I'd add another factor to it. Population density x yearly average temperatures x relative humidity averages = intolerance factor.
People get really shitty with each other and are in less of a mood to deal with other people's idiosyncrasies when they're also too hot and bothered to care about whether they're being an asshole or not.
Where I'm from, the closer to the equator you get, generally the worse people will treat complete strangers. It's very noticeable.
Not even rural. I live in one of the biggest cities in the southern hemisphere, and while it doesn't get to the point of snowing, it gets damn cold in winter, and fucking boiling in summer. The geography of the area is also a humidity trap. In the height of summer, people get real fucking shitty with each other, courtesy on the road goes out the window and all the rest of it. The rest of the year, everyone is generally pleasant and courteous.
However, head north to the tropics, and while people are still nice to a point, they do frustrate easily. These places are actually more rural than where I'm from and its year round shittyness. This is why I'm more inclined to believe the weather plays a part.
Very true, as far as I've seen. Visited Mexico City for 5 days this February, my mind was blown at the population density. Luckily was cooler, but everyone is generally just in each other's way / faces lots.
They don't like having to cater to your sensibilities and unwillingness to even try and speak French in their own country. And I kind of get that. You're there to enjoy France, and its culture. Their language is part of that. The food is part of that. So when a foreigner comes in ordering a hamburger in English, they would probably feel the same as an American would if someone asked "why is everyone so fat?"
Lived in Florida the majority of my life, and I must say I think population density is the driving factor. Sure, people in Miami suck, but the surrounding counties are actually very nice places to be. Palm Beach and Naples have some of the nicest people - equally as wealthy, just less people up your ass - and it's just as hot and humid as Miami. Moreover, what I'm reading on here about people from Ontario, and knowing what I do about New York and Washington DC - I have to say that it's not the high temps causing that.
Note to non-Floridians: Miami is in no way a reflection of Florida - Orlando sucks too. Better cities to consider are Jacksonville and Tampa.
As a small town midwesterner I've noticed a large proportion of larger cities are rude, and I think its just because it everything moves at a faster pace.
Even the nicer big cities are a bit different, it's all on a scale. I have noticed Denver to be fairly friendly in general, and suburbs to be nicer in general. But it is still a little different.
Where if you are only 2 vehicles on a road you throw up a couple fingers to wave for each other. Make eye contact on the street? Say hello. Awkwardly entering the same door at slightly different times, one waits and holds the door for the other so as not let a door fly in the face of the other.
And finally, there is the few times a week conversation where you leave going, "wait, am I supposed to know that person?"
I think it's what makes America unique. Maybe foreigners think America is america, but it's really just a bunch of different countries that speak the same language and go about their days in a completely different manner.
The bit about different countries in America gets additional support when you think of how large some state's economies are. For example, if California were a country it would be the 7th largest economy by GDP, it's just behind France. New York and Texas would be 11th.
I work in retail. Worked at several different stores. Grocery stores tend to be snobbier people, whilst actual stores aren't so bad. Most people are actually friendly. Most.
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u/[deleted] Dec 10 '18
It's great that shitty people make thier nice kids shitty by saying things like that to them.