Top 10 U.S. States with the Rudest People
People across the country have pretty strong feelings about the attitude and behavior of their fellow citizens - especially when it comes to drivers, customer service, and just basic everyday interactions. The state where you might experience a cold shoulder or some less-than-polite treatment could be different from someone else's experience. But that's what makes lists like this so interesting: it's all based on collective experiences and impressions.Whether it's based on a bad encounter with a local or a general perception of a state's reputation, this list reflects how many see the residents of certain places as a little more short-tempered or blunt than others.
Cast your vote for the states that you think should be ranked as having the rudest people. Have you had an experience where the locals weren't exactly welcoming, or maybe you've just heard too many stories to let it slide? Make your opinion count as others have before you, and see which states end up at the top.
Florida, with its large population of retirees and tourists, is seen as having a mix of friendly and rude behaviors, depending on the region. Some areas, like Miami, are noted for more impersonal interactions, particularly in busy tourist spots. I'm retired and have visited Florida in January and February for the last twenty years. I'm called a Snow Bird because I winter in Florida to avoid the snow. During my stays, I have encountered many very rude and pushy people, although a few were nice.
I asked one of the nice individuals why so many people are very rude and pushy in Florida. He explained that almost all Florida residents moved there from other states, bringing their bad habits with them. While this was a good explanation, it didn't ease my interactions with these rude and pushy individuals. Obviously, I don't winter in Florida for the friendly people.
I could give you fifty examples, but I'll limit myself to just one. Once, while shopping in a crowded, large Florida grocery store, I noticed a man in his 30s. He was driving his shopping cart like a race car, hastily throwing items into it, and bumping into other customers and carts. He never smiled or apologized to anyone, seeming solely focused on getting in and out of the store as quickly as possible.
New Jersey residents are frequently described as assertive, with a reputation for being outspoken or blunt, especially in densely populated urban areas. The state's proximity to New York City contributes to a cultural crossover that emphasizes direct communication. I'm from Jersey, born and raised. We're awful. We don't sugarcoat anything, we tailgate like there's no tomorrow, and out-of-state people will learn this pretty quickly when we're doing 90 on a freeway instead of 65.
Our jokes are at the expense of others. We're quick to judge and call names. Not to mention the political divide is astounding in my area - there's an even split of conservatives and liberals, and we all come for each other's throats when we get into it. Bullying is a serious issue here, as is suicide and opiate-related deaths. Not only are we rude, but we're particularly cruel. Don't move here unless you want your feelings to get hurt.
Ohio residents are often seen as polite, but in the larger cities like Cleveland and Cincinnati, people can be perceived as more rushed and less inclined to engage in small talk. The state combines Midwestern friendliness with urban efficiency. I have never been to Ohio, but almost everyone I have met from there is so arrogant and rude. I have met a large number of them because one of their main freeways leads directly to my state. They think they know more than anyone else and that they are better in every way than others around them. And I am white, so it's not a racist thing in my case.
As far as backstabbing goes, I once worked closely with a woman from Ohio that I initially thought was very nice. However, before too long, I found out that she was lying to me and our bosses. She was trying to set me up, pretending that I hadn't done some of the work she had (allegedly) given me! Thankfully, one of the doctors we worked for saw through her scheme and let me know. Because of that and many other negative experiences, I unfortunately keep my guard up whenever I meet someone from Ohio.
Massachusetts, particularly in the Boston area, is known for its fast-paced and sometimes brusque communication style. While residents may be direct, there is also a strong sense of community and loyalty among locals. I have lived here my whole life and I love it. We have thick skin. No, we are not the nicest people. If you want nice, don't come here.
We don't say hello to every person on the street - people are nuts, and we have enough of our own problems - and we don't play nice. If you do happen to get our attention, we are just going to make fun of you and belittle you. It's how we show love to one another. Some may not understand it, but that's how we are. If you don't like it, don't stay here.
