[BucFan]

Originally Posted by froglipz

What I see is transplants from the NE (NY, MD, NJ) are NEVER very happy when you hear them talk!

I find this to be correct

[Robino1]

I find that larger cities have more unhappy stressed and busy people. Smaller towns are more friendly and laid back. Just my observation from my travels. This seems to be the case all over the US. I don't include overseas since I don't have much experience there.

[kellygirl925]

I say yes, they are! I'm a native but lived up north for many, many years. We are back home and always comment on how friendly everyone is. It can be a CVS, Walmart, Publix or a local restaurant - we find people much more open & friendly than we did living up north working in similar establishments. And one of the many reasons we moved back was to slow down a bit & enjoy a more laid back lifestyle.

[Pincho-toot]

Some parts yea, but not Miami. People think its weird to smile at strangers, customer service there is horrible. North Florida has more friendly and upbeat types.

[Pincho-toot]

Originally Posted by Robino1

I find that larger cities have more unhappy stressed and busy people. Smaller towns are more friendly and laid back. Just my observation from my travels. This seems to be the case all over the US. I don't include overseas since I don't have much experience there.

Well I drove to Miami last month and as soon as we entered Hialeah we were in some DEAD traffic. Took an hour to reach my mom's house in northern Coral Gables when it should only take about 25 minutes. Traffic like that definitely takes a toll on friendly and laid backness lol I was travelling with two native Texans, and you know its bad when friendly Texans end up being irritated. Urban traffic is a mood killer, that can't be denied.

[BucFan]

Originally Posted by BadgerFilms

Some parts yea, but not Miami. People think its weird to smile at strangers, customer service there is horrible. North Florida has more friendly and upbeat types.

Smiling doesn't work here in Tampa......got to go more north....maybe near the GA/Alabama border?

[upgrader]

Originally Posted by BucFan

Smiling doesn't work here in Tampa......got to go more north....maybe near the GA/Alabama border?

Beg to differ. Smiling, or sharing a mutual "have a nice day" works great for me in Tampa. The usual warm response brightens my day.

[JohnGiovanni]

Originally Posted by RedneckRebel

it depends on what part of the state. I find the more Christian conservative parts of the state are more positive, happy, and upbeat but the more liberal parts of the state ie: Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties tend to be more negative, and want nothing to do with other people

Yea like Manatee County I'd say is more Christian conservative, republican values but not as hardcore redneck at the same time. Its got a good balance.


Now whats funny is some of these areas like Pinellas County has some real bad ghettos, more liberals, but also more lowlife trash who lean right, but overall not as much satisfaction unless you're well to do. The poorer rednecks (no pun intended) do seem more upset in these zones with more liberals but don't want to help either. They're a very individualistic bunch that just grow to hate everything and everyone around them because liberalism has sprung up where they are.. they don't leave either, they continue to make excuses not to even for their state of mind at stake.


I am judging by areas I been and lived in. In the conservative parts where they don't want things to change so much, people are more interested in helping as long as you aren't some needy drunk daytime alcoholic and want to better yourself. Just from my experiences. These same areas also may not be perfect but have more room for growth at the same time due to a different mindset.

[jean_ji]

We snowbird and it's easy to notice the differences.

In FL, the doctor office personnel are pleasant and smiling even while being innundated with snowbirds, along with the store cashiers and restaurant wait staff in SWFL. I'm back in NY and went to the grocery store and had a clerk do the no eye contact and not say one word to me during the entire transaction. Amazing and so unacceptable. It's not usually that bad, it's more usual for the cashiers to talk to each other over customer heads.

I quite often get the "I'm not moving over" attitude on the sidewalk with two people walking together and no acknowledgement at all from some people. I find giving my dog more lead is the only way to stay on the sidewalk. Saying hi as you pass by isn't that hard, but apparently it is for some. I seek common courtesy and no more, but that is too much many times. In FL, more people in cars wave to me as I'm walking the dog in my neighborhood and from other walkers/bikers. I live in an ungated, non HOA community, so there is a good mix of differences.

I've lived in NY for 30+ years and just got used to how it is, which is a sad statement. I hadn't realized how little I expect from people here. We are an hour and a half from NYC and the city influence is strong in bedroom communities. I find my part of FL to be friendly but not overly so. I put it down to people being happier overall. There are exceptions in both places, and while there are happy and nice people in NY, they are fewer in number. FL wins in the friendliness/happy category for me and seem more upbeat and positive in general.

[Spring Hillian]

Your supermarket cashier story is so true. Took it as the norm when I lived there (57-88). I was in Waldbaums in Howard Beach one day while visiting family. Being acclimated to FL I gave a cherry "hi, how's it going"? Maybe she was deaf.

In Wantagh LI I pulled up to a curb on Sunrise Highway. I shouted to the lady standing in from of a beauty salon smoking a cigarette if the parking meters were enforced as it was after 7 p.m. She glared at me, threw down her cigarette and stormed off to the inside.

I was in a laundromat in Ozone Park. I loaded up a machine with clothes and went to the lady running the place. I handed her a $5 and asked for quarters. "quarters? We dont have any quarters". All the machines took quarters. I had to unload the machine and drive to a bank. I waited in line, got to a teller, showed her the $5 and asked for quarters. "do you have an account with us?". I said no, i didnt and she told me that she could make change for customers only". I took my laundry to a "wash, dry, fold" shop.

Frig NYC.

Originally Posted by jean_ji

We snowbird and it's easy to notice the differences.

In FL, the doctor office personnel are pleasant and smiling even while being innundated with snowbirds, along with the store cashiers and restaurant wait staff in SWFL. I'm back in NY and went to the grocery store and had a clerk do the no eye contact and not say one word to me during the entire transaction. Amazing and so unacceptable. It's not usually that bad, it's more usual for the cashiers to talk to each other over customer heads.

I quite often get the "I'm not moving over" attitude on the sidewalk with two people walking together and no acknowledgement at all from some people. I find giving my dog more lead is the only way to stay on the sidewalk. Saying hi as you pass by isn't that hard, but apparently it is for some. I seek common courtesy and no more, but that is too much many times. In FL, more people in cars wave to me as I'm walking the dog in my neighborhood and from other walkers/bikers. I live in an ungated, non HOA community, so there is a good mix of differences.

I've lived in NY for 30+ years and just got used to how it is, which is a sad statement. I hadn't realized how little I expect from people here. We are an hour and a half from NYC and the city influence is strong in bedroom communities. I find my part of FL to be friendly but not overly so. I put it down to people being happier overall. There are exceptions in both places, and while there are happy and nice people in NY, they are fewer in number. FL wins in the friendliness/happy category for me and seem more upbeat and positive in general.