[RadioBroadcaster2008]

Originally Posted by Staceyjay

I lived in Ct for 43 years - born and raised. We moved to metro-Atlanta in July last year. NOW I see how rude we are. Never have I met more friendly ppl, than here in the south - of course I really have nothing else to compare it to b/c I don't travel - but my husband does. From what I gather the rudeness - is rather unique to Connecticut. I lived in Watertown - close to Woodbury. It is difficult to admit but we are a very rude group. I'm now trying to change my ways. Funny thing, I met someone here from New Jersey. When she found out I was from Connecticut she said "OH yes, the land of the rude!"

I was born and raised in North Central Middlesex Country and Northwestern New London County Connecticut... lived there for 19 years

I spent time in various small cities... a town of 1500 in the Northwest Mississippi Delta........a town of 15,000 along the East Central Coast of Florida....a town of 15,000 in Northwest North Dakota... a Town of 20,000 people with a college 5 mintues away in Seacoast New Hampshire.. and now, I'm in a town of 5800 people 2 1/2 hrs from Atlanta, 45 mintues from Clemson University and 1 hr from Greenville, SC

I think people in Conencticut definately have a different attitude towards outsiders and a bit "colder" mannerisms, but I relaly think thats due in part to where you grew up.

The town I lived in during high school in CT.. everyone knew everyone and we did welcome new people.

That being said, Ive never had any problems with anyone no matter where Ive lvied... but thats due in part to my job I think.

But just remember folks.. theres pros and cons to wherever you live.

We had temperatures 105 to 110 and unbeleiveably humid for about a week earlier this summer...... and generally didnt have temps drop below 90 or have the humidity drop at all for months.

I don't ever recall it being THAT bad in Connecticut.

The grass is NOT always greener on the other side.

[Huckleberry3911948]

nahh right here we got the rudeness market cornered, all boxed up, sealed, and ready for export.
but its all done in hawiian shirts so its ok.

[ex-conn]

I lived in Connecticut for 31 years.

My first surprise was how little people knew about the rest of their country! Natives tend to be somewhat provincial -- see no reason to look anywhere else to learn or live. The average citizen may have gone to Disney World or Bermuda, but not Michigan, Tennessee or Utah!

Then there are the rich, ultra-rich and wanna-run-in-rich-circles crowds. They want to be known by their geneology, job titles, alma maters, addresses, clubs and who they know. Lots of ambition and show, but some of them are actually ok.

Bigotry is alive and well in CT but I have to say diversity is much more accepted then where I came from -- the Midwest. Still amazed at how suspicious my family is of anyone who doesn't look like them! This is a virtue that CT residents don't really appreciate about themselves.

Now that I live in Vermont, I have to say that people weren't so unfriendly in CT as I used to think. (Vermonters really don't like strangers at all, even though they try to be polite if you're buying something. But they're ambivalent -- they depend on tourism but don't like tourists. A friend told me Vermonters will warm to you if you can name a relative buried in VT.)

Bottomline I think New Englanders in general are not really interested in strangers, which I think is the BIG difference between regions of the country. Midwesterners and Southerners seem to take hospitality seriously.

But my most provable theory is that one of the nicest cities to visit is New York City. I believe that, as a result of the multicultural opportunities inherent in city living, people there are not afraid of strangers or people different than them. They've cultivated an ability to be safe, confident and secure. As a result, they are happy to share their knowledge and answer your questions. I find NYC very welcoming in a way I never felt anywhere else outside of a Southern Baptist church!

Vive les differences I suppose. I agree with the person who said he was going to be himself no matter how the natives reacted. My mother became so well-known at my local grocery store that they used to identify me, the resident, as the daughter of that nice woman from Ohio!

[skytrekker]

ex conn


your observations are well took- but in the end the laws in New England are perhaps the most liberal nationally. As for friendly 'southerners' well its a 2 sided sword- nice in front of you- then the knife goes in your back.

'provincial' well the state of CT is about to sanction gay marriage- is any state in the south or Midwest about to do this?

I think we have to distinguish the difference between outward friendliness which can be shallow- and depth- which you seem to fail to understand.

As a geographer- I know much about the rest of the nation- does someone in Tennessee or Michigan or California know as much about New England or Connecticut?

Connecticut has a far more sophisticated population then you give it credit for. As a gay man do you truly feel I would be motivated to live in Tennessee or Michigan? Friendlier? Perhaps- tolerant? Take a guess. C'MON lets get real here. Despite your critical observations- would I feel at ease in these southern and Midwest states? No---

[Srib]

true story...

some years ago when I was in college a bunch of us ventured down by car to florida for spring break. We were in Orlando and stopped at a restaurant to eat. The waitress asked us where we were from and I replied "Connecticut"...to which she replied..."Isn't that in Ohio..."

To skytrekkers point - I doubt that the vast majority of people in other states know anymore about people in CT than we do about them.

[jp03]

[quote=skytrekker;2099671]ex conn


your observations are well took- but in the end the laws in New England are perhaps the most liberal nationally. As for friendly 'southerners' well its a 2 sided sword- nice in front of you- then the knife goes in your back.


Well there is a nice little generalization don't ya think?

If I said all New Englanders were rude would that be fair?

Of course it wouldn't.

[outofCT]

A native of Westchester County, NY and a NYC city dweller for years I can attest the farther into CT and New England you go (cities) the ruder they get. You have to hear some of the comments you get. I got fed up of turning the other cheek and now put them down to the handball against the curb.Must inform you NYC by the ECONOMIST (UK publication) was voted the friendliest city world wide!! Certainly won't find it here. I live in Madison and used to live in Ridgefield and Wilton. Ridgefield was the least of the evils.

[skytrekker]

To summarize; I guess the word 'rude' is in the eyes of the beholder. And can be perceived in many ways.