Are people really nicer down south?

[Conversationist]

Everytime I travel to the southern United States nearly everyone I come in contact with is SO FRIENDLY. So many smiles and warm greetings and friendly help to the travelers. I have never lived down south but I would be interested in knowing about the experiences of others who have traveled to or moved to one of the 13 southern States.

I currently live in Delaware and while I have a circle of friends, I would say most strangers I come in contact with are a bit cold and stand-offish. I try to talk to the neighbors but get mostly short one word answers and frowns.

If I want friendly and nice, is the south for me?

 

[Kim&Chris]

When we were in S. Carolina, I was amazed at how pleasant people were.

Coming from a large city (Philly), I am quite used to people shoving, pushing, and general ignorance. S. Carolina was a pleasant, welcomed change from all of that.

 

[4greatboys]

Well not on the freeway but I think overall we are a tad more friendly

 

[jrydberg]

In my experience, no.

Not saying the South isn't friendly, but no more so than other areas, IMO.

 

[momof2minnies]

I believe the south is alot friendlier than W. Mass for sure but I also have to add that we go to Maine every year and they also are very laid back and friendly.

 

[danacara]

I travel a lot for work, and I would definitely say the friendliest places I've been are San Fran, Santa Fe, and Memphis - not all southern, but all lovely.

 

[Dan Murphy]

About as friendly as the folks in the national parks out west and the theme park in Florida. Good people has been my experience, though I would count 14 states in the 'southern' clime. Go south, Con. And welcome to the DIS.

 

[onecoolmama]

I dont think so. I have heard that southern hospitality is a joke

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

I've met nice people all over the US.

Lori

 

[HollyJoy]

I have found this to be true as well! I love going South. DH has cousins in North Carolina, and they are just awesome there!

 

[jrydberg]

Originally posted by onecoolmama
I dont think so. I have heard that southern hospitality is a joke

Well, before I moved to the DC area many years ago, I always heard that DC was a city of Southern efficiency and Northern charm

 

[MouseClubMom]

Southern Hospitality is a way of life down here. My daughter just started a course on ETIQUETTE in PUBLIC MIDDLE SCHOOL. Manners are expected at all times - at school and at home.

Not saying people aren't nice everywhere. I have never run into a city in the US that doesn't have friendly folks and I travel ALOT on biz. I have to say that the folks on the Oregon coast were just the nicest people I have met in a long time!

 

[onecoolmama]

Originally posted by jrydberg
Well, before I moved to the DC area many years ago, I always heard that DC was a city of Southern efficiency and Northern charm

We are below the mason dixon line and I have always said, "Welcome to DC. If you promise not to make eye contact we promise not to shoot you."


How much friendlier can we be?

 

[caitycaity]

Originally posted by jrydberg
Well, before I moved to the DC area many years ago, I always heard that DC was a city of Southern efficiency and Northern charm

i haven't noticed people in the south being nicer but they are more talkative to strangers. perhaps that gets mistaken for being nicer.

 

[cynsaun]

Originally posted by caitycaity


i haven't noticed people in the south being nicer but they are more talkative to strangers. perhaps that gets mistaken for being nicer.

I agree with you.

I have found down here it is a fake niceness. Some of the southerners have been downright cruel, but a small portion have been very kind as well.

 

[jrydberg]

On the subject of manners, it seems to me that people in different regions have a different conception of what is and isn't rude.

To take an example... I'm in Blockbuster Video in Birmingham, AL waiting in line to rent a couple movies. There are about 10 people in line. The one clerk is chatting with the customer they are helping. The conversation is clearly making the process take significantly longer.

That's rude to me. To some in the South, it'd be rude to rush people on their way. That doesn't mean people in the South have better manners. Just a different lifestyle.

 

[browneyes]

Originally posted by onecoolmama
I dont think so. I have heard that southern hospitality is a joke

Definately an illusion.

I've lived in Georgia all my life. Never been out of the south. I've heard horror stories of rudeness from those that have wandered north of the Mason Dixon line though. I'd like to think those stories are just old wives tales though. I know tons of rude southerners.

 

[Tinks]

I'm not too sure. We know several people who have moved south who were not accepted very well because they were from the north. The joke was they were still calling the civil war the "war of northern aggression." One family moved back!

But I think that could happen anywhere. People in the south are as friendly as people in the north, east and west.

 

[eeyore kelly]

Ok, I'm biased. As a born and raised "Southern Gal," I say yes. I here it from tourists all the time. I am finding though that the "City People" (New Orleans, Baton Rouge) are not as friendly as the more rural areas. Overall, as a country(city, rural, north, south), I find we are not as nice as what we were 20 years ago.

 

[jrydberg]

Just FYI, that's not a joke with a lot of Southerners I met. They do not call it the Civil War (and don't seem to realize that they did, in fact, lose )