Why are Southerners generally friendlier than Northerners?

Question

When I was in TN, GA, NC and SC earlier this year, people would say "hi" to me on the street, and nobody was rude, pushy, or offensive. It was a real culture shock.

Whenever I head up to northern states, I always encounter people who clearly are not well-mannered like their Southern counterparts. More culture shock.

What explains for the obvious differences in behavior?

Good answers, y'all!

Answer 1

The pace of life is slower.

Before the Civil war,the South was considered the bastion of refined American culture by the Europeans.

A lot of that old style charm still exists in the South today


unfortunately,so does Racism,but no moreso than anywhere else in the country I feel.

Answer 2

As a northerner through start and a southerner with the help of shifting to London even as i change into 12, I have pronounced quite good ameliorations. interior the north it really is worry-free for an complete stranger to bid you strong day, quit for a short chat earlier shifting on. In London you would both be stated to the Police as a weirdo or beaten up. The sense of humour is diverse. countless the flaws that i hit upon exciting are lost on my southern pals, and vice versa. meals are also the position there are ameliorations. Even something easy like waiting Brek (bleurch), I desire proper oats for porridge. i change into raised on Pikelets and Oatcakes, my spouse change into raised on poultry and Chips. i imagine anybody is pushed through money and ambition even if the North by some potential makes time for different individuals a lot less complicated than the South. No theory why although.

Answer 3

i lived in SLC,and let me tell you,i love the South much better. I was raised by Southern parents,and lioved in Yakima, (wash.) all my life. I now live in the South,and have lived here for the last 6 years and I don't even want to think of moving back to the big city. My oldest remembers SLC,and does not want to go back,my middle doesn't remember it at all,and my baby was born here ( she is 3) and i don't want to go anywhere else.I lived in Tn. and now I live in Va. ( both Bristols,) and wouldn't think of moving anywhere else. They are happier here,more laidback,and less likely to be jerks because of the way city life is. It is rushed,smoggy ( i find the mountains peaceful) loud,and who wouldn't be rude after dealing with that crap all day!??! City life isnt for everyone. It took me a long time to get used to ppl here in the South. They,for the most part,are also less formal than those in the city. I like that in a person.

Answer 4

I'm from the south and I think its because we have a different belief system. We are still taught the "old ways" (go into a class room at a school and ask how many students helped raise a garden over the summer and almost all will raise their hands), and we tend to be more christian based (ever heard of the bible belt)....but don't get me wrong, I'm not saying Northerners aren't religious, it just plays a bigger role in our lives.

Answer 5

I know that my family are from Virginia and it was a shock to me as well that kindness wasn't taken so easily in the North. If I said hello, people thought I was up to something, if I complimented someone on their appearance, they would look at me like I was an alien, If I would extend myself to help someone with their bags, they would become withdrawn, and even with some of the elderly, if I got up from the front seat on the bus and offered a seat, they would flip it around like I thought they were too weak or not able to take care of themself! Also, my grandmother always taught me kindness is the best way, kindness will take you a long way and even if others are rude, you kill them with kindness. I always apply that in my life because anytime I do this, things really do turn out better for myself. It's call having Southern Hospitality. A trait of my family that I am very proud of.

Answer 6

It's not just Southern people, it's COUNTRY people that are so friendly and welcoming to others. I've found this with Southern country people (those that do not live in cities or large urban communities) and people from different islands. City people are a bit on the rude side, and ready to argue and throw a b i t c h session over the most trivial and petty things, and they noisy and just not nice or neighborly.

One would think that living in such crowded conditions as in cities people would learn how to co-exist and cooperate but that ain't the case. Country people know how to share and believe in helping their neighbors and are not stingy!

Answer 7

when america was settled, people in the north mainly lived on water routes and the leading occupation was merchants. people in the south were farmers and therefore had bigger families to help them on the farm. because of this, hey had a very family/community-oriented society and trained their children in those ideas. the difference between the politeness in the north and south has just been carried on for generations through families. also people that live in the south are in the bible belt so that contributes to some of the politeness.

Answer 8

Things move at a slower pace in the south. People aren't as stressed out. Plus the south just has some dam good people!

Answer 9

Don't know where you were, but where I live in VA, that southern hospitality rule does not apply. Almost all the people here are so rude, and trashy. I used to live in NYC, and while I will agree to most people we seem rude, we're not. We're just always moving, always busy, always going someplace. Why should I stop and say if I really don't mean it, especially if I know I haven't got time to talk?
I was raised to be a "real" person. Meaning I don't sugar coat the truth, I don't pretend to be anyone's friend, and I'm not going to stop and speak if I don't know you and don't care about you. If you speak to me first, I'll be polite and say hi back, have small 30 second chit-chat, and then be on my way. Some people take that as rude and pushy, but I'd rather be real than be fake.
Sorry if you don't understand that, but that's how I was raised. Be polite, but be quick about it.

Answer 10

The Northerners are more grouchy due to colder weather and far fewer hours of daylight!

Plus...living in IN for over 7 yrs, people seemed friendlier and nicer when meeting them, but it was really hard to become actual friends. I was very glad to move back East.