Community Chat

[Jaspersmom]

First, let me say that I live in a crowded suburban area near the largest city in the nation.  Living here is fast paced, people drive like maniacs, everyone is in a rush and strangers are not always kind and polite.  I got to go away for an extended weekend to a lake region in an upstate location for the first time since Covid hit.  I was shocked how patient, warm and friendly everyone was and it was a welcome change from the last year and a half.  Even the young man serving us in a restaurant was funny and genuinely interested in all of us.  I was there for a memorial service for a dear relative who passed back in June, so it wasn't a vacation for my family.  My cousins grew up there and they enjoyed going back to their roots.  For me, I just enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and attitude in the (small) city and was pleasantly reminded how nice people can be once you get away from the rat race.  

So my question to you is, do you live in a place where people are polite and kind all the time?  Is it a small town, suburb, city or rural area?  

[millieshops]

Whether I am here in Florida or on LI,NY, I am in a densely populated area where I find the majority of people with whom I come in contact to be friendly, polite, and even often helpful.  And I try to be the same.

[beckyb1012]

Yes we are.  Texas people are the worst drivers, myself included.  However, we are so friendly to everyone.   My city as about 100,000 citizens.

[Jaspersmom]

@millieshops LOL.  I guess you figured out I'm a LIer too.  No one cut me off on the road until I got near the CIP.  Then it was every man for himself.  

[teachgrd3]

Two years ago, I spent 12 days traveling in and around London, UK. On day one, it stood out to me that people there were so much more mannerly, kind, and polite than people here in the U.S. This, of course, is a generalization, and based on my experience, but everywhere we went there, people were so helpful and lovely. Nobody, even in large crowds, was being loud or noisy. They use the expression, "lovely", a lot, and it really describes the behavior of most people there, which is amazing in one of the world's largest cities. We only had one rude encounter and it involved fellow Americans at the Harry Potter Experience. 

[RetRN]

@Jaspersmom, I'm glad you enjoyed your extended weekend with kind and caring people.

I've lived in a large city, smaller cities and towns, as well as a rural area. The large city had the least friendly people--they were generally more impatient and less polite. That is just my experience, I'm sure they are not all the same.

[drizzellla]

I also live in a suburban area near a large city. 

My husband has relatives who used to live in the area and moved to Georgia and Texas.

We go to Disney resorts and visit the relatives on the way to or back from the resort. I am also shocked how nice everyone is. Stopping at our favorite restaurant in North Carolina the customers and the people waiting on you, what an enjoyable time. Even grocery shopping can be such a nice experience. It is fun being there. Guess that is why we vacation in the area.

Not hard to figure out why the relatives don't want to move back to the major city area.

[BlueFinch]

I don't think we can count on people being polite all the time, no matter where we live. That said, I do find the majority of folks in my small unincorporated city in TX, as being welcoming and kind.

I have been to other small towns, when I wasn't greeted warmly, even politely. Some smaller towns don't take well to visitors, or encourage them to vacation, unless they're contributing well to city revenue. In fact, they can be somewhat suspicious of those wandering into their town. 

Even though small towns may have their own cranky citizens, having been in big cities, I wouldn't trade my small town coziness, for a large, congested city. In fact, if I was younger, I would move further out for the space and privacy of country living. 

[Sooner]

Like I tell people, if you don't want to be called "Hon" or "Sugar" do not eat in small towns in Oklahoma.  

By and large we are still warm and friendly folks.  I do worry however, about some (not all) of the younger entitled crowd I sometimes encounter.  

[skatting44]

 I live in a rapidly growing county , which at last count was atleast 260,000

 Years ago, 90% of people  were polite , helpful and kind. People held doors open for one another , gave directions  if you were lost,  and practiced general  kindness.  Today , most people  have remained kind , some still hold doors open , offer help if you are carrying heavy bags , offer help if you have a flat tire and other acts of kindness.

However, there are some people mostly young that are frankly rude . I don't think parents in the last 20 have taken any time to teach manners  or all this  division has made them  lack kindness towards another human being.

 When it comes to encountering drivers, well it's a mess of agressive drivers , esp if I drive on the interstates to larger cities .