The Rudest Place in America

[Bijo]

http://www.rd.com/content/good-manners/2/

Don't believe the hype about New York, it's a very friendly city.

Well, I'm not much of a believer to start with. It's just that I've been to places there and NYC was one of them. From all the U.S. places I visited NYC was the worst.

Granted, I have not seen it all which is why I said "from what I know..."

In fact, any place in America I visited seemed to be full of rude, dishonest, manipulative, evil, selfish people regardless of colour, race, class, etc. I ain't just talking they're in a hurry, no: they are plain RUDE and NASTY. The reason for this... I don't know in detail, but the fact stands.

Now, fellow people of the ORG, THAT... is one of the reasons I dislike that country.

[Uesugi Kenshin]

Well, I'm not much of a believer to start with. It's just that I've been to places there and NYC was one of them. From all the U.S. places I visited NYC was the worst.

Granted, I have not seen it all which is why I said "from what I know..."

In fact, any place in America I visited seemed to be full of rude, dishonest, manipulative, evil, selfish people regardless of colour, race, class, etc. I ain't just talking they're in a hurry, no: they are plain RUDE and NASTY. The reason for this... I don't know in detail, but the fact stands.

Now, fellow people of the ORG, THAT... is one of the reasons I dislike that country.

That's a real nice generalization Bijo.......

Explaining that would be kinda nice, and you might want to take into consideration your apparent lack of tolerance. I mean how many other people regularly put up threads just to complain about things that they hate?

I'd have to say NYC isn't that bad. The people are in a rush sure, but do you expect everyone to stop on the street and say "Hi" like in a village or quite country road? No. And if you go to a restaurant, theater, or almost any other normal establishment the people are quite nice, informative and helpful. Oh yeah and there's some great food.

[Bijo]

That's a real nice generalization Bijo.......

Explaining that would be kinda nice, and you might want to take into consideration your apparent lack of tolerance. I mean how many other people regularly put up threads just to complain about things that they hate?

I'd have to say NYC isn't that bad. The people are in a rush sure, but do you expect everyone to stop on the street and say "Hi" like in a village or quite country road? No. And if you go to a restaurant, theater, or almost any other normal establishment the people are quite nice, informative and helpful. Oh yeah and there's some great food.

No, it was not a generalization. I simply said that every place I visited in America was more or less BAD. This experience (among other factors) MADE me dislike the country AND I am not saying that any place in it is like how I described those others. And my lack of tolerance, whether true or false, is irrelevant.

The fact stands and it cannot be negated.

[seireikhaan]

Hmm, can't say personally for rudest. Friendliest? Well, Iowa's pretty friendly for the most part, especially in comparison to other parts of the country I've been to.

[Ser Clegane]

In fact, any place in America I visited seemed to be full of rude, dishonest, manipulative, evil, selfish people regardless of colour, race, class, etc. I ain't just talking they're in a hurry, no: they are plain RUDE and NASTY. The reason for this... I don't know in detail, but the fact stands.

Hmm ... speak for yourself but don't call it "fact" as it rather seems to be a perception of you than a fact.

My own experience from half a year as an exchange student, a number of visits in the US in various areas since then and the daily interaction with people from the US in my day-to-day work supports none of your points.

When traveling in the US I rather found that in general people in the US were extremely friendly and helpful and the majority of people who spent time in the US made the same experience.

Perhaps you can give some examples of incidents that led to you (IMHO) somewhat unusual view?
Where have you been in the US and for how long?

[Geoffrey S]

In fact, any place in America I visited seemed to be full of rude, dishonest, manipulative, evil, selfish people regardless of colour, race, class, etc. I ain't just talking they're in a hurry, no: they are plain RUDE and NASTY. The reason for this... I don't know in detail, but the fact stands.

The only fact I see standing is that it's your opinion, and not one many share. Some might even say that your comments here are rather rude and nasty to an awful lot of people from NYC.

[Bijo]

If I visit places and I objectively notice people are rude, is it not a fact that these people in these places are rude? Do you really think I would allow emotion, beliefs, subjectivity, and such for judgment? The fact that they were rude stands.

The only fact I see standing is that it's your opinion, and not one many share. Some might even say that your comments here are rather rude and nasty to an awful lot of people from NYC.

