Are Californians more caring people (on average) than others? (San Diego: 2009, wedding)

[aheadofthecurve]

Today there was a story on the news about a hot dog stand owner in the LA area that won a battle to get legislation to allow him to avoid taxes as a disabled veteran. Carpinteria hot dog vendor relishes his sales-tax victory -- latimes.com In passing, this person said that he moved to California years ago from New Jersey, and that he found Californians to truly care about each other more than people elsewhere. I've had similar feelings when i've visited California, on average at least. People seemed, more than elsewhere, to make an effort to make me feel included and comfortable . . . and this went beyond service people. I'd like to hear what others think on this topic.

[pll]

I think Californians are extremely caring, warm hearted and accepting of others. They embrace you with a hug. It's hard to find people like them in other states.

[thepinksquid]

If you're wondering at Californians in general, you should probably try to get this moved to the general California forum, rather than the San Diego sub-forum.

[aheadofthecurve]

Originally Posted by thepinksquid

If you're wondering at Californians in general, you should probably try to get this moved to the general California forum, rather than the San Diego sub-forum.

I am interested in San Diego in particular . . . as well as California generally. I am curious if San Diegans share this view.

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by aheadofthecurve

Today there was a story on the news about a hot dog stand owner in the LA area that won a battle to get legislation to allow him to avoid taxes as a disabled veteran. Carpinteria hot dog vendor relishes his sales-tax victory -- latimes.com In passing, this person said that he moved to California years ago from New Jersey, and that he found Californians to truly care about each other more than people elsewhere. I've had similar feelings when i've visited California, on average at least. People seemed, more than elsewhere, to make an effort to make me feel included and comfortable . . . and this went beyond service people. I'd like to hear what others think on this topic.

Maybe more so than in New Jersey (I grew up back east so I am not just saying this blindly). But Californians also pretend to care more than people back east. I'd say we're definitely more polite than people from New Jersey. More caring? Probably more than some places, but not necessarily the most caring. I live in the north in the SF Bay Area. There are some cultural differences between the two areas, but I think what I said applies to both areas and to the state as a whole.

[thepinksquid]

Originally Posted by aheadofthecurve

I am interested in San Diego in particular . . . as well as California generally. I am curious if San Diegans share this view.

Ah okay. Gotcha.
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IMHO, I think there's nice people and sh*tty people everywhere--it's hard to generalize. However, in San Diego I've found that many people seem happy because they enjoy living here perhaps more so than other places. When I lived in Orlando, FL people were much harder to "get into" overall...I know this is probably going to come out awful...but I think at times when urban areas have a higher cost of living, people generally have to be more "with it" to afford living in such place. Realized I emphasized urban areas; because I think it's probably true that there's many low COL places that are more rural, "middle America" -like that have nice people. I just know that when I lived in Orlando I felt like half the people I encountered were like zombies--expressionless and personality-less.

[PharmboyinNC]

When I made eye contact and smiled while shopping in SD, people looked at me strange. I kept open a door for an old lady in La Jolla, and smiled. She walked in without saying a word. Then she turned around and said "Your not from around here. Thanks."

I think people in SD keep to themselves more, but are nice people. I only came across one bunghole in 3 weeklong visits. In my limited experience, there is less also less visable racism than where I'm from too.

[Island_OnThe_Land]

Not sure if Californians "care" more but I do believe they are more laid back and accepting than the east coast. I grew up in So. Calif. but lived for about 5 years in the NYC/New Jersey area and Wash., D.C.

Some people from the east coast will claim this is ALL phony....well maybe SOME of it is...but the reality is the chill weather, the laid back lifestyle just makes for a more pleasant culture.

Also, I recall the buttoned up, conservative style back there. Hated that. What's wrong with jeans on a Saturday night? I'd see guys in ties and jacket out on the weekend. No wedding or funeral to attend. Just out.

I "dress up" in slacks for work ALL week so why do that on a Sat. night. Be comfortable. Life is too short to live like that.

Of course, my comparison is limited to East Coast vs. West Coast. Many other places I have visited but have NOT lived so my experience is more limited.

[Charles]

According to officials, the following are the caring factors on a scale from 0 (not caring) to 100 (very caring) for all 50 states:

Alabama 15
Alaska 11
Arizona 38
Arkansas 56
California 13
Colorado 73
Connecticut 78
Delaware 78
District of Columbia 7
Florida 82
Georgia 12
Hawaii 1
Idaho 13
Illinois 99
Indiana 58
Iowa 72
Kansas 78
Kentucky 20
Louisiana 83
Maine 17
Maryland 90
Massachusetts 10
Michigan 72
Minnesota 62
Mississippi 7
Missouri 77
Montana 4
Nebraska 2
Nevada 57
New Hampshire 31
New Jersey 66
New Mexico 17
New York 47
North Carolina 60
North Dakota 1
Ohio 84
Oklahoma 47
Oregon 89
Pennsylvania 60
Rhode Island 67
South Carolina 36
South Dakota 83
Tennessee 97
Texas 71
Utah 53
Vermont 79
Virginia 18
Washington 1
West Virginia 71
Wisconsin 88
Wyoming 19

[stan4]

Wtf? When I moved to southern california after living overseas, the first thing that struck me was how rude and dismissive people were.

When I moved to Texas 4 years later, manners and courtesy returned.

I don't think you'll find a whole lot of 'nice' on the coasts. That's why any demonstration of it makes news.