Magazine rudely ranks Atlanta as 7th rudest U.S. city

Aaron

January 25th, 2012
10:08 am

Being a former Atlantan who moved to Virginia Beach for work, I must say I was shocked when people in Virginia would hold the door open for me at the gas station or restaurant. Not something I remember much in the Atl.

Hope

January 25th, 2012
10:10 am

I’m surprised it ranked #7. Good Customer Service is long gone. Don’t blame the yankees, this is Everybody’s problem.

Matt

January 25th, 2012
10:11 am

Doesn’t surprise me at all. My wife and I just left the city for the burbs and the people are just so much nicer out here.

Bernard The Woodpecker

January 25th, 2012
10:13 am

I very rarely run into rude or impolite people in Atlanta. for the most part, they are friendly and courteous. The notable exception being that lady who called me a, ‘misogynist’ because I held the door for her at the post office in Douglasville. Yeah, you know who you are.

Ilene

January 25th, 2012
10:13 am

Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder – rudeness may be a sign of the times. However, if you perceive
Atlanta or any other city through a “filter” of rudeness, that’s what you will see. If you perceive it as “friendly,” then you will see and experience that friendliness. Of course, there is no excuse for rudeness ever.

Kay

January 25th, 2012
10:15 am

It doesn’t surprise me. We have been overrun with New Yorkers!

LOLBoldly

January 25th, 2012
10:16 am

Go figure. Public schools that stink. A traffic nightmare. Only the connected get lucrative contracts (airport). I’d be a little surly, too!

heartofdarkness

January 25th, 2012
10:16 am

Why don’t you take that “northerner” thing and stick it in your pocket.

DebDoes

January 25th, 2012
10:17 am

As I say, ‘Atlanta is a big city in the South–not a ‘Southern city’! I agree, there a few true Atlantians living here. The stats would probably confirmed that more than 50% of the City are transplants from other locals….mostly northern ones. These people weren’t born in the South, but they got here as fast as they could! Leave the City of Atlanta and go out into the counties and the people are much more friendly and the pace is less frenetic. Maybe they drink less Redbull out there!

Liz

January 25th, 2012
10:17 am

I don’t know about Atlanta as number 7, but Miami is definitely number 2. I lived down there for the summer and no one, I mean no one, holds doors open for you.

Chief Wes

January 25th, 2012
10:21 am

Rude and aggressive drivers probably greatly contributed to the magazine’s research.

Scarface O'Hara

January 25th, 2012
10:21 am

Atlanta is now the “Rudest City” due to all of the foul-mouthed, rude, loud-talking yankees from the northeast who have come down here to defile our Southern Homeland.

Exporting Yankees = Exporting Rudeness

curt

January 25th, 2012
10:22 am

Can’t blame it all on the yankee invasion. Traffic stress is part of the problem too not to mention the staff at retails outlets, hotels and convention facilities here who act like their work is beneath them and are only concerned about what time they’re going on break. This is what people see when they visit.

free-man

January 25th, 2012
10:23 am

It would be interesting to track how Atlanta has moved up this list over the years as the number of natives has declined and the percentage of transplants has exploded.

Old School

January 25th, 2012
10:27 am

Not surprising. No one in Atlanta is from Atlanta anymore.

Fred

January 25th, 2012
10:27 am

Could it be because of traffic and those bloody worthless huge waste of money ramp meters

John FX

January 25th, 2012
10:28 am

This problem is nationwide, with the collapse of the public school curriculum and lowering of standards to “accommodate” everyone, plus Hollywood it is amazing there is any vestige of manners left.. Children aren’t taught manners or respect anymore because everyone is afraid of offending someone, or a lawsuit. Here in the South it is our own fault, Y’all come they did and look what happened….

Gene

January 25th, 2012
10:28 am

Matt, I could not agree more. I too just moved to the burbs and could not be happier, and I feel so much more safe. I received several baked goods from my neigbhors to welcome me to the neighborhood. There is a difference!

Scarface O'Hara

January 25th, 2012
10:30 am

RE: Traffic Stress

If it were not for the large quantity of unwanted, rude, foul-mouthed, loud-talking, POOR-DRIVING yankees coming here to clog up our roads and highways with their non-turn-signal-using vehicles & inability to yield or merge properly, there would not be that cited level of “Traffic Stress.”

Roekest

January 25th, 2012
10:32 am

Southern Hospitality went out the door years ago. Now, Southern Hospitality is being nice to someone’s face, then disparaging them behind their back.

anonymous

January 25th, 2012
10:36 am

I think most of the comments above would push us further on up the list. Blaming other people for rudeness by calling them names? Surely this is the Onion.

I-Love-Atlanta!

January 25th, 2012
10:38 am

When northern relatives visit us in the ATL, they can’t stop talking about the polite and friendly folks who live here. Never heard of that magazine, but I can tell you here in Douglasville, I’ve yet to come across anyone who was rude and/or impolite – young, old, white, black, green or orange. Gosh, even the teenagers hold doors open for you. Moved from the North 2 years ago – you really notice the rudeness when you go back for a visit.

Scarface O'Hara

January 25th, 2012
10:38 am

Jimmie,

Wouldn’t that issue be considered a “legacy” problem here in the South that, while it can indeed be contributed to a particular slice of the invading yankee hordes across the demographic spectrum, can not isolated to them entirely?

Rick Day

January 25th, 2012
10:39 am

Blame the panhandlers. Not necessarily a shabby drink, even a perfectly ‘clean and normal’ looking individual, just by making eye contact, a nod and a smile glues him/her to your side for 300 feet, until you get rude, or give up the lucre.

Someone shuffling up to me with a “Can I ask you a question?” is answered with a terse “As long as the answer does not involve ME giving YOU money.” 95% walk off. the other 5% lie.

And I still open the doors for both ladies and gents and walk the street side of the sidewalk in case my bride is soiled by the uncontrolled rain runoff due to LACK OF CURBS. *stomps off*

PatDowns

January 25th, 2012
10:40 am

If this refers to the City of Atlanta, then I would have to agree. The blacks all walk around as “NWA” and the gays all have snarky attitudes. As mentioned above, quite different in the ‘burbs.

Old Dawg

January 25th, 2012
10:42 am

As much as I hate to admit, most folks in Atlanta are very rude. In fact, it’s difficult for me to consider Atlanta a southern city anymore. A few miles out of town, the basic politeness of the South returns.

Yes, the traffic is awful in Atlanta. Schools stink. The job market is terrible, etc, etc. But as we all learned as children, that’s not an excuse for being rude.

Perhaps someone can start a school on manners and create new jobs in the process!

Paula Randall

January 25th, 2012
10:43 am

You’ve never heard of Travel and Leisure? What cave have you been living in?

Ali50

January 25th, 2012
10:44 am

Spent 5 days on Long Island in October where people let the door slam in your face and every other word is an obscenity. Was thrilled to return to ATL. Southern courtesy was one of the main reasons I never returned to the north to live after going to college in the south.

Scarface O'Hara

January 25th, 2012
10:47 am

Rick Day,

While a slight variation on the inquisition usually posed to you on our city streets, the particular query I typically get from Atlanta’s World-INFAMOUS Panhandlers to whom I display aforementioned smile & nod inherent in a Southern Boy’s taught manners is: “Hey. Yeah. Alright Now. Say, man, can I ‘ax’ you a question?”

Denise

January 25th, 2012
10:47 am

HEAR ME AND HEAR ME WELL…ATLANTA WAS NOT LIKE THIS. I WAS BORN AND RAISED HERE AND PEOPLE WERE NICE AND KIND TO EACH OTHER. SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY WAS BORN IN ATLANTA. ALL THE PEOPLE THAT MOVED HERE FROM OTHER STATES BROUGHT THEIR RUDE WAYS WITH THEM. Sorry to yell…this one is a sore spot for me.

fred garvin

January 25th, 2012
10:48 am

i love going into, say, a Quicktrip and the guy or gal in front of you just lets the door shut after they go thru (no need to hold it open for the guy/gal in back of you??). this plays out in the ATL every day. Traffic is a nightmare as it is but when you add the people with the Yosemite Sam mudflaps on their pickup or the Nissan Ultima with the tinted windows zigzagging in and out of lanes on 400/85/285/75 just to get one car length ahead it’s a joke.

I-Love-Atlanta!

January 25th, 2012
10:49 am

@Paula – the cave that has Conde Nast & Fodors! You know, something more global. Well I guess I’ve just come across the first rude person. Congratulations!!!

No surprise

January 25th, 2012
10:49 am

All these Yankees, rednecks and uppity urban women. Sad really.

Native Atlantan

January 25th, 2012
10:49 am

You lost all credibility when you said you’d never heard of Travel+Leisure magazine.

And stop using the word “yankee.” It makes you look provincial.

4xtra

January 25th, 2012
10:52 am

The northerners??
ARE YOU SERIOUS??
Boy, HERE WE GO AGAIN…

You guy ALWAYS have someone to blame.

THE CIVIL WAR IS OVER SO STOP IT

Now lets take a look very carefully to what you said:
“Phoenix — Never been there but it looks hot.”
“Baltimore – A miserable place, ACCORDING to fellow Georgian Gram Parsons”

That says something RIGHT THERE..
YOU NEVER TRAVELED ANYWHERE…and that is the very problem,
(did you write this from a dial up connection in your trailer par……OH NEVER MIND)

Atlanta has ABSOLUTELY lost its southern charm (THERE IS NO QUESTION ABOUT THAT). In the 90;s and the very early 2000’s was ok but went down hill in a hurry in the last 5-6 years and it has NOTHING to do with the “Northern invasion”.

A lot of it has to do with the young generation (from the north and south) with the obsession with the internet (specifically certain content like tabloid and music) and TV shows unintentionally creating a narcissistic mindset and being rude to people as “normal”. Shows and sites like Atlanta housewives, Jersey shore, toddlers and tiaras, TMZ, Judge Judy, Jerry Springer, Bad girls club,and I even blame shows like American Idol, SYTYCD (so you think you can dance), for the star struck obsession because many (and I do mean many) young people here are becoming obsessed with being famous overnight. I am not blaming Hip Hop directly but is unfortunately part of this as well (YES, I AM BLACK and I love hip hop music but I don’t try to live that lifestyle because Hip Hop is for strictly entertainment purposes ONLY)
I have met many (and I do many) people from New York, Boston, and even the “dreaded” New Jersey and they were very very respecbig northern cities tful and not a bit of rudeness what so ever. People from northern big cities are raised to mind their business and look straight ahead and not smile because it is sometimes dangerous to be friendly to EVERYONE, this is the truth and that is the culture up North because big city life up north is a entire different world. Not necessarily to be rude but simply to mind your business and keep it moving.