No one asked you to come here, and if you are just going to whine about how "your" state is so much better than ours, by all means, go home! We don't want you here anyway. The fewer crybabies, the better.
Missouri residents are often regarded as polite, though some urban areas, such as St. Louis, may have a reputation for being less friendly than rural parts of the state. The state's cultural identity blends Midwestern and Southern influences. Never in my life have I seen such rude and hateful people. No one will talk to you in public, and good luck trying to engage someone in conversation. They will just brush you off. People will stare at you and make faces. Most people have their circle of friends, and that's about it.
You walk into a store, gas station, or anywhere, and if you get close to someone, they run off. Large crowds are also horrible because no one wears a mask, and even the police are anti-maskers there. Everyone is trying to run and avoid everyone else, creating a total madhouse. It is ultra-conservative, so people are very judgmental, and all of that. If you wear something that shows skin, people will run from you as if you're the plague. I've had a lady and a man tell me, "You're making us uncomfortable." I've seen people huffing and puffing, and it's not an exaggeration when they talk about the huff and puff. If you get near them, they literally huff and puff. It amazes me.
New York is known for its fast-paced lifestyle, and its residents are often perceived as being direct or brusque in public interactions. The state's largest city, New York City, is particularly associated with hurried and occasionally impersonal behavior. I live in New York State in the Capital Region area, including Schenectady, Albany, and Troy. I find that a lot of people here are shady and do things behind your back. They will backstab you in an instant.
They are nice to your face, but when you're not looking, they demean you. They are highly judgmental control freaks, interfering with your happiness and well-being. They are impatient, disrespectful, have no boundaries, no respect for your space, and are consistently inconsistent.
The environment here is chaotic, high-stress, and not peaceful at all. No one minds their own business here. Romance is terrible. You can't ever find a loyal partner. They are liars, quick to undermine you and to take away your freedom.
Illinois, especially in Chicago, is sometimes associated with brusque or impersonal behavior, typical of a large urban area. However, the state's rural regions tend to be more traditionally friendly and welcoming. I moved from NYC to the suburbs of Illinois, and four years have passed in this place with only work and no social life or friends. Why did I do that? There are absolutely no good reasons to live in Illinois. At least NYC is always awake, and you can enjoy great food at any time of the day, with unbelievably good pizza, whether thin or deep-dished. Even the street vendors' food is delicious.
NYC has plenty of entertainment, but there is absolutely zero in Illinois or Chicago. It's more expensive than NYC, with no customer service. The eateries are terrible, and the people are crazy, selfish, entitled, antisocial, judgmental, arrogant, rude, narcissistic, bigoted, opinionated, rural, ignorant, prejudiced, racist, obnoxious, and they drive as if they own the world. They never apologize or back off when wrong.
God forbid you get into a road altercation here. They'll call the cops on you, and the cops will actually show up at your door to harass you for why you've given someone the finger. Illinoisans are sheltered cry babies who feel entitled to everything. You shouldn't even try to defend yourself if they are attacking you. They'll insult you and laugh, and if you try to brush them off, they'll continue until they see you break down. Even then, they won't back down. Yeah, Illinoisans are tough, alright, but not for the right reasons.
It's an unbelievably bad place to raise a family, with bad nature and scenery, bad weather, bad crime, no manners, no culture, no values (only money and prestige), no morals, and a white trash-redneck closed-minded mentality!
Texas is often associated with Southern hospitality, but in major cities like Dallas and Houston, interactions can be perceived as more hurried and less polite. However, overall friendliness is still a notable feature in many parts of the state. Most everything said here is untrue, but the idea that Texas is downright rude is 100% accurate. I also tend to agree that it's mostly the transplants and not the natives. I don't think racism is a problem among Whites.
However, many Mexicans think they're on a crusade to reclaim the American Southwest (Aztlan), and the Blacks here absolutely hate White people.
The drivers are terrible, more so than in other states. But the people are just rude and aggressive often for no reason at all. Lots of unhappy people. Property is cheap.
