Are people in California meaner than other parts of the county? (Orange: fit in, living)

[ccm123]

I think the crowding of the state definitely has a lot to do with it. I was born and raised here in CA. In the 70's, when I grew up, we knew all of our neighbors and socialized together. We held neighborhood block parties, went to the same school and everyone trusted each other. In the 80's, I observed a lot of changes taking place: new immigrants moving in, places getting more crowded, old neighbors moving out of CA, etc

These days, you'll be lucky if you even know one of your neighbor's names.

[Tulemutt]

Originally Posted by ccm123

These days, you'll be lucky if you even know one of your neighbor's names.

Or lucky to not. Depending on what your neighbors are like.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by ccm123

I think the crowding of the state definitely has a lot to do with it. I was born and raised here in CA. In the 70's, when I grew up, we knew all of our neighbors and socialized together. We held neighborhood block parties, went to the same school and everyone trusted each other. In the 80's, I observed a lot of changes taking place: new immigrants moving in, places getting more crowded, old neighbors moving out of CA, etc

These days, you'll be lucky if you even know one of your neighbor's names.

I remember those block parties. But what always puzzled me as a kid was that the families/parents from around the corner, or a block away, never came (if they were even invited). The socializing and friendliness seemed confined to the people on one's own block. That still seems strange.

[Fran66]

I grew in Southern CA in the 50s and 60s. Was gone for most of the 70s. Came back in 1979 and stayed until 2006, when I retired. I saw A LOT of changes. Most of them not good. BUT -- my kids and I and my ex -- we had a great time while the kids were growing up. Great friends. Salt of the earth co-coworkers (and I stayed in the same work place for almost 30 years, with mostly the same people). BUT -- I hated the last 5-10 years there (aside from my work, coworkers and friends). For instance, I remember that I could go to South Coast Plaza (in OC) at few times/days of the week, because otherwise it was so full of people you couldn't walk down the halls without bumping into people. I remember going to SCP during one Christmas season, close to 12/25, and not being able to find a parking place. SCP, for gripe's sake! The parking lots are huge! //// I felt more and more like a sardine, with hundreds of other sardines, in a very small can, and that my quality of life was rapidly going down the tubes. So when I retired, I left. //// Southern CA (not including Northern) has 23+ million people, most of them living on or close to the coast. An area the size of Southern CA simply can't handle 23+ million people . //// People here in C-D post, at times, about how rude Southern Californians are. I didn't find that to be true until after 9/11. It got worse after the crash of 2008. I think people are tired of trying to get ahead and not being able to do so. Tired of being worked to death. Tired of having lost their jobs and not being able to find a comparable one -- or any job at all. Tired from losing their homes. Married couples who want to divorce can't do so because they can't afford to! Frankly, life just s-cks for MANY people right now. Basic manners are, unfortunately, not near the top of their priority list.

[NoMoreSnowForMe]

I grew up in the SF Bay Area, and have only lived in Northern CA when I've been in this state. Whenever I've visited southern CA, and that includes Santa Barbara, Anaheim, L.A., I was always struck by how rude people were - especially people in customer service jobs, like hotels and restaurants. They treated me like I was a pain in the butt just because I was there, even though I was being friendly. The kind of behavior that would get you fired in Northern CA.

I have no idea why, but it's been consistent whenever I've gone to those cities.

[MIKEETC]

Originally Posted by cyrusp1991

Are people in California meaner than other parts of the county?

Yes.

[caused by too much sun]

[NoMoreSnowForMe]

Originally Posted by MIKEETC

Yes.

[caused by too much sun]

LOL. And not enough water.

[MIKEETC]

Originally Posted by NoMoreSnowForMe

LOL. And not enough water.

Dehydration and sunburns will make people cranky.

[and no fun to be around]

[oping00]

Originally Posted by luv4horses

A lot of friendliness does depend on peoples' stress levels. Commuting and struggling to make the rent is stressful. I would guess some folk have very little free time after working and driving and they are in a panic to get things done.

It also depends on your age and their ages, the type of lifestyle embraced by the locals, and whether yours is somewhat similar. If you are a lot younger, you are like their son or daughter, a lot older, like their grandparent, and that is a more friendly situation. Students are friendly to students, high rollers are friendly to high rollers, parents of toddlers to the same. Dog walkers are friendly to mellow dog walkers and surfers to surfers.

I worry that crowding makes people meaner, but maybe not. We'll see as "up-and-coming" towns like Raleigh and Austin get more crowded. Certainly lots of younger people are flocking to the urban centers, and why if not to look for new friends.

I never had a problem in New York, you will get the same reception as the poster was saying, in bars people talk to you, when I asked for directions people will give them and NY is crowded and stressful. I think LA people are ok, but they really are in their own world too much.

I agree some of the NE places like Phily/NJ the people are just intolarable.

[nslander]

Originally Posted by NoMoreSnowForMe

I grew up in the SF Bay Area, and have only lived in Northern CA when I've been in this state. Whenever I've visited southern CA, and that includes Santa Barbara, Anaheim, L.A., I was always struck by how rude people were - especially people in customer service jobs, like hotels and restaurants. They treated me like I was a pain in the butt just because I was there, even though I was being friendly. The kind of behavior that would get you fired in Northern CA.

I have no idea why, but it's been consistent whenever I've gone to those cities.

That sucks. Next time, stay in Long Beach.