My initial reaction to the grandparent post was offense, but then I thought about it.

I live in Boston, and I have to say it is much unfriendlier than new york, where I grew up. I am sad for california if what you say is true (although that was not my experience at all when I spent time there).

Even when I visit NYC I don't feel that people are so hurried, pushy, and selfish as boston. When you penetrate the shell, and aren't in traffic, a line, or on the T, Boston folks can be friendly. Sadly, my very pregnant wife frequently is left standing on the T in boston--often no one offers her, or the 80 year old who happens to be on board, a seat.

Really? I've grown up in NYC as well, and I've found thats its much easier to be friendly in Boston than in NYC, but that might just be a consequence of the fact that when I'm hanging out in boston, its generally over in the MIT area, which is certainly a very unique culture, combined with that fact that being in one's 20s in boston certainly very different from being in Boston and not being in one's 20s.

To clarify--I grew up in central new york and was a vistor to NYC, so you are more qualified to comment re:NYC. I just meant that NYC had had a reputation in that regard, and my personal experience in Boston was worse comparatively.