Nevada, with its focus on tourism in cities like Las Vegas, can be perceived as having a more impersonal or transactional social environment. Outside of the major tourist hubs, interactions may be more relaxed and friendly. I moved here from New Jersey, which is higher on the list. I thought no matter where I went, people would be nicer. Not here. I do believe a lot of the rudeness is driven by ignorant, privileged white people who have never left the state. Did I say ignorant? I meant stupid.
There are car accidents every single day, multiple times a day. They all just crash into each other. They complain about traffic caused by people moving here, but if you ask them, they have six children and fourteen grandchildren. They don't realize those are the people on the road. People here have no drive to do anything but get pregnant at 18. Gaudy trucks are everywhere. Everyone has a jet ski and an RV, and all the conversation is about guns. The evidence of small 'members' is everywhere here. Dumb little prick middle American wastes.
Arkansas is generally considered to be part of the Southern United States, where hospitality is valued, but some areas may have a reputation for being less welcoming to outsiders. Attitudes can vary significantly between urban and rural areas. Been here 15 years. Lived in the Camden, Arkansas area for all 15 years. Moved here from Wisconsin. I can tell you the people in Arkansas are the rudest people I have ever seen. They are also the stupidest people on this earth.
I also think 80 percent of the people here are druggies or have a drinking problem. This state is garbage, just garbage.
The law enforcement and other 'higher-ups' in Arkansas lack intelligence and are horribly unprofessional and rude. The mindset of many people in this state is very unfriendly. It's not just the people in charge, but a big majority of residents as well. Not sure how they get off on being bigots.
The Newcomers
South Dakota residents are typically seen as friendly and polite, with a strong sense of community, particularly in rural areas. The state's culture emphasizes hospitality and openness. While the state has the Black Hills region in the west, which is scenic and has largely nice people living and visiting there, anything east of it - where the terrain is flat - has the most hideous, hateful yokels and hicks living there. It's pretty much stuff straight out of The Hills Have Eyes and Wrong Turn.
If you're an immigrant especially, they're going to go full-on foul-mouthed hate, the kind they've harbored inside for a long time just waiting to unleash. Also, in those small towns, they will treat you like a non-existent, second-class non-human even in a store. They'll recognize you're an "outsider" by the way you're dressed and because you're not obese like most of them. For example, they'll just serve locals in front of you, even though they were behind you in line, and will take forever to have endless conversations to avoid serving you.
If you say anything, they'll pretend you do not exist, and you'll have to become very loud and outspoken to get noticed so they realize you're not backing off or simply walking out without service. I would not recommend anyone move to Eastern SD.
But even in the Black Hills, I have seen things like a car speeding through a 20 mph zone trying to run down a pedestrian on a crosswalk while honking non-stop at him. People also use their cars as weapons on overcrowded roads, and there's a lot of road rage, likely due to the high number of tourists. I do not ever wish to visit that state.
Montana residents are often perceived as independent and reserved, reflecting the state's rugged, rural environment. However, once relationships are established, people tend to be friendly and welcoming. I've been around the whole country many times and experienced the worst rudeness in Montana. I'm talking about total strangers you had no prior interaction with harassing and threatening you completely out of the blue.
I felt unsafe several times there - not because of grizzly bears, whom I never had any problems with - but because of people. Despite the state being gorgeous, the rude, aggressive people are the sole reason I wouldn't want to visit again.
During my long visit, every week there was an incident with some hateful, aggressive, foul-mouthed person. It was so frequent that I came to expect it and felt uncomfortable being anywhere near people. I felt much safer camping alone in the woods around grizzlies.
There were both white hicks and Native American individuals who were very hateful towards me. I was told to "go home," etc. I never experienced anything like that in any other state. There's an attitude of hate towards "outsiders," and at the same time, people there are very uneducated, lack culture, and don't hold back their verbal abuse. It is no Mayberry there.
