Second Impressions of Arkansas

Uncrowded (There is no such thing as rush hour. Except maybe 7:00 p.m. on Fridays at the Outback Steakhouse.)

Walmartized (The world’s largest company was founded in Fayetteville, Arkansas.)

Genuinely Nice (People will bend over backwards to help you – just because. And friends are exceedingly easy to make.)

Economically Strapped (Median income, at $33,445, is the third lowest in the U.S. Only Mississippi and West Virginia are lower.)

Conservative (But only by a smidge. The state has gone Democratic in five out of the last 12 Presidential elections. Plus, a certain Mr. Clinton hails from here.)

Sleepy (Many restaurants close at 9:00 p.m. Most close by 10:00 p.m. Only a handful are open till 11:00 p.m.)

Laidback (Hurrying? Stressing? Why would you do that? It’s allllllll good.)

Not Overtly Prejudiced (Despite being a desegregation hotbed in the 50s, interracial friendships and marriages are not uncommon.)

Pretty (Fields of wildflowers. Beautiful mountains and valleys. Sparkling rivers and lakes.)

Itchy Around The Ankles (Chiggers are such a nuisance that homegrown anti-chigger products abound.)

Armed (People like their guns. They like to talk about them. They like to shoot them. Fortunately, not at people though.)

Carnivorous (Restaurants offer steak in whopping two or two-and-a-half pound portions!)

Musically Inclined (Grab a banjo. Bluegrass and its offshoots are intrinsic to the culture.)