As many of you know, I'm a long time New England sports fan, but have lived in VA for sometime. I have been to many Redskin games, and have alot of friends and coworkers who are die hard Redskin fans.
As far as this part of the country vs. New England, and the politeness/manners related to the residents. It's quite honestly not even close. I'm the first one to say "don't generalize", but down here people tend to be so rude, and in a hurry, and don't have the manners that I was use to growing up.
My wife and I were in Maine and Mass. over the summer, and more people smiled and waved towards us in traffic, and also while we were crossing the street in four days, than the last 4 years here in the DC area. It was so noticable. All my friends from here that I brought up there over the last 20 years have all commented to me about "how nice everybody is up there". It comes across big time. We admit down here that there is so much rudeness, it's kinda sad. Try and let somebody merge in front of you in traffic, and expect a "thank you". It doesn't happen. It's maddening.
As for sports knowledge, again it's not even close. The sports radio station down here is near last in the ratings. Back in Boston, heck, the top 3 or 4 rated radio stations are all "Sports Talk". Edge on the knowledge level goes heavily to New England.
What about Redskin vs. Patriots fans. Patriot fans at Gillette, or in the sports bars seem pretty open minded and humble, but on these boards some can be "over the top", and rude to those that visit. Redskin fans can be brutal, and don't have a good reputation around here from opposing team fans. I hear all the time "I don't mind Joe Gibbs and the Redskins, but I can't stand their fans". That's pretty common.
By comparison, after a loss, the Patriots fans tend to get angry, while Skins fans get very depressed. The post game call in shows make you want to jump off a bridge.
As far as talking smack after the home team wins. Skins fans are FAR less classy and humble. Far less. Patriot and Red Sox fans tend to have alot more "hey, you guys played great, we're fortunate to win". On these boards though there seems to be alot less of that.
One thing I definitely have noticed is that New England sports fans are far quicker to say "Hmmm, I think we'll be 11 and 5 this year, here's why, and here are the games we'll lose". While every year the Redskin fans predict great things, and then end up with a losing record. There seems to be more "blinders on" with Skins fans, and less honest assessment. Just one man's opinion.
Anecdote: One female friend Redskins fan went with us to a preseason Patriots - Skins game years ago. She ripped the Pats, and spoke about how great the Skins were. Then, in 2001, the Pats win it all, and the best she could say was "Come back to me when you've won more than one like the Redskins". Three Super Bowls later, she still insists that her Skins are better than the Patriots, regardless of the situation.
Please know, there are some great Redskins' fans, who are very nice. I'm just giving an open and honest comparison of the norm. That anecdote admittedly is the extreme.
