Kindness of Strangers - More true in rural areas?

[MossflowerWoods]

Yesterday I had a rough day. Two Harleys broke down on me before 9am.

See here... Good morning!!!! - Page 229 - TractorByNet.com

So Kindness of strangers was a HUGE help. A guy at the auto shop asked where was home and said he was going the same direction and gave me a ride almost 9 miles home. Very Nice man.

The later in the afternoon I went to a local used motorcycle shop looking for a shift linkage part that had broken off one of my Harley's. He listened to my story, took my broken part and went looking. He came back saying, "I found a used one" and I replied "Hey I have a Used Bike" and he gave me the part FREE. He said after my day, it seemed like the thing to do. Another Very Nice man.

So, is this a country/rural thing (I suspect it is) that people out in the country are more kind than city folk?

What are your thoughts?

PS - This is my 1,900th post, maybe I'm less of a n00b now that I'm a veteran of the University of TBN...

Be well,
David

 

[300UGUY]

I'd like to aree with you, but I really don't think so. People are people. I've run into all types, everywhere.

 

[MossRoad]

Well, from some of the tresspassing, arm yourself, get off my land posts here on TBN, I kinda doubt it any more. :laughing:

As a kid back around 1970 or so my dad was taking me to Boy Scout camp on a rainy, dark night after he got off work. Our clutch went out when we were in a very rural area of Michigan. My dad attempted to knock on several doors to ask if someone could let him use the phone or call for help but was met by hostility. That was my introduction to "country hospitality". My dad was a church going, non cussing, tea totaller and that's the kindness of strangers he got .... he was also 6-3 duece and a quarter in a trench coat! :laughing: I wouldn't have opened the door for him either.

In all seriousness, I've found kindness where ever I go, be it rural or urban. Most folks really are decent folks. You only here about the bad stuff. :thumbsup:

 

[MasseyWV]

I think that one may tend to notice kindness from strangers more in rural areas because there are less people.

 

[20 20]

I have to say people are people and there are butt stains in the country also. Years back I took the family trout fishing, on our way out of the area(seasonal road) the road gave because of under ground/road water, set the truck on her axles. We started to walk I had the wife go up to a house with my little ones{4-6yrs old) thought it would seem more polite(maybe even a little pity), I'm kind of a big ugly mug, I didn't even go up the drive. Well they answered the door, wife explained our problem and asked if she could use the phone. They said NOPE try another house!

With that said we found another person that was more then helpfull. We had to jack the truck and place boards under it then take the back boards and move them to the front, while the wife kept driving forward.
I some what believe in karma, it will come back to bite some day.

 

[MoKelly]

I'd like to aree with you, but I really don't think so. People are people. I've run into all types, everywhere.

Agree. You can find good and not-so-good people everywhere.

MoKelly

 

[MotorSeven]

Tough call. I have had good folks stop and help in urban areas and in rural. I do think you have a better chance of getting help in a rural area.

I stripped the splines on my Road King's shifter shaft on the way back to Ft Lauderdale from Sturgis. It was a solo trip, so couldn't "phone a friend". I had a HD book will all the dealerships in it with me and managed to limp into one in Wisconsin that was right off the interstate. They had the part in stock, so I sat down out in the parking lot and changed it out...talk about luck:thumbsup:

 

[dmccarty]

People are more friendly in the country than the city. That does not mean ALL city people are rude or ALL country people are friendly. Far more strangers wave at us in the country than in the city. Heck I do not think many of the "neighbors" we had in the city ever waved but here in the country almost everyone does. Big difference.

The first job I had was on a farm in the middle of no where in KY. I remember the one trip to the farm we drove past a house where the family was working in the yard and they all waved at us. That did not happen back in our subdivision.

I have had strangers wave at me on the state highway in front of the house. I have driven that same highway when we lived in the city and nobody waved at me.

Later,
Dan

 

[DKCDKC]

I've lived in big and small cities, and in the country. There are good people everywhere. I am blessed in that I have met few of the bad kind. But those in contemporary cities today must deal with the lack of space dividing them from the bad guys, and - perforce - must have greater caution. In the country we have more space. Also the country has remained more traditional in many ways - church attendance, visiting/knowing neighbors and trust in financial matters. I built my entire home with no contract other than a handshake. Part of the traditional heritage of rural areas, unfortunately, is a manifestation of the older demographics there. I don't know how things will change as us older folk die off and younger folk move in.

Do you remember when semi-truck drivers were generally admired - the knights of the road? I remember having truck drivers stop and help me with a car failure 40 years ago. Today truck drivers don't have the time to stop, and are seen by many people as an actual threat on the road. I am a conservative, speed-limit driver generally who sticks to the right lane. Semi trucks have actually pushed me off onto the shoulder three times in the last year - careless, aggressive and dangerous driving by these "pros."

Things have changed.

 

[YesDeere]

I think some of it may have to do with riding a Harley as well. I have been on the side of the road wrenching on my shovelhead and got too much help. I used to have many small issues with it that were easy roadside fixes. (young,broke). I would spend more time telling people I was ok than wrenching.

Funny that shifters were mentioned. I lost my lever twice before finally welding it on. If anyone has ever rode a rigid mount bike they know why I lost them. Anyway I was on the side of the road waiting for my friend who was looking for my lost shift lever on the road just traveled. Well this old farmer pulled up to check on me. Told him my woes and he pulled out some vice grips. I clamped them on and decided it would work. He said "yup, that'll do her. Probably last the life of the motor" I tries to pay him but he wouldn't take any money. Just said pass it on son.