Is this typical of the US?

I recently spent just over a week in a small town in Wyoming. This was my first visit to the US since I was about 10.

My illusions of the US were totally shattered. The people I met were almost entirely welcoming, genuinely kind, very courteous, smartly dressed, healthy looking and very moral with a quiet, confident pride in themselves, their state and country that was in no way boastful but something I have not seen at home.

The people there reminded me a lot of Afrikaans people, particularly the strongly held values.

I expect that I was lucky in the people I met, but is this typical of the US, or even of the Western States?

I was also surprised how accepting of risk people were, either physical risk (riding unbroken horses for fun or driving at high speed on sheet ice) or taking a gamble with a business.

The vast majority of areas in the US would be similar, you run into issues when you go into major cities that cater as sanctuary areas, otherwise, you'll find the US to be a very friendly nation. Glad you had a nice visit to the states.

Borderer said:

I recently spent just over a week in a small town in Wyoming. This was my first visit to the US since I was about 10.

My illusions of the US were totally shattered. The people I met were almost entirely welcoming, genuinely kind, very courteous, smartly dressed, healthy looking and very moral with a quiet, confident pride in themselves, their state and country that was in no way boastful but something I have not seen at home.

The people there reminded me a lot of Afrikaans people, particularly the strongly held values.

I expect that I was lucky in the people I met, but is this typical of the US, or even of the Western States?

I was also surprised how accepting of risk people were, either physical risk (riding unbroken horses for fun or driving at high speed on sheet ice) or taking a gamble with a business.

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Not all that surprising for Wyoming, Montana, Idaho or for the most part in any of the more rural states or at least in states without a lot of big cities and in those rural locations.

Go to the big cities things change. Go to the Northeast part of the country and it's a bit different. People there are little more closed off, but once they decide you're a friend, you're kind of a friend for life.

As an American, my experience generally speaking is that people from small towns/rural America are what you described, regardless of race, religion, etc. People from urban areas tend to be “high on the horse” so to speak, and less accepting of others. There are exceptions, but this has been my experience visiting multiple states and meeting people from around the country while in the military

For the most part it is very typical for a area like Wyoming and other areas here in the western US where we hold to our values.

You may notice a difference in the larger cities. You have to realize that Wyoming really doesn't have the large metro areas that most states have. But then there are more pronghorn in Wyoming than people.

The news organizations amplify the 10% that need attention, provide drama and contribute nothing. . 90% are generous souls who just want to make a living and take care of their families in the best way they know.

Im not a wyoman but have spent some time there, Id yay for Wyoming yea thats typical. and for most west small towns, the larger cities in other states not so much.

I’ve been to 47 of 50 states and as long as it’s not a big city and a select few smaller towns most people are pretty chill. As for the accepting risk. It’s America we are a people born from adventure and frontiersmen a lot like y’all. Everyone I know has lead an interesting life in one hobby or venture or another. But that may just be who I associate with. My 5 year old rock climbs twice a week and will climb three stories up to the top and yell at me and my wife and jump down rappelling laughing the whole way.

Borderer said:

I recently spent just over a week in a small town in Wyoming. This was my first visit to the US since I was about 10.

My illusions of the US were totally shattered. The people I met were almost entirely welcoming, genuinely kind, very courteous, smartly dressed, healthy looking and very moral with a quiet, confident pride in themselves, their state and country that was in no way boastful but something I have not seen at home.

The people there reminded me a lot of Afrikaans people, particularly the strongly held values.

I expect that I was lucky in the people I met, but is this typical of the US, or even of the Western States?

I was also surprised how accepting of risk people were, either physical risk (riding unbroken horses for fun or driving at high speed on sheet ice) or taking a gamble with a business.

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What were you expecting? To be punched in the face? Ride the subway in NYC for that experience.

Fairly typical of most people here in the US especially in rural areas. One of the problems with news outside the US is it’s dominated by what we call the Mainstream Media (MSM) that emphasizes all things negative about America especially with Trump as president. You’ll see news (propaganda) that is unrecognizable from reality. What is down is up and what is up is down. I’ve spent a lot of time in rural Wyoming and what you saw is pretty typical of the whole state. You would find similar people all across the country in the farming and ranching communities in even our most politically buggered up states like California or New York with cities like LA and NYC representing some of worst examples. Happy you had a good visit and especially that you recognized that good people do live in the US.

Most places away from Liberal Cities in the US are as you experienced.

