On 1/6/2017 10:42 PM, Sqwertz wrote:
> On Fri, 6 Jan 2017 22:12:21 -0500, jmcquown wrote:
>
>> On 1/6/2017 9:21 PM, sf wrote:
>>>
>>> Often. Sometimes it's culturally based, but it's definitely more
>>> common outside large urban areas. I was brought up in the country and
>>> have no problem striking up a conversation with the person behind me
>>> in line. I'm always surprised (but not offended) when someone strikes
>>> up a conversation with me, because it's behavior that's out of the
>>> social norm for this particular area.
>>>
>> sf, I don't think you realize how snobbish that sounds. It's outside
>> the "social norm for this particular area"? To do what? Strike up
>> conversation with someone? What the heck is the social norm in your
>> area? Everyone in line should remain silent?
>
> I was in culture shock when I moved from Suburban Pennsylvania to the
> San Francisco Bay Area. I quickly learned that you can't be as
> friendly as you could in PA. When striking up a conversation with a
> stranger, they either look at you strange/annoyed, don't even speak
> the same language, or they might think you're form a different planet.
> There are so many different lifestyles, religions, nationalities, and
> personal phobias that you have about an 7% chance of starting a
> cordial/brief conversation *if* you choose wisely. And that included
> work and school. And that was before cell-phones (now people just
> stare into those and avoid all conversation).
>
> I didn't think what she said was snobbish. And that carries a lot of
> weight coming from me :-)
>
> -sw
>
Perhaps I misinterpreted. I guess I have never lived anywhere it was
*not* "the norm" for someone to be polite and say hello. Especially if
you're standing in a checkout line for a while. It doesn't mean you
have to get into an extended conversation with anyone. It's not a
social commitment.

Jill

On Fri, 6 Jan 2017 23:11:50 -0500, jmcquown >
wrote:

>On 1/6/2017 10:42 PM, Sqwertz wrote:
>> On Fri, 6 Jan 2017 22:12:21 -0500, jmcquown wrote:
>>
>>> On 1/6/2017 9:21 PM, sf wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Often. Sometimes it's culturally based, but it's definitely more
>>>> common outside large urban areas. I was brought up in the country and
>>>> have no problem striking up a conversation with the person behind me
>>>> in line. I'm always surprised (but not offended) when someone strikes
>>>> up a conversation with me, because it's behavior that's out of the
>>>> social norm for this particular area.
>>>>
>>> sf, I don't think you realize how snobbish that sounds. It's outside
>>> the "social norm for this particular area"? To do what? Strike up
>>> conversation with someone? What the heck is the social norm in your
>>> area? Everyone in line should remain silent?
>>
>> I was in culture shock when I moved from Suburban Pennsylvania to the
>> San Francisco Bay Area. I quickly learned that you can't be as
>> friendly as you could in PA. When striking up a conversation with a
>> stranger, they either look at you strange/annoyed, don't even speak
>> the same language, or they might think you're form a different planet.
>> There are so many different lifestyles, religions, nationalities, and
>> personal phobias that you have about an 7% chance of starting a
>> cordial/brief conversation *if* you choose wisely. And that included
>> work and school. And that was before cell-phones (now people just
>> stare into those and avoid all conversation).
>>
>> I didn't think what she said was snobbish. And that carries a lot of
>> weight coming from me :-)
>>
>> -sw
>>
>Perhaps I misinterpreted. I guess I have never lived anywhere it was
>*not* "the norm" for someone to be polite and say hello. Especially if
>you're standing in a checkout line for a while. It doesn't mean you
>have to get into an extended conversation with anyone. It's not a
>social commitment.
>
>Jill

I've found that folks living in downtown large citys tend not to be in
any way sociable with anyone they don't know. In small towns anyone
passing on the street will get at least "Hi, nice weather today"... at
the market checkout a minimum two minute conversation is required lest
you're thought "Not quite right".

On 2017-01-07 12:02 PM, Brooklyn1 wrote:
> On Fri, 6 Jan 2017 23:11:50 -0500, jmcquown >
>
> I've found that folks living in downtown large citys tend not to be in
> any way sociable with anyone they don't know. In small towns anyone
> passing on the street will get at least "Hi, nice weather today"... at
> the market checkout a minimum two minute conversation is required lest
> you're thought "Not quite right".

My father grew up in Beeton, a small town in southern Ontario. We used
to go for a drive up there once in a while when we lived in Mississauga.
My mother always used to wave to people on the street, much to my
father's embarrassment, but she would tease him and say that's what you
do in small towns. One Saturday afternoon we drove through the town and
stopped at the (one and only) stop sign. One of the locals came running
over and said "Aren't you little Donny Smith?".