Utah is generally known for its friendly and welcoming residents, though the rapid growth of cities like Salt Lake City has led to perceptions of more impersonal interactions in urban areas. The state's strong community ties are still evident. I can't agree more with what everyone else has said. Utah is a state of hypocrites. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I am ashamed at the behavior of so many members in this state, which so obviously opposes our fundamental beliefs. People are awful, rude drivers who intentionally try to frustrate others on the road by tailgating and blocking others from turning. When you make eye contact with someone and smile, you will often get a scowl in return. Law enforcement officials are completely egotistical and cruel, as opposed to the usually well-meaning and affable ones that I have encountered in other states. I only ever visit this awful place to see family members.
Michigan's residents are generally considered polite, though in cities like Detroit, the pace of life can lead to more rushed or impersonal interactions. The state's mix of urban and rural communities contributes to varying levels of friendliness. If all the compliments in regards to Michigan are negative, the state must have a very low vibration. I don't think that people are being hypocritical by sharing their experiences. This is what this website is for, similar to Yelp.
While you do have a good point about the Upper Peninsula being "nice," that does not compensate for all the truthful comments about people not being kind. If 7 out of 8 people say the people in Michigan are generally not nice, this evidence is factual. Also, bias may be at play. Many of the commentators have traveled all over. Have you? You don't know if a state is truly rude unless you have something to compare it to.
My advice to you is to get out of the Upper Peninsula, explore the world, and come back to see if this 'hell on earth' is really authentically nice. There is a difference between telling the truth and being rude. Thanks so much. I look forward to hearing about your travels.
It looks like 90% of people agree that Michigan is rude. This is a known fact. Basic thinking will not expand the mind. Thus, the word provincial.
Oklahoma residents are typically known for their politeness, although some urban areas may have a reputation for being less welcoming than rural regions. The state's culture is influenced by a blend of Southern and Midwestern values. Oklahoma drivers might exhibit more road rage and rude gestures compared to other states. This could contribute to a perception of rudeness in certain situations.
Oklahoma City is considered a rude city. According to polls, 2.3% of respondents picked the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Area as the rudest metro area in America.
There are quite rude people here that ignore you on the phone or pretend they are not listening. Terrible place to work and live, terribly hot and miserable. The food is gross and unhealthy, and they are some of the fattest people on earth, very rude. If you come from Sweden, you will think you are in a war zone.
California's large population and diverse regions contribute to a range of social behaviors, with cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco often described as impersonal or hurried. However, friendliness varies greatly depending on the locale. I have experiences in both Southern and Northern California. I met a lot of people with an attitude in both areas. Their attitude problem seems to come from having a globalist mindset. Many people living in California, whether they are White Americans, Black Americans, colored immigrants, or foreigners, are globalist-minded.
When people have a globalist mindset, they tend to think that everybody else is stupid or inferior, which makes them arrogant and rude. I perceived this type of unpleasant attitude from all kinds of people while I was in California. People are easygoing on the surface but are not very kind or respectful to other people nearby.
Some immigrants and foreigners are not helping or getting along with each other and act as white wannabes instead. They became the ass-kissers or the puppets of the globalist elites and are being cold and traitorous to their own people. It's really too bad because there are a lot of beautiful sceneries, nice weather, and good food in California, which I loved.
Connecticut, especially in its wealthier suburbs, is sometimes perceived as being aloof or less outwardly friendly. The state's proximity to New York City contributes to a culture of efficiency that can be mistaken for rudeness. It's true that there are a lot of people with a horrible attitude here. I have lived in Connecticut for 41 years, and as a general contractor, I travel and work with many different people. The panhandle is horrible, and right up the middle isn't much better.
I once read an article that said New Haven is one of the worst cities in the country, and that is 100% true. But the shoreline north of the Havens is actually very nice, as is the western side. I can also honestly say from experience that New York and New Jersey should top this list, closely followed by Massachusetts.