So please stop blaming the “northerners”

Trust me, I am from Ohio, lived in several states and overseas and that is one of the most IGNORANT articles I have seen

Just curious……
By the way..what is your education level??

Old Boy

January 25th, 2012
10:56 am

I think our rudeness is better summed up by traffic. People seem to be very poilte walking and in public places; it is the roads where we all (and I include myself in this) turn into giant a-holes.

When You Lay Down with Pigs...

January 25th, 2012
10:58 am

For the sake of future Atlanta generations, we need our well-raised, Southern-bred Ladies & Gentlemen to stop defiling themselves by cross-breeding with these rude, ill-tempered yankee locusts and creating rude, mutant offspring.

Aunt Pittypat

January 25th, 2012
10:58 am

Yankees in Georgia? How’d they ever get here?

4xtra

January 25th, 2012
10:59 am

ooops…
i did a cut and paste incorrectly on my posts

Jason Kipfmiller

January 25th, 2012
10:59 am

Screwwwwwwwwwwwww Youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I got a whole pack man!!!!!!!

ACE

January 25th, 2012
10:59 am

What?

dude

January 25th, 2012
11:00 am

I am a proud native of Atlanta, having been born at Georgia Baptist Hospital, and growing up in Midtown. I remember going to the ice skating rink at the CNN center, attended my very first rock concert in 1983 at the Omni. I remember riding Marta when it opened in 1979, and it cost a quarter to ride the E-W lines. I also remember my dad taking me to the old underground Atlanta, and my mom took me to the old Polaris Restaurant, atop the Hyatt Regency. I guess I can qualify as a “true Atlantan, LOL

Native Atlantan

January 25th, 2012
11:06 am

Spot on, 4xtra. I’ve been to some of the largest cities on Earth, including NYC and Tokyo, and being friendly is dangerous in real cities. From the comments on this blog, it’s clear some Georgians (they don’t deserve to be called Atlantans) have never left the state or their suburban bunkers, and they’re mentally stuck in the 1860’s.

The “yankees” didn’t defile “the South:” the world changed and your “South” is DEAD! And thank God for that!

Rm

January 25th, 2012
11:08 am

Sorry to say since I am a native Atlantan, but Atlanta has lost it’s manners. I even find NYC and Washington much friendler. Why? Does anyone teach their children how to be polite? A simple please and thank you would be nice.

PTC Bernie

January 25th, 2012
11:08 am

All you have to do is drive in Atlanta and you’ll see exactly what they’re talking about.

Dick Rosser

January 25th, 2012
11:10 am

Guess whoever made the list has never been to Minnesota!

Shocked we're not #1...

January 25th, 2012
11:11 am

I’ve actually found Philly to be friendlier! We have too many transplants – particularly New Yorkers – here now. They’ll ride it til the wheels fall of, then hop to the next leaving the city used and abused. Atlanta’s guilty in that we do not have our own identity that we enforce. When in Rome, doesn’t happen here. New Yorkers move here and complain how it’s not like New York. Very few who consider themselves to be from here even know the city’s history beyond a post card’s telling.

BTW… who never heard of Travel & Leisure??? That’s ne of the bigger trade mags in the travel industry.

groupie

January 25th, 2012
11:11 am

Looking for evidence? Just attend a conert at Chastain Park.

Shocked we're not #1...

January 25th, 2012
11:13 am

All the Katrina transplants aren’t helping either!

DWolf

January 25th, 2012
11:14 am

I’ve been Many places in this Country, including All of the Cities listed as the Rudest here today. The Top Rudest City I have Ever been to in my Lifetime is Albany, Georgia! Altanta is fast paced and Huge, and the traffic is horrific, but so far (3 Years) the People here are Far Nicer than in Albany. They should have chosen Albany Not Atlanta!

Brent

January 25th, 2012
11:15 am

Sorry, only number 7. I am surprised, I would have expect much higher. Rudeness is numbing with the Atlantitude!

Freedom From Insanity

January 25th, 2012
11:16 am

Not only is Atlanta rude, it is certaily not an “International City”, no matter what the Olympic Committee or various Mayors have proclaimed. How many people in the Atlanta hotel industry speak another language? How many attractions have employees who speak another language? Take a walk downtown and let me know how polite people are. Take a drive on 75 and 85 and see how polite drivers are. It is not only the Northerners, but it is a general feeling of hostility toward everyone. Do people smile – no! Do people help you with directions – no! Take MARTA and see how polite people are. It is pitiful.

I do have to agree with other comments about getting outside the city of Atlanta and finding people more polite and willing to interact with you.

Good Luck Atlanta as the CVB spends money trying to attract more foreign visitors!

bronco

January 25th, 2012
11:16 am

They always hold the door for me…right before they rob me

bob

January 25th, 2012
11:16 am

I believe the easy answer could be the fault of the homeless people or violent crimes but my guess is people are already pissed about being stuck in traffic all day that common courtesy is out the door.

street smart

January 25th, 2012
11:18 am

The fact that the writer of this piece refers to people from up north as Yankees automaticlly makes him a hater. The Civil War has been over almost 200 years now, you lost, get over it. Rednecks think in terms of cliches when it comes to New Yorkers, we’re either Andrew Dice Clay or as milquetoast as Woody Allen. Then again why should anyone expect a different attitude from a city that isnt open minded enough to be truly international. You stand corrected, you can go back to Buckhead-Dunwoody now.

Freedom From Insanity

January 25th, 2012
11:25 am

By the way, the photo of the horse drawn carriage reminded me that one of the times my wife and I were downtown for a conferance, as we walked from the hotel to the restaurant with our group, we all had to step over the driver of one of these carriages, because he was dead drunk and laying across the sidewalk…………….International City indeed! That was after a homeless person stepped into the oncoming traffic to illegally stop cars so our group could cross the street – asking for a hand-out for doing this.

woodrow

January 25th, 2012
11:27 am

We have so many thieves and thugs running rampant it’s a wonder anyone goes out anymore. I work downtown and use MARTA and I’ve gotten pretty good at spotting deadbeats looking for victims. Half the criminals in Atlanta are riding up and down MARTA.

Cerberus

January 25th, 2012
11:28 am

“Southern Hospitality” is a myth! Southerners are only polite to your face but generally save their nastiness for conversation with others when the subject of same is absent. Bless your hearts! Hypocrites.

Joe

January 25th, 2012
11:29 am

It seems that the author of this article just proved atlanta deserves to be #7 the way he talks about northerners as animals… what a “gentleman”

rexdogma

January 25th, 2012
11:30 am

Things are just as rude in the suburbs. I live in Gwinnett, Traffic, rude employees. Small minded folks in the area. Has really nothing to do with Northerners, I am from here. There are just as many rude Southerners.

SamE

January 25th, 2012
11:37 am

I can’t say people terribly rude in public, I can however say that customer service in this town sucks, bartenders are super rude in the some of the “swankiest” places. whatever. Unless you go to a Here to Serve restaurant or Buckhead Life group spot, you can forget good service based on my experience.

Mr Dave

January 25th, 2012
11:40 am

I think theres a lot of bad or lack of good signage out there on the streets and hiways that contribute to stressful road rage conditions.. Also everyone almost, seems to be on some sort of mission..SLOW DOWN people you only live once, dont let all this stress shorten your life.

dre

January 25th, 2012
11:44 am

“Southern Hospitality” is a myth! Southerners are only polite to your face but generally save their nastiness for conversation with others when the subject of same is absent. Bless your hearts! Hypocrites.” – very true!!!

luangtom

January 25th, 2012
11:44 am

Seems to be lotsa disgruntled folks living in Atlanta, so the #7 ranking is no surprise. Just watch the news and see the many upset folks wanting their share of the pot that is no more. It tends to make for disgruntled and rude citizens. Attitude comes from environment.

LM

January 25th, 2012
11:49 am

People are rude in Atlanta whether they are transplants or native Southeners. Many have developed and mastered the “it’s all about me first” attitude.

ATinSAV

January 25th, 2012
11:49 am

FYI to all the “Northerners” who find the term yankee offensive. This term predates the American Civil War by a hundred years. There is a reason New York’s baseball team is named the Yankees. New Englanders refer to themselves as yankees (if they are WASPS). Foriegners refer to all of us as yankees. As for Atlanta being a rude city, doubtful it deserves a #7 ranking based on my travels across the country. True, it is not as friendly as most smaller cities and towns throughout the south, but that is the reality for every big city across the globe. It’s not so much that people in these places go out of their way to be rude, it’s just that they don’t go out of their way to be polite as they do in many Southern towns. My family has been in the region long before the city of Atlanta existed, but I moved to Savannah years ago where people really are friendly.

TheDood

January 25th, 2012
11:50 am

I grew up in a small middle GA town. When I was a kid, I thought adults never yelled or got mad at each other because I never saw it in real life; only on TV. Sometimes I’d later hear that one of my parents would be a little angry with a relative, say, after a family get-together, and I never even noticed! After I grew up and moved away, I quickly learned that some adults actually do behave like overgrown, ill-mannered 3-year-olds. Imagine that.

Samantha

January 25th, 2012
11:56 am

I’m not suprised at all. People that live here are really rude. I’m also talking about the people that are actually BORN in Atlanta, GA are rude people too. Everytime I say that to people that are from Atlanta are quick to say “Well most people that live here are not from here”. That is why I made it clear that most people that are born here are rude. Not only are they rude, but they are arrogant and very phony!

geoff

January 25th, 2012
11:59 am

The author has never heard of Travel and Leisure magazine? I would blame the rudeness on ignorance. Blame it on the “yankees.” Get over the Civil War already.

Samantha

January 25th, 2012
12:00 pm

I’m from New Orleans and people that are from there are really nice. Thisi is why New Orleans was rated as one of the friendliest cities in the U.S. The people there are really nice. They are always willing to help you out. They will invite complete strangers into their home for a meal. Good food at that!

