I have to agree with Mundamanu. I lived in Manhattan for a while, and I found most people living there to be quite helpful and many were quite friendly. It has a lot to do with one's own attitude toward the others I would say. We had block parties where everyone brought food, we closed the street down, we helped each other with groceries or moving furniture. I doubt many people would even believe how nice the people in NYC can be. Be unkind or rude, and yes, they can get mean, but who can't. I was once told that the friendliest people are from North Carolina. I went to a flea market, said hello to each vendor and others, and out of all, only two people responded in kind. Should I now think that ALL people in NC are mean, unfriendly? Nope. As for the topic, the prices are higher there. Who knows why, and will knowing why make them any cheaper? Most likely not. John