"There are nice people in Central Pennsylvania"

[Hawk]

I'm writing this because our friend and Hawks Keyboard player, Tim, has a view of Central Pennsylvania from the point of an outsider. Tim has lived all over the USA but is originally from New York City. He's played professionally all over as well.

He often calls me and talks about how nice the people are around here, both musicians and other people he runs into.

Just a "for instance". He was blown away when we played Eye Rock for Leah and he was dragging his keyboard through the crowd. People offered to help, held the door open, helped him make his way through the crowd etc.. He (half) joked that in NYC no one would get out of the way. He'd have to push through. Someone might be nice enough to yell, "Get the F*** out of the way and that might start a fight with someone who didn't want to get out of the way.

The fact that people who are not in a given band yet follow and sometimes help a band with equipment or whatever seems foreign to him. He's always happy Central People are the way we are. I had to tell him that around here, that's not unusual at all.

Also the camaraderie among musicians and friendships that are built among competing bands.

It's the little thingfs that we take for granted that always impress him. It should impress us too.

[bassist_25]

While I didn't feel that people were really rude in Pennsylvania, I definitely do notice the Southern hospitality thing here in North Carolina. People are generally nicer here...or at least feign niceness. And I'm in what is technically a city, where people are stereotypically thought to be more rude than in small towns. Usually, when I step off of an elevator, anybody else riding to the next floor tells to me to have a good day, even if I didn't talk to them. I really didn't get that in Pennsylvania.

[RamRod 1]

Hawk, your keyboard player has a good point. Things are different down here, but I found NYC people being not as cold as I expected. They can open up a bit if you approach them right but it does helps to be a little "Street Smart".

[CHICKSINGA]

Yeah, for the most part people are great & giving here. I've never been treated bad until today.
But I won't let one bad experience get me down. There's too many really talented folks here who
Reach out with love to let one asshole screw up my pride of being a member of this musical community.

[witchhunt]

You're funny.

[Banned]

While I didn't feel that people were really rude in Pennsylvania, I definitely do notice the Southern hospitality thing here in North Carolina. People are generally nicer here...or at least feign niceness. And I'm in what is technically a city, where people are stereotypically thought to be more rude than in small towns. Usually, when I step off of an elevator, anybody else riding to the next floor tells to me to have a good day, even if I didn't talk to them. I really didn't get that in Pennsylvania.

I agree a little with the feigned niceness. One of my brothers and a sister married southerners (one a N. Carolinian) and there is a lot of put on manners. Then in private when company leaves, things change a bit. Some of that badly acted southern hospitality can wear thin at times.

I happen to think that N. Carolina is the cleanest state I have ever spent any time in. When I used to visit a lot in the 70's, I NEVER saw garbage along any roads. That was very refreshing.

[tornandfrayed]

While I didn't feel that people were really rude in Pennsylvania, I definitely do notice the Southern hospitality thing here in North Carolina. People are generally nicer here...or at least feign niceness. And I'm in what is technically a city, where people are stereotypically thought to be more rude than in small towns. Usually, when I step off of an elevator, anybody else riding to the next floor tells to me to have a good day, even if I didn't talk to them. I really didn't get that in Pennsylvania.

How often did you ride elevators here Paul?

[bassist_25]

I happen to think that N. Carolina is the cleanest state I have ever spent any time in. When I used to visit a lot in the 70's, I NEVER saw garbage along any roads. That was very refreshing.

It must be the chain gangs they employ so much. Everytime I travel for work on I-40, I always see at least a couple bus full of prisoners cleaning up litter.

And Dave, I can't recall how often I rode elevators in PA, but it was enough to make a general conclusion that most people didn't wish me a good day when I stepped off.

[tornandfrayed]

Just messing with you Paul! Being born and raised mostly in Southern California I believe that most people are kind and nice no matter where you are. People are like dogs mostly though and get a little gun shy after getting kicked too many times. It is the exceptional dog that can continue being loyal after the world fucks him over repeatedly.

There are actually some people that fall into that catergory also but I have to stand up for them and say that they might seem like paranoid rude assholes but they have the capacity to be kind and loving!