Carpetbagger

January 25th, 2012
12:01 pm

Delta I’m ready… get me the hell out of here. The ATL that praises mediocrity now has become “the arm pit of the south.” Maybe it’s because of all of the cheating? Bring back WT Sherman!

Rocky

January 25th, 2012
12:02 pm

If you think people are friendly in rural Georgia, you should go to Madison County for a High School baseball game on a Friday night when they are at home this Spring. Let’s just say, what goes on there is no “Southern Hospitality” to be seen for the visiting team. Many other rural Georgia communities offer a similar experience.

TMM

January 25th, 2012
12:08 pm

I’m surprised it ranked number 7, should be 2nd or 3rd. It’s definitely a rude city. I’ve had clients comment on the air of hostility they sense the moment they land at Hartsfield.

Edward

January 25th, 2012
12:11 pm

Having lived in Atlanta for over 20 years, now, I can attest that it has become much more hateful and rude in the last several years. Sure, there are still some kindness and manners to be found, but increasingly rare. The most rude and obnoxious people I encounter also speak with a southern drawl, so they’re not “yankees”. Just look at the politics and religion that is so prevalent here: both based upon who they can hate and punish the most. And that tired old, “Delta is ready when you are” cliché is just another symbol of that arrogance and enmity.

Angela

January 25th, 2012
12:13 pm

I moved to the ATL 6 years ago. Sorry, but the native-Atlantans I met upon the start of my new job were not at all friendly. In fact, I was demonized for being Catholic and immediately sent emails inviting me to attend their church services. In addition, every time someone asked me which college I graduated from, I said Fordham and they thought I said Florida and proceeded to give me a nasty look. There is life outside of the SEC, folks. But, I did meet my husband here. So, this crabby NYer has grown to love other things about the South.

Rhett Butler

January 25th, 2012
12:15 pm

I’m going back to Charleston, back where I belong.

CT

January 25th, 2012
12:19 pm

Atlanta is filled with so many people who are not from here and born somewhere else…this is where the rudeness comes from!! People from up north are rude and are all about their self….Sorry but it is true! I am pretty sure those rude people will also say something rude to my comment for being truthful!

Tech '10

January 25th, 2012
12:23 pm

There is plenty wrong with this city to be sure but there are lots of nice things about it too. I wouldn’t pay too much attention to a magazine written by yankees anyway

Caz

January 25th, 2012
12:25 pm

WOW – its SO easy to blame Northerners and everyone else. The truth is (from a New Yorker), there are some really RUDE people here, and they are NOT from up North, they are born and bred right here. Drive up or down Roswell Road on ANY given day and just observe the horrid driving, the horrid attitudes and the HORRID behavior. Dont blame other people, this state is not as peachy as you all like to pretend it is. At least in NY we are surly and we damn well own it and we don’t blame it on a single soul, let alone out of towners. SO, with that said, ATL put on your big panties and own up to your rudeness, OR be even BIGGER and try to change the perception.
Have a Super Wednesday everyone!!!

Native Atlantan

January 25th, 2012
12:26 pm

Easy – two reasons

The traffic
The yankees

Get rid of the yankees, traffic improves, Atlanta gets back to normal.

MJM

January 25th, 2012
12:26 pm

I moved to Atlanta from the Bronx in 1963 and lived there for 400 years. The people were great.

MJM

January 25th, 2012
12:27 pm

Make that 40years.

Michael

January 25th, 2012
12:29 pm

Just look at how some Marta employees treat there customers.

Ted

January 25th, 2012
12:31 pm

Phi Alpha, George!

Fred

January 25th, 2012
12:36 pm

Caz is a perfect example of why we have regressed to number 7. thanks Caz, bless your heart.

Craig

January 25th, 2012
12:40 pm

I’ve met as many rude people with Southern roots in this town as I have transplants. The “nasty Yankee” trope is as mindlessly cliche as it is empirically inaccurate. What I’ve noticed is that manners have gotten worse, and “culture” (such as it ever was) more vapid here as the center of the city has become increasingly Southern. (Read: more or less redneck.) As in recent years we’ve been importing people mainly from the contiguous states, the rough conclusion is clear enough . . . .

Atl- born-and-raised

January 25th, 2012
12:43 pm

IT’S NOT THE PEOPLE FROM ATLANTA THAT ARE RUDE , IT’S THE PEOPLE THAT MOVE HERE THAT ARE…..

dre

January 25th, 2012
12:49 pm

Hey Johnny Rebs out there, you have come a long way! There are very few, if any mindless, immature, uncreative “Delta is ready when you are” posts out here today. Dang!

Susan

January 25th, 2012
12:50 pm

You can add Ft. Lauderdale to the rude list. Guess its proximity to Miami may be reason it wasoverlooked. Finding a pleasant sales clerk or server is rare, although we found them at the Irish pub across the street from Embassy Suites & the Target at that large mall. All were complimented for their politeness and helpfulness, which is a rarity there.

Hootinanny Yum Yum

January 25th, 2012
12:50 pm

Nice. A few weeks ago, the AJC ran a piece that stated Atlanta ranked #186 among global city economies. “Atlanta ranks as one of the world’s worst economic performers, according to a new study by the Brookings Institution, down among the Euro laggards in Greece, Spain and Ireland.”

Gotta love Atlanta.

Will

January 25th, 2012
12:52 pm

This is not surprising considering all of the transplants that now call my city home. “We” were raised to say, “thank you”, “yes ma’am” and “no sir” all of which are foreign phrases to non-southerners.

Native Floridian

January 25th, 2012
12:56 pm

I moved here 10 years ago from Florida where I was born and raised. This is positively the rudest city I’ve ever lived in. And don’t even get me started on the drivers!!! Frankly, I’m not convinced you can blame it on northerners. Locals need to own up to their own bad behavior.

K Conway

January 25th, 2012
12:56 pm

No one would care if Atlanta burned down again! These Damn Yankees have ruined this ex-Southern city!!

110% SOUTHERN

January 25th, 2012
12:56 pm

True southners speak to each other…don’t matter if your pet pig is now bacon or your grandma is growing her own “medicine”…they speak!! I get more rude every day just because I work in a corporate high rise building with more than a handful of folks who will not speak. I decided to conduct my own “poll” by trying to keep stats for one week of how many I spoke to and how many spoke back…if I gave out the numbers I’m absolutely sure that someone (or everyone) would swear that I padded the numbers. In one week’s time, I said “good morning” to 132 souls (actually I was afraid to speak to some…falling or getting thrown out of the wrong side of the bed was prevelent in so many faces!!). I actually received a “good morning” from 8 of the people I spoke to…yes, that is correct…8!! Atlanta has become such a melting pot that very few Atlantans or southerners for that matter are part of everyone’s every day contact…lots and lots of folks living here are either from somewhere else in the US or foreigners so I undestand (somewhat) that people don’t normally speak with to each other except someone from the south…asking someone for directions…FORGET IT!!

atlantatoseattle2016

January 25th, 2012
12:58 pm

I,M SUPRISED ITS NOT NUMBER 1!!!RUDE CUSTOMER SERVICE OR NON EXISTENT!!EVERBODY IS FAKE AND PHONY AND THINK THEY HAVE ARRIVED,RACISM AND DIVISION IN ATLANTA IS A SPORT,POORLY PLANNED ADDS TO THE ANGER ON TOP OF THE HORRIBLE TRAFFIC,CRIME IS HORRIBLE AND EVERYONE IS SO GUARDED…I LOOK FORWARD TO AFTER 32 YRS PUTTING ATLANTA IN MY REAR VIEW MIRROR AND MOVING TO THE BEAUTIFUL EMRALD CITY(SEATTLE) I WAS SHOCKED AT THE NICE FOLKS OUT THEIR AND DEEPLY SHOCKED WHEN I GO TO CHARLESTON AND FOLKS ARE SO,SO, VERY NICE..THANKS FOLKS FROM THE SLUMS OF THE NORTH YOU HAVE RUINED A GREAT CITY!!!!

wreckmaniac

January 25th, 2012
1:00 pm

No surprise here. The natives have been run out of Atlanta and replaced with self-absorbed northerners.
At least Atlanta put up some resistance when Sherman came through .Let the northeners pay for the Peach Pass and drive 50 miles to work. They’re used to it. Atlanta is now actually part of Florida which was annexed by the north 50 years ago. The remainder of the south is frightened that it may also be annexed by the north.
Just because the Yanks taxed themselves out of their homeland dosen’t mean that we should accept their culture. So we leave. No wonder illegal immigrants encounter no resistance. We’ve let them and the north invade us simultaneously.

Ol' Dawg

January 25th, 2012
1:02 pm

I am an Atlanta native. I have lived half my life in northern cities (from Portland, OR to Allentown, PA)and Atlanta is still less rude and more polite than many northern cities. Allentown was one of the rudest, least mannerly places I have ever been. No concept of customer service. The same goes for New Jersey, Chicago, Detroit, and parts of New York City. Try wearing a Braves cap to a Yankee game and you will see what rude really looks like! Not all Northerners are rude just as not all Southerners are polite but in general, (which is really what this whole article is about), past generations of Southerners far exceed their Northern counterparts in manners. My kids noticed the difference immediately and they have grown up most of their lives in the “enemy camp”. Oh, and for all of you folks that hate it here, MOVE! We have enough miserable transplants and we don’t need you adding to the traffic.

Rob

January 25th, 2012
1:04 pm

Not shocked…..all the New Yorkers and Bostonians have moved here!

Yankee Doodle Dandy

January 25th, 2012
1:08 pm

Must be the yanks. Atlanta was once a nice place to live.

BigBoomNY

January 25th, 2012
1:11 pm

Scarface O’Hara- it was those same yankees, that have boosted the economy in GA. you also cannot judge a set of people, based on your one bad experience. dont tell me, some Yankee took your job, because he spoke proper english, and not with a twang….

Flash

January 25th, 2012
1:16 pm

Cancel that Yankee Bull this is the SOUTH and it has it’s own history . Nice and kind Bull Shhhhh !!!!!

joe

January 25th, 2012
1:17 pm

Its the urban Obama voters that are so rude and the non-Obama voters are so miserable living amongst the Obama voters that they become ruder by the minute as the country slides further away from what made it great. Too many fatherless kids who are never taught proper manners and who look up to rap singers and athletes.

