To think people from up north / Wales are much friendlier than southerners

[Snorkers]

Was born in South Wales, currently live in southern England, husband from Manchester.
Whenever we go up north to visit his fam I'm always shocked by how much friendlier in general everyone is.
I haven't been back to Wales for 30 years but recall when i did everyone always looking out for each other and generally being genuinely friendly and interested in each others' wellbeing.
I like where I live now but I am considering a permanent relocation back to Wales in a few years as more people than not here in Southern England are either just unfriendly and a large minority are moody, aggressive and selfish.
AIBU?
What are your experiences?
Before anyone shoots me down for annoying folks I tend to keep myself to myself so am not getting up in people's shit, it's a genuine observation!

It’s also worth bearing in mind that some northern towns and cities are closer to London than some southern towns are .

Used to have to travel and stay overnight for work and there were a few places where I was advised by locals and taxi drivers not to venture out to at night as it wasn’t safe. One was an area in London but the rest were areas in South Wales, Leeds and Yorkshire

Yes agree. I live in South East and my children went to Uni in Nottingham,lancaster and Leeds and I definitely find the northerners so friendly in comparison . Having said that I have the most brilliant,amazing friends where I live but generally people are less chatty/ friendly with strangers.

People from the south west are nice too. My sister used to live there.

I find many people mistake chattiness for friendliness.

I’m from Wales and I do get shocked about the general coldness of people in the SE. Just in shops etc people no have a nice day Etc. Not rude just not warm. I haven’t found this is Cornwall or Devon though.

Was going to say the same as Jassy. There are certain areas/cultures where it's more normal to speak to strangers. But that isn't the same as being friendly. I've heard more really rude, uncharitable, unkind, sexist, homophobic and racist comments in these areas too. I've also found a lot of the chatting is 'on send' and the person talking is more interested in talking at anyone who'll listen.

I haven't been back to Wales for 30 years but recall when i did everyone always looking out for each other and generally being genuinely friendly and interested in each others' wellbeing

So, people were friendlier 30 years ago? Yes, maybe.

I find that there's a north south divide but it's not a horizontal line across the country but rather a ruved line starting somewhere in the middle of Norfolk and encompasing a large past of the south east.

My experience with people from the west country or cornwall for example are just as friendly but the closer to London you get the more of a pompous "we art better than thou" attitude you'll findmore regularly.

Completely disagree. I did teacher training in South Wales and was genuinely shocked by the racism I encountered. In contrast London is an oasis of friendliness.

I meant to say Curved line. How the hell do you edit posts on mumsnet?

well i live in the south and shock horror some people are friendly and some are not. bet the north is the same.

We do have less coronavirus which is a plus

I've encountered a specific kind of rudeness directed at me in a lot of these 'friendly' areas once the person knows i'm from London.

I completely agree with OP. I’m a Yorkshire woman, having lived away for more than 50 years but am reminded of the friendliness of strangers every time I go ‘home’.

I have had acts of kindness - both astonishing and everyday - living in London and the SE but what is noteworthy is that people have done those things without wanting for expecting to be thanked profusely. Nod, shrug, often scuttle away half way through your thank you if they’re in a hurry.

I lived in a ‘friendlier’ (chattier) place in another part of the world, and my experience is that while friendly, interactions and kindnesses tend to be less genuine and more for the purposes of social interaction, and expectation of reciprocity, than in the ‘colder’ places.

While I miss the easy sociability of my home country, I appreciate the genuineness of the kindness and friendships I’ve experienced in London.

I decide "friendliness" from "relative crime rates per head of pop".

Take from that what you will.

Love,
Scot in the South ♥️

I lived in London for 40 years then Essex for 15 years. I now live in the Midlands have done so for almost 3 years.

I don't find the people friendlier at all. I don't know why people say northerners are more friendly.

Me and DH go back to London at least once a month and almost always speak to people on the bus, on the tube, in shops etc.

The drivers here are much more reluctant to let other drivers out of side roads. Oh and they are far worse drivers on the whole too. Every day I see drivers overtaking on solid white lines, on the brow of a hill etc. Also so many speeding. They seem to think the flashing speed signs are there for no reason

I am from the south - Fuck Off!!

Seriously - yes people are friendlier up north, but only if you are white.

YANBU. Grew up and live in the south east and have been to visit a friend in Newcastle a few times last year- the difference was really noticeable. Everyone just seemed so much happier, open to a chat, smiley. Came back to Southampton airport to see a man kicking the ticket machine at the station and swearing into the intercom

I grew up in the South East and now live in the South West- the east was fairly unfriendly in my experience but the west is completely the opposite- everyone chats to everyone here!

People definitely talk more to strangers outside of the London/SE area.

Met up with a group of friends from across the country a while back. We’d all travelled by train to be there. Those of us from the “provinces” had chatted to the people we shared a train table with; those of us from London/SE were very surprised and thought it was an odd thing to do

No, actual Londoners are usually lovely. It's the people who have moved to London and think they are better who are not.
People in the North East are usually great though, and people in the South West are very unfriendly to outsiders.
People from Lancashire and South Yorkshire are funny and people in West Yorkshire are hard as nails. In my experience

I grew up in Yorkshire thinking racism was a normal part of daily life. Then I loved to London and realised, no it wasn't.

And then Brexit happened. The xenophobic comments I've heard are just unbelievable.

Friendly. Provided your face fits.

*moved

My DM always tells a story about her Uncle who lived in a very affluent part of London. Whenever he came to visit my grandparents he could never get his head around them not only knowing their neighbours, but that they actually spoke to them!

The friendliest cities in the UK IMO are Liverpool and Newcastle, so I'd guess its probably true.