From my experience of living several places in the south and living in the northeast of the U.S., southerners are polite but you do not know where you stand with many of them. You are more likely to know where you stand with the northerners. I have actually found some genuinely nice people in NYC! I am tired of the "fakeness" here in the south. Anyone with similar experiences/feelings?
2006-11-26 09:25:32 · 12 answers · asked by cammie 4 in Travel ➔ United States ➔ Other - United States
You didn't say where you were raised but I assume in a place other than the south.
The southern way if life is one I wouldn't trade for anything - yes I was raised in the south.
We generally have a slower pace, we're taught to say please and thank you, we're friendly and courteous and yes you know where you stand with us.
The politeness you mention comes from the manners we are taught here.
Over the years I have come in contact with many people that have moved to the south from other places in the U.S. - they love it here.
To answer your question, you have to remember there are exceptions to every rule - anywhere.
As a general rule I wouldn't consider southerners fake, although as I stated there are exceptions.
Perhaps you didn't give yourself a chance to "get used" to our way of life here.
2006-11-27 01:53:02 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
From someone who has lived in the west, south and north, I agree that southerners can be a little fake, but I never met more vicious people than when I lived in Niagara Falls or Wisconsin. Especially New York. Southerners are definitely more family oriented, as my family members in Wisconsin might live two miles from one another and never talk. People don't hold doors open; you walk through a door behind a northerner, you're lucky if it doesn't hit you in the face. Another noticable difference-if you break down up North, no one will stop to help you. Down south, you barely make it to the side of the road and someone offers assistance. I'll take a little fake and nosy over aloof and uncaring, anyday.
2006-11-26 09:33:27 · answer #2 · answered by nunya 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Au Contrare!
I agree that the south doesn't hold the ONLY ability to be polite & friendly - I too have met people with both characteristics all over the USA.
I believe the difference is our (southernors) ability to refrain from hurting people. We possess the ability to not be "brutally honest" and you imply with northerners by the comment you know where you stand.
We know where you stand too. Just as you do. We simply would rather just avoid those with attitudes that we choose not to mingle with.
Yes. We are very friendly.
Y'all have a good day now - ya hear!
2006-11-27 00:45:34 · answer #3 · answered by chey_one 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Can't say that I have felt anything similar. But then again, I've lived in the south my entire life, but I have traveled to other places including other countries.
In general, we are very polite. While going down the road in your car you will get head nods and waves from everybody outside it seems. But, if we don't like you I think we let you know. Some times it is in an impolite way and sometimes it is polite.
2006-11-26 09:31:32 · answer #4 · answered by Led*Zep*Babe 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I live in the south of the uk (apparently according to my friend i am a northerner because i live further north than Watford - i live in Bedford so you can see the difference)
i would say i am polite and friendly obviously i dont quite answer your question because i am not american but in the english sense i would say this southerner is both polite and friendly.
2006-11-26 09:30:08 · answer #5 · answered by Hannie S 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm A Definite southern!!! We are raised to respect our elders. If you look at the majority of southerns they are or at least partly are Hispanic, If we disrespect our elders we are freakin' dead! We are taught at an early age to respect others. If no Hispanic then people up there need to come down here and get some good home lovin' attitude.
2016-05-23 05:42:38 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately, yes. Many years ago my husband had been stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky for about 6 weeks. I joined him there. I found what you say to be true. Here in Arizona, everybody says hello when they walk by. There are very friendly people here out west. I felt the people in the south were hard to warm up to.
2006-11-26 09:37:55 · answer #7 · answered by somebodys_watchn_you 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I disagree. I believe that a case could be made for just the opposite: friendly but not polite.
e.g. In my experience living in West Virginia, I have found that it is not uncommon for complete strangers to strike-up a conversation in public. However, one of these people may not realize that he or she is being very intrusive or crass.
2006-11-26 09:48:55 · answer #8 · answered by appalachianlimbo 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have been in the South for 30 years now and I am still not at home.
Hard to put a finger on it. Guess I am too liberal.
2006-11-26 09:28:05 · answer #9 · answered by antiekmama 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
being vague in the south is the southern way of letting you know you're an obtrusive a**h***. move back home. PLEASE. we didn't ask you to come here and complain about us all the time, and how buch better things are in the north. what a piece of work. we will bake you a pie to send you on your way. do you like pecan, honey? God bless your heart.
2006-11-26 11:05:42 · answer #10 · answered by bad guppy 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