Amia

January 25th, 2012
1:18 pm

People always hold the door open for me. When I go into stores I always chit chat with other people. I don’t think Atlanta is rude. It can be pretentious, but not rude.

SawItForMyself

January 25th, 2012
1:18 pm

If you have ever ridden MARTA and the DC Metro, you would move DC down (less rude) and ATL up. In Atlanta, boarding passengers will run you over to get on the train, while, in DC, they even stand back to allow exiting passengers to completely clear the area.

Gob

January 25th, 2012
1:26 pm

What? The northerners are nice and friendly. All I hear from southerners is talking behind peoples’ backs, making rude comments about people, etc.

G.M Thoma

January 25th, 2012
1:27 pm

I agree Atlanta went “rude” when Yankees poured in from their god forsaken cities that aren’t fit to live in.
And, many complain about their chosen place to live comparing it to the hellhole they left.

Native New Yorker

January 25th, 2012
1:34 pm

I couldn’t agree with Caz’ 12:25 post more. Ditto to Angela’s 12:13.

Native New Yorker

January 25th, 2012
1:35 pm

Very few “Sweet Peaches” here.

coffeecoffee25

January 25th, 2012
1:40 pm

Just want to point out that “rude” and “crabby” are not synonymous with each other.

bornintheatl

January 25th, 2012
1:44 pm

All you have to do is look through all of the negative comments here in this blog to see the rudeness they are talking about

tourist

January 25th, 2012
1:46 pm

Atlanta is more dangerous and full of mooches too.
New Yorkers are not rude, just matter of fact

JaiRS

January 25th, 2012
1:47 pm

I would love to know what were the criteria used to define “rude”. Being a born New Yorker and a long time Atlantan, I’d say they both have their rudeness issues, just depends on what really makes your skin crawl. For example, I have a co worker, Southern guy, who irks me to death, because there is never a short sentence with him. Everything has to be long and drawn out and full of flowery phrases and colloquialisms which he attributes to being Southern. My take on it, GET TO THE POINT, and stop wasting my time. If you’re telling me, NO, it doesn’t matter how you dress it up, the answer is NO, so the New Yorker in me would answer the same question with just a simple, to the point NO and move on. Southerners feel just saying NO is rude, the New Yorker in me feels wasting my time turning a 2 second, one word, answer into a 15 minute soliloquy is rude and disrespectful of my time. Just different definitions of rude. When I get to Starbucks in the morning and the person behind the counter wants to chat about kids, and puppies, and the weather, I’m peeved. Please just complete the transaction and lets go. Not that you’re being rude to me, but you are being rude to all the other people in line who want to get on with their day. In New York, that kind of idle chatting would start a riot. Someone mentioned customer service in an earlier comment. Is that waitress coming by every two seconds interrupting my dinner conversation with the person I want to talk to rude or just good customer service? Rude is all perception.

There sure are a lot of unhappy folks on this blog

January 25th, 2012
1:48 pm

I have found, and this so on all four corners of the earth, that the attitude I recieve is corrolated directly with the attitude I display. Free yourself from the bitterness and set your gauge of a good day by your contribution to the betterment of your place. Then I think you’ll be surprised how friendly folks are in your hometown. For the athiest it’s good policy, for the Christian it’s your call of duty, for the Northerner & Southerner alike it will make you a lot happier.

I love Atlanta…..Georgia….my country……and this aqua green ball we all share.

Justin

January 25th, 2012
2:01 pm

Roswell needs to be added to the list, especially the Wexford neighborhood. These folks are all northern transplants and are rude and obnoxious. They cannot get out of a car to walk up to the door when picking up their children, instead they lay on the horn and yes continuous at times waiting for their little wimpy kids to come out of the house. When you correct the obnoxious driver they get upset that you are asking them to stop and then the neighbor will then honk their horn whenever they feel like it because you asked the driver to stop. They feel as if they are above all the other neighbors and can just do what they please. However there is a code enforcement for that and they will be surprised one day when they get the letter for each occurrence. Believe in Karma? Payback are He__.

ncgreybr

January 25th, 2012
2:02 pm

I’m just kind of curious…someone doesn’t hold the door open for you and you mutter under your breath that they’re a “Damn Yankee!” How did you deduce that when you didn’t even carry on a conversation with them? All the ills of the world are blamed on those blasted “Yankees”.

Ms MJ

January 25th, 2012
2:04 pm

People need to forget about people being friendlier in the suburbs of Atlanta. I can tell you for sure that people out here are NO DIFFERENT. The Southern Hospitality is gone and I can’t wait to move back North!!!

Moving soon

January 25th, 2012
2:05 pm

JaiRS…you’ve proven EXACTLY why NYC is #1 on the list…ever try LIVING? Connecting with your fellow man? WHAT IN THE HECK are you doing that requires such AMAZING urgency that you can’t stop and enjoy the ride, smell the roses for just one little second?

You remind me of a LOT of drivers and people around here-they think they are God’s gift to SOMETHING-so everyone must get out of their way so they can complete their anointed mission to save mankind, heal the world, whatever-the-heck-it-is they are doing.

(Actually, I would be scared to ask MANY people around here what they do…most times I think I don’t even wanna know)…

I wish our distinguished President had your urgency about running our country…maybe we’d be in better shape!

Nonetheless, thanks again for PROVING OUR POINT! (and Travel and Leisure’s!)…is the ENTIRE NATION LYING?

jeff

January 25th, 2012
2:10 pm

The reason the city of Atlanta is on the list is because we are over run with the arrogant jackass’s that come down from the north for the jobs. They automatically think they are better then the people born here and don’t bother to support anything here except their paychecks. I wish Atlanta could go back to the 1970’s when people was actually from here and would speak nicely and hold a conversation with ya just because…. I hate YANKEES

jeff

January 25th, 2012
2:14 pm

By the way…. The people in Cobb county are about as rude as it gets….

Ammar

January 25th, 2012
2:16 pm

Stop blaming New Yorkers for rudeness you may see in Georgia …it was not a NY’er that yet questioning the presidents citizenship …right it were your good old boys who is not used to tolerance as we are in NY …that’s not to say that we don’t have our own issues but we do learn tolerance …unlike the rudeness and disrespect of our president….take responsibility of your own issues and stop blaming other’s….enough said!!!

Moving soon

January 25th, 2012
2:22 pm

Hey Ammar did you see where DC is on that list?…:)

jeff

January 25th, 2012
2:23 pm

To Ammar
I am not one of those people that question Obama. Why is it that someone always has to bring some political edge to everything. BTW so exactly what has Obama done while in office…..uummm nothing.
The only positive thing he got accomplished while in office is he got rid of Osama…. I wonder if that could be called a sibling rivalry….lol

Ammar

January 25th, 2012
2:24 pm

@ Jeff – did you say New Yorker’s came here for jobs ….do you not know that Georgia’s unemployment rate is equal to that of the national one???? Again – the crime that you see on TV …those are Georgia natives …Transportation issues are the subject of poor civil engineering …go visit NY before attributing the issues of the static south on New Yorkers who are not afraid to ride public transportation together no matter of who you are or what you look like…

blackprix

January 25th, 2012
2:31 pm

There were always plenty of rude southerners LONG BEFORE anybody moved here. Doesn’t matter where you’re from it’s about who you are an an individual.

Moving soon

January 25th, 2012
2:32 pm

Ammar…seriously? What are you, a crime statistician? You seriously think ALL the crime here is committed by GA natives? How in the heck can you even prove that? If it’s all these ISSUES that make Atlanta so rude…well…I am not so sure. The natives here AND folks from the Deep South have been here long enough to see the difference in the ATL…look, Yankees built this place after the Civil War for ONE REASON: to make money! Even New York and New Orleans have a soul-they call the two the “Big Apple” and the “Big Easy”…as for the ATL-we are known as the “Big Hustle”…NO SOUL…when you’re all about greed, you gain the whole world yet lose your “soul”.

So-if Yankees built this place, then they’ve always been here. I think there are just a WHOLE LOT MORE of them the last 20-30 yrs.

MOST here tell me this place went NUTS right after the 1996 Olympics. A bunch of folks running around in a hurry for no good reason, not sure why there are here-no identity, sense of place, purpose, nothing.

Except to make money. Maybe?

blackprix

January 25th, 2012
2:34 pm

Hey Jeff:

President Obama has done a LOT FOR THIS COUNRTY. Let’s start by saving us from a complete and utter depression when taking over from Bush … then go from there! The GOP refuses to face facts about what he inherited and how bad things were. Smart folks don’t forget what transpired during 8 years of Bush and GOP!!!!

dmc

January 25th, 2012
2:36 pm

This is not a surprise! Out towners have ruined a beautiful city. This is not just New Yorkers. Please do not forgot those from Chicago who always say that is not how we do it in Chicago. If Chicago is so great why are you here? Let’s not forget the people from New Orleans who have brought nothing but violence with them.

Charlie

January 25th, 2012
2:36 pm

My experience is that the Yankees are the ones who aren’t rude, but rather friendly and accomodating. It’s the long time locals who resent the transplants who are the rude ones!

Mary

January 25th, 2012
2:37 pm

I grew up in Atlanta in the 1950’s and 1960’s. At that time, it was much smaller, of course, and easygoing and very friendly and safe. In my opinion, it has grown too huge (with both Southerners and Northerners). It’s become so crowded, fast paced and a traffic nightmare, that I hate having to go there any more. I am now happilly living in Cartersville, Ga., which is a lot like I remember the old Atlanta being, friendly and patient.

