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Utah friendly, study says

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Stenar | 4:39 a.m. Sept. 11, 2008

The problem with studies where people are self-reporting is that in a place like Utah, for example, people are going to report how they think they ought to be, not how they really are. Especially with a dominant religious culture constantly preaching to a large percentage of the population about how they ought to be.

I've lived in NYC, Portland, Chicago, Norway, Australia and Utah. I find Utahns to be the least friendly, even though I grew up here. Australians and New Yorkers are the most friendly (despite NYC's reputation as being unfriendly).

Wait for it...wait for it | 6:09 a.m. Sept. 11, 2008

Here it comes - all the "Mormons are jerks" diatribe that usually accompanies articles that describe Utahns in a positive light. And although Mormons were not brought up in this article, someone soon will post something "revealing" about Mormons that shows how Utahns (Mormons) really are not good people.

Tapper | 7:16 a.m. Sept. 11, 2008

I lived in the South for awhile and found southerners quite friendly, especially Texans. If you didn't grow up in Utah and move here, the closeness of the neighborhoods will make you feel excluded, even if you are LDS.

Comments continue below

Red | 7:23 a.m. Sept. 11, 2008

The problem with anecdotal reports, Stenar, is that they are just that: one person's one-time experience, not an actual study with any kind of legitimate population to draw from or make generalizations about. Keep your anecdotes to yourself, especially when they're mean-spirited.

Rich | 7:25 a.m. Sept. 11, 2008

The problem with this study is that Utahns who are not members of the dominant religion will self-report that they are superior to others. I've lived in New York, Japan and Hawaii and have spent a great deal of time in Mexico and have visited 40 states. Except for Alabama, Kansas and Nebraska, no place has had more friendly people than Utah. That's despite the judgmental, biased and negative treatment that people who are not members of the dominant religion dish out to citizens who are suspected of not falling into that same class.

Trish M. | 7:32 a.m. Sept. 11, 2008

I've lived in DC., Virginia, and among NY retirees in South Carolina. New Yorkers were the very LEAST friendly (maybe it's just retirees). Cranky, onery, willing to complaint to anyone listening, especially if they had to wait more than 30 seconds in a grocery store line. Smiling back at them seemed to aggravate them even more.

Having come back to Utah, I've discovered no area I've lived in is more kind and thoughtful to children and families. The east coast is developing an attitude of merely tolerating children. At least Utah still recognizes kids are humans to love.

Of course, NO generalization will cover EVERY community, so everyone will have different experiences.

Setting it straight | 7:41 a.m. Sept. 11, 2008

I grew up in Utah, then I was stationed in the L.A. area. I couldn't believe how many rude people and rude drivers were in the L.A. area. I couldn't wait to get back home to nice people and courteous drivers. Just before returning to Utah I noticed some billboards that read "UTAH, Close, Low cost living and Low unemployment. Learn how to successfully move out of California". Then all these "Real Estate Refugee's" moved to Utah and they brought their California rudeness with them. Now Utah takes the rap for the California retreads.

well | 7:41 a.m. Sept. 11, 2008

I actually think people are more friendly in DC, at least more willing to say hello or return a greeting. Customer service is horrible back there, but I was much more comfortable saying hi to strangers there. And no, I'm not saying anything about the religious culture or anything, just the people in general.

re: Stenar | 7:48 a.m. Sept. 11, 2008

You've "Lived" in a lot of places. How many years did you live in each place. You're Right! I just hate waking up to EVERY radio station broadcasting the "Mormons". Then my boss makes us say prayers before we start to work and he refers to us as "Bro or Sis". I'd give anything to get away from such a good influence. Really now, how many times are you fed with the dominant religion? I think it's all in people's heads. I think the "stigma" is brought on by peiople like you and you don't want to admit it. Like they all say, "If you don't like it, leave it" but you will find that the dominant religion in most areas WILL be the Mormon Church. Look at a phone book if you don't believe me. Especially in the West.

LOL | 8:10 a.m. Sept. 11, 2008

RE: Wait for it.... wait for it

If the shoe fits.....

dear Rich | 8:23 a.m. Sept. 11, 2008

"That's despite the judgmental, biased and negative treatment that people who are not members of the dominant religion dish out to citizens who are suspected of not falling into that same class."
Is there a mirror piece in that for you?

well | 8:24 a.m. Sept. 11, 2008

I posted earlier, and it hasn't shown up so I'll try again. I actually think that people in DC are more friendly than Utahns. And I'm not saying anything about religious culture or anything like that. I just felt that I was respected more while living and working back there by everyday people than I am here. It was far more common for me to get a hello back or something similar there than here. Customer service back there is a joke, but thats different than an overall friendliness. It may have been that it was all tourists I ran into, but I don't know many tourists who carry briefcases and wear suits in the business districts of downtown DC. And Rich, I don't think you could have encountered enough people in each state to make such a generalization, just my opinion though.

