NOVA is the most unfriendly avoiding place I've ever lived (Hampton: title, best)

[JEB77]

Originally Posted by athousandlogins

Hahaha, it's like a zombie, always coming back to life to eat our brains.

On my walk home from Giant today (all of half a mile) I was stopped twice by strangers who wanted to chat. Granted, I had two cute kids with me and that usually helps - makes me seem more approachable, and gives people something to talk about with me - but still. In fact, I don't think I went for a walk a single day this week when I didn't end up involved in a conversation with a stranger. And I'm not very talkative. It's hard to believe that everyone here is unfriendly when I can barely get home from the store without social interaction

We haven't heard from athousandlogins for quite a while, no?

I recall her family was having some problems with their rental in Falls Church. Hope they were able to work things out.

[tsuric]

Are they really that cold and unfriendly?

Or are people extremely stressed out about everything and have a million things on their mind that is eating them inside out? Maybe they are not so bad people, but they are just so stressed out or having a really bad day.

I see this case more often than not. After learning about the kind of life that some people at work have (not just stressful work that they hate, but commuting, kids, and overloaded schedules that they clearly cannot handle), I think I would become insane too. This would probably result in me getting more aggravated at people due to excessive worry and stress over the billions of things running in my head.

[amIayankee?]

Sounds about right. I'm an Arlington native. COMPLETE opposite of here in Miami where most stare at you like you have a post-it on your forehead.

[south_east2west]

Originally Posted by ipoetry

?....... The first thing a person will ask is, "What do you do?" which means "How much power do you wield?" It's all about the power!

Although your post is old and I am a year and a half removed from NoVa, your comment above was one of my biggest gripes with the area. I lived there (loudoun & fairfax county) for 11 years and if I can help it, will never return.

[south_east2west]

Originally Posted by Fairfax Mom

Flamingo - How come when I put forth friendliness - it is not really returned? I have met a lot of "aquaintances" not friends. - for example at both my sons schools I stand and chat with the other Moms and they always have a friendly hellow and goodbye for me and I am included in the conversations and all - but - it never goes any further - they never offer to have a cup of coffee or a playdate or anything. And - believe me - I am being nice and normal and charming - I really am - What am I doing wrong?

You are doing nothing wrong! I lived in NoVa (loudoun & fairfax county) for 11 years and found most prefer artificial friendships to go along with their artificial lifestyles. I am from the south so I try to bring southern hospitality wherever I go. I am that person who holds doors, greet elderly with ma'am and sir, speak immediately after making eye contact, etc but never made one lasting friendship in the time I was there. Sure, I had acquaintances but they were just that.....nothing more and nothing less. I don't like to typecast an entire area BUT based on the 11 years I was there, it was a very cold, superficial, self absorbed, and a very materialistic area. Now I would be remiss if I didn't mention how the crash in the housing market brought many of the over inflated egos back down to earth. I lived in a very exclusive neighborhood in loudoun county and the same folks who were uppidy and self absorbed were the same folks moving in the middle of the night because their house was in foreclosure.

[Dwellington]

Originally Posted by south_east2west

most prefer artificial friendships to go along with their artificial lifestyles. ... based on the 11 years I was there, it was a very cold, superficial, self absorbed, and a very materialistic area.

Yes, sad, but true. I've--and countless others on this forum and other pockets of the Internet--have experienced the same.

[FLgirl367]

Quote:
Originally Posted by south_east2west
most prefer artificial friendships to go along with their artificial lifestyles. ... based on the 11 years I was there, it was a very cold, superficial, self absorbed, and a very materialistic area.


Stafford/Fredericksburg is not like this at all. That is another reason I love it down here. I suspect that is another big difference between Loudon and Stafford.

[CAVA1990]

Here in Mount Vernon everyone assumes you are or were in the military until you say otherwise. Nobody asks what you do for a living. They usually ask how long you've lived here and where you're from.

[GMUAlum08]

Originally Posted by Tom Lennox 70

Yeah what is the Jeep wave? I learned about the Eastern Shore wave in Maryland and did try it when driving on some isolated country roads and it certainly was returned though I was very clearly not from there! I also know bus drivers have a certain wave which I have seen in the DC area with the Metrobus and the RideOn in Montgomery.

People who drive Wranglers give each other a "wave" when they see each other on the road, which usually consists of raising 2-4 fingers while continuing to grip the steering wheel.

I drive a wrangler and have driven a wrangler most of my life. It's very hit or miss around here whether or not you will get a wave back. I usually wait for someone to wave at me before I wave back at them to avoid being the one to wave and not getting a wave back

[CarolVa1977]

Originally Posted by south_east2west

You are doing nothing wrong! I lived in NoVa (loudoun & fairfax county) for 11 years and found most prefer artificial friendships to go along with their artificial lifestyles. I am from the south so I try to bring southern hospitality wherever I go. I am that person who holds doors, greet elderly with ma'am and sir, speak immediately after making eye contact, etc but never made one lasting friendship in the time I was there. Sure, I had acquaintances but they were just that.....nothing more and nothing less. I don't like to typecast an entire area BUT based on the 11 years I was there, it was a very cold, superficial, self absorbed, and a very materialistic area. Now I would be remiss if I didn't mention how the crash in the housing market brought many of the over inflated egos back down to earth. I lived in a very exclusive neighborhood in loudoun county and the same folks who were uppidy and self absorbed were the same folks moving in the middle of the night because their house was in foreclosure.

Agree 100%