Ammar

January 25th, 2012
2:39 pm

@ Jeff you don’t surprise me … a good old southern boy …Do you have a problem with our President’s name??? Would it be better if it was Bob or maybe John Smith …we know what is happening here …we know that you and all the other’s that think like you do not like the idea that a Black man is running this country while placing us back in good grace with other nations. You are right the President has done nothing and George Bush did everything like run up the national deficit at $5000 dollars per second during the Iraq war that the American people did not want….I can’t believe the ignorance and hatred of this country and for people like you to perpetuate such ignorance and retrospective falsification… Since you don’t know what the president has done let me school you:

1. Got Osama bin laden…check 2. Unemployment rate 8.5%…check. 3. 1.6 million jobs created with no GOP help…check … … 4. 22 months of job and economic growth with no help…check 5. Ended war in Iraq …check 6. DADT repeal…check 7. Not one tax hike in 3 years….check 8. Brought out of racism in the Gop…check 9. GM is now the number 1 auto manufacturer… Check. 10. Same wife for 15 years… with no extra marital affairs…check 11. Save auto industry and 1.5 million jobs.. check 12. Assisted in ousting Khaddafi…check 13. Only active President to receive Nobel Peace prize while in office…check 14. Mortgage modification to prevent home owners from losing their home. 15. STILL fighting for middle class families. 16. Reform Affordable healthcare….check, check, check 17. Created the Post 9/11 Gi Bill…check

Despite what the GOP would have you believe the President has been doing these things and more by himself.

Enough said!!!

Ammar

January 25th, 2012
2:40 pm

@ Charlie – that is exactly what I see as well ..thank you!!!!

Moving soon

January 25th, 2012
2:47 pm

I apologize for ruining this blog by merely mentioning Obama (urgency)…and I may have contradicted myself earlier…if NYC has a “soul” but has brought it to the place that has no soul (ATL), then what fills the vacuum?

Maybe it’s GREED more than who’s here…but again, this is all about “rudeness” and “attitude”…vicious cycle I guess.

And true, maybe all the issues add up, to the lack of soul and the bad attitudes…they all feed off each other. Again, vicious cycle. Maybe it’s too much diversity too quick in a place not very well set up for it.

Finally-let’s get off the President Obama spin here. There are other places to complain about him. He’s on our minds from the SOTU speech last PM-but he ultimately won’t solve the rudeness of the ATL.

So, conservatives, let’s quit complaining on THIS blog about Obama, and liberals…PLEASE-I don’t need the list of talking points from last night about why he’s so great.

It’s all spin anyway!

Let’s stick to why we hate ATLANTA!!!!…:)

Moving soon

January 25th, 2012
2:55 pm

One last thing-the ATL has a LOT of cool stuff-everything you could imagine. GREAT for hosting conventions (although Downtown at night is SCARY), GREAT hotels, restaurants, and sporting facilities.

ONE THING IT IS NOT-a “tourist” destination. AT ALL.

And this survey was from Travel and Leisure Magazine. Don’t think the conventions and sporting events help with the perception.

But-if the TOURISTS don’t think we are friendly (and the hospitality spots are supposed to be the “friendliest” places in a town)-what does that say about the area in general.

Yikes!

That’s why I am “Moving soon”…later ya’ll…:)

G

January 25th, 2012
2:56 pm

Too many northerners move to Atlanta, and bring their rude ways. The majority of homers you meet in Atlanta display a layer of southern comfort.

Shocked we're not #1...

January 25th, 2012
2:59 pm

Reminded on my lunch hour… as for the burbs_A. My on more than 1 occasion I’ve had a different neighbor elude to having a gun and freely using it. (I’n on a walk, dude. Calm down. I don’t care how long you’ve lived here, I still remember when your butt moved in if you want to pull rank.) B. For the best in illegal, unlicensed, uninsured, third-world driving visit Norcross or Pleasant Hill Rd in Duluth. OH MY FRIGGIN GAWD!!!!!!! Who pissed in these peoples corn flakes this and every AM????

for real

January 25th, 2012
3:00 pm

its the traffic, no one wants to be the 2nd car in a double turn lane, they pull in the front spot , but really need the other lane after the turn, thus whipping over and cutting off the other cars because they had to be the first in line at the stop light

eballantine

January 25th, 2012
3:00 pm

Atlanta = Angry and rude people. Can’t believe that the city was ranked #6.

CC

January 25th, 2012
3:01 pm

ATL should be top 3. I’ve lived in D.C. and have spent a lot of time in Boston and N.Y. Atlanta takes the cake for biggest population of a-holes.

PherpL1

January 25th, 2012
3:09 pm

I am a perky and plucky Atlanta transplant. Its silly to suggest that rudeness existent in Atlanta is a result of “yankees” or “northerners.” Where’s the hospitality? Yeesch.

Sean

January 25th, 2012
3:13 pm

Just remember… most of the people from here now, didn’t start here. And just because they’ve had kids here, doesn’t give them a pass as a Southerner either.

Shocked we're not #1...

January 25th, 2012
3:14 pm

While it was a great time, the Olympics were the worst thing to happen to us.

scott

January 25th, 2012
3:19 pm

i agree with suprised were not no#1 ..THE OLYMPICS RUINED THIS CITY..I SAID IT THEN AND I WILL ALWAYS BELIEVE THAT

Yvonne

January 25th, 2012
3:19 pm

I came to Atlanta over 25 years ago, the pace was easy, the traffic was light and the people were friendly and gracious. Fast forward 25 years later and yes, we have all six of the rudest cities and their traffic here in Atlanta. I try to remember what it was like here back then, and as a rule I always find myself being just a little bit nicer to visitors.

nelsonh

January 25th, 2012
3:23 pm

Now,now,now……do not blame northerners for Atlanta being rude. I have been to Atlanta several times. Every time I look for that southern charm and hospitality. I look all over. I may have looked in the fast lane I-85 going into the city. The guy behind me was making AN obscene gesture at me and i could read his lips “pull over and let me go by or I,ll kill you.” That is the gospel. Now when he said that, I just smiled[he thought i was nuts and went on his way.] I have found that it is a really good defense, it works every time.

Katy Watts

January 25th, 2012
3:25 pm

You know why don’t you? All of those damn yankees moving south!!

Shocked we're not #1...

January 25th, 2012
3:26 pm

In the burbs. In the family home of 35 years and there’s only 2-3 neighbors in the entire subdivision that I’d LIKE to know, steadily calling the police on the others and their antics! Let me just say, the newest on my street are loons (1 native from Covington, the other sponge from New Orleans – Where else?!) that make me miss the previous owners – drug dealers.

Bobo is Not the Problem

January 25th, 2012
3:26 pm

Damn yankees for sure. List should be:

1. NYC
2. Boston
3. Philly

Kelli

January 25th, 2012
3:48 pm

Doesn’t surprise me at all. Moved here from West Coast where we rarely had a murder/drive by. A lot of angry people here. And very poor customer service most places…people act like it is a bother to help you when it appears to be their job. Noone wants to let you merge in traffic, people take their friggin time crossing the road in front of you when they are not in a crosswalk, they never say thank you (common courtesy, just act like it is their God given right)if you let them merge or let them walk across…need I say more. There is a lot of racism here as well and it is evident. I’m surprised ATL is not number one.

Kryshanti

January 25th, 2012
4:05 pm

Some of the increase in rudeness is attrubutable to the yankees, they’re a dfferent breed ‘o cat for sure. But I believe most of it is simply due to overcrowding. Metro Atlanta has gotten so big, even the burbs, that we’re literally stepping on each other. That makes people tense and uncivil.

Barry

January 25th, 2012
4:08 pm

Uh, yeah. This is one of if not the most racist cities in the U.S. Of course it would be considered rude.

Inatlanta

January 25th, 2012
4:11 pm

I have been here for 26 yrs. Atlanta is a very rude city, doing just about anything here is exhausting. And it ain’t the “yankees” fault. Trust me on that one…

fred garvin

January 25th, 2012
4:13 pm

I wouldn’t blame it on northerners. do you think northerners inhabit Gwinnett around Pleasant Hill road or Buford Hwy? I’m from NYC but have lived in ATL 20 yrs. Believe me, it’s just as much a ‘Southern’ thing as a ‘northern’ or far east or bangladesh thing

JaiRS

January 25th, 2012
4:13 pm

@Moving soon – I may not be on an anointed mission to save mankind, but if I (or anyone) am trying to get somewhere, why should you be rude and stand in the way. That’s the southern mentality, that its your job to make someone go at your pace. WRONG. I never said the list was wrong, I just said rude is all perception. I don’t want to have conversations with random people, that’s a preference. When I want to stop and smell the roses, I’ll go for a run. When I want to connect with my fellow man, I will phone a friend.

Heather

January 25th, 2012
4:16 pm

I have lived in Atlanta since 1981 and have always thought people here were nasty. I just returned from a 4 day visit to my northern hometown of Pittsburgh and could not believe how NICE everyone is there. From people who work at the airport to restaurant servers, Atlanta is by far one of the rudest places I have every been. Don’t dare blame the Yankees, blame that myth you call Southern Hospitality.

DMac

January 25th, 2012
4:20 pm

That is because so many New Yorkers have moved here. True Southners are very friendly!!

Ed

January 25th, 2012
4:20 pm

Those old southern families in Atlanta who spend their summer on the shores of Rabun County lakes are the rudest ones up here. God forbid they should actually acknowledge the exsistence of a full time resident.

blazerdawg

January 25th, 2012
4:26 pm

Atlanta seems to generate more jealousy than any other city except LA. NYs complain that ATL is rude, Chicagoans complain about the ATL traffic, Texans complain about the ATL heat, and Ohioans complain that ATL is boring. The neighboring regional towns all complain that they better planned than ATL.

Say good morning to someone in NY and check the response.
Drive into downtown Chicago any weekday and see how long it takes.
Dallas was like 45 days straigt over 10 degrees last summer.
Try to get a bite to eat after 9 PM anywhere in Ohio except Steak and Shake, Perkins, or WH.
The sprawl around Charlotte to Greensboro to Raleigh is maddening.

Puhleese folks, by big city standards Atlanta is awesome. Nice folks, great trees and sky, mountain like rivers, rolling hills, diverse food and culture, and some of the most beautiful women in the world.

Personally, I let people pass in traffic, hold open doors, say yes “sir” and “mam” – and generally I am treated with consideration no matter where I go – except Chicago and Miami (although I enjoy visiting both places)

Please folks, if you do not like Atlanta, be polite, smile and just move on.

Is it really a surprise?

January 25th, 2012
4:26 pm

Native Atlantans aren’t the rude ones. Remember how many “Atlantans” are transplants. Look at the changes in demographics and you’ll see why.
Being honest.

Georgia Peach

January 25th, 2012
4:27 pm

Lived here now for 20 years and southern manners still exist. No one anywhere is polite in rush hour traffic- coast to coast, so that is out. We live in the suburbs, the grocery store we go to has “grown our kids up” and we know them like family. Manners and southern hospitality is a two way street. Gotta give and live manners to get some back. (grew up a military kid, so I have seen a piece of the world and some “pieces of work” !

