While Americans might be known for being pretty welcoming, not every city or every person is like that. In fact, there are some cities where the people are just plain rude. Let’s take a look at 18 cities of the rudest cities in each state and what makes the people there so impolite. We’re not here to point fingers, so if you live in one of these cities, don’t feel bad.
Hasty Hellos
n Hoover, Alabama, the locals are known for keeping things short and sweet. You might get a quick “hello” if you’re lucky but don’t expect them to have a long conversation about your day. They’re not trying to be rude; it’s just that people here care about their time, which can sometimes come across as a little cold.
Frosty Welcome
Up in Fairbanks, Alaska, people seem to be just as cold as their weather. It’s a tough place to live, and everyone’s more focused on staying warm rather than making small talk, so they save their warmer smiles for the summer. If you’re planning on visiting, wrap up warm for both the weather and that icy reception.
Too Busy to Talk
Tempe, Arizona, has plenty of students and professionals on the go, which is certainly great for the economy. Sadly, it’s not so good for making friends as people don’t always hang around for a conversation. They’ve got places to be, and if that means they’ll come across as a little rude, so be it.
Focused in Fayetteville
Fayetteville, Arkansas, is always busy, especially with the university crowd, meaning that it’s not exactly a place for having a conversation on the sidewalk. People are friendly, but they’re in a hurry, so they’ll probably give you a polite nod instead. Just don’t take it personally when they do this to you.
Impersonal Interactions
If you ever go to Irvine, California, be prepared to see lots of people glued to their phones instead of having face-to-face interactions. People can be polite sometimes, but they’re mostly pressed for time. They want to keep things moving, particularly since life in this city is so fast-paced.
Brief in Boulder
Boulder, Colorado, is a place for people who prefer a more active lifestyle, as there are plenty of trails and natural places to visit. The locals will probably give you a quick “hi” as they pass by, but that’s about it. To them, there’s always a mountain waiting to be climbed or a trail to be conquered.
Gated Greetings
Greenwich, Connecticut, is probably one of the tidiest cities around, thanks to its quiet streets and manicured garden. People here value their privacy, and they’ve got a certain way of keeping new acquaintances at arm’s length. Under that friendliness is a coolness that suggests they’re fine with just a wave from across the street.
Nomadic in Newark
In Newark, Delaware, people constantly move in and out of the city, mostly because there are so many students here. Unfortunately, this has meant that locals would rather avoid conversations because they don’t know if they’ll ever see that person again. Making a connection is hard when everyone’s stay feels temporary.
Mingling in Miami
Life in Miami, Florida, is always on the fastest setting, which means that residents here have become used to having quick conversations or not having them at all. Can you blame them? They want to soak up the sun instead of personal stories, so don’t expect and heart-to-hearts from the locals.
All-Business Attitude
When you first meet someone in Atlanta, Georgia, chances are that they’ll ask you about your job instead of who you are. Industry and networking are huge here, so every handshake becomes an opportunity to advance yourself. Don’t take it personally because everyone’s just playing the game.
Brisk Business
Boise, Idaho, is growing quite quickly, but that means that people are always rushing from one meeting to the next. They’re constantly staring at their phones and don’t have time to have a conversation. It’s not that they’re trying to be rude, it’s just that they’re usually thinking about their next appointment.
Polite Passersby
There’s a lot of charm in Portland, Maine, but don’t expect people to be overly warm with their welcomes. It’s a small city with a close-knit community where everyone knows each other. Sadly, that makes people a bit cautious about newbies since it’ll take a while to get over those cool greetings.
Chilly in Chicago
The sheer size of Chicago, Illinois, has given the people a certain standoffishness. People care about minding their own business and personal space, which can come across as a little cold to outsiders. And when you factor in the harsh winds from Lake Michigan, it’s no wonder people seem so hurried and distant.
Quick Quips
Since Indianapolis, Indiana, is the racing capital of the world, it’s no surprise that they’re just as fast with their everyday interactions. Locals are used to a quicker pace of life, and they treat their conversations in the same way, which does come off as dismissive. They’d rather have conversations with a purpose instead of one with a connection.
Distant Decorum
The insurance and financial industries are big in Des Moines, Iowa, which has created a culture where formal interactions are the norm. If you’re from somewhere a little more laid-back, this professionalism might come across as stiff or even cold. Being genuinely warm is something completely rare here.
Workman’s Welcome
Wichita, Kansas, has a huge aviation industry, and the locals’ approach to life is just as mechanical. They care more about practicality and precision than being warm or spontaneous with others. Don’t take it the wrong way because it’s just part of living in a state with a $25 billion industry.
Reserved Relations
Although it comes across as warm during the Derby, people aren’t so nice in Louisville, Kentucky, during the rest of the year. It’s hard to find any Southern hospitality here because of the long-standing social circles that are hard for newcomers to be a part of. Things here are exclusive and a little guarded for a good reason.
Bad Banter
State politics and the university have changed how people talk to each other in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. After all, it’s hard to make long-term bonds when you don’t know how long people are going to stay. Lots of locals think long conversations are unnecessary, and they’d rather avoid them if they can.
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