Why are people in MA so rude? (Boston, Harvard: fit in, transplants)

[pennyone]

To avoid all the crazy, rude, harried and distracted masses, park as far away form them as possible. Walking is a great form of exercise.

[AtkinsonDan]

Originally Posted by jayrandom

It's not just one incident. People here are ruder than in other places I've lived. There are lots of nice people, don't get me wrong, but it only takes a few real jerks to make it seem like people are rude. And I don't know why. Part of it is probably density, part of it weather, and part of it is cultural.

Originally Posted by arctichomesteader

Population density. This might answer the reason why: How the city hurts your brain - The Boston Globe

Definitely density, studies have been conducted with rodents and other smaller organisms which provide evidence that population density above a certain threshold will cause the members of the species to turn on each other. I am sure the threshold for this phenomenon differs across species but the principle remains in effect for all organisms. I suspect it is evolutionary to discourage species from growing so large as to deplete natural resources required for survival.

[FCMA]

Southerners may secretly be Bible Thumpers but the mood on the street down there is social and welcoming. There's a lot to be said for outward human decency, which New Englanders don't do well. I'm not trepidatious of going out alone in a southern city or out west, because people are open to the idea of chatting with a stranger. In MA, I rarely go out alone, because it usually just results in feeling more lonely, because no one will hardly make eye contact with you. Defenders say it's because here in New England, it's because we're "less fake" - be that as it may, I actually enjoy small talk and saying hi to people I pass on a sidewalk, or acknowledging the person next to me at a bar or at the park or whatever, but New England's vibe has a way of sucking the joy out of human interaction. People look at you like you have six heads or often simply ignore you if you dare say "hi, how are you?" We may be liberal in politics, but absolutely stunted in basic human kindness. We are also oppressed by a high COL and a few leftover blue laws that prove we hate fun. This is a very rat-race region. Other places I've traveled, to similar-sized cities down south, in the Midwest and out west, and Canada, are noticeably more laid-back and friendly - my conclusion is it's a problem inherent throughout the NE Megalopolis that becomes especially acute in urban New England.

[jayrandom]

Originally Posted by AtkinsonDan

Definitely density, studies have been conducted with rodents and other smaller organisms which provide evidence that population density above a certain threshold will cause the members of the species to turn on each other. I am sure the threshold for this phenomenon differs across species but the principle remains in effect for all organisms. I suspect it is evolutionary to discourage species from growing so large as to deplete natural resources required for survival.

Density is part, but have you ever been to Tokoyo or Hong Kong? Density isn't everything!

[UKWildcat1981]

I went to college in Boston, some of the locals can be standoffish, cold and rude and some are very friendly it depends. The college students I met that were not from Boston actually were from over the country seemed to love Boston, I was friends at BU and I hung out with almost all international students and we got along very well.

[AtkinsonDan]

Originally Posted by jayrandom

Density is part, but have you ever been to Tokoyo or Hong Kong? Density isn't everything!

No, I have not been to Tokyo or Hong Kong. However it is interesting that Japan (Tokyo) has one of the lowest birth rates in the world which makes me wonder if their extreme density has impacted their reproductive activities? I read somewhere that younger Japanese males are now failing to form relationships with their female counterparts.

Why have young people in Japan stopped having sex? | World news | The Guardian

Some really bizarre social trends are developing in those super dense locations these days.

[UKWildcat1981]

Originally Posted by FCMA

Southerners may secretly be Bible Thumpers but the mood on the street down there is social and welcoming. There's a lot to be said for outward human decency, which New Englanders don't do well. I'm not trepidatious of going out alone in a southern city or out west, because people are open to the idea of chatting with a stranger. In MA, I rarely go out alone, because it usually just results in feeling more lonely, because no one will hardly make eye contact with you. Defenders say it's because here in New England, it's because we're "less fake" - be that as it may, I actually enjoy small talk and saying hi to people I pass on a sidewalk, or acknowledging the person next to me at a bar or at the park or whatever, but New England's vibe has a way of sucking the joy out of human interaction. People look at you like you have six heads or often simply ignore you if you dare say "hi, how are you?" We may be liberal in politics, but absolutely stunted in basic human kindness. We are also oppressed by a high COL and a few leftover blue laws that prove we hate fun. This is a very rat-race region. Other places I've traveled, to similar-sized cities down south, in the Midwest and out west, and Canada, are noticeably more laid-back and friendly - my conclusion is it's a problem inherent throughout the NE Megalopolis that becomes especially acute in urban New England.

This is what I noticed when I moved from the Midwest to Boston for college thats why i hung out with mostly internationals students. Great post and for the most part true, I did have a few friends from Wellesley and Newton and the citizens were really outgoing and friendly in those towns but in the city of Boston itself not as much.

[atlaw]

Originally Posted by jayrandom

It's not just one incident. People here are ruder than in other places I've lived. There are lots of nice people, don't get me wrong, but it only takes a few real jerks to make it seem like people are rude. And I don't know why. Part of it is probably density, part of it weather, and part of it is cultural.

True this

[Whatsnext75]

Maybe liberal people aren't nice

[Whatsnext75]

It's funny, when in was younger I always thought I'd want to live in boston proper my Whole lIfe. It seemed so posh, so cool, so much to do. Maybe it is if you're rich? These days when I'm in the city I'm usually digusted by the crowds of people. People really can be rude and it does seem like boston has become overpopUlated. I'd much rather live in a more rural area these days.