Is NOVA really that rude these days?

[ajzjmsmom]

Unfortunately NOVA is not alone in rudeness in people, or should I say what one perceives as rude, it is everywhere and as time goes on will probably get worse. We have become a fast paced country with no time to stop and make converstation and it can be perceived as rudeness.

[Richmonder27]

Originally Posted by ajzjmsmom

Unfortunately NOVA is not alone in rudeness in people, or should I say what one perceives as rude, it is everywhere and as time goes on will probably get worse. We have become a fast paced country with no time to stop and make converstation and it can be perceived as rudeness.

Maybe so. In Richmond we always find time to make conversation. I was struck by how different DC is from Richmond. I felt like I was going to be run over.

Of course I didnt find people in Atlanta to be very friendly either.

[athousandlogins]

I don't really know why there are so many threads about this topic. People are unlikely to change their minds based on any of the discussions we have here - those who believe that NoVa is full of grumps always keep believing that NoVa is full of grumps, and those who believe that people are okay here always keep believing that people are okay here

Personally, I'm 30 and I've lived in 6 different states as an adult - including the Midwest, New England, and the South, as well as Maryland and NoVa. The local cultures all had their differences, but in no place was everyone categorically "friendly" or "unfriendly." In the Midwest and the South, strangers were more likely to say hello to me on the street, but they were also more likely to treat me with suspicion once they found out I was an "outsider" (or a Yankee, in the South). Here in NoVa, nobody gives me a hard time about where I come from, and they do usually hold doors for me - but they won't say hello on the street, usually, unless I say it first. That doesn't mean people in NoVa are more rude than everyone else, they're just friendly in a different way. That said, the conditions of NoVa (excessively long traffic-filled commutes, lots of excessively hot or cold weather, the crowds just about everywhere, lots of high-stress jobs, excessively high-priced houses) can make people tense and distracted. NoVa isn't perfect. But that doesn't mean everyone is rude and hates you.

So yeah. If you're out there looking for proof that people in this area are rude, you can probably find it. But that's true anywhere, if you have a narrow definition of politeness, and immediately tar and feather anyone who doesn't fit that particular definition. In most places, including NoVa, people are just...people.

[Richmonder27]

Originally Posted by athousandlogins

I don't really know why there are so many threads about this topic. People are unlikely to change their minds based on any of the discussions we have here - those who believe that NoVa is full of grumps always keep believing that NoVa is full of grumps, and those who believe that people are okay here always keep believing that people are okay here

Personally, I'm 30 and I've lived in 6 different states as an adult - including the Midwest, New England, and the South, as well as Maryland and NoVa. The local cultures all had their differences, but in no place was everyone categorically "friendly" or "unfriendly." In the Midwest and the South, strangers were more likely to say hello to me on the street, but they were also more likely to treat me with suspicion once they found out I was an "outsider" (or a Yankee, in the South). Here in NoVa, nobody gives me a hard time about where I come from, and they do usually hold doors for me - but they won't say hello on the street, usually, unless I say it first. That doesn't mean people in NoVa are more rude than everyone else, they're just friendly in a different way. That said, the conditions of NoVa (excessively long traffic-filled commutes, lots of excessively hot or cold weather, the crowds just about everywhere, lots of high-stress jobs, excessively high-priced houses) can make people tense and distracted. NoVa isn't perfect. But that doesn't mean everyone is rude and hates you.

So yeah. If you're out there looking for proof that people in this area are rude, you can probably find it. But that's true anywhere, if you have a narrow definition of politeness, and immediately tar and feather anyone who doesn't fit that particular definition. In most places, including NoVa, people are just...people.

You dont consider NOVA part of the South?

I do.

[Alanboy395]

Originally Posted by oneasterisk

Oh no not another 1!

Others have said it more eloquently than I, but you get what you give in my opinion. If you say hi to random people then you'll probably get a hello back or at least a nod or a "what's up". When I'm out walking my dog in my neighborhood, I run into people and always say hello or they ask about my dog. There are a few neighbors that I've seen numerous times and just shoot the breeze while our dogs are sniffing each other. I hold the door for people, and people have held the door for me or pushed the button on the elevator. I even had a lady at Cold Stone let my coworkers and I go ahead because she had a huge order to fill. I thought the was the nicest thing 'cause who wants to wait for ice cream!

