I was born and raised in Chicago. I’m used to a fast paced lifestyle, and avoiding eye contact whenever possible. However, since I’ve been in Dallas I’ve noticed that the people down here will do anything to start a conversation, and move at a much slower pace. Also, when they first meet you they are really excited, and shake your hand, and sometimes even kiss you on the cheek. Back home this never happens, and chances are the person you just met will forget you in five minutes.
For example, whenever I’ve gone to Whole Foods, or Tom Thumb, the check out lady/man will start a conversation with me, and seem genuinely interested! At first this was so strange to me! I’m usually in such a hurry to get in and get out, but the cashier wants to talk. Now, after have experienced this a few times it’s kind of comforting. But as far as the slower paced lifestyle- that’s something I am not used to!
Just the other day at Whole Foods, the cashier was engaged in a rather lengthy conversation with the lady in front of me. Now I was in the express line, so I thought I’d get out of there fast. But no! They continued to talk for a good five minutes after she’d already paid and bagged her items. Now I understand that they were having a conversation, but it was making me very impatient. But it does comfort you knowing that people are interested in your life.
This whole idea made me think of Heat-Moon in Blue Highways. While he was on his journey, he met so many interesting people and had some of the best conversations with them. He traveled the USA on small, off-beaten roads and learned so much about himself. I think that coming to school in Texas is my version of the off-beaten path. While I do miss the fast-paced lifestyle of Chicago, it has been nice to come to a completely different part of the country, and meet people with different backgrounds than me.
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3 comments:
I completly understand what you are saying! I am from the East coast and coming to Texas was somewhat of a culture shock. When I got to Texas everyone was so friendly and seemed genuinly interested in what I had to say. Back home, everyone lives life in their own seperate bubbles. Stangers are typically not friendly to each other unless they need something. I remember when I first came here and people went out of their way to hold doors for me I thought that was just the nicest thing! I thought that was something that only happened in movies. When I went back home in October and no one held the door I was like here I am again. It is so interesting how even different parts of the same country have different ways of communicating with each other
I agree with both of you. I'm from the Midwest about two in a half hours from Chicago and the way people act here when they initially meet you is exceedingly different than the way individuals conduct themselves in the north. Everyone is particularly pleasant and outgoing! In fact, a few weeks ago a couple of friends and I visited a lakehouse owned by a fellow classmate here about two hours east of SMU. He introduced us all to his friends and their families in this small town of Kilgore and I was increasingly astounded and even perplexed when these complete strangers would invite me into their homes for food or other accomodations. They seemed really interested in where I was from and why I ultimately decided to attend college in Texas. This idiosyncrasy known as "southern hospitality" is something that certainly does not exist where I come from. I'm not saying people are distant and unapproachable back home, I just have never been invited into the home of someone I had met literally 10 seconds ago. Furthermore, most of my friends here are from California and I find myself getting annoyed from time to time with their lacksadaisical mannerisms. I usually feel like getting out and getting things done as soon as possible. On the contrary, my friends here can kick back and sit around forever so sometimes I get bored after a while and leave. There are definitely multifarious different cultures here at SMU and I'm still growing accustomed to them!
I think it's great when strangers greet you and show an interest. This is something i've grown used to in Texas since I moved here from Ohio in 1975. I've come to take it for granted that the cashier will ask what I'm planning to make with the various items in my grocery cart. This discussion reminds me of something I noticed in France: People there will always say Bonjour! How's it going? Comment ca va? and so on before getting down to the transaction, even if it's just asking directions. It's rude to just walk up to someone and start the conversation, "Where is the Metro station?" or whatever. My husband, always in a hurry, has been dressed down by French people. They will say, excuse me, but hello, how are you? Just to slow down the moment and do the correction. I asked a French professor here at SMU about this because he is French, and he explained it to me. Before the Revolution, the aristocracy would just order the serfs around, but with "Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity" everyone was equal and it became rude to treat other people the way the serfs had been treated. Showing respect and interest in others is one thing we Texans should cultivate, and not let the Yankee attitude make us grow rude. And I say that as a Yankee myself, so don't take offense.
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