Can you truly say that you live in a place with friendly people?

I suppose to have friends one needs to be friendly. I know the neighbors on either side of me
and used to speak to them occasionally when I was out and about. They are my son’s age.
one couple across the street who are closer to my age, so far as I know has never looked in my direction, never spoken, or returned my wave. I suppose it is my own fault but I find where I have lived the past ten years to be the most unfriendly of any place I have lived. But then I think I have always been something of a loner, putting people off or appearing mostly unfriendly.
 
I am a widower, my wife passed away almost 8 years ago. She was much more outgoing than I am. I lived in our large house (where we raised our 4 daughters) for 42 years. Houses are set well apart. I knew enough neighbors to wave and say hello, but no strong friendships.

Moved to a retirement community last March. I absolutely love it! Lots of activities, dinner with new friends, long walks with my dog, and amenities like physical rehab. One can become involved with the community as much or as little as one wants to be. And my daughters and their families (grandchildren!) are all within an hour's drive!

So I have found my forever home. Yes, I can truly say that I live in a place with friendly people.
 
Rah-Rah said:
There are certain areas where I live where people that my husband and I come across while taking walks or hiking are rather social or nice and other settings people just want to be avoided and just do there thing and get home. We frequent many walking trails in my area and the people are always friendly on those, but many times when I go grocery shopping people seem in a mood of let me get what I want and get out and back home without saying a word or looking at anyone.
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Yeah, I find that too. Sometimes, I know they don't want to have a friendly word spoken to them, because they avert their eyes away from looking at or being looked at. Sometimes, I speak anyway and most of the time it is a friendly remark, but sometimes they don't and look away. You never know what their concerns are that takes over their minds and lives.
 
drifter said:
I suppose to have friends one needs to be friendly. I know the neighbors on either side of me
and used to speak to them occasionally when I was out and about. They are my son’s age.
one couple across the street who are closer to my age, so far as I know has never looked in my direction, never spoken, or returned my wave. I suppose it is my own fault but I find where I have lived the past ten years to be the most unfriendly of any place I have lived. But then I think I have always been something of a loner, putting people off or appearing mostly unfriendly.
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I'm a talker, so depending on the lady or whoever, I say "hi, how are you today?" with a grin, and depending on the response, I might engage on a friendly conversation or go on to the next.
 
fancicoffee13 said:
I'm a talker, so depending on the lady or whoever, I say "hi, how are you today?" with a grin, and depending on the response, I might engage on a friendly conversation or go on to the next.
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I’m thinking I might sound better saying, “Hi” with a pencil than to say so vocally. Maybe not.
 
drifter said:
I’m thinking I might sound better saying, “Hi” with a pencil than to say so vocally. Maybe not.
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I prefer verbal, I did my share of letter writing back in the day. I just like getting a response right away (or not). I just am a verbal, expressive person. Don't get me wrong, when I was very young, my mother advised me to think before I speak. So, before expressing my opinions, I often think about it first while listening. A very wonderful and handy piece of advice!
 
When we lived in South Florida people used to stare right through me. Very few ever spoke. I still remember a security guard at my company's office that used to talk to people going into work and they all thought he was crazy. I had virtually given up on humanity. I traveled a lot and always came back home thinking the place was beautiful but the people weren't.

Before we left for Dallas I was getting my hair cut and the woman next to me overheard me saying we were moving. She said, "We just moved here from Texas due to my husband's job and I miss it so much. I always walked through the neighborhood and people always said hello. I was walking the other day and my neighbor said I shouldn't be so friendly. It might get me in trouble". :( I knew I had made the right decision.

I'll admit it was an adjustment moving to Texas. We were driving one day and a woman in traffic waved at me. I was skeptical and wondered what she wanted. I also learned that to buy anything I needed to have a conversation about weather, family, etc. with the cashier. We've been going to the same dry cleaners for at least 10 years and the women there gave me hugs when my mother passed away. They always asked me about her when she was in assisted living. I've found my happy place. :)
 
For some reason, Arabic looking people greet me with enthusiastic "hellos!" It's even happened a few times while I was stopped at traffic lights where they would wave to me and then look confused when I didn't wave back. WTF? Do I look Arabic or something? They probably wouldn't act that way towards me if they knew I was Jewish.

That said, I'm one of the unfriendly people @dseag2 is complaining about. :ROFLMAO: I walk around with my head down and try not to interact with anyone other than my dog. I keep thinking about getting one of those t-shirts that say LEAVE ME THE HELL ALONE!
 
Irwin said:
For some reason, Arabic looking people greet me with enthusiastic "hellos!" It's even happened a few times while I was stopped at traffic lights where they would wave to me and then look confused when I didn't wave back. WTF? Do I look Arabic or something? They probably wouldn't act that way towards me if they knew I was Jewish.

That said, I'm one of the unfriendly people @dseag2 is complaining about. :ROFLMAO: I walk around with my head down and try not to interact with anyone other than my dog. I keep thinking about getting one of those t-shirts that say LEAVE ME THE HELL ALONE!
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Got news for you Brother. Arabs and Jews are from the same family tree. Maybe they think you are one of them .... a human being. Just smile :)
 
Irwin said:
For some reason, Arabic looking people greet me with enthusiastic "hellos!" It's even happened a few times while I was stopped at traffic lights where they would wave to me and then look confused when I didn't wave back. WTF? Do I look Arabic or something? They probably wouldn't act that way towards me if they knew I was Jewish.

