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From: glass@houxf.UUCP (K.GLASS)
Newsgroups: net.singles
Subject: Re: Macho *
Message-ID: <743@houxf.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 11-Jul-84 09:31:54 EDT
Article-I.D.: houxf.743
Posted: Wed Jul 11 09:31:54 1984
Date-Received: Thu, 12-Jul-84 03:43:24 EDT
References: <2368@hplabsb.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Holmdel NJ
Lines: 31

I had the exact same experience of which you speak only in reverse. 
In New Jersey, Philadelphia, New York and anywhere else in the East
I've lived, I've noticed that people are generally very friendly. 
I, too, have been known to start talking to strangers and here in
the East I'm usually well received.  Last year I lived in Palo Alto
and I tried being as friendly as I always was but I met with cold
shoulders and looks.  I concluded that in most respects people "out
there" are much more into themselves.  The Californian natives that
I did meet seemed to put the overall emphasis on appearance and self-
satisfaction while here people tend to care more about others.  As a
side note, this attitude (in my opinion) is reflected in driving
habits as well.  In the East, where people drive fast and furious,
drivers usually anticipate others actions and respond to those
anticipations.  In California, people tend to ignore the rest of the
driving public and go on their merry way.  I've seen more people cut
off during one year of California driving than I've seen in six
years in New Jersey.  I'll give one example to illustrate my point. 
When in Palo Alto, a friend and I decided to attend a concert in
Berkeley.  We left early as to allow ourselves time for dinner
there.  On the way, we noticed (yes I started counting after awhile)
9 accidents.  Nine.  Doubtless these accidents were caused by
extremely ill-advised lane changes, but that is what I came to
expect.  Oh yes,  my roommate at the time (from Arizona) got rammed
in downtown Menlo Park, Ca. the second day in California.  
     Well, I've digressed enough, but I believe the driving habits
of people realistically represent their attitudes.  Of course, we all
have our locational preferences and prejudices.  I'm sure mine are
clear by now.

Ken Glass
....houxf!glass