Oh, it is not just neighbors! I have lived in CA since 1987, and in the last 10 years have noticed an “I don’t care” vacuous, indifferent and apathetic approach to people, whether it be corporate stores or the local dog grooming business.
In 2007, my mother was sick and I spent many weeks/months back and forth to Columbus, Ohio. I had to run errands and shop, and I had forgotten how nice people were in Ohio. They actually paid attention, said hello and made brief eye contact. Those small things made a difference in making a difficult time a little less stressful, even though no one knew what was going on in my life. They were just nice. Demographics do make a difference, though Columbus is a big city, there is still a somewhat rural approach to others.
