Changes in Longitude... Changes in Attitude

[RickO]

To paraphrase Jimmy Buffett... we're now 8 months into our full timing after selling our home in Northern California. We've worked our way across the south on up to Virginia where we are currently.

We've found it amusing to observe how the attitudes of people we encounter have seemed to change. Throughout the south we found mostly a warm hospitality with Texas really being where we found people to be the most open and willing to engage with "strangers".

Although we're still technically in "the south", we're finding that people seem to be less inclined to make eye contact and even look at us funny if we wave to them while walking our dogs. We just get the sense that there's a lot more skeptisim.

It's all good but it's fun to observe the differences in culture across our great country.

[carmantx]

Well, here is a wave from Texas. Might as well come back and stay a while.

[Dmiles]

Well here is a wave from southern VA. Big difference between southern (close to the NC border) and northern VA which is really Washington DC.

This probably is the line of demarcation. You will notice the further north you get, the less willing strangers are to make any kind of contact, and the waves on the highway generally are done with one finger only. Maybe they are in too much of a hurry to use all their fingers when they wave.

By the way, happy trails...I'm jealous. You are living my dream and if I see you out there, I will wave...with all my fingers.

[ralper]

You are encountering all the transplants from the NE who have retired and moved south to a warmer climate.

[Wayne M]

From Texas to NE twice in the last two years, and now traveling the "Left" coast.

Yep!!

[Barbaraok]

Not to nitpick, but I think the title should be changes in Latitude, not Longitude, since you are moving northward.

Barb

[RickO]

Good point Barb. Since my observations have been formed since we left Northern California in Sept I was thinking in terms of west to east but the real change we've seen lately is during a northward swing.

[wa8yxm]

I have seen that kind of difference between two sections of an RV park...

You stop to chat by me (I'm currently in Michigan) and you will be called FRIEND

[free2wander]

I can relate completly. We lived in Modesto, CA for a while, and this ole boy bein' from Louisiana Cajun Country was used to stickin' his hand out, introducing myself with my first and last name. All I would ghet back was a mumbled first name if that. I had to come flat oout & ask for their last name. Most wouldn't even look me in the eye. I guess they thought I was going to steal their spirit and feed it to a gator somehow. At least here in Texas, people have enough self confidence to answer in kind.

[RickO]

Hi Dick. Have to tell you a good story about Texas hospitality. While staying in Galvaston earlier this year our dogs locked us out of our car by hitting the lock button. We weren't very close to the action so I walked to a nearby liquor store and asked for a phone book to call road service. The young ladies behind the counter promptly produced two slim jims so I tried them but no luck.

I returned them to the store and again asked for a phone book but one of the girls grabbed her cell phone and called her husband who was just getting off work. She asked him to come by and help. She explained that he had a "kit" which would work.

While waiting by our car for him to arrive, a styleish looking lady in her 40s, driving a Lexus stopped and asked if we needed help. We told her no and explained the situation and that we were waiting for our help to arrive. She then asked if we would like to come to her house nearby to have something cold to drink while we waited! We declined but she really made an impression on us.

A few minutes later, the girl from the liquor store and her husband arrived and he had our car open in 2 minutes. I thanked him and asked what I owed him. After a pause, he said "how does $5 sound"? I gave him $30.

I've told that story many times already. We are only "paper Texans" but I'm proud to have my photo on a Texas drivers license!

[Lorna]

Any good Southerner will tell you Virginia isn't "really" the South! My mother used to tell me they were "tainted" by being too close to Yankees!

[TXiceman]

Here's a big howdy and hand shake from a native Texan. We have lived in Pennsylvania, Oklahoma and Toronto. Folks in the south are definitely more openly friendly and willing to meet a stranger. Shoot if yo introduce yourself to him, he is not a stranger any more.

I grew up with the acceptable greeting was to extend your hand, firm hand shake, state you name and look them straight in the eye. Just remember...Texas Friendly.

Ken