You should know by now I do not like opinions unless they are necessary. And the people who might think I am being rude should know I am not if they remember how I would operate in debates and discussions. I provide the facts and that's it. What you're saying comes close to ad hominem.

---

Ser Clegane:
Some examples:
- ignoring when you talk
- looking dirty at you
- cursing you out

I've been there a few months.

[Lemur]

I objectively notice people are rude

How can you objectively declare a phenomenon that is, by definition, subjective? I'm not saying that people weren't rude, I'm just saying that I think you might have to lose your license to use the word "objective" for a while. Felony malapropism!

[Bijo]

How can you objectively declare a phenomenon that is, by definition, subjective? I'm not saying that people weren't rude, I'm just saying that I think you might have to lose your license to use the word "objective" for a while. Felony malapropism!

Well, that is all well and good as you invite fortification to my words.

What I was meaning is that they were indeed rude, negative, and so on. It is fact that most of them were. Then I provide this fact to you/others. Is ignoring a person when you shouldn't, cursing a person out for no apparant reason, being psychologically aggressive, and looking/staring at someone in dirty ways, not rude? We know more or less what is rude and what is not, we have more or less defined it and given it values and recognitions. Those examples I named ARE examples of general rudeness which we can all agree upon, unless you LIKE being cursed out and such? Subjectivity? Meh.... Consistency? Oh yes, baby.

I say that especially to Geoffrey who still seems to be assuming I applied this fact to the WHOLE nation, while in fact I stated that BECAUSE of the fact AND other unnamed reasons I started disliking the nation, NOT saying that the WHOLE nation is rude, bad, or negative just based on some rude populations I detected. It was a nice twist but ineffective. I give those who performed in it credit for fallacy skill!

[Fragony]

Ever considered that you just are not a very social person? Had a great time in NY, it's not rude it's constantly moving. Same with Paris, it's not rude you should just take a little more time, we dutchies are a bit stuck between that. When you have a little feel for the place both are awesome. The only places I would consider rude are the scandinavian countries and Denmark in particular contempt behind a smile.

Edit, gosh I forgot Belgium. They may be nice people but not if you are dutch.

[ICantSpellDawg]

Ever considered that you just are not a very social person? Had a great time in NY, it's not rude it's constantly moving. Same with Paris, it's not rude you should just take a little more time, we dutchies are a bit stuck between that. When you have a little feel for the place both are awesome. The only places I would consider rude are the scandinavian countries and Denmark in particular contempt behind a smile.

Edit, gosh I forgot Belgium. They may be nice people but not if you are dutch.

I loved Paris. People were so much more helpful than you would expect. London and NYC don't hold a candle to Paris.


Frag - i loved MI, IL and TX. I also love East Northport. People are great.

The closer you get to the city the worse people get.

[Lemur]

Bijo, I think maybe you just had particularly bad luck, or, as some suggest, it's possible your manner somehow set off the locals.

I have lived in the following places:

Iowa, Hawaii, Memphis, Virginia Beach, Kentucky, Chicago, Boston, Madrid, New York and (finally) Wisconsin. I've seen and experienced more of the U.S.A. than the average lemur. And I gotta say, New Yorkers are far from the rudest people you're gonna find. In a hurry? Yup. Self-obsessed? Sure. But rude? Not particularly.

I forget the comedian's name, but I liked his summation of New York, something along the lines of, You're making the same decision constantly: Do I look at the most beautiful woman I've ever seen, or do I look at the craziest man I've ever seen?

Never forget that being a straight male in NYC is paradise. Because of the fashion industry, media industry and finance industry, beautiful women flock there in mighty droves. And there is a disproportionate gay population. You see where this is going, right? In a town like Chicago, single straight males (gainfully employed) are thick on the ground. In NYC, by contrast, you're a hot commodity. It's sort of like the demographics of Alaska, but in reverse.

Any straight male who doesn't find wonderful female companionship in NYC is just plain unlucky.

[Vladimir]

Ever considered that you just are not a very social person?

Bingo! If you start off every conversation with "Hey, stupid colonial, I have a question for you" you may get punched in the face. I'm not saying that's a bad thing as some people need that but there is a causal relationship there.

[Peasant Phill]

Edit, gosh I forgot Belgium. They may be nice people but not if you are dutch.

Oh come on, that's the way you like it. Besides it's not like you can pretend that you're from another country.