That said, I'm one of the unfriendly people @dseag2 is complaining about. :ROFLMAO: I walk around with my head down and try not to interact with anyone other than my dog. I keep thinking about getting one of those t-shirts that say LEAVE ME THE HELL ALONE!
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I'll forgive you. :ROFLMAO: You can also get one of these. My partner has one.

Funny How You Think I'm Listening.jpeg
 
Shero said:
Got news for you Brother. Arabs and Jews are from the same family tree. Maybe they think you are one of them .... a human being. Just smile :)
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True, we're both Semitic peoples, but there are some differences in appearance.
dseag2 said:
I'll forgive you. :ROFLMAO: You can also get one of these. My partner has one.

View attachment 204649
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That's even worse! :ROFLMAO:

When I engage with someone, I tend to fully engage with them in the conversation and listen to what they have to say, but it's usually just idle chit-chat. I know that they're probably getting enjoyment from it, but most times, I don't. Unless it's a hot babe, in which case she's probably only talking to me out of respect for old people, even though I'm lusting in my heart (as Jimmy Carter put it). :ROFLMAO:
 
IFortuna said:
I live in a very small TX town and when I first came here from California, I was treated badly by the females. People at the church I went to were insulting and clique minded. It never mattered what I said, I was always wrong and dismissed. I left that church and went to another, it was better, however, one senior member of the church was rude, condescending and disparaging. I left. Now I watch videos by my favorite, nonjudgmental pastor and have learned more about Christ than I ever did at any local church.
The worst experience was at my doctor's office when a worker blustered and berated me and told me to go elsewhere. I did. They are now out of business and the doctor retired. Karma is good. :)
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I hear you loud and clear. There are always exceptions to the rule but some (I repeat "some" not all) church people are among the most hateful, sinful and mean spirited people on this planet. Instead of listening to the preacher, they sit there and keep looking around to watch other members of the church. I could write a very interesting book about my relationships over the years the the RC Church (Catholic). I have learned, over the years, that there are some very evil people attending church and there are some very good, kind and helpful folks that never go inside a church. Church membership does not impress me at all! Been there, done it and don't want to do it anymore!
 
I live in New Jersey. It is known, locally, as the place that hope comes to die. And die screaming.

Why are all New Yorkers depressed?

--- because the light at the end of the tunnel is New Jersey.

Ok, Jersey jokes aside? Oh, sure, there are plenty of nice and friendly people. We live on a great block. Everyone is friendly, everyone gets along. Very pleasant.
 
Like @JonSR77 I'm in N.J. I live in a co-op community. Many of us have lived here for decades and we are friendly as well as helpful to one another. I also started to notice within the last couple of years that more people (stranges) are speaking as we pass them on the street. That used to seem like something reserved for the folks down south. I've even have very friendly interactions with store clerks, waitresses and other service people.
 
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Wontactmyage said:
Yes! When I lived in Dallas, Texas. I lived next door to two wonderful genuine Texas sisters. They called me “Sug” (sugar) and called often for me to come sit with them and relax! All of my time there was spent with great people even when I worked retail.
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If we don't live in a place where there are friendly people, (and I agree with those who say it does feel folks are perhaps a bit aggressive_, or "out for themselves"), then we are truly in trouble aren't we!
I spent a good part of Saturday afternoon watching the local rugby union team, where I used to play, end their season by winning, very luckily 31:30, and afterwards met so many good old mates and former playing companions, it did feel as though all was right with the world!!!

However, another way of looking at it, is so many of us turned up to watch this special game, because the camaraderie we used to find everywhere, is maybe getting hard to find, (to sound a pessimistic note), though I hope not generally. :)
 
I would say that, in general, people are friendly here. My neighbors are all terrific. Beyond that, like in the grocery stores or post office or the bank, people are polite. It's a nice small town in which to live.
 
I met some unbelievably good people at a local farm machinery and sundries sale, (all good enough to start with you'd agree :) )!

Then when my surname was read out by the auctioneer, after I'd purchased a tool box, a dear lady sitting next to me, (who I'd asked about her interests in the sale previously), wanted to know whether I was related to some neighbours of hers with the same surname?

Yes was the answer, but much more amazingly than that when her husband arrived I asked her name, and she told me both her maiden name, and married name, and wanted to know whether I was related to Ken, (yes, my dad being the answer), because her sister Eva, who is still living, had worked for him many years ago to help in the home!

I was just old enough to remember Eva, who helped my mother in the house, especially when the twins arrived in our family, so how about that for a fortuitous and very happy connection to make, with such good people! :)
 
I have lived in my home for a very long time and have seen many families come and go in my neighborhood and also have seen many kids grow up to become adults and move on. One thing I can say about the town and neighborhood I live in and especially as I have gotten older is they look out for one another. Since my husband's passing in 2018, I have many neighbors always checking on me. I am probably one of the oldest in the neighborhood now or close to it. Whenever I am out in my garden I am always greeted by a friendly hello and even the kids and teens are friendly. I have even had teens help me with my groceries many times.
 
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