Just because I've spent my adult life

claiming I could never be a southerner, doesn't change this basic, fundamental truth. People are nicer here. They just are. I can't help it. I wish it weren't true. Everybody smiles and wants to know how I'm doing and they aren't just being polite because they ask follow-up questions that show they are listening. They ALL smile all the time and joke gently with their fellow workers. It's sad, but it's nice. It's really nice. I love New York best, but I can't imagine what it would be like if everyone smiled and were in a good mood and took extra care to be kind to strangers and to always joke with everyone around them in Times Square for example. What would that be like?