And Fragony, make one joke about the Dutch and you'll be treated like a king.

[Geoffrey S]

If I visit places and I objectively notice people are rude, is it not a fact that these people in these places are rude? Do you really think I would allow emotion, beliefs, subjectivity, and such for judgment? The fact that they were rude stands.

Considering a city, or as you expanded it later a nation, as a whole rude hardly sounds objective to me.

You should know by now I do not like opinions unless they are necessary. And the people who might think I am being rude should know I am not if they remember how I would operate in debates and discussions. I provide the facts and that's it. What you're saying comes close to ad hominem.

Seems like you're having some trouble separating your opinion from fact.

Regardless, I remember quite well how you operate in debates and discussions. Can't say I was particularly impressed. Ad hominem? Sure; by definition one's opinion of another is.

[Marshal Murat]

I'm sure that when I visit Greece I'll give it a purely objective view...

Rudest place? I'd say Miami. The city of Miami is a nice place, but the traffic is horrendous, crime is up, and it's dangerous to be anywhere after dark.

Nicest place? I'd say Cedar Key, Florida. Small island off the west coast, fishing town, friendly. Honolulu is close second, but you can't go wrong with Florida State fans.

[English assassin]

In fact, any place in America I visited seemed to be full of rude, dishonest, manipulative, evil, selfish people

On my (obviously) limited samples, I'd say I have been struck by how very polite Americans are.

I'm afraid they must get a nasty surprise when they come to England.

[Geoffrey S]

One thing that I found noticeable is the amount of service; at restaurants, at shops, anywhere. It's not necessarily better, but there tend to be a lot more people than in the Netherlands/England and service is quicker. I'd imagine that'd be annoying for Yanks heading over this way.

[Geoffrey S]

I say that especially to Geoffrey who still seems to be assuming I applied this fact to the WHOLE nation, while in fact I stated that BECAUSE of the fact AND other unnamed reasons I started disliking the nation, NOT saying that the WHOLE nation is rude, bad, or negative just based on some rude populations I detected. It was a nice twist but ineffective. I give those who performed in it credit for fallacy skill!

In fact, any place in America I visited seemed to be full of rude, dishonest, manipulative, evil, selfish people regardless of colour, race, class, etc. I ain't just talking they're in a hurry, no: they are plain RUDE and NASTY. The reason for this... I don't know in detail, but the fact stands.

Now, fellow people of the ORG, THAT... is one of the reasons I dislike that country.

Uh-huh. Your 'fact' is that the places you visited were... no, sorry, seemed to be full of rude and nasty people. From which you draw the conclusion that you dislike the US. Maybe it is just me, but I find positing your own opinion of the people you saw/met in the US as fact rather curious. Sure, a fact it may well be that that is your opinion, but what does that mean in any case?

That, and I find the line between you saying that "any place in America I visited seemed to be full of rude, dishonest, manipulative, evil, selfish people regardless of colour, race, class, etc." and actually coming out and replacing "seemed to be" with "is" (which, a little later you do with "they are plain RUDE and NASTY") extremely thin in this case indeed. So I feel justified in finding your opinion quite objectionable.

[Zim]

Since this has gone to a conversation about tourists, I'd like to mention an interesting magazine article I read the other day. They polled members of the hospitality industry in a bunch of different countries and asked them questions about tourists. I was surprised to find that Americans ranked the second best tourists in the world based on criteria like willingness to use the language and how well they dressed, as well as politeness. Going by sterotypes I would never have expected that.

Most of the tourists here in the State's I've met have been fairly nice, although my wife has had bad experiences with Japanese tourists when she worked at a tailor's in California. The me used to snap their fingers at her when they wanted her attention.

I remember an old story I heard/read. Sadly I don't remember it well, so won't be able to tell it well, but I'll try.

A man was traveling and came to a city. He asked one of the locals what the people there were like and was asked in return how he found them in most of the places he'd been. The man said everywhere he'd been people were rude and untelligent. The local said they were the same in the city and he'd probably best move on.

Another man traveled to the city with the same question. When asked about his experiences elsewhere he said the people were always friendly and hospitable. The local said they were the same in the city and welcomed him in.

In my experience traveling in and out of my own country, people generally treat you the way you treat them, and you get as much out of traveling abroad as you expect to.