No one in particular mind you!

Peace!

[Lisa]

I knew a tv producer...she was a family member to my ex-husband. I remember her telling us at one family gathering how different it is to work with people from NYC and LA.

The group from NYC would rush to lock in a deal. A quick meeting..maybe lunch. Sign the papers and go.

In LA, it was totally different. You met for brunch. Spent some time maybe golfing. Meeting in the afternoon, and dinner and drinks late in the day.

Both groups were "friendly" but it was the mode set by each of them according to the lifestyles. NYC is much more about rushing around to get to the next phase. LA is more about relaxing and enjoying the moment.

You have parts of Texas that you can easily compare too. Went to a mall in Houston with a cousin. She was pushing her infant twins in a buggy. People would literally rush by her letting the doors close as she tried to enter. Take a road trip and do the same at a mall near Dallas and it is completely different. They fuss over the babies and gladly hold the door.

[CHICKSINGA]

It's amazing how you can have such different experiences.
I lived in LA for 8 years. Except for the natives I befriended, most of the people there are shallow, self-serving and rude.

Every single time I go to New York City I am treated with friendliness and respect. And customer service is so much better in New York.

The work ethic on the East Coast is for the most part much better, excluding the entitled "gimme my check" for nothing mentality that pervades here (especially in Murthaland, Cambria County). But many people in LA struck me as rich, spoiled and lazy.

I was there last year and did notice that customer service was better. The economy there has changed a lot and I think that's the reason.

So far the friendliest people I have ever met are at 30 Something Benefits, New Orleans and England.

[bassist_25]

Just messing with you Paul! !

Haha, I thought you were going to take me to empirical task similar to how I like to do with people.

It's interesting to hear about the cultural differences in regard to how people conduct business.

[RFBuck]

I think the camaraderie among bands in this area is above exemplary. My last band was with Aaron too, and we took part in a bogus elimination round style competition in Pittsburgh. In the first round, we immediately hooked up with a band from the city's suburbs and it was like we knew them all along. We all ate together and got to know one another. But the rest...not so much. One band from right in the city plainly made it clear "we're not here to make friends, we're her to win" and they kept to themselves. And we couldn't seem to to connect with anyone else. They talked, but looked right thru you at the same time.

In the next round, we managed to be put with Skarma Sutra. While still a good bit away, they were still "from our neck of the woods" and it showed. As for the rest...again, couldn't make a connection. One band, made up of very young kids, was having a problem in one form or another, and they were in a total state of panic. Aaron stepped in, calmed them down, and helped them thru it. They were a little taken aback.

And in the third round, our old friends from round 1 were back again. And like last time, it was dinner and fun before the show. After that, it was all game on.

It was nothing like here where if you go to something like End Of Summer Jam or whatever you end up meeting everyone, talking, laughing, and even help lug gear. Or you go to shows and they ask you to step up for a song or two.

I was at the Hard Rock in Pittsburgh one night recently and happened to see the "no friends, win only" band there. They all recognized & remembered me, but I pretty much got nothing more than a hollow smile and a slight grunt for a greeting. Such is life.......

[tornandfrayed]

I love the city too! Anytime we are there, which is quite a bit we have a great tme and the people are always wonderful! My daughter loves theater so she does some classes in NYC and we love to just walk the city. Sam Ash on 48th is awesome too and the guys are pretty cool...

Point being that people all over are the same, some are really cool and some suck! Just like dogs...

[Colton]

I'm pretty sure every place in the world has their fair share of nice people and complete fuck-wads. It's just a matter of where you put yourself.

[ZappasXWife]

I've found Canadians to be super-friendly. Too bad they don't know how to tip correctly. I've traveled a good bit and I find people to be friendly most everywhere...I really do!

[tornandfrayed]

Just messing with you Paul! !

Haha, I thought you were going to take me to empirical task similar to how I like to do with people.

It's interesting to hear about the cultural differences in regard to how people conduct business.

Dude you know I only take people to empirical task when my wife is watching, it makes her horny!