Thank you, Yes Ma'am (New Orleans, Lafayette: buy, live in, store)

[sockmonkey70]

Wow I am so sorry you feel that way. I have frequented Pineville/Alexandria all of my life and I guess I just haven't noticed these things. I make eye contact and smile at everyone I meet, and most do the same in return. I have had countless doors opened for me. More than I would expect from total strangers..Waitresses, waiters always friendly..Hmmmm.

DRIVING in LA however makes me insane. I goto Texas, and I wonder why Louisiana can't be the same way. It's like going into a whole new world when you cross that border! If you have ever been to Natchitoches, you would have killed someone by now. We have the slowest, most INCONSIDERATE drivers known to mankind.

[gilll]

I've never spent any time in Pineville, but have spent many enjoyable days in Baton Rouge and Lafayette. It is odd how some of us are attuned to see the worst in a place and its people, while others are attuned to see the best. Throughout the U. S., speed limits conform to road conditions; and where there is lots of sparsely populated countryside (which I love) there tend to be fewer expressways, and more two lane highways. Also, people tend to be less stressed, and less rushed. As for unfriendly people in businesses, that is a matter of percentages. I find that if I smile, and greet them, and am outgoing and courteous, then they are, too. My general experience with strangers in South Louisiana is that striking up a warm and interesting conversation with one or more of them about something uplifting elicits an enthusiastic, warm, interesting response in a South Louisiana town, while a judgemental attitude and a scowl can turn many a smile upside down. No one in my immediate family, in my lifetime so far, has been at fault in a motor vehicle accident. Maybe that is because we treat other drivers with respect and courtesy, although a percentage of drivers, in all cities, do not. An exception to my noticing discourtesy is when I experience a near accident, which FREQUENTLY occurs when I go to a city such as Houston, where the problem is not high speed, alone, but mixed speeds. Nothing scares me more than being on an expressway in Houston where some vehicles are going twenty miles slower than the speed limit, while some are going ninety in a 70 zone and whipping in and out without signalling. Give me good old slow drivers anytime although, yes, there are some discourteous drivers and employees in every part of the world.

[alexander59]

This is not just a problem in Louisiana, its a favorite Florida pastime, rush hour go pay for your gas ,get coffee, snacks and talk on the cell phone while your dealing with the store clerk.
We also share the bad and rude driver problem.

[SBCmetroguy]

That's every city and town in America.

[dusesean1986]

In Los Angeles, people put the pedal to the medal whenever they see an opening in traffic. They know it probably won't last long, and they know it might be the last traffic opening.

[LOVE THE U.S.A.]

Originally Posted by Tex2La

I moved to the Pineville, La area just recently from Texas. Some things here that I've noticed and that bother me are the following:

-Seems the words "Yes Ma'am, Yes Sir, Excuse me, Thank you, and You're welcome" are foreign words here. People bump into you at the store, I say "Excuse Me" in a polite way and they don't say anything and look at me like I'm crazy or something. I've been here for a few months now and have only seen 3 or 4 times that someone used any manners. (I heard that all of the evacuees from Hurricane Katrina that came here may have drained everyone's hospitality).

-I see men walk into stores and just let the door shut in the person's face right behind them, sometimes their own wife.

-Seems to be a law here that keeps people that are driving slow from pulling off onto the shoulder to let people pass. Also prevents people from pulling onto the shoulder when making turns off of highways. I mean people actually stop in the highway to make turns! You will get killed "rear ended" in Texas doing this. Please someone change this ridiculous law!

I'm not trying to run down this area, just trying to help improve and make a friendlier place.

Hi, know what you mean Tex2La. Been in many states and it is a
shame that so many people forget those words. This is just something
else that has been lost in AMERICA. From weatern NEW YORK myself but
I still tip my hat and hold the door. Got a swat in the head if you did that when I was growing up. 72 now...
LOVE THE U.S.A.

[sherell]

I am with Tex2La. You are totally right. I thought I was the only one that felt that way. I moved from Texas a year ago. When I would come to Louisiana to visit I thought to myself : " Man, Louisiana has the nicest people" But, when I crossed the state line....it's like most of the nice folks moved. But, honestly I have lived all over the world- I love Louisiana....it's just something about it.

If you ran into one nice person today......take that to the bank....charge the rest of those (rude) fools. Life is too short....enjoy it.

[ViennaBlues]

Originally Posted by notacoonass

It doesn't matter what the speed limit is in LA. Idiot drivers here insist upon driving 10-12 miles UNDER it, and they just can't comprehend why people want to go as fast as the law allows.

Unfortunately I have to agree. I'm originally from Europe, lived in a few other US States, the past 6 years in a small town near New Orleans. It didn't took long for me to find out why they can't comprehend. The absolutely scary reason is, that an extremely high percentage of LA drivers are either drunk or under the influence of a variety of drugs (LA has 'Drive Thru Daiquiri' shops.In other states you would get arrested right there!). I work in the medical field and have to deal with those inconsiderate drivers on a daily basis after they caused an accident and/or killed someone.

[ViennaBlues]

oops...I meant it didn't take long for me to find out

[smarterkitty]

Gosh Tex2LA have you ever really looked at the roads here? The potholes and bad patching should explain why everyone drives slower, and there are no noticable shoulders on the roads that would let one pull over so faster cars can go past. Most roads have deep drainage ditches just a few feet from the asphalt. People around here who want speed drive on the interstate. The few good roads are heavily congested all day.
I was born and raised in TX and have been in the New Iberia area for 2 years. We got here a few months before Rita and Katrina and I do agree that the problems with evacutees probably has made many natives resentful, which makes it difficult for the rest of us imports who choose to be here.
Check out some books from the libray on the local culture and history of the town you are living in. You will find that each area is unique and has it's own charm. Living in Louisiana is like living in a small town with all it's attendant pros and cons. It grows on you.
Good luck and quit beating your head against a brick wall, go with the flow while you are here.
CAT