In which city in the US are you most likely to get a rude reception from locals? Well, Travel + Leisure readers have crowned America’s capital of crabbiness, as Katrina Brown Hunt writes.
Which is worse when you’re traveling: the local driver who blithely cuts you off in traffic or the surly cabbie who gives you attitude right to your face?
Such skirmishes no doubt fueled this year’s ‘America’s Rudest Cities Contest’. Three-time-champion Los Angeles, home of road rage, went head-to-head with classically brusque East Coast cities such as Boston, New York, and Washington, DC – all of which landed in the top five.
New York ultimately claimed the title of No. 1 rudest city, a dubious award determined as part of the magazine’s ‘America’s Favorite Cities’ annual survey, in which readers rank 35 major cities in categories such as the best pizza, the most pedestrian-friendly streets, and even the most reliable wireless coverage.
A look at this year’s rudest top 20 reveals one overarching trend: the bigger the city, the bigger the attitude – or at least its perceived attitude. “People in big cities tend to be very direct,” says Diane Gottsman, a national etiquette expert and owner of Protocol Etiquette School of Texas. While that alone can be fine, she adds, “It’s no excuse for being rude.”
Smaller cities often have a slower pace, which may help explain why New Orleans, Savannah, and Charleston all ranked in the top five for friendliness. They are also literally warmer cities, which may further mellow the locals.
But don’t give too much credit to southern hospitality. Atlanta made it into the rudest top 10 – perhaps because it’s a sprawling metropolis, or because visitors expected more charm from the Georgian capital. Similarly, some visitors assume that they’ll get an all-smiles welcome in Orlando; any subsequent disappointment helped land the city at a grumpy No. 9.
Honestly, Londers make New Yorkers look like the nicest people you've ever met
New Yorkers, meanwhile, have long endured the notion that everyone expects them to be hostile. But are they just misunderstood?
“People in New York are constantly in a rush,” says Big Apple manners expert Thomas P. Farley, who writes the blog What Manners Most. “Certainly, they don’t linger on corners smiling, waving, and waiting to help people. But once you’ve stopped a New Yorker and asked them for directions, they’re usually more than helpful.”
And if someone gives you guff anyway? “Move on,” says Gottsman. “You can’t take it personally. If you do, then you start getting rude.”
If you want to see the results in full, click here.
No. 1 New York City
The Big Apple reclaims its heavyweight title in hostility, a dubious honor it last held in 2009 – and a reputation it has had for much longer (“You talkin’ to me?”). Besides its fast pace, New York City is also No. 1 for diversity. As a result, you might encounter unfamiliar mannerisms that aren’t meant to be mean but come across that way. Deep down, voters probably love New York for its flamboyant, bird-flipping spirit. After all, it’s also the No. 1 city for great theatre.
No. 2 Miami
They’re gorgeous, a little wild, and terrible drivers, according to voters. While bad weather may explain crabbiness in some cities, Miami can’t use that excuse. Voters are willing to shrug it off, though, as long as they are whooping it up in one of the city’s many loud settings, such as its bar scene or its raucous New Year’s Eve.
No. 3 Washington, DC
Politics is ugly, and perhaps getting uglier. Even though our nation’s capital still counts as a great family getaway, it got two spots ruder since last year. For less attitude, voters preferred to hang out with any locals cast in bronze or granite: the city ranked first and second for its museums and historical monuments.
No. 4 Los Angeles
The City of Angels is polishing its halo a bit this year, having moved from last year’s No. 1 position. While the locals still have some work to do on the charm front, voters gave them props for being attractive and stylish. If someone hurts your feelings here, try retail therapy: the city ranked third for both luxury and design stores.
No. 5 Boston
Are they just a bunch of smart mouths? Folks in Beantown ranked near the top for intelligence, but that didn’t endear them to visitors. Bostonians might also be guilty of gloating about their championship sports teams. But visitors still love the city as a cultural getaway, and ranked it highly for its festive 4th of July.
No. 6 Dallas/Fort Worth
No. 7 Atlanta
No. 8 Phoenix/Scottsdale
No. 9 Baltimore
No. 10 Orlando, FL
No. 11 Philadelphia
No. 12 Las Vegas
No. 13 Anchorage
No. 14 Chicago
No. 15 San Francisco
No. 16 Houston
No. 17 Seattle
No. 18 Providence, Rhode Island
No. 19 San Diego
No. 20 Salt Lake City
Katrina Brown Hunt
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