Friendly? (Houston: transplants, real estate, Home Depot)

[Questions4houston]

How friendly are people who live in Houston? Is there a southern hospitality culture? Anything to know before moving there? I watched one video that said customer service is not prompt and you have to approach the worker bees. Thoughts? Opinions?

[As Above So Below...]

Originally Posted by Questions4houston

How friendly are people who live in Houston? Is there a southern hospitality culture? Anything to know before moving there? I watched one video that said customer service is not prompt and you have to approach the worker bees. Thoughts? Opinions?

Hello!

In my experience yes. Houston is a very international, but very laid back city. People are welcoming and its very come as you are. Customer service has been pretty good overall in my experience. Of course every place is different and it depends on the establishment.

To me Houston is Southern but that isnt its primary trait. Its diversity and international feel is.

[Thoreau424]

"Friendly" is a highly variable and personal term. One's friendliness can be another's uncomfortable uber-outwardness.
What's normal to me as friendly in Texas is too much for places (especially north and interior of the US) that are quieter and more reserved. They aren't used to being so open and communicative. So what's a positive in Texas is a negative elsewhere. So if you're from elsewhere, it might be hard to jibe with the local friendliness here. Wanting to retreat into the personal shell when others are kindly and innocently trying to pull you out a bit, because people enjoy that communication, which is considered normal.

[mkwensky]

Originally Posted by Questions4houston

How friendly are people who live in Houston? Is there a southern hospitality culture? Anything to know before moving there? I watched one video that said customer service is not prompt and you have to approach the worker bees. Thoughts? Opinions?

If you are going to live in Houston or surrounding suburbs then chances are your neighbors will be transplants. As for customer service I didn't notice any difference between Houston and elsewhere. I would say it's a bit better than Philadelphia's or Phoenix's. If you're talking about getting your water refilled in restaurants I think that depends on the establishment like anywhere else.

The 'southern hospitality' thing you will more likely find outside of the major cities in Texas. I am personally not a fan. It feels superficial and fake.

[Dopo]

Houston is not “Southern hospitality” friendly (friendly for christian whites)
Houston is “Worldly city” friendly (friendly city for all colors and religions)

[Questions4houston]

Thanks for the replies.

I guess we will see when we move there, it's hard to qualify the difference especially when you haven't lived in such an international/diverse friendly area like probably a lot of us haven't.


Sorry about the worker bees comment, I meant to say I watched a prominent real estate person's video about Houston and he mentioned that the customer service people tend to not be proactive and approach you quickly. Rather you have to approach them to get fast service compared to where he lived.

[As Above So Below...]

Originally Posted by Questions4houston

Thanks for the replies.

I guess we will see when we move there, it's hard to qualify the difference especially when you haven't lived in such an international/diverse friendly area like probably a lot of us haven't.


Sorry about the worker bees comment, I meant to say I watched a prominent real estate person's video about Houston and he mentioned that the customer service people tend to not be proactive and approach you quickly. Rather you have to approach them to get fast service compared to where he lived.

Where are you coming from? Maybe someone can give you more of what to expect relative to where youre from.

[Threestep2]

Originally Posted by Questions4houston

How friendly are people who live in Houston? Is there a southern hospitality culture? Anything to know before moving there? I watched one video that said customer service is not prompt and you have to approach the worker bees. Thoughts? Opinions?

You may want to change your UTube channel. Retail workers are not worker bees. Houston is in The South?

You will find that simple words such as please and thank you go a long ways.

[Dopo]

Originally Posted by Threestep2

You will find that simple words such as please and thank you go a long ways.

That’s a good starting point

[mkwensky]

Originally Posted by Questions4houston

Thanks for the replies.

I guess we will see when we move there, it's hard to qualify the difference especially when you haven't lived in such an international/diverse friendly area like probably a lot of us haven't.


Sorry about the worker bees comment, I meant to say I watched a prominent real estate person's video about Houston and he mentioned that the customer service people tend to not be proactive and approach you quickly. Rather you have to approach them to get fast service compared to where he lived.

In my experience the staff at Home Depot are a lot more proactive than the staff at Lowe's.