Is Southern Hospitality genuine? (Dallas, Plano: transplants, buy, living)

[Robzherenow]

I just moved to Collin County two weeks ago from the Northeast and am amazed at how polite people are to each other. I was telling one of my friends who lived in Dallas all his life that its great to be around nice people, and he replied by saying that don't buy into it. He said that its an act with most people and they show their true colors after you walk away. I am sure there are many native dallas suburban people that read this and I would like to know your thoughts on this. Is Southern Hospitality really sincere or is it just an act to please transplants?

[ladysrodgers]

Originally Posted by Robzherenow

I just moved to Collin County two weeks ago from the Northeast and am amazed at how polite people are to each other. I was telling one of my friends who lived in Dallas all his life that its great to be around nice people, and he replied by saying that don't buy into it. He said that its an act with most people and they show their true colors after you walk away. I am sure there are many native dallas suburban people that read this and I would like to know your thoughts on this. Is Southern Hospitality really sincere or is it just an act to please transplants?

I've lived in Plano since March of this year. Granted I haven't met a "lot" of people, but they don't seem all that friendly to me.

From what I've read on these boards, people who live in Dallas are quite prejudice against those who live in Collin County, so I would take what they say with a grain of salt. How would they know how people are here without living here anyway?

Besides, saying an entire county is like that is pretty small minded.

[Huckleberry3911948]

the very nature of politeness is that it is insincere.
it is a standard of conduct not our personal feelings.

[BstYet2Be]

I've found that most of the people here are, indeed, genuinely hospitable and friendly... from the service industries to the upper echelon... in all communities.

Of course, like anywhere else, it's all in what you put out here... it, in turn will be reciprocated.

Welcome to Texas!

[Embraer]

The southern hospitality thing is for the most part a myth. However, if you were to go to some small towns in Texas and throughout the South you would find really genuinely nice people. Just a few days ago I happened to unexpectedly fly into a small Panhandle town called Dalhart. The people at the small mom & pop airport cafe were some of the friendliest I have ever met...and it was all sincere.

Within the metro areas it is pretty much a facade. People who act one way when they are talking to you then turn around and gossip, spread rumors, pass judgment, etc... People do those things everywhere, but the difference is that in the South they pretend not to which in many ways actually makes it worse.

There is nothing worse than knowing a person who has been saying nasty things about you behind your back come and talk to you with a big smile and say things like, "bless your little heart..."

I lived many years in Collin County and found people there were no different than in other counties, with small exceptions of course. There are places in DFW that are more country while others are more city. Collin County leans more towards the city vibe with McKinney being the exception. Just like in other suburbs neighboors won't talk to one another very much and most people enjoy staying indoors vs going outside and doing things. I call that more of a cold attitude than outright rude, but it is what it is.

So no, Southern hospitality is not genuine nor is it real. If people are nice then it is because of their upbringing-or despite it- and is a reflection of their character. Any reason outside of that for being nice is simply a person pretending to be nice which is what Southern Hospitality really is.

[BstYet2Be]

Originally Posted by Embraer

So no, Southern hospitality is not genuine nor is it real. If people are nice then it is because of their upbringing-or despite it- and is a reflection of their character. Any reason outside of that for being nice is simply a person pretending to be nice which is what Southern Hospitality really is.

I wholeheartedly disagree! True Southern hospitality IS genuine... it appears the rest are simply trying to fake it from the get-go!

[galore]

Not to become too political, but divisive politics seem to fall on fertile grounds in the South. Somehow this doesn't mesh with the cliche of Southern Friendliness.

I think the politeness is total BS. I've witnessed several times how people are totally two-faced. Sugar sweet one second and vitriolic the next (when it is deemed safe).

[ladysrodgers]

Originally Posted by new2sa

I've found that most of the people here are, indeed, genuinely hospitable and friendly... from the service industries to the upper echelon... in all communities.

Of course, like anywhere else, it's all in what you put out here... it, in turn will be reciprocated.

Welcome to Texas!

Of course people in the business environment are going to be friendly, they want your money. It's their job to be friendly.

In my experiences of having lived in both large cities, to small towns, the smaller the community, the more friendly people are.

City dwellers are so used to the hussle and bussle, and fast pace of the city, they usually (not always) don't take time to be friendly or hospitable to others.

Being hospitable and friendly is just plain good manners. If that is considered BS, then I would suggest someone's upbringing was lacking.

[Spree]

I have lived in the northeast and I will take the southern hospitality, fake or not, any day.

[nativeDallasite]

Originally Posted by Robzherenow

I just moved to Collin County two weeks ago from the Northeast and am amazed at how polite people are to each other. I was telling one of my friends who lived in Dallas all his life that its great to be around nice people, and he replied by saying that don't buy into it. He said that its an act with most people and they show their true colors after you walk away. I am sure there are many native dallas suburban people that read this and I would like to know your thoughts on this. Is Southern Hospitality really sincere or is it just an act to please transplants?

Believe me, we don't do ANYTHING just to please transplants.

Some of it is fake, sure; we'll be polite to someone to their face, then gossip about them after they leave. I doubt we're alone in this, though. I've seen British and French people do it too. I think most of it is just common courtesy; why be rude to someone to their face? I don't care what people say about me behind my back.