I agree with those of you who live in small towns. I do too, and I can go to the gas station and spend 45 minutes talking to the people there...lol. It helps that I talk a lot, but the fact that you live in a small town seems to make you much freer to speak to people...whether you know them or not. My husband is from Milwaukee and it blew him away the way you wave at everyone you pass going down the road...lol.

Also, from a different perspective, as far as plain old good manners go, it has to be taught. And unfortunately a lot of parents are dropping the ball on that one. My son is very well mannered, he say yes ma'am and no ma'am and yes sir and no sir to adults, which is normal here. But I read not long ago from one of the well known manner columnists that teaching your child to do that is "outdated and antiquated." Maybe so, but my son is accepted everywhere we go, older people love him, and it certainly hasn't hurt him. I have also taught him to open doors for women, and to ALWAYS speak when spoken to, etc. I think that if parents took more time with their children, and showed them by their actions, we might live in a friendlier world.

Deb