Kindness of Strangers - More true in rural areas?

[dmccarty]

I do believe the general lack of rudeness in rural areas is because of population density. The absolute rudest place I have ever lived is South FLA. I think this is not only because of the population density but also the people who migrated from certain areas in the North East.

For a time I had a job that required travel all around SE FLA as well as SW FLA. The cashiers on the east coast were not usually friendly and most of the time they acted like they were doing you a favor taking your money. I remember when I and a coworker had driven to the west coast, west coast of FLA that is, and stopped for gas. The cashier was very polite and we were both amazed since we were not used to being treated nicely. :laughing: This was usually the case on the west coast.

I had to call up the JD dealer to work on my tractor. The guy I talked to was exceedingly polite and he thanked me for my business. :thumbsup: They had to send a truck down to haul the tractor to the dealer. The driver was also exceedingly polite. I bought from this particular dealership because I liked the attitude of the staff INCLUDING Joe the salesman. In comparison to the NH/Kubota dealer who would not even give me the price on a tractor. :confused2:

Later,
Dan

 

[2LaneCruzer]

I grew up in rural Oklahoma. Country folks tend to know each other and each other's family. Not only did they know me, they knew my Dad and Mother, and my Grandad and Grandmother and all my uncles and aunts. If I had a flat or car trouble, everyone who came by, without fail, would stop and see if they could help. I did the same thing; you don't worry about your friends and neighbors.

 

[Sigarms]

People are more friendly in the country than the city. That does not mean ALL city people are rude or ALL country people are friendly.

Prime example of statistics and what can happen to people with continuous human interaction

Where I live, people wave as you drive by on the road. Do that in the city, and you don't have much time for driving.

Point being, when you live in the city and deal with gobs and gobs of people, it takes REAL work to be friendly all the time LOL

That said, when I was trying to control my dogs as some Jehovah witnesses were coming down my driveway yesterday, I didn't exactly have welcoming smile not knowing who they were at first.

Then again, when I use to take the blue line on the Metro in DC for work, I was more worried about my surroundings that being nice to people.

 

[Ron JD670]

To me it's pretty obvious, times have changed and for good reason........ like in the 60's when i was in school, all you needed to protect yourself from a Nuclear explosion was a small desk

Great comment I really got a laugh.

Yea cars go faster so it is harder to see if there is a need, slow down or stop.... everyone has a cell phone so you don't need a ride to a pay phone. Etc. Etc

As some have noted in rural areas people tend to know each other (or at least think they know their business) and the farther it is between towns. They understand it could be them sitting along side of the road hoping for help. While I've stopped and helped more In the past as I get older I'm more concerned about my safety so I'm more selective about when I stop but also find I'm less often in situations were people are in need of help. Also in my rural area there are a lot of pot grows which raises concerns.

Over all I feel blessed both by the help I've received and been able to give.

 

[Creamer]

There are good people everywhere but I think rural people are more inclined to help for a couple of reasons - 1) it is rural and there are not near as many people to help so they feel more responsible (how many people pass by on a rural road?) and 2) They know that there is not help a short distance away so again there is more need for help. In the city there are many good people but there there are so many there just isn't the personal responsibility like their is in the country.

 

[whistlepig]

From my experience it kind of depends where you live. I was always taught to help those in need. We used to live 1/4 mile from a major interstate. When someone broke down I would go to ask them if they needed help. I could see them rolling up their windows up and locking their doors in a panic as I approached. They would speak to me from 1/4" gap in their window. I seemed to terrify them. When we moved back out in the country four years ago that changed. And it wasn't me that changed.

 

[dmccarty]

...

That said, when I was trying to control my dogs as some Jehovah witnesses were coming down my driveway yesterday, I didn't exactly have welcoming smile not knowing who they were at first.
...

People driving up to my house have to pass a gate and no trespass signs. My reaction to some of these people is not friendly and would put me in the Rural People Are A.....ses category.

Years ago when living in the city, I went to get some bagels for breakfast early one Sunday. :licking: I cannot do that now in the country. Anywho, the road I was traveling is usually very busy and four lanes. In spite of being in Snob City, where everything is perfect and nothing bad ever happens, they only have side walks on one side of this busy road. I noticed an old lady, wearing multiple layers of clothes, walking in the gutter. This was multiple clues that something was not right.

I did a U turn and went back to help her. She was dang near running she was walking so fast. :laughing: She obviously had dementia and had "escaped" from somewhere. I literally saw a white van drive by with people in white coats at one point but by then the lady was in the car and they did not see her. I had left the bulky cell phone at home so I was going to drive her to a grocery store where I could call 911. Just then a young couple drove up.

They too had seen the lady booking down the street in the gutter and they had turned around to help. They just took longer to do a U turn. :laughing: They knew that there was a nursing home down the road and down a side street. Figured this was another clue I followed the young couple back to the home. There seemed to be quite a commotion at the home. They knew they had a patient who had escaped and when I pulled up with the escapee they were very happy.

I was glad to see the young couple had noticed the women and had returned to help. Quite a few cars just drove on by.

What I wish I had done different and did not realize until years later, was that I should have called in to 911. Nursing Homes can have serious problems and have a patient escape is not good. OTH this lady was in great shape and the facility never had a problem that I know about. I think she just wanted to go for a walk. Of course it seems like this happens frequently enough from care giver's homes and the person is found dead weeks or years later. Today, I would call in to 911 if this happened again.

Later,
Dan