Indiana, located in the Midwest, generally has a reputation for being polite, but some urban areas may be considered less friendly by outsiders. The state's cultural emphasis on work ethic can lead to more reserved social interactions. I am from the grand "Northern California," 43 years born and raised. Country living... UNTIL... movie stars moved in. Then followed six or seven-story high rises where I used to go catch frogs and pull off the legs of pollywogs. Riding my bike all over town, I had to be in before the street lights came on. As soon as the land was cluttered and started to look like LA, I was heartbroken. So, I packed up and moved to Indiana. Talk about going from the frying pan into the fire. It is SO BEAUTIFUL here. Why is everyone so angry?
Oh, I didn't realize that "The Good Ole Boys" was a real thing. Talk about straight-up ignorant and STUPID. Yeah, it still is slander. It's also bullies who grew up to just bully women. It's cool. Lawyers are catching on finally out here.
Arizona, with its growing population and influx of newcomers, can have a mix of social behaviors. Some regions, especially tourist-heavy areas like Phoenix, may be seen as less friendly due to the fast pace of life. For those who voted for New York, you're only thinking of the stereotypes. I lived in both New York and Arizona. People from Arizona are a lot more rude than in New York, even the kids at my schools were extremely rude as well.
I've lived in Arizona my whole life and yes, by far the worst place ever. People are full of themselves and think they are gods. Complete jerks everywhere in this state.
I have traveled to almost every state in America. The nastiest people I have ever met live in Arizona!
Alabama is known for Southern hospitality, but like many places, attitudes can vary between urban and rural areas. In some cities, people may be perceived as less warm toward strangers compared to smaller communities. I lived there, and the level of hatred towards immigrants is astounding. While people may appear nice and reserved on the outside, at first, I learned that it's only a facade, and what lies beneath is violent hate. I was physically assaulted simply because I'm an immigrant from Europe. My college mates, who were immigrants from various countries, were chased by a big group of neo-Nazis with chains while trying to walk to college. Multiple immigrants working at the nearby gas station were shot dead. My neighbor from Asia had his car pelted with rocks just for driving through a neighborhood. Both local whites and blacks were involved in these incidents.
People don't show their hatred upfront but suddenly become violent. It seems they're just waiting for a convenient moment. I was told that even if you're an American born and bred just 2 hours away, you'd never be accepted there.
Maryland, particularly around the Washington, D.C., metro area, is often seen as fast-paced, with residents sometimes perceived as more impersonal or rushed. The state's proximity to the nation's capital influences a more businesslike demeanor. Horrible place to live. I grew up there and was bullied terribly. I'm so glad I don't live there anymore. I've heard now it's nothing but crime and drugs.
Growing up there was very hard. I even got picked on at the grocery store. I have very pale skin.
Everyone in Maryland is obsessed with tanning or spray tan, so if you're pale, they make fun of you or stare at you like you're an alien or something. I live in Florida now. The people are nicer, but there are a lot of stupid people and bad drivers. However, Maryland has to be the worst place I've ever lived.
Pennsylvania, especially in Philadelphia, is sometimes associated with a more direct and brusque communication style, though rural areas tend to be more traditionally friendly. The state's urban centers can be perceived as less welcoming by outsiders. Even worse than people from Virginia are those from Pennsylvania. I have traveled the world over and have never met people more self-absorbed and oblivious to the existence or rights of others. Their inability to imagine life outside of themselves is most apparent in their driving. They drive 20-30 miles over the speed limit, change lanes without signaling or even looking, run stop signs, and pull out of parking lots without stopping.
Pennsylvania is so boring that its self-centered inhabitants feel the need to invade nearby states all summer long, quite like mosquitoes. You can always tell if Pennsylvanians have been in your state because they leave behind piles of litter and garbage. They're not fit to live in a world with other humans.
