texans are friendly unless you try to live there as an outsider.

are people STILL talking about red states vs. blue states? i heard about that during the election (i don't live in the US) and i can't believe it stuck. is there really a big cultural difference in a state that is 45-55 one way vs a state that is 55-45 the other way? this is a product of media hype that does not deserve a place in common usage. i'm not at all trying to start a political discussion...just a comment on this silly concept of red vs blue.

walkinaround, Those are called purple states. And there are a lot of red states and blue states. And you can tell the difference when you're in one or the other. Even in a blue state with a red governor. :-)

I've been told by travelers, tourists and especially out of country visitors that Chicago seems to have the most Civic Pride of any place they've visited. Not as much friendly, but people willing to answer almost any question if it's about a community issue, especially a building or a project etc. I don't know if that doesn't relate to just downtown, myself, because that's really all the visitor sees.

Alabama is very friendly, OK is too. And MN has a definite community cohesiveness that is really evident quickly. In fact, when I think about it, the person with the most community spirit in actions and in example in my life was born near Hibbing.

I've lived in New York (upstate), Michigan, Illinois, Maryland, Hawaii and Ohio, and Midwesterners are generally the friendliest, nicest people I've met. It was actually shocking to visit here when I lived in Maryland since people would strike up conversations with you while you were just waiting to cross the street!

As far as Hawaii, and this could be because we were mainlanders, we realized after living there that Hawaiians are generally pleasant, but will not go out of their way to be nice to you and take a long time to really warm up to you. My husband rode his bike to work, and was once hit by a car running a stop sign at a slow speed. My husband wasn't hurt, but the driver just flashed a shaka and drove off. A neighbor of ours (again, another mainlander) actually moved because he got sick of the rudeness.

Living here in rural Minnesota it is very common for people passing in the opposite direction on a two lane road to wave. You always wave back. I have had visitors from metroplitan areas who think this is very odd. Waving at strangers. I almost always wave. If you don't wave or wave back you are considered a bit stuck up. It took me awhile to get used to this again after being gone so long living in San Antonio while I was in the army.

My vote would go to Virginia and Tennessee for friendliness and courtesy. Mississippi and Louisiana are friendly, too, but more on the surface friendliness. It can be harder to make real friends in places where people are mostly involved with their extended families and don't really take time for those who are not family members.

If you want a smile and are in a strange place, go to Starbucks. The people who work in Starbucks are friendly all over the world, or at least that has been my experience, based on non-extensive research.

Without a doubt NY is the friendliest state.

When a stop light turns green and I may not be paying attention, I always get a friendly reminder from the person behind me.

On Sundays when I'm going for a slow 30mph drive along a 55mph back road with a long line of cars behind me, everybody who passes me waves.

In the city when I'm lost and blocking several lanes of traffic while looking at my map, so many people ask me what my problem is. Very nice.

that's funny,ipod robbie.

ipod robbie, sounds like the same friendly people we get to meet and greet on or near the Chicago expressway systems.

Canada!

jamierin: I didn't realize we had incorporated the state of Canada! Learn something every day!...but being from the friendly state of Alabama, let me be the 1st to welcome you 'in'!!lol

Belle

Most are except for people East of New York.. Those people in the New England states are just down right nasty.

New Hampshire

venusfan: Maybe so...I've not been there (Boston), but one of my dear friends is from there (yes, she now lives in the SOUTH!), and I just love her outgoing, friendly and humorous personality!!

Belle

ipod_robbie, LOL. Do they wave with just one finger?

venusfan, Isn't the Atlantic Ocean east of New York?

Belle, only a very few people know that Canada was anexed as the 51st state. We just haven't announced it yet. Its a surprise! We did it to put an end to "The Canada Quiz".

Not by state, but here's a way I've been able to judge a friendly place. I'm a Cathlic. During the sign of peace, how many people do you shake hands with? Some places it's just a few, some places it's absolutely everyone within reach -- and then you wave at some a little farther away. The second approach seems to abound in friendlier areas.

Of course that should have been "Catholic." My display has become a tiny font and I have to do a lot more previewing.

Elizabeth
I'm Lutheran and we do this peace, handshaking thing also and I hate it. I feel like, "ok, on cue, everyone be friendly...." I rebel, and only respond to those who come to me to not be rude.

elizabeth_reed: Exuse this observation, but ...it sounds like you just described a politician (of any party!).

Please explain the 'sign of peace'. Being a teenager in the 60's, I associate that with the Hippy 'Peace Movement'! lol!

Belle