Are New Mexicans friendly? (Las Cruces, Santa Fe: college, licenses, eat)

[catman]

I echo Towanda's post. I've been visiting NM since the early 60s, and I've never had an unfriendly encounter. But I've never been to Las Cruces.

One's own attitude has a lot to do with what you get. I've had people in Ruidoso kid me about being a Texan, but I don't think any of it was really serious. They know that they need us in order to thrive. Besides, if I lived there, I'd get tired of Texans (or tourists in general) once in a while.

[parteira]

i've lived in many states all over the country, and I find New Mexicans in general to be friendly, like most folks in the western states. But I also find them to have a more notably indifferent demeanor too. not bad, just more indifferent. but like a pp said, could be me!

[tito]

Originally Posted by lukeache

I was wondering if people especially from out of state find New Mexicans generally speaking to be friendly people? I lived in Albuquerque for some time and I have always found most New Mexicans to be quite nice, I would say maybe more laid-back than super nice but still nice. Last time I was in Espanola, I just found most people to be very nice, even though I hear so many negative things about Espanola. Can anybody describe good or maybe not so good experiences dealing with New Mexicans especially in the smaller towns? Thanks!

Being friendly is a two way street.

[nm_photojournalist]

KimK & Chilegal ..."yo comprende!" Some people can't see the forest for the trees! :-)NM_P

[catmac]

i lived in espanola, when i first came to NM. they are friendly there, but people there go back generations are are very tight knit,, its hard for a new comer to fit in, i moved to the rio rancho area (bigger more to do )
and more of a mixed culture.
new mexicans are in general very friendly.

[lukeache]

Originally Posted by nm_photojournalist

KimK & Chilegal ..."yo comprende!" Some people can't see the forest for the trees! :-)NM_P

I wish life was that simple, "Be nice to others, and people will be nice to you". You obviously have not lived in places like Phoenix, Boston or New
York City.

[KimK]

I hate to wax philosphical here (or grumpy), but so what? To what extent do people need to be nice to you? Life is not fair either. If the lady at the cleaners has a bad day and isn't nice to me, it isn't going to ruin my life. You must be referring to deep, inter-personal relationships. Those require effort, understanding, time, common ground, etc. It hardly matters what state you live in. Finally, it isn't about life being simple. Far from it.

[tito]

Originally Posted by KimK

I hate to wax philosphical here (or grumpy), but so what? To what extent do people need to be nice to you? Life is not fair either. If the lady at the cleaners has a bad day and isn't nice to me, it isn't going to ruin my life. You must be referring to deep, inter-personal relationships. Those require effort, understanding, time, common ground, etc. It hardly matters what state you live in. Finally, it isn't about life being simple. Far from it.

Normally, people tend to be distant and even somewhat suspicious of strangers anywhere in the world, particularly to those of a different culture or ethnic background. Looked at what happened to the American natives for having been too friendly with Columbus and the Pilgrims?

[lukeache]

Originally Posted by KimK

I hate to wax philosphical here (or grumpy), but so what? To what extent do people need to be nice to you? Life is not fair either. If the lady at the cleaners has a bad day and isn't nice to me, it isn't going to ruin my life. You must be referring to deep, inter-personal relationships. Those require effort, understanding, time, common ground, etc. It hardly matters what state you live in. Finally, it isn't about life being simple. Far from it.

Thanks again for the very insightful answer! I am not referring to anything even close to "deep, inter-personal relationships" and, it does absolutely matter where you live in. Here in Minnesota, it is common to greet strangers and say hi, good morning as you are walking down the street, 99% of the time, people will say hi or good morning back to you. Try doing the same in places like Boston, Phoenix or South Florida, most people will look at you like you are out of your mind. I have broken down in the middle of a snow blizzard here more than one time, people will stop to help you, even when it is -20 F outside. And yes, if people are nice, it makes a huge difference in your daily life. My experiences in New Mexico have been great, the whole time I lived in ABQ, I don't recall ever dealing with nasty or grumpy people. I really appreciate the feedback from the person in Las Cruces, thank God, at least one person seems to have understood the objective of the thread. Please, dont try to analyze or find anything philosophical about this thread. It is a rather simple one.

[Towanda]

Originally Posted by KimK

I hate to wax philosphical here (or grumpy), but so what? To what extent do people need to be nice to you? Life is not fair either. If the lady at the cleaners has a bad day and isn't nice to me, it isn't going to ruin my life. You must be referring to deep, inter-personal relationships. Those require effort, understanding, time, common ground, etc. It hardly matters what state you live in. Finally, it isn't about life being simple. Far from it.

Amen. I agree!

Great post!