North and South

The North-South divide in the UK is something of an established fact. It's usually summed up in the sentence 'Empty the North, Concrete the South' in reference to the government's plans to build considerably more housing in the Southern regions. However, it extends to more than that. Generally, the Northern people (of which i am one, i should add) tend to be considerably friendlier and more down to earth than their southern counterparts. Well, from speaking with friends and colleagues here, and from some experience of my own, there also appears to be that big North-South gap here. Except it appears that things are the other way around. The Northerners are considered cold, whereas the Southerners are friendlier. But there are more subtleties to it than that.

The Northern USA (particularly here on the coast) have something of a reputation for keeping themselves to themselves - it's not that they're unfriendly, more 'that they'll only speak to you if they want to' as a colleague's wife put it the other week. So if they want to be your friend, there's nothing to worry about. On the other hand, the Southerners are friendly, but it might often be out of politeness. Thus, if you meet an acquaintance and they are very 'Hello! How are you?!', it's considered something of the normal greeting - and they are not always expecting a full reply. Thus, i tend to just say 'doing good' or 'fine' - you get the picture. Of course, as is always the case with real life, things are never purely black and white and i'm sure there is plenty of gray in the middle. It just makes me wonder if there are similar divides in other countries. Anyone like to answer that?