Sign me “Happy to be staying put”

blazerdawg

January 25th, 2012
4:33 pm

According to the last US Cencus, over 60% of metro Atlanta residents were born in Georgia, with over 25% born in border states.

Contrast that with Charlotte where 30% of the Char-Meck population was born in six northeastern states.

Atlanta actually has a lower proportion of NE born residents than other cities – but definantely more actual numbers of NE transplants than most places.

blazerdawg

January 25th, 2012
4:36 pm

Sorry – “census” and “definitely”

Barry

January 25th, 2012
4:36 pm

@blazerdawg

Nobody is jealous of Atlanta. There is nothing unique or interesting about this place to be jealous of. It is a cess pool of strip malls and bland, ugly neighborhoods, and this coming from a native Atlantan.

Lori

January 25th, 2012
4:39 pm

I’m not surprised we are number 7. Rude people are everywhere I go around here, especially on the roads! I’ve been a lot of places, and the nicest people I’ve met were in Albuquerque.

D

January 25th, 2012
4:40 pm

You do realize that the “Northerners” you speak of with distaste are the ones who came here and purchased all of the new homes that fueled the growth metro Atlanta has been so proud of over the last decade+? Once that influx slowed down, look what happened? Atlanta was left to “oversell” those who couldn’t afford homes to begin with – and now are walking away from their obligations….. Please stop blaming everyone outside of Georgia for the problems here.

blazerdawg

January 25th, 2012
4:40 pm

Barry – doubt your native, but OK – I would say that the string of parks along Ponce, the Chattahoochee River rec area, the GT campus downtown, and long and winding Peachtree are interesting and unique for a large city.

Georgia Peach

January 25th, 2012
4:43 pm

Heather I would love to know where you live, because I have experienced just the opposite. Not gonna find Mayberry here, but a community that is nice.

Blazerdawg- love it, smile and just move on

I wouldn’t give up the ability to live in a nice place that isn’t a far ride from the busiest airport in the world, the Fox theater and more shopping and churches than you can sneeze at.

QreAhCT

January 25th, 2012
4:44 pm

Southern Hospitality – Being nice to your face and then stabbing you in the back. A false front. It’s always been this way. Southern Belles are vicious! Yes, we are rude all on our own, it’s not anyone else’s fault. Ya’ll know it’s true.

TNT65

January 25th, 2012
4:50 pm

As an immigrant from the Midwest, I have observed that I am less rude than native Southerners. I just don’t say “Bless his heart” after insults, if I use them.

alphadog71

January 25th, 2012
4:55 pm

Standing in front of a restaurant in Paris we met a couple from the French country side who wanted to practice their English with us. I commented to my wife that it would be difficult to find a French speaker in downtown Atlanta.

Dont bother

January 25th, 2012
4:56 pm

Southern hospitality is something intangible southerners made up to make themselves better than yankees in the face of tangible things that the yankees clearly had them beat at – education, standard of living, wealth, opportunity. At it’s best it’s merely a rigid standard of protocol that says nothing about the intentions behind its actions.

Coach Sandusky & Father Pete

January 25th, 2012
5:01 pm

Yap, we have always been polite and clear about our intentions up naahth.

Rickster

January 25th, 2012
5:02 pm

I would agree wholeheartedly! Want proof? Well, I’m glad you asked! Go to any professional sporting event and take a good look (even a quick look) around. Notice anything strange about the fans? Yep, at least half are cheering, wearing spirit-wear for the visiting team. Especially when we play teams like both NY’s, NE, Chicago, Philly, etc…!

Just a comment….

AtlantaNative62

January 25th, 2012
5:02 pm

As a native of Atlanta, I often wonder what the heck happened to my city. We ARE rude to one another and shockingly it is now the norm. I’ve traveled the world and worked in many different cities. I was stunned to realize even New Yorkers are now more polite than we are. I lived in NYC for five months and could not believe the difference…..even with most cabbies. Our “leaders” are always looking for a way to help us feel more like a community…..how about start here. Be kind and considerate even when making difficult choices. Inspire us to know we are not battling one another and whether we like it or not, we are stuck on this crazy planet together.

Georgia-always the leader in hypocricy

January 25th, 2012
5:04 pm

By reading these posts it seems like a lot of the true “Southerners” are proving the point of the article that Atlanta is rude. They’re stereotyping people they don’t know personally, being judgemental and hypocrites as usual, and for people that always claim to be so patriotic they sure as hell seem like they’d like to be part of a separate nation. The world has evolved, it’s time you’ve evolved with it. People are allowed to go and live where they choose, start accepting others like your God tells you…that’s if you can actually comprehend the Bible.

hypocricy?

January 25th, 2012
5:10 pm

Enter your comments here

Native Atlantan

January 25th, 2012
5:11 pm

I believe the story in Travel and Leisure as Atlanta being one of the rudest cities, but its because most of the people that are causing the city to be rude are not Native Atlantans!!!!!!! It’s the people that have moved to Atlanta from other parts of the world. #THAT”SWHY!

judgemental?

January 25th, 2012
5:12 pm

?

live where you choose?

January 25th, 2012
5:13 pm

but you hate it here
and we are the ones that cannot comprehend

CJ

January 25th, 2012
5:15 pm

funny, I would’ve out BOSTON as the #1 rudest…I got nothing but crabbiness at the Loganville airport, but when I landed in Atlanta, people actually smiled at me!

The United Southern States

January 25th, 2012
5:15 pm

Let the South become their own country! Then maybe the rest of the United States won’t be lacking in unemployment, education, and backwards thinking anymore. Then you can have your happy land of Jesus, looking and talking alike, and hatred towards anyone different than you.

scott

January 25th, 2012
5:19 pm

MEAN ,RUDE NO CUSTOMER SERVICE…AND ONE OF ..NO THE MOST RACIST CITY IN AMERICA..DEEPLY RACIST,DIVIDED ..IT REMINDS ME OF ITS SISTER CITY “DETROIT”THE DEEP SEATED RACISM IN METRO ATLANTA WILL STRANGLE THIS CITYS GROWTH AND APPEAL ALONG WITH ITS HORRIBLE,HORRIBLE TRAFFIC AND HARD CORE CRIME….WOW I VISITED SEATTLE(WHERE I PLAN TO RETIRE)EVERYONE WAS SO NICE AND POLITE WITH SMALL TALK AND DEEPLY FRIENDLY..ALSO CHARLESTON ,SC..THE FOLKS IN THOSE 2 CITIES ARE AWSOME!!!!!!!

Center for Education Statistics

January 25th, 2012
5:19 pm

When measuring ALL students (as opposed to select SAT score populations)

GA public school students are equal to NY public school students.

Look it up.

WWJD

January 25th, 2012
5:19 pm

I know these clowns here all claim to be Christian. There has to be something in that Bible about diversity.

NY is not the entire Northern population!

January 25th, 2012
5:24 pm

There are tens of millions of people that live in the North that don’t actually live in NYC. One statistic about them doesn’t prove a point. I can’t stand people from NY either and I grew up in Ohio.

Jesus save us from these Yankees!

January 25th, 2012
5:29 pm

Southerners still don’t get that outside this region, and nationwide, they’re still the butt of the joke.

Logical Reasoning

January 25th, 2012
5:34 pm

There are two parts to this story:

First, yes it is true that there are way too many transplants (especially people from up north) who ruin the way of life down here, they come here with a “Superior” mentality and complain about almost everything we were accustom to doing; the traffic, economy, schools, etc also contribute in many ways.

Second, Atlanta (Georgia as a whole), we are at fault as well, we have lost our sense of identity over the last several years and I really believe that it all started with the ‘96 Olympic Games. There was a time when several groups of people hung out at parks, events, etc. Now people are too content with their newly found “comfort zone” or in other words, once people really came out of the hoods (after so many were moved out and those hoods were torn down) people began to change, but not necessarily for the better, they went from ‘hood’ to ‘ghetto fabulous’ which is worse in some ways. Same mentality, except they had more money in they pocket, this created a fake, lame, unrealistic way of life in Atlanta and in surrounding areas that caused people to be very self-centered, greedy, and not caring about literally anything besides themselves and maybe some family members. Also, I blame the stupid Georgia Legislatures who have tried (and succeeded) in keeping Georgia in the 1800’s, several “scared minded” people in places such as Gwinnett and Cobb counties have prevented much needed public transportation to move into those areas; thus causing a mass array of traffic in which causes people to get very angry and become rude drivers. People, it’s time to wake up, get off your high horses and stop knocking each other down!!!!!!

just admit it...

January 25th, 2012
5:35 pm

I just wish these cowards in the South would publicly admit they are nothing but a bunch of racist(towards anyone not white or Southern) bigots who want to live in a place where they all look and talk the same and live happily ever after.

Brent

January 25th, 2012
5:36 pm

it’s not the city… it’s the people and the Atlantitude….

Tex

January 25th, 2012
5:36 pm

Its about time somebody figured this out. The problem is not the Southerners though. Its all the jerks from New York and New Jersey that are screwing the town up.

JANA

January 25th, 2012
5:36 pm

Unfortunately, Atlanta has changed and not because we wanted to, but we had no choice. With all the northerners coming here to live, we had to learn how to drive faster, eat faster and just live life at a faster pace. As a native Atlantan, who loves living here, my stomach turns when people who select to move here, criticize us. My thought is , look you chose to come here, if you do not like the way we live, go back. Please note, there are more people moving South (ATLANTA) TO LIVE THAN the other way around. Personally, I would not want to live in the North.

Yes, Atlanta used to be a more friendlier, loving , kinder city until……………. It is a shame we were messed up by……………………..

Butt

January 25th, 2012
5:36 pm

Love the poor weather, high taxes, rude neighbors, lack of opportunity, and hundred years of ignorance up heya in yankeeland

Southern white

January 25th, 2012
5:38 pm

love my Southern black neighbors – 50/50 on the transplants

Tex

January 25th, 2012
5:39 pm

……..Well the mayor and all the criminal politicians too. That has a tendency to get everyone mad. The Mayors for the last 25 years have all been criminal reprobates and have milked the city. Combine that with the Fed robbing of American and the attitudes can get pretty bad across the board.

