nor have I ever heard any of my friends or family drop this into conversation. Seems like a strange thing to do!

As far as I know I know one person from Yorkshire - she banged on about it a lot. However, as you say it’s a fairly large area so chances are I know more than just the one - the others are just quieter about it.

It's like being vegan, the few who announce it constantly ruin it for the rest

Oh yes. God's own county.
You know immediately if someone's from Yorkshire because they tell you so as soon as they're introduced.
And quite often it's "I'm from Yorkshire, me, so I always/never...." blah blah whatever.
I'm old enough to remember the days when tedious Yorkshiremen living elsewhere would rush their heavily pregnant wives back to Yorkshire so that their sons (and it was of course going to be a boy) were born there and hence could play cricket for t'county.
At least that's all over, anyone can play for Yorkshire now, if they even want to after the latest racist scandal at the club.

@Odilla

Why do people from Yorkshire feel the need to tell you that? It is fairly unremarkable given that the collective Yorkshire counties form a large part of England so lots of people are from there.

Yet still they do. Repeatedly. And will shoe-horn this revelation into any given conversation. Eg "I'm from Yorkshire so I don't like spending money on heating". Well yes I'm sure this is true; nevertheless this is not a special circumstance given that most people do not enjoy spending money on heating. Or they take something that is particular to them and still gas on about Yorkshire eg "I'm from Yorkshire so I don't wear blue shoes".

Never have I met a crowd of people so keen to assert common identity yet so unaware as to how common identity actually works. Although ironically that's an identity of sorts.

Please tell me which counties collectively form Yorkshire?

I’m intrigued. Is it just Yorkshiremen who live elsewhere that do this or if you go to yorkshire does everyone walk around telling fellow yorkshiremen that they are also from yorkshire!?

@Pixiedust1234 North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, East Riding.

@BrieAndChilli no, they tell each other they're from Yorkshire as well. While in Yorkshire.
Eg

• has the number 20 bus gone yet?
• I'm from Yorkshire so yes it has.

The entire place is just full of people saying they're from Yorkshire, day in day out.

That's why the brontes shut themselves in that wee house and didn't talk to anyone for ages. Every time they went outside all they could hear was "I'm from Yorkshire".

It’s quite noticeable when you’re in Yorkshire, too, that lots of things are called “Yorkshire this” or “Yorkshire that”. Also an unusual number of flags (national and county) hanging everywhere, at least to southern eyes. I like it. I think they’ve hung on to the knack of local and National pride.

Down south we confuse pride with nationalism, worry that flags connote racism, and still don’t manage to address actual racism. I think the Yorkshire folk are into something.

has the number 20 bus gone yet?
- I'm from Yorkshire so yes it has.

😂

Now come on now… 😁

@BrieAndChilli

I’m intrigued. Is it just Yorkshiremen who live elsewhere that do this or if you go to yorkshire does everyone walk around telling fellow yorkshiremen that they are also from yorkshire!?

I think it’s when Yorkshire people are with non-Yorkshire people: either in Yorkshire, or when we tentatively venture out of the county. I was born in Yorkshire and lived there until two years ago apart from a few years at university and after. I now live in another country and never mention it.

I'm from Yorkshire. I only tell people if they ask (or if they're from Lancashire, I'm contractually bound, as a Yorkshire woman, to point out that it's on the wrong side of the Pennines).

I think they just feel sorry for those of us unlucky enough to not be from Yorkshire, so they sort of declare their privilege upfront to clear things up. ☺️

Yes actually, I have noticed that!

Which thing would a vegan from Yorkshire tell you about first?

At work during a conversation about biscuits a colleague said ‘I love biscuits, but then I would l, wouldn’t I, because I’m from Yorkshire’. We were all a bit He said it about the most random things. Stupid thing is we were about 35 minutes away from Yorkshire in a large company so many people were from Yorkshire, they were all baffled as well.

Nothing stops me from saying I'm from Bedfordshire at any opportunity but ... I just don't ever feel anyone would be interested sadly.

I’ve noticed that too

Isn't it usually obvious when people are from Yorkshire? I've never told anybody. Sometimes people ask, if they're not very good at accents.

I’ve noticed this too. Very strong regional identity in the area.

I am not from Yorkshire.

@mumda

Which thing would a vegan from Yorkshire tell you about first?

Oh now that is pholisophical question up there with "If a tree falls in a forest...." :o Brilliant!!

I know someone who seems to make everything about the fact that she is irish. Some of it is relevant, she had a real culture shock about some things when she moved here so when she talks about the difference with funerals for example, it is relevant. But when she says "Well I am irish and I love a roast dinner" it really isnt!

I am deliberately quite vague about my roots (half irish ironically) as I hate the stereotype that people put on to me when they find out my heritage and where I was born.

Everyone outside of Yorkshire hates biscuits. This was another major factor in the isolation of the tiny-bootteed Brontes.