Do all Pittsburghers lack social skills? Or just the ones I've encountered? (Titusville: sales, neighborhoods)

[Diane46]

Hi. My family recently moved to PA from North Carolina for my husband's job. I like the area where we live (Cranberry) so far, but one thing I've noticed is that many people seem to lack basic social skills and etiquette.

Many sales clerks barely say hello, and several have acted sort of awkward when I tried to make simple conversation with them. In the south, everybody talks to everybody. We say hello to strangers, and they say hello right back.

Along the same lines, hardly ANYBODY says "excuse me". I've had at least two women nearly walk right into me at two different stores last week. I was raised to say "excuse me" to people, if I'm reaching in front of them, or if my path accidentally crosses with another person. In this area, MANY people either don't say it, or they don't know how to act when someone says "excuse me" to them. They either ignore me or look at me with a blank, awkward expression on their face. It's all very puzzling!

Can someone please explain if this is a Cranberry/Pittsburgh thing, or is all of PA like this? And please don't tell me to go back to where I came from! Like I said, I like the area so far. I just don't understand this aspect of it. Thanks!

[stburr91]

This isn't a Pittsburgh thing, it's a north, south thing.

Also, I've noticed that most young people have very minimal social skills. I don't know if it's because they spend too much time on their phones, or that they just haven't grown up yet.

[szug-bot]

You might find a difference depending on the neighborhood. The 7-11 people downtown are pretty much what you described...but I would not say the same about the "younger" neighborhoods of the east end.

I can't believe in large cities like Dallas, Houston, and Atlanta you would not find the same lack of warmth that you are talking about, by the way.

[alastad]

Originally Posted by stburr91

This isn't a Pittsburgh thing, it's a north, south thing.

Also, I've noticed that most young people have very minimal social skills. I don't know if that is because they spend too much time on their phones, or that they just haven't grown up yet.

True. My friend used to live in the south and he said people would wave at you at the intersection or if you were at a red light or whatever. Personally, after hearing about that and reading the OP's offence at people's lack of extreme friendliness I am really worried about how I will be received in the south because I eventually plan on moving down there but I am a painfully shy person.

[erieguy]

I believe people are just happier down south than muphere.

Weather is nicer, people are nicer, etc...

[Moby Hick]

Except for Cranberry, everybody here is really friendly.

[erieguy]

Originally Posted by Moby Hick

Except for Cranberry, everybody here is really friendly.

When were you last in Cranberry?

As far as the northern population goes, Cranberry is quite friendly. Very few complaints about it. It's not the South, but better than most areas for sure.

[gg]

Originally Posted by Diane46

Can someone please explain if this is a Cranberry/Pittsburgh thing, or is all of PA like this? And please don't tell me to go back to where I came from! Like I said, I like the area so far. I just don't understand this aspect of it. Thanks!

It is NOT a Pennsylvania thing at all. It is a regional Pittsburgh thing, but not every location. Let say you go to Trader Joes for example in East Liberty. People will treat you very well. Go to Whole Foods, not so much. Places in the north hills, not great. Head up to Slippery Rock and go to North Country Brewery, you will be treated well. Head further north into Titusville or other areas up there an you will be treated amazingly well because those places are still civilized. The North Hills isn't very nice. Mostly aggressive SUV driver types. I really hate going up there.

North Carolina is a great state. Love that state from the 6,000+ feet mountains to the shore. Don't give up, there are nice places, you just have to find them. Head up to Zelienople and enjoy a brewpub there. That may give you some hope.

[erieguy]

No need to go all the way to Slippery Rock. Harmony Inn in Harmony is owned by North Country Brewing.

[Diane46]

Originally Posted by szug-bot

I can't believe in large cities like Dallas, Houston, and Atlanta you would not find the same lack of warmth that you are talking about, by the way.

Perhaps. I was comparing this area to large cities in NC where I've lived (Charlotte and Raleigh, both of which have larger populations than Pittsburgh, according to Google.)