Comments on: I have never depended on the kindness of strangers http://www.pullachairup.com/2008/05/12/i-have-never-depended-on-the-kindness-of-strangers/ And Join The Conversation Thu, 20 Nov 2008 23:04:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: Stacy http://www.pullachairup.com/2008/05/12/i-have-never-depended-on-the-kindness-of-strangers/#comment-79 Stacy Mon, 02 Jun 2008 13:14:45 +0000 http://www.pullachairup.com/?p=20#comment-79 I live in Knoxville, TN and I have visited other places including places out of the country and no matter what I am always glad to be back home. There is just something about that relaxed feel you get from the general public and it is so nice to have the person in front of you hold the door and when you return the favor they dont look at you weird. Of course I also still live out in the sticks where everyone waves as they drive by even if they dont know you. The only bad thing I have found is that I recently switched to unsweet tea and it is impossible to find at a gas station. I guess I'll make do. :) I live in Knoxville, TN and I have visited other places including places out of the country and no matter what I am always glad to be back home. There is just something about that relaxed feel you get from the general public and it is so nice to have the person in front of you hold the door and when you return the favor they dont look at you weird. Of course I also still live out in the sticks where everyone waves as they drive by even if they dont know you. The only bad thing I have found is that I recently switched to unsweet tea and it is impossible to find at a gas station. I guess I’ll make do. :)

]]> By: jOhNny http://www.pullachairup.com/2008/05/12/i-have-never-depended-on-the-kindness-of-strangers/#comment-71 jOhNny Fri, 16 May 2008 02:27:02 +0000 http://www.pullachairup.com/?p=20#comment-71 I'm with you Shawn. I’m with you Shawn.

]]> By: Shawn http://www.pullachairup.com/2008/05/12/i-have-never-depended-on-the-kindness-of-strangers/#comment-70 Shawn Thu, 15 May 2008 17:59:00 +0000 http://www.pullachairup.com/?p=20#comment-70 I've actually been thinking a lot recently about differences between Indiana and NJ/NY when it comes to public courtesy. When I give up my bus or subway seat to a lady, they usually respond with an expression of shock and awe. People around my office are constantly surprised that I'm more than willing to carry heavy things for them. Store clerks often seem incredulous when I speak to them with clear diction and respect (not to mention the use of "Please" and "Thank you" when ordering anything). Even my friends are slightly baffled when I tip gas station attendants. Unfortunately, my own expressions of common courtesy are starting to dwindle. I no longer tip every busker or street musician I encounter. I give up my public transportation seats less and less due to some rude responses from ladies who think I might have ulterior motives. I've stopped over-tipping on group checks at restaurants because I know the excess will only be swallowed by someone else's penny-pinching. I don't buy rounds of drinks for people because I've realized that they likely won't even think to do the same for me. I've started to realize that this area eventually makes everyone cynical, jaded, and selfish. I don't know why this is, but I do know that I really don't like it. -Shawn I’ve actually been thinking a lot recently about differences between Indiana and NJ/NY when it comes to public courtesy.
When I give up my bus or subway seat to a lady, they usually respond with an expression of shock and awe. People around my office are constantly surprised that I’m more than willing to carry heavy things for them. Store clerks often seem incredulous when I speak to them with clear diction and respect (not to mention the use of “Please” and “Thank you” when ordering anything). Even my friends are slightly baffled when I tip gas station attendants.
Unfortunately, my own expressions of common courtesy are starting to dwindle. I no longer tip every busker or street musician I encounter. I give up my public transportation seats less and less due to some rude responses from ladies who think I might have ulterior motives. I’ve stopped over-tipping on group checks at restaurants because I know the excess will only be swallowed by someone else’s penny-pinching. I don’t buy rounds of drinks for people because I’ve realized that they likely won’t even think to do the same for me.
I’ve started to realize that this area eventually makes everyone cynical, jaded, and selfish. I don’t know why this is, but I do know that I really don’t like it.

-Shawn

]]> By: Dave C http://www.pullachairup.com/2008/05/12/i-have-never-depended-on-the-kindness-of-strangers/#comment-58 Dave C Mon, 12 May 2008 17:22:11 +0000 http://www.pullachairup.com/?p=20#comment-58 I've found the same kinda mentality here in MA. As you know, I am a Jersey boy myself so it took me a while to get used to this and I've tried to let some of that rub off on me. However, the other side of the coin is the disingenuous kindness. There is much more of this in MA to go with genuine kindness. I want to punch people that offer me fake caring. If given the choice of more actual kindness but more fake kindness included, I would probably just pass this offer up. I’ve found the same kinda mentality here in MA. As you know, I am a Jersey boy myself so it took me a while to get used to this and I’ve tried to let some of that rub off on me. However, the other side of the coin is the disingenuous kindness. There is much more of this in MA to go with genuine kindness. I want to punch people that offer me fake caring. If given the choice of more actual kindness but more fake kindness included, I would probably just pass this offer up.

]]> By: eliz http://www.pullachairup.com/2008/05/12/i-have-never-depended-on-the-kindness-of-strangers/#comment-57 eliz Mon, 12 May 2008 16:38:42 +0000 http://www.pullachairup.com/?p=20#comment-57 the kindness and genuine interest that people in less populated areas seems to dwindle as people are forced to live closer together. the rural part of No. Ca was pretty and all the people were very sweet but I was uncomfortable being the bitchy rude person just b/c I was raised on a different coast. by NJ standards Im a push over, in Davis I was Bitch-tastic. its sad to see the inverse of this. My ex from Illinois was so heart broken by the rudeness and disinterest of No. NJ. he had a crappy car and was boggled when no one would offer him help on the side of the road. he had refused to set foot in NJ because of all that he "suffered". Oh yeah and he also owes me money. the kindness and genuine interest that people in less populated areas seems to dwindle as people are forced to live closer together. the rural part of No. Ca was pretty and all the people were very sweet but I was uncomfortable being the bitchy rude person just b/c I was raised on a different coast. by NJ standards Im a push over, in Davis I was Bitch-tastic.
its sad to see the inverse of this. My ex from Illinois was so heart broken by the rudeness and disinterest of No. NJ. he had a crappy car and was boggled when no one would offer him help on the side of the road. he had refused to set foot in NJ because of all that he “suffered”. Oh yeah and he also owes me money.

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