I don't see why people thinking NOVA folks are unfriendly. I'm sure there are unfriendly folks out there, but maybe try flashing them a smile and a hello and you'd be suprised to find that disarms them quickly.

I've done that a few times and sometimes they reload.

I think it's all about where you moved here from. I'm from Hampton which is a small-town feeling mid-sized city with a heavy military population. Pretty slow-paced with approachable residents. Moving to NoVA was a massive change.

One thing I will say, i'll probably get a few of the "racist, nativist, anti-immigrant" chants for this but one group that is really not that friendly would be half of the immigrants. They seem to stick with their own kind. Want to disagree, go to Landmark Mall or Bailey's Crossroads and tell me what you see. I think they can be more "cliqueish" than the yuppies.

[car54]

World War II changed everything around here. Prior to that DC was a sleepy Southern town. Hundreds of thousands of folks from all over flocked in here for the war effort and most never left.

Case in point: FDR was being shown around the almost completed Pentagon in 1942 and asked why there were so many rest rooms (200+). He was told that "This is the South, sir, Virginia law requires separate facilities for the races". FDR had, the year before, signed an executive order banning discrimination against government workers.....so the "white" and "colored" signs were never installed....

[Melbourne Family]

Originally Posted by oneasterisk

Wait a sec, you guys drive on the wrong side of the road!

Yes I'll admit it, I too was one of those crazy drivers when I first arrived here & was trying to work out the whole driving on the opposite side of the road thing but what's with the minimal use of turn signals (indicators) here? I think alot of drivers here are too busy chatting on their cell phones rather than concentrating on the road. It really stands out to us how many people use their phones whilst driving because where we have relocated from it's illegal to use a hand held phone while driving (of course there are always those that will ignore the law).

Apart from the driving issues I do still think you're mostly a friendly bunch here and that has made our relocation so much easier

[oneasterisk]

I don't have a problem with people on the phone while they drive, so long as they don't drive like their heads are up their arse. What really irks me is the texting. I had some yahoo texting next to me and he started to drift over. I gave him a long blare of the horn and a dirty look, then he just went back to texting.

I drive while on the phone sometimes I have to admit. I still use my turn signals though. I'm right handed, so I hold my phone in my right and drive with my left. I can easily hit the turn signal with my left while holding the steering wheel. I ride a motorcycle, so multitasking with the hands/feet comes second nature. Oh and on my bike, I don't have turn signals so I just use hand signals.

If you think we've got bad drivers, just wait till you get to drive in NY or Boston.

[Melbourne Family]

Originally Posted by oneasterisk

I don't have a problem with people on the phone while they drive, so long as they don't drive like their heads are up their arse. What really irks me is the texting. I had some yahoo texting next to me and he started to drift over. I gave him a long blare of the horn and a dirty look, then he just went back to texting.

I drive while on the phone sometimes I have to admit. I still use my turn signals though. I'm right handed, so I hold my phone in my right and drive with my left. I can easily hit the turn signal with my left while holding the steering wheel. I ride a motorcycle, so multitasking with the hands/feet comes second nature. Oh and on my bike, I don't have turn signals so I just use hand signals.

If you think we've got bad drivers, just wait till you get to drive in NY or Boston.

A crazy taxi ride through NYC was enough for me (he he), thought we were going to die!

[Richmonder27]

Originally Posted by Alanboy395

I've done that a few times and sometimes they reload.

I think it's all about where you moved here from. I'm from Hampton which is a small-town feeling mid-sized city with a heavy military population. Pretty slow-paced with approachable residents. Moving to NoVA was a massive change.

One thing I will say, i'll probably get a few of the "racist, nativist, anti-immigrant" chants for this but one group that is really not that friendly would be half of the immigrants. They seem to stick with their own kind. Want to disagree, go to Landmark Mall or Bailey's Crossroads and tell me what you see. I think they can be more "cliqueish" than the yuppies.

Oh, Pshaw! Hampton roads is a very very transient area in of itself- much like NOVA. It may not become as ingrained there yet, but I have been to Hampton Roads, and the feel isnt anywhere near as Southern or Virginian as Richmond- or even Charlottesville.

Hampton Roads when I go over there I feel like I'm IN NOVA. Especially when 64 opens up to about 3 or 4 lane. Feels like the freakin' beltway, lol

Folks in Hampton dont act or sound like Virginians to me.

Williamsburg is the demarcation line for that.