East Coast vs. West Coast, Beyond Tupac and Biggie

I've recently returned from a trip to visit my mother. As many of you know, she's in Oregon. Each time I visit Portland, I realize just how much of an East-coaster I am. I walk brusquely, on the RIGHT side of the sidewalk/hall/etc. I don't often make eye-contact with strangers. I will hold the door for you, but I greatly appreciate it when people hurry to get to the door so that I'm not standing there forever. I have places to be. Most importantly though, I do NOT talk with strangers on the bus/train.

I realize that this may seem incredibly rude, but let me explain. In Boston, there exists a healthy dose of skepticism when it comes to the motivation of others. Perhaps this derives from our age as a city, or the often brutal temperatures, or the fact that we were founded by Puritans who were pretty much skeptical bastards, but I'm just going to chalk it up to the fact that we're on the east coast. If someone were to sit down next to me and strike up a conversation, I would instantly think that they're trying to rob me. When I'm in Portland, without fail, someone will turn to me and start chatting. My initial reaction to this is a blank, awkward stare. Am I truly that much of a kurmudgeon? I don't think so. I know that with the right people, I can talk a blue streak, but when a perfect stranger decides to talk to me, I can barely remember my own name. Portlander's seem to do this with ease. Is it a nature or nurture situation? No idea.

I've kicked around the idea of moving west for while and wonder if I would fit in. Would I be too unfriendly? Would they consider me rude? Would I care? I'm pretty sure that I can fit in anywhere given time to adjust, but there's a part of me that enjoys the pluckiness of my current city. I like the hustle and bustle. I feel like a local. I think that's just it. When you truly feel at home, you love even the rough edges. I think that's what I love the most. For now, I am content to zone out with my headphones in watching the city roll by my window. Maybe one day I'll find that in a different city, who knows?