Wisconsin is generally known for its Midwestern friendliness, though some urban areas like Milwaukee may exhibit more impersonal behaviors compared to rural regions. The state's culture is often described as down-to-earth. Wisconsin has the most terrible, mean, bullying, hostile, and just purely evil people I have ever met! Road rage every day, and just awful. I am embarrassed to say this was my home state. I am moving and never coming back. I have traveled and lived in many places, and Wisconsin is the most evil.
Rudest people. Worst drivers. Very dumb.
Don't walk at night because you may get killed by the many drunk drivers. Nothing is good about Wisconsin. All their food sucks. Even for a cheese state, they can't even make a decent pizza.
Rhode Island residents, particularly in Providence, are sometimes perceived as reserved or less outwardly friendly. The state's small size and close-knit communities contribute to a culture that can feel insular to outsiders. Rhode Island has really bad drivers. Be careful driving in Providence because most of the bad drivers live there. Traffic is bad in the city of Providence, but everywhere else is fine.
By the way, traffic is worse in the morning around 7 AM - 11 AM and 2 PM - 7 PM. The most annoying part of Rhode Island is the poor roads. It's the worst in the country, which is sad for Rhode Island's reputation.
People on the East Coast and West Coast are not nice at all. They are very cold and not genuine. However, on the East Coast, they are more direct, which is nice, and confrontational.
North Carolina blends Southern hospitality with a more modern, fast-paced lifestyle in its urban centers. While rural areas are known for being warm and welcoming, cities like Charlotte can feel more impersonal. The driving is usually a nightmare. People are backstabbing but then can't back anything up. They think "being nice" is a cover for trying to manipulate others. They'll lie and justify it to themselves, so it's not on their consciences. It's hilarious when you catch someone doing something wrong to you. They can never handle the heat.
Really? People here are actually very nice outside of the Cary and Raleigh areas where all the snobs live. Yes, those people are rude, but the rest of the state? I mean, Charlotte and Asheville have some of the best people you'll ever meet, and the rural areas are no exception. I don't think it should be up this high, but alright.
Tennessee is widely known for Southern hospitality, although larger cities like Nashville can be perceived as less friendly due to the fast pace of tourism and urban growth. Rural areas often maintain a more welcoming demeanor. I have lived in three different regions in Middle to East Tennessee over the past ten years, and in all three places, I find most of the people to be viscerally rude. My most recent move was to Cookeville, where I bought a farm a year ago and hoped to finally set some roots and raise my kids. Less than a year later, I'm already looking to leave the state entirely.
Folks throw trash in my yard on a regular basis, are generally passive-aggressive, and lack any empathy. Good ole boys spend 80% of their income on booze and fuel and spend the whole weekend hot rodding while drunk well into the early morning hours. The police, or "the law," do nothing. The redneck pansies always have a friend riding shotgun, so they have someone to back them up when they inevitably initiate an unnecessary conflict with random strangers.
I travel a lot for a living and can say, although not as in your face as much as a place like Cambridge, MA, folks from Tennessee should absolutely rank near the top of the most unfriendly states.
South Carolina is often noted for its Southern charm, though some urban areas, like Charleston, can be perceived as less friendly due to the influx of tourists. Rural regions maintain a reputation for hospitality. The only reason South Carolina is listed so high is that it is full of people who have moved here from Ohio, and they are proud to be from Ohio. There are "I heart SC" stickers with the heart replaced by the state of Ohio, and stickers that say "Ohio" with the "I" replaced by a palmetto tree. It seems like 1 out of every 5 cars has an Ohio license plate. Hence, the rudeness.
But those of us who have been here for generations are actually quite nice.
Most are hypocritical - they say they are against divorce, drinking, premarital sex, inequality, and drugs, but the reality is just the opposite. The Southern Baptists lead the pack in this regard. They elect incompetents, bozos, and liars: Mark Sanford, Henry McMaster, Lindsey Graham, Tim Scott, Tom Rice, McElvaney, and Nikki Haley. They are so corrupt they don't know a fact or the truth if it hit them in the groin.