Borderer said:

I recently spent just over a week in a small town in Wyoming. This was my first visit to the US since I was about 10.

My illusions of the US were totally shattered. The people I met were almost entirely welcoming, genuinely kind, very courteous, smartly dressed, healthy looking and very moral with a quiet, confident pride in themselves, their state and country that was in no way boastful but something I have not seen at home.

The people there reminded me a lot of Afrikaans people, particularly the strongly held values.

I expect that I was lucky in the people I met, but is this typical of the US, or even of the Western States?

I was also surprised how accepting of risk people were, either physical risk (riding unbroken horses for fun or driving at high speed on sheet ice) or taking a gamble with a business.

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I think Gandalf nailed this sort of person in "An Unexpected Journey" of The Hobbit movie trilogy.

Saruman believes it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. I found it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love.

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I'd actually be quite surprised if at least one of those folks you met didn't invite you to their home for dinner.

Pretty typical rural America. Gotta filter out the meth users sometimes.

If u have time come visit rural Appalachia, it's pretty great

Borderer said:

I recently spent just over a week in a small town in Wyoming. This was my first visit to the US since I was about 10.

My illusions of the US were totally shattered. The people I met were almost entirely welcoming, genuinely kind, very courteous, smartly dressed, healthy looking and very moral with a quiet, confident pride in themselves, their state and country that was in no way boastful but something I have not seen at home.

The people there reminded me a lot of Afrikaans people, particularly the strongly held values.

I expect that I was lucky in the people I met, but is this typical of the US, or even of the Western States?

I was also surprised how accepting of risk people were, either physical risk (riding unbroken horses for fun or driving at high speed on sheet ice) or taking a gamble with a business.

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Borderer, Before Trump came to government my wife and I would regularly travel to the USA for a week or two each year vacation. We always found, ran into and/or were amongst quality people as you describe. This includes our experience in Texas and the "South".

We never seemed to bump into the type of ignoramus's that are now characterized as "Magas."
Those were all good memories. Brian

I live in Wyoming for a reason!

As a resident of Montana, who works extensively in Wyoming, Colorado, and elsewhere globally I believe you’ve encountered the truth that many people everywhere are good. In the Western United States, and I say this not as an insult to other locations but from my perspective here, word is bond, people are friendly until given reason not to be, and recognize ourselves in others visiting from abroad. We hear exactly the same from our news regarding other countries and I can admit that I have had the pleasant surprise of meeting nearly identical people over a brai in RSA.

My experience is that people tend to be friendlier in parts of the map that are red. I'm actually not trying to make a political statement..... but values are different in certain regions. I have plenty of friends that vote both ways, and the majority of people on both sides are reasonable, thoughtful, kind, ethical people. I have lived in blue areas and red areas and got along fine in both. I've lived in the Northeast and in the West, in Europe for a couple years, in cities with over a million people and towns of a few hundred. I prefer old-fashioned values and small towns. Certain big cities skew toward traditional values and certain big cities are political clown-shows (San Francisco, Portland, LA, Baltimore, Chicago, St. Louis).

Most people I've encountered are good. All nations and societies have psychopaths and problem children. Good people tend to be, well, conservative. They're too busy running businesses and raising kids to attend rallies, get on TV, or run a stupid influencer blog. Outrageous activity and idiotic ideas get lots of press. Conservative values are boring and don't sell ad space. I've done 6-figure deals more than once with nothing more than a phone call and a handshake. No contract on earth is as sure as the word of an honest person.

It's no joke that people from Africa who visit the US are often apprehensive about the trip. They come expecting to see murders, overt drug use, and drive-by shootings on the regular. I suppose you can find that stuff if you go looking, but even in the worst cities it's just in certain neighborhoods.

Rem280 said:

What were you expecting? To be punched in the face? Ride the subway in NYC for that experience.

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To be honest, my expectations were clouded by several experiences I have had with Americans in the UK and other European and African countries - we have several American families living in my area who are very vocal about almost everything! We also do a very good line in exporting bad behaviour here.

When I think about it though, I have probably come across plenty of other American people without even realising it and it is only the people who have made a scene that I have actually noticed.

I have a friend who used to travel to California a lot with work and hated every minute of it. A very different place though.

Our media is also fairly negative.

BryceM said:

My experience is that people tend to be friendlier in parts of the map that are red

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This is exactly what one of my best friend's Democrat voting Californian wife told me.