Combine that with cheating teachers, idiot students, and a black mafia and you just have a hole in the ground know as the ATL.

just admit it...

January 25th, 2012
5:42 pm

When I grew up I thought Yankees were the baseball team. I can’t stand them a-holes, so I guess I have something in common with those in the South.

Anyone ever think of getting to know someone first before passing judgement? A crazy thought, I know!

LES

January 25th, 2012
5:44 pm

As a “northener” who has lived in Atlanta, I am quite surprised that Atlanta is ranked #7. The old idea of Southern hospitality seems to have waned somewhat over the years but it is still a lot better than that of a lot of US cities that did not make the top 10. I lived in Houston for a number of years and my feeling there was that they did not know the word “service” let alone how to spell it. It is refreshing here to go into a business and meet someone who is willing to help you. I don’t go to downtown Atlanta so maybe this reflects the outlying areas – less shucking and jiving – but it is how I consider Atlanta. I am glad to live here and, crappy traffic aside, it is friendly.

Brent

January 25th, 2012
5:45 pm

Oh. no Tex… you can’t say that… some one may classify you as a RACIST.. lawd help us.. since we all KNOW that only WHITE PEOPLE can be RACIST. i laugh…

LES is a good man

January 25th, 2012
5:46 pm

Thank you for being reasonable. Proud to have in you in greater Atlanta.

LES is a good man

January 25th, 2012
5:47 pm

aplogies if LES is an acronym or fem Leslie….always think of male Les Nessman when I see that name.

cbgb

January 25th, 2012
5:51 pm

OTP baybee! 20 miles OTP! Love it!

BillS

January 25th, 2012
5:53 pm

Ratings like this are subjectively meaningless. There’s no “real” way to rate on such a topic; it’s impressions. Maybe the readers who voted Atlanta No. 7 were caught up in traffic on 285, in which case there were kind and generous not to put Atlanta in first place. I’ve found that for every rude encounter, I have 4 or 5 very pleasant ones. I don’t know whether the good ones are natives or transplants, nor does anyone else. Having also lived in Vermont and New Hampshire, I will vouch for the thoughtfulness of most people I met there.

My Rudest List

January 25th, 2012
6:08 pm

1) Miami
2) Washington
3) Jackson, MS
4) Houston
5) Philadelphia

No way NYC is #1 or that Atl or Dallas should be in the top 10. Memphis used to be terrible, but has gotten much better. A good example of improvement. Charlotte, NC is on the downslide, big-time.

pat

January 25th, 2012
6:17 pm

Being from the rural area of Georgia I “marvel” at the rudeness each time I travel through Hartsfield Jackson…….TERRIBLE….. or ride on MARTA. It seems a significant number of people who work in either of these systems are angry. I travel a great deal and have been to numerous airports. Each time I leave or return to Atlanta I am once again made aware of their angry attitude. ….and I am being very nice when I say “angry” attitude.

Rude Fits

January 25th, 2012
6:18 pm

No surprise about the rudeness in the ATL! It starts the moment you land at the airport with rude staff and police ordering you around like slaves and continues into the city at hotels, meetings, etc.. It’s the rudest city I’ve been to.

And the big deal is...

January 25th, 2012
6:20 pm

I like Boston, but on my first trip, I actually got yelled at by the driver for getting on the wrong trolley. I replied, “Gee, you people sure know how to treat tourists!” Trust me, I sent a long, long letter to corporate!

Yes, I said it!

January 25th, 2012
6:24 pm

NYC, will ALWAYS be the rudest place. Didn’t fool me one ounce with the so-called love and caring after you know what. The place still reeks.

I was born and raised in GA, and yes, the city has gone down hill over the last couple of decades. Too many transplants have taken away the Southern Charm that we used to enjoy and be known for.

4xtra

January 25th, 2012
6:34 pm

Man ..you guys got me started,
Now lets go over some interesting facts…
So yall hate “yankees”?
Why is it that the top current and former leaders are all from the “north”?
Kasim Reed ? New Jersey
Shirley Franklin? Philadelphia
and there are plenty more..

You guys are so SLOW the northerners had to come down and run the city for you.
Just having conversations with people here I noticed that Jim Crow really did some damage to the mindset and culture here.
I have seen some extremely blatant racism here and the blacks here just walk away WITH THEIR HEAD DOWN and shuffle their feet.( YEA that’s right, I AM BLACK)
That is totally unacceptable.

They say that ATL is the black mecca,,,,,,,,
ARE YOU SERIOUS?
Minus the barber shops, hair salons and the like.
Blacks aren’t really running the show here.
Do ANY blacks here own just ONE gas station in the entire metro ATL?

I am pro black and I am all for our people to get ahead
(TRUST ME, I am borderline militant but not racist)

But it all boils down to the level of education you have and the conversation starts from there.
I have NEVER seen so many “$30k a year millionaires” in my life,
What is a $30k millionaire?
Drive a BMW/Lexus/MB or a 1984 Cutlass with $10000 rims
Spend more on their weave and hair than groceries
Live in a $150k+ home BUT have 4 roommates WITH NO FURNITURE
In your free time argue all day who is the best rapper or
what rapper makes the most money
Watch TMZ, ATL Housewives and Jerry Springer
Make it rain at Magic City or Pink Pony with their income tax return
Think that being gangsta is making videos online about how you will beat someone up and how tough you are
You are over 40 but act like you are 16
Talk gibberish (what yo name iz? Mash dat button ova dare! U prolly rite bout dat!)

Stop blaming everyone for the downhill spiral of this city.
I have met some GREAT people from ATL, I have met some good people from the north. When you gripe about “yankees” you are making yourself appear to be a victim and you are not..

anna

January 25th, 2012
6:37 pm

The reason we are known as the rudest, we have too many northern people that do not have a clue what Southern hospitality is all about.

Moving soon

January 25th, 2012
6:40 pm

@JaiRS…look, dude…it’s not that me or anyone else is GETTING IN YOUR WAY…it’s that you are going TOO DARN FAST, to the point of practically running over folks…this shows itself in insane driving, rude behavior in lines, you name it…it’s the vibe, the attitude created by certain people…you stated it PERFECTLY-it comes through in your writing…we will agree to disagree…again, I DON’T THINK a cross-section of folks from the entire nation (or even world depending on the readership of the magazine) can be so wrong…

Trust me-if I came within 100 feet of you, just by how you describe yourself-I will be more than happy to get out of your way and not bother you…you happier now?

allison

January 25th, 2012
6:43 pm

I have lived in Atlanta my entire life & i’m surprised we’re #7 and not in the top 5. Atlanta has the RUDEST people, the most idiotic drivers and the most embarassing sports team. I cannot WAIT to move.

Walter Fahren

January 25th, 2012
6:46 pm

I’ve lived all over this country. New York, Texas, California, Main, Illinois, Washington D.C., Philadelphia and Atlanta. I can say that Atlanta is by far the rudest city of the bunch. New Yorkers may be blunt but Atlanta citizens are smug (it’s the Yankees fault), insincere (bless their heart!) angry (Oh no you didn’t!) and backward (which explains how the dusty and smelly Pano’s and Paul’s lasted as long as it did). The blacks hate on the whites and visa versa, even the professionals, and they all hate the Yankees which by the way raised the property values and turned thousands of dumb redneck builders and home and auto insurance salesman into millionaires. Finally the lid is off the pot. I bet Atlanta scores worse next year!

allison

January 25th, 2012
6:47 pm

@ Walter Fahren AGREED. Couldn’t have said it better!

cc

January 25th, 2012
6:55 pm

Hey I have a wonderful idea for returning to our more polite southern ways…… all you people from the north …. Go Home! Then, we southerners will go back to sipping our sweet tea and acting civilized.

Moving soon

January 25th, 2012
6:56 pm

Walter may have a point…looks like the ATL has all the WORST qualities of its components…the great melting pot of bad attitudes and poor behavior…again, I bring you-The City With No Soul…(and I don’t mean James Brown or anything like that)…and sorry, don’t blame it on religion or politics (and no, it’s NOT Obama’s fault either)…it is what it is…some are called to be here and make a difference, some have done their time, and it’s time to move on…count me as one of those…

Moving soon

January 25th, 2012
7:00 pm

Oh yeah don’t blame it on race either…if you can stand it, there’s plenty enough opportunity for ANYONE, and I mean ANYONE…(though it is a bit tougher lately)…this is still the great USA, thank God!

Atlanta Once Class, NOW Crass

January 25th, 2012
7:01 pm

FRANKLY MY DEAR, Carpetbaggers and Yahoos have over-run our fair city. They don’t even know what they don’t know. When you are crass and obnoxious, AND you like it down at the bottom rung of the lowest denominator, there is no “Up” in the equation. What a shame. You, too, can rise above it by setting out to be a lady or gentleman….. If that eludes you, there is always Charm School.

Curious George

January 25th, 2012
7:03 pm

I’ve lived here 15 years and will never consider myself an “Atlantan” or “Southerner”–this place is just too damned backwards.

BeNice

January 25th, 2012
7:05 pm

Just be polite and helpful at all times, no matter what someone else does.

Edward

January 25th, 2012
7:07 pm

All you have to do is read through these comments and see what the “southerners” write to know why Atlanta is so rude. People like “cc” are the reason, all smug and hateful. You wouldn’t know how to be polite if your life depended upon it.

A special shout out to 4extra. You made me LOL 4 realz.

Jack Frost

January 25th, 2012
7:07 pm

that southern gentlemen image can be deceptive, distorted and many identifying with the label are deceiving themselves. trailer trash in tuxedos, lavish lifestyles, corrupt, no better on the inside than thugs and criminals. fornicators, theives, perverts, smile in your face, but will backstab you in a heartbeat. they just know how to hide it inside and/or buy their way out. it’s a matter of the heart of an individual.

You are rude! You suck! I cannot wait to leave!

January 25th, 2012
7:11 pm

Scream the insulting people with no hint of self awareness.

robo

January 25th, 2012
7:14 pm

Indeed the yanks are part of the problem, but the good ole boys in F-250s are not so nice on the road. Then again, maybe the yanks infected them when they were hired to do contract work at their houses over the past 40 years?

Perverts?

