Why are people down south generally more polite?

[circledmetalart]

I believe the southern half of this nation is so much more friendly than the northern half. I find this to be true in the Rocky Mountain states as well. Not everyone, mind you, but the majority. I was raised to be polite and say thank you and yes sir to anyone older than myself. I also ask people if they need help when it appears that they do and sometimes they seem startled that I would offer.

[Energy_Fin_Guy]

Easy. They are just fake.

[TexasReb]

Originally Posted by Energy_Fin_Guy

Easy. They are just fake.

Now there is a mature and worthwhile summation...

[Energy_Fin_Guy]

Originally Posted by TexasReb

Now there is a mature and worthwhile summation...

Years of experience. Lived in TX, FL and CA. People in Texas are nicer on the surface.

[TexasReb]

Originally Posted by Energy_Fin_Guy

Years of experience. Lived in TX, FL and CA. People in Texas are nicer on the surface.

I'd like to engage you on this subject. Where are you from originally? Explain why you say Texans/Southerners are nicer on the surface as opposed to, say, those in other states/regions you have lived..

I will be the first to agree that regional mannerisms can be superficial on some levels. BUT...such is also highly dependent on the perception and reception.

After all, what are manners, anyway? It boils down -- at least IMHO -- to a way a people deal with the harsh realities of every day human interactions.

In the Southern United States, our history is one of heat, humidity, and agricultural. Too, our ancestors were a hardy breed and a "culture of honor" dominated (derived primarily from the Scots-Irish and upland English, as well as black Southerners who, after being freed from slavery, developed a way of life which, although at odds with whites sometime, adopted the duality of life and ways).

Anyway, neighbor -- black or white -- meant survival. People were respectful of one another for that fact alone. Too, the heritage dating back to the "old country" was one of story-telling and tales among those who settled the South. This was in quite a contrast to the New England Puritians and such who generally tended to be an austare bunch of stiff-necks!

What is called "Southern hospitiality" is very real. It is genuine. It involves a certain way of interacting with our fellow human beings that predates any of us. It is the standard we were raised to follow and carry on.

Bottom line -- again in my own 2 cent opinion -- is that the vast majority of those who move to Texas/South and feel the manners and climate of friendliness is "fake"...are themselves to blame for feeling that way. They are just not open up to embracing it...

[texdav]

I thnik its because they have always been raised to be polite. Its kind of like the japanese. My family is from the northeast and I always rememeber that they were always grouchy and complaining mostly. when we visited relative there.My neieces who are from califonia always comment on how polite and freindly people from the south are when they travel. I thnik its cultural really.