Even that approach is not always possible with the aggressive liberalism tainting New England in general and Massachusetts in particular.
A few year ago, at a not-so-aptly named "Friendly's" restaurant near Watertown, MA, I committed the crime of driving while Texan. As I pulled into the parking lot with my Texas plates, a family of four (dad, mother and two kids) was coming out and saw my car. Without provocation, both the husband and wife confronted me about being from Texas. "So, you're from the Kennedy killing state!" and "I bet you cowboys down there had a party when Teddy died". I was told in a profanity-laced tirade that we "right-wing, redneck Texans" weren't welcome in their fine Commonwealth.
Sure, it was one isolated incident in this case. But there were numerous times I was greeted with a middle-finger salute by proud citizens on the traffic circles on Route 6, doubtlessly because of my Texas plates and Sarah Palin window sticker.
Things haven’t changed. John Quincy Adams, after he was president and in the House of Representatives was one of the leading opponents of Texas becoming a part of the U.S.
It was a lot more folk than just 'cowboys'...
Your situation was entirely unprovoked. I had an incident which was slightly provoked -- because I know my neighbor and she knows me (not always a given in MA). I bumped into her once in 2009. The economy was in freefall and I knew her husbad was out of work. I said (very mildly)"This unemployment is something, huh?"
Her reply: "You Republicans just hate him because he's black!!"
You're not ever going to have a rational political discussion with people like that.
WOW.