RI Attitude (school, live in, store)

[MikeB4681]

Sorry you ran into a jerk or two in RI eight years back. We go on vacations to relax, and I can see an encounter like this ruining a peaceful trip. I am sure you may have other stories about bad experiences in RI. Just to play devils advocate, Newport is a tourist/navy city, so who knows if this man was a true native(though I would not doubt that he was)?

I disagree that people from NY/NJ are friendlier then people from RI. I will give you an example, Judge Judy...enough said! Some people from this part of the world are like her. They are rudely sarcastic, try to be tough guys, and flip out over the most minor inconveniences. I have met many real life, male and female, Judge Judys from NY/NJ. I am not saying that Rhode Islanders do not act this way, because some do.

Some people, who posted in this topic, were hinting a RI "attitude" was cold/standoffish, rude, and not easy going. I stated that it was more of a north east thing then an attitude exclusive to RI.

[Rnrboy]

And I state that you're both wrong as I've met far nicer people here in Rhody than anywhere else.

Example: I have lived in other snowy parts of the country. like Wisconsin for example, where if you got yuor car stuck in the snow and expected a neighbor to help you out - forget it!

Not here in Cranston. Back in December when we had that 8 inches that our wonderful Governor was so unprepared for (he was in Iraq and refused to cede any power to the Lt. Governor), I got stuck in the snow TWICE. And two different complete strangers almost immediately came out of the blue to help me out both times.

Being from FL where a lot of people are pretty rude, this flabbergasted me! (And I've been here almost five years now.)

No, for me the experience with people here has been quite the opposite. An endless supply of uncommonly kind people. Sure, there have been some complete jerks - but you get that everywhere.

[MikeB4681]

We are giving generalized opinions threw our experiences. You can disagree all you want, but that does not mean anyone is wrong.

I lived in the North East for over 20 years and as I have stated some of the best people I know live in RI, Mass, and NY, but from my and many others who have posted here experiences, many northerners can be a little standoffish if they do not know you unless you break the ice.

Rnrboy, I hate it when people bash RI as well. I think its a great state with many great people. Read what I have posted in this topic before you dismiss me as wrong.

[POhdNcrzy]

One thing I don't like about driving in RI:

You are driving and you make your periodic glance into the rear view mirror. Suddenly your heart rate goes up a few beats. Some RI driver is about 10 inches off your rear bumper. Whether you speed up or slow down in anger, they stay incredibly close to your bumper and act as if they were a madman about to run you off the road.

As soon as they have a chance to go around you, they do. But they do it in a way that screams: "I have a severe anger management problem, I hate life, now I'm gonna pass you and make it look like I'm gonna side-swipe you."

Then, not 10 seconds later, you roll up next to them at the next red light.

My goodness, you would think at least the $4/gal. gas would help these people grow a brain and maybe not drive like Rambo on acid! (Oh well...)

[Rnrboy]

Pohd, we finally agree on something!

Perhaps your post is a tiny bit exaggerated, but I do think people suddenly turn into jerks here as soon as they get behind the wheel.

(I have found this is mainly a problem in Providence and the surrounding areas. Not so much in South County and in the Western areas.)

[Gregory P]

my wife is from the south (not deep...just south) and it took her a little while to adjust.

Her comment is: "you know what you're getting from a Rhode Islander."

No sugar coating and none of that so-called "hospitality."

I like to know where people stand.

And for those of you who complain people aren't friendly in your neighborhood...have you ever thrown a party and invited all the neighbors?

Or are you sitting around wondering why your phone doesn't ring and it's just convenient to blame it on us "cold" northerners.

You know, we lived in the south for a few years and I was the one throwing the parties inviting the friendly "non-northerners" to my house.

Yeah. The guy from RI threw the parties.

(And to those who believe only folks in the south bring cookies to the new neighbors...in 3 New England homes we've owned we got the cookies. The two homes in the south? Let's just say we baked them ourselves.)

:-)

[six string samurai]

I live in Rhode Island and have visted other parts of the country and I do agree that there is something such as rhode island attitude. But I think its more of a New England maybe Northeast cultural thing. The people in RI aren't mean per se but there is a sense of coldness, don't bother me vibe from people living here.

[ricitykid]

Originally Posted by Hollytree

Bulletin Bulletin

Rhode Islanders were thrown out of Massachusetts by the Puritans for being too liberal. There were no Puritans here!!

And Rhode Islanders are NOT "cold inside" !!!!! That's ridiculous!
Have you asked yourself what YOU might be doing to provoke cold responses?

Oh, wow. I can see someone's clearly upset by this. Not all Rhode Islanders. I've met some nice, warm, hospitable Rhode Islanders in the five years I've lived here.

However, I've had so many negative experiences. At Daves, when I worked there, customers seemed to never say "Hi" or "thank you" or "Have a nice day".

I've never seen one of my neighbors outside their houses, or ever wave or ever talk to another fellow neighbor. I barely even know any of my neighbors. I honestly don't even know the name of the family that lives next to me.

I've done nothing to provoke these responses except by actually trying to be a nice person and trying to make conversation with some of these people. I'm a decent, clean, well-groomed, person. I'm not a hobo, or a crazed drug addict, or some scowling teenager dressed indecently with six piercings with a face pancaked with makeup.

In the past, whenever I smiled or said "hi" to a jogger or a walker, all I got in return was a frosty, chilly, glare.

I've actually given up on trying to wave or say hi to people. The effort was just too much and most of the time, people just never responded. The only time I'll say "hi" or wave to someone I don't know is they say "hi" first.

[CoventryDude]

Sucks, kid. All of my neighbors are great....we mind our business, and respect each others privacy, but if I ask for help, I'l receive it- and so will they. Going on vacation? They'll watch the place. When they go, they'll mention it me, too.....
Even the one house of renters, great folks..

[Rud Island]

Originally Posted by traceyr13

Well, I grew up in South Kingstown, worked and lived in Barrington for 8 years, and my husband's entire family grew up in East Providence ("Riverside rats", to be exact) and have lived in Cranston for many years, with a stint in Coventry in between. I feel like I have a good grasp on Rhode Islanders (of course, generalizing) from different parts of the state.

I certainly don't think Rhode Islanders have the market cornered on stupidity, or ignorance - you'll find that anywhere! I will reiterate that Rhode Islanders have a provincial mindset - there is a "small state, small minds" aspect to Rhode Island that I did not like at all. I tell my Texan friends that instead of "6 degrees of separation", in RI there are "2 degrees of separation" - unless you are a recent transplant, I guarantee you that you can "connect" almost anyone with anyone else via 1 or 2 people. Some people find that charming - my husband and I found that stifling and insular. It's personal preference.

But I DO wonder if defensive Rhode Islanders who take offense to the "rude, unfriendly, not welcoming" comments have really lived in other, more friendly parts of the country. I don't think it's unfair to say parts of the country have a "flavor" to them - and after living in Texas for 2 years, I don't see how ANYONE who has lived in RI for a good amount of time and then a place like Texas could NOT agree that Rhode Islanders are crankier and less welcoming. People are just HAPPIER here.

My sister, who lived in RI until she went to college in 1995 in Texas and never moved back to the state, calls it the "RI attitude" also. She says that whenever she comes back to the state, within 24 hours she FEELS herself complaining and being more negative. I always laughed at her...until I moved to Texas and came back to visit RI.

You are missing the point traceyr13, those of us who have lived here a long time like those qualities about the Northeast (including RI). I have spent a lot of time in TX, Houston mostly, and the welcoming, friendly attitude you speak of was abundant, and to a New Englander, friggen annoying!!! Could not wait to get back to RI!