Gifts are an expression of feeling, but not necessarily the recipient's. According to Dr. Julian Givi, an assistant professor of marketing at West Virginia University who has extensively studied the subject, we often give gifts that reflect our own desires and motivations.
Similarly, Hawaii presents visitors with a lei, aiming to create a memorable first impression and foster a sense of connection and appreciation for its culture and hospitality.
Interested in the tradition, Reddit user Wolf805 invited people to try and come up with what the rest of the US states would hand out as welcome tokens. Here are some of the most interesting answers they received.
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We got in touch with Wolf805 and they agreed to have a little chat with us. "Just before I thought of asking this question on Reddit, I was watching a prank video on YouTube by That Was Epic, where Juan was in Hawaii asking girls if they wanted to get 'laid' or if they could do it to him," the person behind the now-viral post told Bored Panda.
"It was intended to sound sexual until he pulled out a lei and clarified he meant getting 'leid' as a joke. This funny prank inspired me to think about what other states might give visitors if they had a similar tradition, leading me to post the question."
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"In the answers I've received, I've noticed recurring themes that align with popular stereotypes of each state," Wolf805 said.
"For example, many people suggested Texas would give visitors a barbecue or a gun, which reflects common perceptions of Texan culture. These recurring themes highlight how people often associate specific items or experiences with certain states based on cultural stereotypes."
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There are many ways to slice up the United States, but author Colin Woodard argues that it can be divided into 11 sub-nations. He mapped out the regions in his renowned book American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America.
Recognizing the distinct values of each region is critical to understanding the US, Woodard said.
"The country has been arguing about a lot of fundamental things lately, including state roles and individual liberty," Woodard, a Maine native, explained.
"In order to have any productive conversation on these issues, you need to know where you come from," he said. "Once you know where you are coming from, it will help move the conversation forward."
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His proposed map of the country consists of:
- Yankeedom;
- New Netherland;
- The Midlands;
- Tidewater;
- Greater Appalachia;
- Deep South;
- New France;
- El Norte;
- The Far West;
- The Left Coast;
- First Nation.
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"I believe that US states can retain their individuality without causing too much division and hostility among themselves," Wolf805 added.
"While each state has its unique culture and traditions, these differences can be celebrated and appreciated rather than leading to conflict. Embracing diversity within the country can strengthen the sense of unity and mutual respect among states."
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