January 25th, 2012
7:18 pm

Jack Frost, um, I’m not certain that is your best example in your north/south argument.

Jim C

January 25th, 2012
7:30 pm

You won’t know rudeness until you’ve been to New York City. That city is the king of rude.

robroka

January 25th, 2012
7:30 pm

It’s true. Atlanta is full of rude people. It’s simply a product of a large population. When you hardly ever see the same person twice you are not motivated to treat individuals with courtesy. Most people operate primarily in their own self interest. In small towns it is in an individual’s self interest to treat people with courtesy and respect. If you don’t, you’re branded a jerk and nobody will hire you or do business with you or include you in social events. Check out how well the above list of rude cities matches up with the list of US metro areas by population: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Table_of_United_States_Metropolitan_Statistical_Areas

Elle

January 25th, 2012
7:51 pm

Their conclusion is clearly ignorant and ill-conceived as there is no way that Atlanta beats Philly. No. Way.

uga34way

January 25th, 2012
7:52 pm

Not motivated? How about because it just comes naturally.

I'm an American, period!

January 25th, 2012
7:56 pm

It’s pretty simple for me….I moved to this area over 10 years ago and I’m nice and respectful to everyone I meet. I’ve made good friends with a lot of people that would be considered “Southern,” as well as people from all over the country. If being a “Northerner” is too much for people I meet to handle, then they are the a$$hole, not me.

LOL

January 25th, 2012
8:00 pm

We all know why this city has the ranking it does. Look at the cities on the list and also look to see where the influx of new Atlantan’s come from!

A true Georgia Peach

January 25th, 2012
8:41 pm

It’s people from other states who now live in atlanta and they bring their RUDENESS and BAD DRIVING to georgia.

Ok...

January 25th, 2012
8:43 pm

…I’m sure you’re quite the bundle of joy yourself.

JC

January 25th, 2012
8:44 pm

the problem is all the damn yankees infecting the South.

rik warren

January 25th, 2012
9:06 pm

Treat people kindly and they generally reciprocate in kind. Be rude or indifferent and you deserve what you get. This is another article written by those who have no talent/ interest to write about important things.

Yeah, ok

January 25th, 2012
9:24 pm

Wow JC, such an original thought.

Gone Bye Bye and Glad I Did

January 25th, 2012
11:49 pm

I moved to Dallas last summer and I am completely blown away by how friendly people are here. Why Dallas was rated #6 above Atlanta shows these ratings are flawed. Dallas has a lot of Yankee transplants too so I am not sure that is it. Probably more Midwest and we are a friendly group. But the natives here and there are plenty of them are quite accepting of newcomers and love to brag about their home. Refreshing! Now Atlanta: it’s about the emerging culture in the city that has taken over ATL in the last 5 years. Call what you want: hip hop, ghetto whatever. So Look what happened to Buckhead Village, Atlantic Station, GA Tech area and do I even have to mention Underground. Atlanta is a dramatically different place from 20 years ago when I moved there. It does sadden me a bit even though I have gone and still know some good people there.

4xtra

January 26th, 2012
3:27 am

Boy… you country bumpkins would really hate me.
Im black (O_O)

From up “NORF” (O_O)

college educated at the dreaded BIG TEN school (Ohio State Univ. and yall HATE the big ten here in a MAJOR WAY)

And I SPEAK PROPER (Ah hell naw shawty!!)

you guys HATE proper speaking blacks down here!!!
AND I AM TALKING ABOUT THE BLACKS AND THE WHITES
when i go somewhere to eat or what ever and order, everybody looks at me like I just stepped of the spaceship……(sur, ware u frum? u aint frum rond hurr are yu?)

Oh LAWD CALL THE POLICE !! He speaks proper!!!!

Travel & Leisure readers don’t know what the f—- they’re talking about « ATL MALCONTENT

January 26th, 2012
8:59 am

[...] I’m sorry, was that rude? Can’t help it — apparently I’m from the nation’s 7th rudest city, according to readers of Travel & Leisure magazine. [...]

Susan

January 26th, 2012
9:46 am

I have been told by a Southerner, supposed “nice” lady, to my face that I am not Southerner and therefore I will never understand what it means. Peel back the layer of manners and underneath there is class warfare, hatred of outsiders and racism. After 28 years here, I understand Southerners very well. Maybe some of that underlying stuff is bubbling through in rudeness.

Ammar

January 26th, 2012
10:35 am

When I go to pick up fast food whether its in Cobb, Dekalb, Fulton, Clayton, or Fayette I have witnessed events where the person that was taking my order was somewhat rude or less than customer service oriented; however, these people that I have encountered were not from NY because when they finally opened their mouths it told who they were and where they were from … at the end of the day it does not affect me because I am content with the fact that I am in control of my own happiness and if I find them a fool I also leave them a fool…I am sure that there are many people who scream damn Yankees but never once stepped into the state of NY and will never understand the NY State of mind ….

Raydar

January 26th, 2012
12:58 pm

I’m 54, and an Atlanta native. I’ve lived and/or worked in Atlanta all my life.
It sucks. From its people, to its traffic, to its radio stations, to it’s precariously left-leaning newspaper. I’m ready to get the hell out. (I know. Don’t let the door hit me… Whatever.)

Atlanta ranked 4th most literate city | News To Me with George Mathis

January 26th, 2012
2:20 pm

[...] may be rude, but at least Atlantans is good with [...]

ATLANTA – Ranked 4th in most LITERATE CITIES IN US! « NewPrentiss Productions

January 26th, 2012
2:50 pm

[...] may be rude, but at least Atlantans is good with [...]

JJ Mac

January 26th, 2012
4:26 pm

I am originally from NY, have lived in Boston, Richmond and Atlanta. The only reason Richmond isn’t in the top 10 is because they are in a class by themselves: Rudest people on earth. And we had people from LA, London, NY, Mumbai, and other larger cities bring it up before we did, so it isn’t just us who see it that way.

ODBAlpha

January 26th, 2012
5:47 pm

Southerners, get over yourselves – you’re not that nice! You talk about each other behind your respective backs like no other group. In other words, Southern hospitality is a facade. Not to mention your history of hatred for anyone different from yourselves!

nell

January 27th, 2012
7:10 am

I have been here for three yrs, Im from Hartford,connecticut. what i see here is very mean and angry
people. Im talking about people that are from the south. they are mean to there kids, they are mean to there animals, they are mean to there self.

Milinos

January 31st, 2012
10:12 pm

Orlando should be #2 or #3.. people here wouldn’t spit on you if you were on fire.

Rob Prout

February 3rd, 2012
1:09 pm

My relatives from California find it weird and kind of rude when says “how are you doing?” how “how’s your day”. Their thoughts are what business is that of yours. See the guy who wrote this is a from up north. He probably views people who care enough to ask as rude. And, people see we’re are backward in the south.

John Mc

February 10th, 2012
2:17 pm

Most be because of all the Carpet baggers that moved here.

Jane

February 10th, 2012
9:40 pm

I guess we will have to try harder. It will be difficult to beat NY and Boston

kdw

February 12th, 2012
12:42 am

im an original atl(ien) and i have constantly held doors open for ppl coming in or our behind me. do you thiink for a second 50% say thank you. in fact i held the door open for a woman she walked in &never said one word, i said you’re welcome. this chic says thats your job to hold the door. so being spiteful(it wasn’t right,but felt good) i mulled around til she came out &i walked out first and let thr door close on her,spilling her drink on her. i said oops i forgot my job duties….btw she had some prime xrated language..shegot in a car with jersey tags

c hood

February 25th, 2012
1:24 am

God, give me my south back again. In the mean time , I know this…If you can not say “Excuse Me” and it is not in your language ability……be prepared to get moved.
I will be moving you out of my way with my shopping buggy. At least make eye contact so I know you know you are in MY city. If YOU are a rude yankee , be on the look out too. You are the most annoying. YOU speak english. You better mind yo damn manners….or you ’bout to meet GA. ]
I am most sick of y’all. Please stay in a colder climate.Warmth does not become you ….or your rude children (being so “advanced” and knocked up). PLEASE go home…..you are a sore, a lesion on our southern culture. Bye Now!!!!!

c hood

February 25th, 2012
1:35 am

Do people still want to put us southerners down? They think they saved us (with BIG industry)…these yankees. They move here in droves . They raise other little rude yankees that our kids have the misfortune of knowing. Learn to say thank you. Learn to eat grits,collards,fried livers, and unsweetend corn bread.I am sick and tired of yankees treating the south like a vacation. If it were a vacation, I would be lucky….that would mean, you were going home.

c hood

February 25th, 2012
2:00 am

YES . I agree, I was born and raised here and close about. When I was little …even Little Five Points was southern , Grant Park and Cabbage Town too. These were areas decent yankees would not tread. I still have realitives in East Atlanta that hold on to the golf course and that it might come back one day. Yankees have ruined this city (first) ,then because of them , others have flocked here in droves. These are people that can not even PRONOUNCE the words “excuse me” need to go too. I am disgusted . Learn the southern way or go back! I open doors for eveybody! Period. I am a pretty southern female and mostly the door is slammed in my face(even when I am with my children) Rude and disrespectful is most of what I see with foreigners and YANKEES..Get out of my town

c hood

February 25th, 2012
11:28 am

Just kidding! These are complaints I have been hearing from locals for years.Please not all southern people have manners either! See how biased that sounds? I love having a great mix of culture and judge everyone on a person to person basis. GET OVER this southern vs Nothern vs, whatever thing.

Sam

April 18th, 2012
2:32 am

Right on. Rudest place I’ve ever been. I just moved back and having regrets. It’s much worse than when I lived here during the olympics

Bud

May 4th, 2012
2:17 pm

Atlanta is by far, the rudest city I have ever been in on the planet and the rudest when making business calls. They are losers.

bradley

May 6th, 2012
2:02 pm

Magazine rudely ranks Atlanta as 7th rudest U.S. city

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Magazine rudely ranks Atlanta as 7th rudest U.S. city

256 comments Add your comment

About News To Me with George Mathis

Search this blog

Recent Posts

Archives

More from the AJC

Blogroll

All AJC blogs »

Tell us what you think about the site

Subscribe »

Customer Care »

AJC Services

Sections

Other Editions

Guides

Affiliates

Advertising

AJC Sites