There it is ... | 8:25 a.m. Sept. 11, 2008

The first "poor us, we're disliked cause we're Mormon" post. No whether your Mormon or not, if you're not honest about who you really are, that's the issue.

Friendly drivers | 8:25 a.m. Sept. 11, 2008

Did the people doing this "study" drive our roads?

NYC is worse, but that is the only place where drivers are more inconsiderate then Utah.

If you really want to "experience the worst" try riding a bike here, seems you are a second class citizen for daring to try and share the road.

Matthew | 8:35 a.m. Sept. 11, 2008

I want to know which state was most neurotic.

Andrea | 8:36 a.m. Sept. 11, 2008

I really think it comes down to attitude. If you want to find nice people and you're nice to others yourself you WILL find aggreeable people wherever you go. Wonderful people are EVERYWHERE! I lived in Hungary, which is a place where people are generally perceived as cold and closed-off. However, once I got to know a lot of Hungarians, I discovered they are the friendliest, most hospitable people on earth. There will obviously also be some unkind people wherever you go. So can't we just focus on the good and give people the benefit of the doubt? I don't mean to sound preachy, I'm just opinionated like everyone else.

Survey Says... | 8:43 a.m. Sept. 11, 2008

No surprise that the state is considered friendly. Having lived in CA, AZ, UT, ID, CO, and NV, I would say that the sentiment is accurate. I found that most of the people in the less populated western states are very friendly.

Having spent time in OR, TX, MT, DC, NY, WY, OH, and GA, it is difficult to compare people from those areas as I only encountered a small sampling in each state. All seemed friendly enough. I noticed that some appear less willing to converse or be involved (perhaps distrust?).

SF Man | 8:47 a.m. Sept. 11, 2008

I would have to agree to disagree with the statement that people in Utah are friendly. I have from my experience living in the beehive State: seen more Skin Heads, Rednecks, white supremacistsï¿½, and white men who shave their heads! I being Mormon found Utah Mormons very different than California Mormons. I also found a lot of hypocrites who say one thing and then do another. Just what I observed in the 18 months I lived in Utah.

Beware | 8:51 a.m. Sept. 11, 2008

The problem with the report, is that every Mormon (me included) is at the core, very mean. We are taught in church to be sure to exclude those who may look or act differently than us. It is a good thing that this study polled mostly Non-Mormons. If they talked to any of us, the study would have ranked us dead last. The very first question I ask new people, ï¿½Yous a Mormon?ï¿½ Their response determines my behavior. Simple solution, you want to be treated nice, join us, if not, move out. Praise and hallelujah, I am so glad that I am part of a religion that loves to exclude potential converts. We sure as heck donï¿½t want to waste our time going out and witnessing to a bunch of Non-Mormons like Jehovah Witnesses. Our missionary program is actually a multi level vitamin business.

Friendly Until They Get in a Car | 8:57 a.m. Sept. 11, 2008

All this might be true, but I have a hard time reconciling it with the fact that this state has the rudest, most selfish drivers I've ever encountered. And I've lived in NY and CA. Why doesn't the friendliness and agreeableness alleged in this survey extend to what Utahns do on the road? I belong to the dominant faith and a favorite saying in my family is that the people here want to love you on Sunday and then get in their cars on Monday morning and try to kill you. I think if the kindness was really more than surface deep, it would be reflected a little more than it is in the way people interact with other drivers on Utah roads.

James | 9:10 a.m. Sept. 11, 2008

This article was not titled: "Where do YOU think is the most friendly place?" It was about Utah being more friendly, no one cares where you thought was more friendly.

thompson | 9:10 a.m. Sept. 11, 2008

I live in England (Maryland before that) and came to Utah to visit my mother. My husband and I went out for a morning walk on our first day in town and we were completely startled by everyone saying hello to us. One woman waved and called out, even though she was across the street and wearing headphones! Utahns aren't perfect but they sure are friendly, especially when you're used to the English reserve.

Pat | 9:10 a.m. Sept. 11, 2008

O.K.,to all of you who complain about how unfriendly Mormons are-
If we are warm and welcoming, then you think that we are trying to convert you. If we mind our own business, we are rude. Which is it?

re: 8:57 | 9:36 a.m. Sept. 11, 2008

I used to live in Sacramento and in LA. The drivers in both cities are completely different. The Sacramento drivers were good. The ones from LA used to shoot each other on the roads in the '80s and '90s. I myself had some serious encounters with them. Then the LA area moved to Utah in the '90s and they are moving here again. These are the bad drivers and they bring their complacent "hate-you" attitudes with them. I can't believe that Utah made it a law that if you are being tailgated that you have to move over or you will be faulted for the accident. How dumb is that? What happened to the simple "flash your lights and I'll move over" rule?

