Vortex and I could totally go through an airport security line together.

It's a value judgment I'm uncomfortable with.

My experiences in the south is that people are a lot friendlier, likely to talk to you and not obviously in huge hurry. Hell, people in Portland are too. I don't think it's a negative thing. I don't even think it's a judgment. It's just a different environment. Works for some, doesn't work for others.

when a group takes the escalator and then stops at the top/bottom to count noses, check on where to go next, and blocks everyone else from getting off

That's just an ignorance of physics. The escalator is MOVING. I have to go SOMEWHERE. If you don't move your ass, I will run into you. I have no choice.

On occasion I'll wait longer rather than get in an express line with a full cart (unless, as often happens, it's the only line open). Mostly because I always seem to have someone behind me who points out that it's the express line and I have too much.

For some reason the people here are horrible about the stand right/walk left thing. Like, even if they see everyone in front of them standing to the right and people passing up the left side, they will still stand there with their briefcase taking up the right side and stand on the left.

This is how my usual shopping goes, 'cause I know you're dying to know.

I bring my own bags. I don't care how long a line is, because I am going to check Facebook or play Bejeweled while I am waiting, anyway. I put my groceries up on the conveyer belt and quickly put the marker up for the next person. I am not ever on or using the iPhone once it's my turn. I use my ATM card the minute the machine lets me, and I smile and say "hi" to the cashier. I usually bag my own stuff, using my own bags. I always say "have a nice day" and the cashier usually exclaims my awesomeness for helping them bag. And I say, "well, it makes everything go quicker, so everyone wins!"

The end.

I've never been in a stand right/walk left situation where people were doing it right.

People who think New Yorkers are bad need to go to Moscow. (I personally loved it there.)

That, and the annoying bit where we say unpleasant things out loud. I was quite the revelation in my British office. And I thought that I was being reserved ;) I will never forget the look on one of my colleague's faces when one of the guys requested something unreasonable and I said "well, he's just going to have to get over it, because we can't do it". She was flabbergasted at first, then delighted at the phrase "get over it"

This is funny, given the near constant stream of snippy nasty-grams we get from our counterparts in our London office.

For some reason the people here are horrible about the stand right/walk left thing. Like, even if they see everyone in front of them standing to the right and people passing up the left side, they will still stand there with their briefcase taking up the right side and stand on the left.

And when I encounter people standing on the left, I kick 'em in the ass and yell "GOTCHA, IDIOT!"

So, it kind of depends on where I am, how nice I'm gonna be!

For some reason the people here are horrible about the stand right/walk left thing.

Oh, that drives me insane. And I will say "stand right/walk left" not really even under my breath. I've also stopped hiding when I roll my eyes at totally unencumbered people taking the elevator one floor.

This is how my usual shopping goes, 'cause I know you're dying to know

crushing on Java bigtime.