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Growing up in Greenville, and spending time there now, it seems as if EVERYONE is an extravert, and it's really easy--almost expected--to talk to strangers downtown, wave and speak to people if you're walking by them in a residential area, and hug (or get hugged) at church.
For example, if you shop at the downtown Publix, numerous people there will say hello and greet you and make small talk, and if you then walk up Main Street, it's common to meet a few people.
I thought that the whole South was more or less like that; Charlotte isn't quite that way, but it's still very friendly and similar.
I see a thread about Knoxville, indicating that people there are not friendly. I find that strange, as it's the South.
So:
Is Greenville just typically Southern? Or is it more friendly than elsewhere in the South? Or is it just my experience in Greenville that it's a super-friendly and super-warm place?
For purposes of this, I exclude northern Virginia, central Atlanta, Miami, etc. from being "the South".
Growing up in Greenville, and spending time there now, it seems as if EVERYONE is an extravert, and it's really easy--almost expected--to talk to strangers downtown, wave and speak to people if you're walking by them in a residential area, and hug (or get hugged) at church.
For example, if you shop at the downtown Publix, numerous people there will say hello and greet you and make small talk, and if you then walk up Main Street, it's common to meet a few people.
I thought that the whole South was more or less like that; Charlotte isn't quite that way, but it's still very friendly and similar.
I see a thread about Knoxville, indicating that people there are not friendly. I find that strange, as it's the South.
So:
Is Greenville just typically Southern? Or is it more friendly than elsewhere in the South? Or is it just my experience in Greenville that it's a super-friendly and super-warm place?
For purposes of this, I exclude northern Virginia, central Atlanta, Miami, etc. from being "the South".
I've talked about this before. Honestly, I got a total different vibe when I lived there. Not saying that people weren't friendly but I felt many were standoffish and kept to themselves. I did make friends but it was difficult to make "close" friends. I did not belong to a church and I don't know if this is why. It was just very different than I was used to. I didn't consider it Southern but that is just my opinion. I've found friendlier people in different parts of the south. That being said, I don't want to say everyone was like that because there are still friendly people there. I am also not trying to cause any conflict either but this is what I experienced. I still like Greenville
Some people are really friendly but there is definitely a hidden undercurrent of cliquishness in Greenville. Remember the phrase "bless your heart" is about as passive aggressive as one can get and that was coined and made famous here the south.
I agree Greenville is very friendly but Eastside of Spartanburg is even more so. I’ve been thrilled to find this personality here. I was told recently Greenville, Charlotte, Asheville are “large, small cities”. Eastside of Spartanburg is a “large, small town”.
Another person commented that Greenville’s downtown was developed with tourism as it’s primary purpose — and people understand the importance of friendliness regarding tourism, whether real or feigned. Spartanburg’s downtown is being developed for it’s residents, hence the sense of neighborliness.
Forget Northern Virginia — it has been overtaken/destroyed by ex-pats from Maryland, NJ, NJ, etc. You have to get south of Fredericksburg or west of Berryville to find Southern personalities.
Wife and I found it friendly coming from Washington state. One of my very best friend when I was there (well still friend) is from Norcal and his wife from Phoenix and he said they felt like Greenville people were "friendly but didn't want to become friends." Another of my friends from Socal that I brought to work for me in Greenville and his wife also from Phoenix ironically(they are devout Christians), he loves Greenville and she likes it but not as much as Phoenix or Socal but I think he prefers Greenville to Socal where he was raised.
Overall, I found Greenville people very friendly and upbeat...I would highy consider living there or retiring there if my kids and grandkids weren't in seattle area.
The people that live in Spartanburg are a whole lot friendlier than the people in Greenville. Just my opinion! I have lived in six different cities in South Carolina for at least a year or more. And one in North Carolina. Again over all Spartanburg has the nicest and friendliest people.
Growing up in Greenville, and spending time there now, it seems as if EVERYONE is an extravert, and it's really easy--almost expected--to talk to strangers downtown, wave and speak to people if you're walking by them in a residential area, and hug (or get hugged) at church.
For example, if you shop at the downtown Publix, numerous people there will say hello and greet you and make small talk, and if you then walk up Main Street, it's common to meet a few people.
I thought that the whole South was more or less like that; Charlotte isn't quite that way, but it's still very friendly and similar.