No Surprise | 9:37 a.m. Sept. 11, 2008

I'm not surprised by the outcome of this study. I've lived in a few places and Utahns are the friendliest I have encountered.

To: Beware | 9:38 a.m. Sept. 11, 2008

Careful, your bias is showing

Utah drivers | 9:52 a.m. Sept. 11, 2008

I'm always surprised by the comments about Utah drivers. I commute every day and I just don't see all the bad stuff other people seem to see. Where is it happening?

Either way.... | 9:51 a.m. Sept. 11, 2008

I have lived in Utah for almost 2 years and this is what I have learned about the people here:

Rule-following? They don't apply to them so MYOB.

Dependible? Some are some aren't. Self comes first then you.

Drivers? Sorry I would rather drive on Route 128 in Boston then any road here. As a pedistrian- you risk your life crossing the street. All traffic should stop so that people can get across safely. No wonder people get hit by vehicles so often even though they are in cross walks.

But one thing that is really lovable about Utahns is: if you are stuck on the side of the road they will stop to help.

New Englanders, or at least in Maine/New Hampshire can be very cold and unfeeling. I know because I grew up there.

I love Texans. I lived there for 2 years and my neighbors were wonderful.The people there are awesome. I would move back there again if the bugs weren't so big and I wasn't allergic to fire ant bites.

AMEN! | 9:56 a.m. Sept. 11, 2008

Amen to "Friendly Until They Get in a Car." I have never been cut off more, tailed more, and experienced more discurteous behavior on the road then in the great State of Tailgate Utah. I have lived in CA, TX, UT, OK, and spent time in many other states and have never met a pack of drivers as unsafe and rude as those in Utah.

JanSan | 10:03 a.m. Sept. 11, 2008

re: Beware.....
WHAT A BUNCH OF WOG WASH AND WAIST OF TIME IN READING!!

steven | 10:07 a.m. Sept. 11, 2008

I would agree that Utahns are very nice, friendly people. having said that, i must say they are some of the rudest, most inconsiderate drivers. Each time i visit Utah i'm reminded of this. i'm from southern California where people actually allow you to merge into traffic and pull out into a busy street

wow | 10:07 a.m. Sept. 11, 2008

Beware 8:48 are you real?
I am not Mormon but my family is and half of my friends are. I dont know any Mormons like you describe. It is my observation that Utahns act pretty much like other people elsewhere, but they do try to be friendly. Generally: If you are nice, people will be nice; if you are not, they wont be; regardless of religion. Yes Mormons can be judgemental and cliquish - but so is someone who puts their kids in private school so they dont have to deal with Mormons. Both tend to be oblivious to their own crap; but last time I checked, we were all human.

Nice Try! | 10:08 a.m. Sept. 11, 2008

Wait for it...wait for it | 6:09 a.m. Sept. 11, 2008 Wrote:
"Here it comes - all the "Mormons are jerks" diatribe that usually accompanies articles that describe Utahns in a positive light. And although Mormons were not brought up in this article, someone soon will post something "revealing" about Mormons that shows how Utahns (Mormons) really are not good people."

You must be the real Jerk in this diatribe, as YOU are the first one that brought the subject up, and therefore have opened up the subject for further comment and discussion.

Nice try at such weird reverse psychology. It does indeed show that at least one Mormon out there is a self-righteous, self-serving, paranoid and self-absorbed jerk!

You would have been better off not saying anything at all.

As for the news article... what's new?

Utah does have the highest child population - due to it's Mormon culture!

Utah does have one of the highest Republican pluralities - due to its Mormon culture!

You simply brought the 'Mormon Jerk' thing up because you know full well that the statistical figures are indeed because of Utah's Mormon culture.

But having to be a paranoid jerk about it is uncalled-for.

Anonymous | 10:09 a.m. Sept. 11, 2008

Utahns are friendly alright.
To each other.
The rest are gentiles.

Re: Beware | 10:19 a.m. Sept. 11, 2008

To "Beware," I don't know how you can be a member of the LDS faith and come away with the notion that you are supposed to exclude or be unkind to those who are not also LDS. And if you do happen to have a lot of snobs in your ward who either preach that baloney or give the impression that is appropriate behavior, why haven't you learned anything more accurate than that from the teachings of the Savior as recorded in the scriptures? He certainly never told any of us to be nasty to people who aren't like us or to exclude them from our lives. I'm LDS and I treat everyone the same because that is what I learned at church and it's what any decent human being does. You know yourself that the philosophy you've stated is garbage, so instead of trying to blame the Church for the exclusionary, subtext you've internalized and are using to justify prejudicial treatment of others, why don't you take some personal responsibility for learning and practicing the truth about how we are all supposed to treat our neighbors, whatever faith they espouse.

