I often complained about the South being very good old boys club and catering to blue blood but up North I am seeing time and and time again of people who have no regard for those they have had association with or really being fair weathered. I see this from cliquey mothers  to businesses. I just see people being really self serving to an extreme degree. Also there just doesn't seem to be the same regard to history or trust. Is there something to this by region?

It honestly depends on where you are and who you're interacting with.  I think that statement could be made about every region.  I've run across plenty of people like that, living in the North my whole life, but the nicest, kindest, and most honest people I know are also from here.  

Than again, I mostly associate with rural folk on a social level, and most of these would drop whatever they are doing in a heartbeat to help a neighbor or stranger in need.

I've heard from various people that New Zealanders are rude, and have never found any that I've met to be anything other than gracious and friendly.  I don't think blanket statements can be made.  

I should have clarified, I meant north-easterners.  Not upper-midwesterners.

When I was in CT for family reasons a couple of years ago, yes, I got this sense of urgency in incredibly unimportant matters- drivers behind us blaring their horns because we weren't running red lights, people cutting us off in the grocery store and smacking into us without even a murmured apology, that sort of thing.  It's a totally different culture, one I found rather unpleasant.  I'm sure they all aren't that way, but it seemed to be the norm in Hartford and other larger cities there.  

ohhh, you guys are just really getting me down over here. ! (but you are right!)  :cry:



Sadly, when I leave my (very small) town I often will get crazy looks as though "how dare this weird girl say hello to me....what is her problem!" hahahahaha I feel that people get 'offended' whenever I greet them in a market or store. Even sometimes my extended family will treat me as though 'they cannot be bothered' because, unlike me, they have a *real* life to attend to (spending money and going to bars).
They look on me with pity all the time, and they are so puzzled why I have any confidence or happiness

As for the Northerners that are described as unfriendly, it is more of a space thing. If you invade their space or ask questions that are out of line and you are from another part of the country, it does seem rude. One thing I have learned is that North Easterners are  intensely loyal, but you have to prove yourself worthy of their trust, they don't take just anyone into their inner circle.

The rudeness and the rushing are found in any large population area, the speed meets the need. More people must be served by businesses and there is only so much room for each person or business, while they might like to stop and chat, they have to keep up with the pressure of serving a higher volume of people. I've found that even thirty minutes out of big cities that it slows down a lot and becomes friendlier.

My experience is mostly living in the Mid-West, I find people exceptionally nosy and gossipy because they are too free with information that should be private or semi-private. I find that ones is also more likely to run into people with nothing better to do than intervene where they are not needed or wanted, especially white suburban women who like to call CPS.

Aren't the days of regional distinctiveness over?

Everything looks the same and everyone seems the same no matter where I go.

Maybe that's my limitation.

New York City seems a lot less foreign than it did in the 80s.