I see a thread about Knoxville, indicating that people there are not friendly. I find that strange, as it's the South.
So:
Is Greenville just typically Southern? Or is it more friendly than elsewhere in the South? Or is it just my experience in Greenville that it's a super-friendly and super-warm place?
For purposes of this, I exclude northern Virginia, central Atlanta, Miami, etc. from being "the South".
I love the spirit of what you wrote May it always be so of the South .
Quote:
Originally Posted by beckycat
I've talked about this before. Honestly, I got a total different vibe when I lived there. Not saying that people weren't friendly but I felt many were standoffish and kept to themselves. I did make friends but it was difficult to make "close" friends. I did not belong to a church and I don't know if this is why. It was just very different than I was used to. I didn't consider it Southern but that is just my opinion. I've found friendlier people in different parts of the south. That being said, I don't want to say everyone was like that because there are still friendly people there. I am also not trying to cause any conflict either but this is what I experienced. I still like Greenville
I wouldn't say that it's because you weren't part of a church; I too, have experienced what you're talking about (to the extent that I found the "offending" people to be quite rude).
In the end, I learned to live with it; it's better to have strangers smile at you, than to have them curse you.
Quote:
Originally Posted by LynchburgLover
I agree Greenville is very friendly but Eastside of Spartanburg is even more so.
Quote:
Originally Posted by nans123
The people that live in Spartanburg are a whole lot friendlier than the people in Greenville. Just my opinion! I have lived in six different cities in South Carolina for at least a year or more. And one in North Carolina. Again over all Spartanburg has the nicest and friendliest people.
This is interesting. I have found the same around the Charlotte area; Gaston County folks are very friendly, while people in other nearby areas are "suspicious" of outsiders.
I wouldn't say that it's because you weren't part of a church; I too, have experienced what you're talking about (to the extent that I found the "offending" people to be quite rude).
In the end, I learned to live with it; it's better to have strangers smile at you, than to have them curse you.
I've had mixed experiences. People in downtown Greenville and Travelers Rest seem to be very friendly. In our rural neighborhood near Tigerville, people have been friendly. People at our church have been very friendly and helpful, and I believe it's genuine. Sounds great, but then I got a job in a factory, working with blue collar locals. Although some have been friendly, many have not, bordering on hostile. You pass someone in a hall, and smile and say, "Good morning!", and they just look at you- no response, no smile, nothing. That's beyond rude, and a little creepy. After two years there, more of them are starting to warm up a bit. Luckily, I'm not that far from retirement, and that's the only place I've experienced this.
My wife and I are trying to leave Greenville and move to North Carolina. Our experience with Greenville is too many people who are close-minded and exclusive. They treat you nice in person but talk about you behind your back, or use passive-aggressive ways to let you know you aren't really "part of the team". I will be invited to social events but once I'm there its like I don't exist.
When we visited Charleston the vibe was entirely different and extremely welcoming.
Plus it seems like there is this tendency to be gossipy around here. Maybe I just work at the wrong places or hang out at the wrong joints but everyone has their own experience. Not to say I haven't ran into some amazing people in Greenville.
Also, we think Greenville is dull. Downtown is beautiful, and there are some decent nature trails and spots outside of city limits, but outside of downtown it strikes me as every other generic South Carolina town. They are adding a nice big park and trying to improve infrastructure, plus trying to increase their reputation as a tech-friendly city, so I think they're moving in the right direction in that regard. I feel like current-day Greenville just isn't for us, but the renovation or renaissance is still in its infancy so, there's that.
But Sophiasmommy, talking about undercurrents of cliques, nans talking about Spartanburg residents being more friendly and MushCreek mentioning coworkers just straight up ignoring you has been my overall experience. Looking forward to leaving Greenville.
Last edited by DjK31; 09-15-2018 at 08:53 AM..
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Not saying that people weren't friendly but I felt many were standoffish and kept to themselves. I did make friends but it was difficult to make "close" friends. I did not belong to a church and I don't know if this is why. It was just very different than I was used to. I didn't consider it Southern but that is just my opinion. I've found friendlier people in different parts of the south. That being said, I don't want to say everyone was like that because there are still friendly people there. I am also not trying to cause any conflict either but this is what I experienced. I still like Greenville 
May it always be so of the South 
.