Justin | 10:24 a.m. Sept. 11, 2008

I find that most people I meet anywhere in the world often reflect my own attitude. When I am feeling friendly and outgoing I often meet others who are friendly and outgoing. When I am stressed or feeling upset or cranky, I often meet others who are the same. The really amazing thing is when someone reacts in a friendly way to me when I am not feeling or acting very friendly.

"When you chance to meet a frown, do not let it stay. Quickly turn it upside down and smile that frown away."

Have a nice day!

Reality Check | 10:26 a.m. Sept. 11, 2008

Utahns are friendly?! Tell that to the lady who gave me the bird (with my two young children in the car) on I-15 today for driving the speed limit in the far right lane.

re James | 10:28 a.m. Sept. 11, 2008

oh yeah, I forgot the type of govt we live under. We're not supposed to question or talk about anything we read in the paper. Sorry, apparently we are all out of line mr. chairman.

Anonymous | 10:32 a.m. Sept. 11, 2008

Whenever a culture is completely shut down and is force-fed exactly what they are supposed to do and what not to do - you will have a seething, angry lot acting out negatively against anything and everything.

It's just human nature to rebel against patriarchal authority.

Negative and Positive Everywhere | 10:34 a.m. Sept. 11, 2008

I lived north of where I live now and lived near many (not all) extremely rude people. We moved 30 miles south, and the street we live on now have so many wonderful people, I cannot believe it. Grew up in a state other than Utah, and I feel the driver's are better there, where as in Utah, they are much more rude and not self-aware... or too self-aware, however the case may be. Where I used to live, growing up, so many were caddy and awful. But the adults were fantastic. I've noticed that here in Utah, my children have been exposed to may kind children. Living in Utah, I have been exposed to only one family that was truly self-righteous and holier than thou... that was my extended family. They would be that way whether they were LDS or not. I lived in NYC, and most people were friendly if I was friendly first... my point is, everywhere you go, there is good and bad, and it is also how one perceives it, what they expect from their communities (too high expectations?) and what one wants to offer the community. How accurate were my perceptions? Don't know.

Ing | 10:42 a.m. Sept. 11, 2008

"Beware | 8:51 a.m." made me laugh.

I've been visited by the missionaries a couple of times recently...what I want to know is where are MY vitamins?

Craig | 10:43 a.m. Sept. 11, 2008

If the authors of the study ever visit the DNews comment section they might have to revise their findings.

re Craig | 10:52 a.m. Sept. 11, 2008

EXCELLENT POINT! But no one can see who is making the comments, ha.

Re: JanSan | 11:20 a.m. Sept. 11, 2008

Iï¿½m curious, whatï¿½s a WOG, is that short for warthog? Warthog wash, doesnï¿½t roll off the tongue like hog wash, but it could work.

Waist of time. I wear ï¿½36ï¿½ does this mean reading my original post wasted 36 seconds of your life?

to "Beware" | 11:37 a.m. Sept. 11, 2008

Funniest thing I've heard in a while. Laughed for a long time. "Yous a Mormon?" Thank you, thank you.

re: Beware | 12:15 p.m. Sept. 11, 2008

Don't fall for believing that person is a Mormon. The terminology of "witnessing" shows they are protestant, and obviously one who has never visited an LDS church.

Anonymous | 12:15 p.m. Sept. 11, 2008

I was visiting Salt Lake City last week after having moved away.
It took me 10 hot minutes in traffic to remind me of one of the reasons I am glad I have relocated to a more friendly state.

Even though the street I was on had 4-lanes, a driver immediately got on my bumper and started flashing their lights (even though I was going 5 miles over the speed limit and in the right lane.

I am convinced the people in Salt Lake City have gone insane.

OC Surfer | 1:21 p.m. Sept. 11, 2008

I'd drive in Downtown LA traffic anyday over the drivers in Utah. At least in SoCal, we all drive fast,know our surroundings, and let people in. In Utah some Minivan is going 55 on the fast lane with speed racers weaving in the slow lane. Also in Utah, does anyone know how to signal?

Also why in Utah do people check each other out at the intersection waiting for the light? That's as classic as fry sauce.

On a friendly note here, the only 2 times I've been flipped off by a driver have been when I was a student at BYU driving on campus.

Anonymous | 1:35 p.m. Sept. 11, 2008

The good people have been so used to the conditioning process of Thou Shalt, Thou Shalt ...
the only way they have to recapture their personal power is in a car.
And there they act out their therapy needs.
I can't tell you how sorry I feel for them.

Anonymous | 2:07 p.m. Sept. 11, 2008

A truck driver friend from out of state once told me the Utah drivers are the worst, mean-spirited people on the face of the earth.

It's got to be because they are beaten down so thoroughly in this culture.

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