Do all Pittsburghers lack social skills? Or just the ones I've encountered? (Oakmont: chapel, homes)

[Nov3]

Not "all"'of PA.

I wouldn't let one city determine the state.

Pitt has a different breed of business and family (community).

Sorry that folks weren't welcoming. it's not a national problem as I toured the Midwest and the pacific states, each region had its ways.., it's all in how they are raised. Manners can be taught anywhere.

[Port Pitt Ash]

Originally Posted by 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.

Cranberry is a pretty vanilla section of PA and not really like Pittsburgh in look or feel.

The Pittsburgh thing is friendly, blunt, and loyal.

Originally Posted by Diane46

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.

You're expecting someone working part time for close to minimum wage to actually be happy to see you?

In the NE everybody doesn't talk to everybody. In fact that holds true for just about every other area not called the south.

Not to mention younger kids these days seem to be more socially awkward in general.

Originally Posted by Diane46

Along the same lines, hardly ANYBODY says "excuse me".

This is mainly manners or lack there of, but you're kidding yourself if you think a lot of people in the south say "excuse me" because they don't.

Originally Posted by Diane46

Can someone please explain if this is a Cranberry/Pittsburgh thing, or is all of PA like this?

It's a northeastern thing.

Oh, and one tip: If/when you go downtown Pittsburgh look out for that Pittsburgh Left (custom to allow the 1st oncoming car to turn in front of you after the light changes).

[Craziaskowboi]

Does anybody else find it ironic that somebody who phrases a question in the most inflammatory way possible has the brass to criticize other people's social skills?

[Goinback2011]

There's a noticeable difference between Southern manners and those in Pittsburgh. When I first moved to Florida, a native there said she found yankees rude and bizarrely aggressive. I didn't see it. When I first returned to Pittsburgh, I saw it.

You get used to it.

[okaydorothy]

I do not feel that at all. I feel that people in Pittsburgh are so friendly, mannerly and decent.I work with someone who lives in Cranberry and she is the most materialistic person I have ever come across in Pittsburgh.

That being said, it is very hard to make friends here. Many people have been here for generations and still have their extended families here. It is very like Ireland in that way. People ask where your family are from, and then they try to see if they know them. I noticed that in the dentist and doctors office lately.

I really do like the Pittsburgh people. They are helpful, friendly and hard working.

[jwebster85]

Cranberry is full of yuppie/desperate housewives types and rednecks. So you get the two terrible sections of humanity in one area, personality wise.

[UKyank]

Originally Posted by jwebster85

Cranberry is full of yuppie/desperate housewives types and rednecks. So you get the two terrible sections of humanity in one area, personality wise.

There be dragons up there too I've heard tale of

[theta_sigma]

As a lifelong Pittsburgher with family here married to someone else with family here, it's not that I mistrust or don't like "outsiders" it's just that most of my social needs and (more importantly) available free time to be social are taken up by family obligations, get-togethers, etc.... I think that's the story behind a lot of the much-discussed Pittsburgh insularity. There's only so many hours in a day. If I've got to see my mom, have dinner with my in-laws and visit my husband's aunt in the old folks home all in one weekend, I just don't have time or the energy (i'm an introvert) to seek out other friends to hang out with in my non existent free time. Basically, if you've got a lot of local family that you are close with, they tend to kind of replace friends just due to logistics, not unfriendliness.

[UKyank]

Originally Posted by theta_sigma

As a lifelong Pittsburgher with family here married to someone else with family here, it's not that I mistrust or don't like "outsiders" it's just that most of my social needs and (more importantly) available free time to be social are taken up by family obligations, get-togethers, etc.... I think that's the story behind a lot of the much-discussed Pittsburgh insularity. There's only so many hours in a day. If I've got to see my mom, have dinner with my in-laws and visit my husband's aunt in the old folks home all in one weekend, I just don't have time or the energy (i'm an introvert) to seek out other friends to hang out with in my non existent free time. Basically, if you've got a lot of local family that you are close with, they tend to kind of replace friends just due to logistics, not unfriendliness.

From my experience this pretty much nails it

[safak]

Originally Posted by jwebster85

Cranberry is full of yuppie/desperate housewives types and rednecks. So you get the two terrible sections of humanity in one area, personality wise.

I know! it also has a small sect of people who stereotype entire areas into something they see on tv, call everyone that is slightly different 'terrible', and believe they are so far above the rest on the enlightenment/humanity/self awareness scale that the sheer irony or it will drive you back south.