Why are people down south generally more polite? (Houston, Dallas: home, high school)

[HtownLove]

lol, it was how we were raised

[stan4]

Originally Posted by HtownLove

lol, it was how we were raised

This brings up a really good point. I was raised to be friendly and polite. However, when we moved to Texas, how I interacted with people was greatly influenced by how people here interacted with each other. I moved from California, and it was much more openly warm and friendly here. This environment changed how we acted...it's subconscious on many levels, but I think many people morph into their environments a bit. So if you are up north and everyone's acting like a turd, you might wind up doing it, too.

[Cowboys fan in Houston]

I dont really think they are. People out west are very friendly too. Southerners tend to be nicer than northerners, but people from the Mountain States are the nicest (I think).

[txtoal]

Originally Posted by HtownLove

lol, it was how we were raised

Same here.

[migol84]

Originally Posted by stan4

This brings up a really good point. I was raised to be friendly and polite. However, when we moved to Texas, how I interacted with people was greatly influenced by how people here interacted with each other. I moved from California, and it was much more openly warm and friendly here. This environment changed how we acted...it's subconscious on many levels, but I think many people morph into their environments a bit. So if you are up north and everyone's acting like a turd, you might wind up doing it, too.

that's exactly what i'm saying... wherever you move your character will change a bit, accordingly. just move to a mexican border town and see what i'm talking about. you'll find yourself not trusting anyone and generally looking at others with a suspicious eye.

[migol84]

Originally Posted by stan4

I agree about stereotyping the east coast, but I'd have more problem with it if it weren't true every time I go up there.

I actually asked some peeps up there the opposite question - why so distant and rude? I've asked different people from different states, and I was astonished to keep getting the same answers.

They said it's because everyone is so busy and rushed and that comes off as 'rude' because they don't have time for 'the niceties.' Given that I have spent a good part of my life working 80 to 100 hour weeks with a long commute, I thought that was a bullsh*t answer.

The second answer they gave is that they thought that being nice to people they don't care about or even don't like is 'two-faced.' I'm pretty sure that is called 'having manners.' Anyone can be nice to people they know and like.

Frankly, I think a lot of it has to do with compassion and courtesy fatigue from being packed together like sardines all the time. That and they have fewer sunny days (in many places up there) and it may be part of a mass seasonal affective disorder. And now it's just become acceptable, so why change?

when I was in San Francisco I had a lot of people run right in front of me almost hitting me without them saying an "excuse me" or "sorry". Then I would see them running as fast as they could to catch the Bart on their way to work. Not everyone was like this of course...but when you move to a competitive city where space is limited you'll notice things like this almost immediately.

[migol84]

Originally Posted by HtownLove

lol, it was how we were raised

it could be... but then you'd also be saying that millions of New Yorkers were not raised with manners. That in itself is a stereotype if you think about it.

[Spade]

Originally Posted by thenewtexan

Urban myth

Huge urban myth. I will say this though. If you want unfriendliness, head to Washington DC. I really liked New Yorkers. Seemed cool and friendly to me. The midwest is also a very friendly area.

[zedster]

Originally Posted by stan4

I actually asked some peeps up there the opposite question - why so distant and rude?

I think you have to realize that you're a product of where and how you grew up. Northerners just see themselves as normal, no-nonsense kind of folk, and in fact may see Southerners as superficial, cloying, and fake.

For what it's worth, from an international perspective, Americans generally have a reputation as being superficially very friendly or courteous no matter where they're from, although again, to many it seems over-the-top and insincere.

[migol84]

Originally Posted by zedster

I think you have to realize that you're a product of where and how you grew up.

In this case, living in a huge city plays a major factor.