Name:   Talullahhound - Subject:   Do you Date:   5/8/2016 12:27:42 PM

And that would be real nice of her and I'd give her a big hug.  I find people's willingness to help, their willingness to chat and the hospitality way one of the best things about living here. 

The first time that I came to Alabama (Dothan), 38 years ago, I remember going into the grocery store with my soon to be MIL.  We were making a fruit salad and she asked the clerk if they had any fresher stuff than what was out.  He actually said, yes m'am and went into the back and found her some.  Then when we got to the register, the cashier was chatting up the people and actually removed her hands from the keys (before scanners) and gestured.  And no one yelled at her, no one rioted.  I was amazed having had a grocery store cashiers job while I was in HS, and if I had ever stopped moving my fingers over the keys,  someone would have said something (not nice) and if the tape ran out between orders, people would be rolling their eyes and muttering about murder and someone would have said something ugly.  Not to say there weren't nice people in NJ, but they are a very impatient lot and can be very vocal about their displeasure.  When I go back there or to Northern VA, I am always struck by the difference and how used to every one taking their time and being nice I have become.