Well, we have lost that a bit with all the gang activity.

But for the most part, we stay the same. We still smile and greet at the super market.

We still try to help each other.

We still talk to our neighbors. ect.

But we could always smile it, and help it forward a bit more, so we dont loose it! :)

I have traveled the US a bit too, and we are different here. The cashiers still smile and say hello, and we can still say hello on the street without someone looking at you like you are nuts. I hope it remains this way. Many places I have traveled, people do look at you like you are invading their space to say hello,or smile.

This is a great place to live, I wonder how many people realize how lucky we are here.

Glad you brought this up. Hugs to the good people of our great North West! Donna :)

DCTV...I have a close friend in the DC area. He always laughs when he hangs out with me because I strike up conversations with strangers, smile, hold doors open, say Hello, whatever....what just isn't done there. He even worries when I do it there that I'll get knifed (or something) for my friendliness!?

I remember my Dad waving even at cars passing by, while he was driving! Life is so much happier when we extend compassion to those around us. We do live in a wonderful place!

Good morning everyone! :)

Sounds like you got a bit of the ALOHA spirit...back on the islands, it's mandatory to say "Aloha" in greetings...lol...

I like waving at people I don't know...get's them laughing and I feel good that I could make someone laugh just by simply waving hello to them...

Currently back in Seattle...and when I walk around I smile at everyone I come across and smiles are returned...SWEET!!!

As a transplant to the NW from NJ, I can vouch that people are definitely friendlier in the NW. Now, the ODD thing is that meeting people FROM the NE who are in the NW, they become suddenly MUCH friendly when they discover that you are also from the NE. Weird. :-) NY/NJ isn't that bad actually. NY has a reputation for being rude, but really they're just very direct. They will ALWAYS tell you what they think. No guessing. Still, I'm very happy to be in Seattle.

I might have a different thought about our "politeness" in the Pacific Northwest.

I've traveled all over this country. I've spent time in EVERY major population area and everywhere in between.

In comparison with the Puget Sound area, I must agree with Debbie Shapiro. New Yorkers aren't "rude" however they are VERY direct, which compared to the PNW is actually quite refreshing! That is one thing about this place, you never really know exactly what your getting. People are SO vague that interacting is such a mystery. It is hard to find someone who actually speaks their mind here.

There also seems to be a certain sense of phoniness about PNW'erners. As if they are projecting themselves as something they are not.

Now, I will admit that EVERYONE is not this way. Once an acquaintance has been made PNW'erners are quite friendly. The trouble is getting through that shell.

I have had people tell me, from other parts of the country, that when you say hello to a stranger here, they look at you like your ready to steal something from them, then quickly look away!

One good piece of advice to a newcomer or visitor to the PNW is, if you want to find friendly people in this area, WALK! Do NOT drive a car! The fastest way to make an enemy in the PNW is to make the mistake of being on THEIR road. You will NOT be welcomed! ;)

After rereading my earlier post, I probably should rephrase my comment.

I don't necessarily think "phoniness" is fair description.

I am thinking more along the line that "unidentified" might be more accurate.

Take a look around the country at different regions. New Yorkers know they are New Yorkers. Californians accept their Californian status. Midwesterners know who they are. But here in Tacoma for instance, we dont seem to really be able to put a finger on ourselves. On one hand we are coffee swilling treehuggers in Birkenstocks, trying our dangdest to be as cosmopolitan as San Francisco or New York, but well aware that Tacoma is just Shelton on steroids! Sort of like a logger who puts on a tux and forgets to change out of his boots!

I live in Florida now and just hate it. If I ever make it back to PNW or west coast, I'm never leaving...ever. Miss the people, atmosphere, landscape, trees