Look, Florida isn’t for everyone. The bugs are bad, the winters are mostly warm, and sometimes people are rude there too. But why? Why are Floridians so rude? Here is what I discovered!
Why Are Floridians So Rude?
1. Terrible Heat and Humidity
Let’s face it: no one likes heat that much. It makes most of us cranky and irritable. So, what if your mood swings are actually caused by the heat?
Studies have shown that exposure to high temperatures can make us more aggressive and less pleasant to be around.
Unfortunately for the people of Florida, they live in the warmest states in the USA! If you’re feeling irritable or if people seem rude, it might be the weather.
2. Bad Traffic
Traffic is usually a hot topic in the news, and for good reason. It’s a drag on our economy and our personal lives, and it can even make us rude.
Do you know how bad the traffic is in most of Florida’s cities? In simple words, it’s bad!
When it comes to long trips and queuing, Miami takes the spot with a 27% of traffic congestion level.
Orlando, another city in Florida, follows close with a 23% congestion level. Who among us wouldn’t be a little cranky if we spent all day sitting in traffic?
3. Too Many People Everywhere
With crowds and large populations, it can be hard to see other people as individuals. They become just another face in the crowd, and we’re more likely to treat them that way.
This is because, in a way, we lose our sense of individuality when we’re surrounded by so many people. We don’t feel like there’s any individual responsibility for our actions anymore.
If you live in a big city like Florida, you might feel anonymous. This can make it easier for people who live there to be inconsiderate of others’ feelings or needs.
4. Most People There Are Old
Have you ever noticed that living in a place with old people can make you rude? Think about it. Dealing with the elderly can be hard.
Some may be perceived as rude. It’s not that they’re rude themselves; it’s just that they’re different. Their brains are wired differently, and their bodies work differently too.
That’s probably what you’ve been dealing with in Florida. That’s because it has the second-highest percentage of elderly residents in the country.
So, you have to approach them differently if you want to be effective in your interactions with them.
5. They Deal With Many Tourists
When tourists flock to a city, the constant presence of outsiders can make the locals less friendly.
There are two ways this happens: the first is that you, as a person who lives in a tourist-heavy city, begin to resent the tourists for taking up so much space and time.
The second way is that tourists can sometimes become less considerate of their surroundings. They don’t have to be polite because they know nobody they know will see them.
Unfortunately for the Sunshine State, they get millions upon millions of visitors on yearly bases!
6. Sinkholes Are Swallowing Everything
It’s hard to stay nice and calm when you’re constantly on the edge of your seat. How so?
Well, Florida’s ground is made up of limestone and other kinds of sedimentary rock that have been there for many years.
The water that seeps into these rocks dissolves them slowly over time, creating caves. When the earth above these caves collapses, it leaves a gaping hole in the ground—a sinkhole.
These holes are dangerous because they can appear without warning and swallow up anything!
With sinkholes being a common occurrence in Florida, the fear of the ground gobbling people up is understandable. Anxiety and fear can make you behave in ways that seem rude to others.
7. They Have to Endure Hurricanes
Although sinkholes are dangerous, Floridians have to deal with other dangers as well. For example, hurricanes!
When you’re waiting for a hurricane or a storm, you don’t know what’s going to happen. You’re stuck in your house, staring at the same four walls, and it can make anyone a little crazy.
Even if you’ve prepared for the worst, there’s still an element of uncertainty that can put anyone on the edge.
Florida’s weather is a mixed bag. While it’s a great place to live, the state is often plagued by hurricanes that can ravage its cities.
8. Dangerous Animals in Every Corner
It’s scary to see an alligator in your pool or a bear while you’re out for a walk. These animals can hurt us, and we often hear about them attacking people.
But what if there were too many of them in your city? What if they were everywhere?
Florida has around 1.3 million alligators roaming around! While the bears’ population is far less than the alligators’, there are still some attacks as well.
The list of things you have to worry about in Florida just keeps piling up! It slightly makes sense why they have that rough exterior.
9. No Snowy Christmases
We all know that Christmas is the best time of year. It’s a magical time when families come together, children believe in Santa Claus, and the spirit of giving is alive and well.
In addition, we get a magical snowy cloak covering everything during those cold days. Sadly, all Floridians know that they rarely get snowy Christmases.
As a matter of fact, the seasons don’t change much in Florida. The temperature is usually high all year and the climate doesn’t significantly change.
We’re not saying that if you don’t have snowy Christmases you’ll be unhappy and rude, but we’re also not not saying that!
10. Everything is Expensive
Expenses can change your mood and make you rough around the edges!
Think about it: when you’re suddenly faced with a large bill, do you feel like taking the time to say hello to your neighbor? Or do you want to get inside, close the door, and then collapse on the couch?
Generally, most of us don’t have time for niceties in those moments. We’re too busy worrying about how much money we spent and what we’ll have to cut back on.
As the gas, food, and housing prices all soar, living in Florida is becoming more and more expensive.
11. The State Isn’t Pedestrian-Friendly
One of the most irritating things about Florida is the lack of pedestrian-friendly infrastructure. We’re not saying that Florida isn’t a great place to live—it’s just that it’s hard to walk around and feel safe.
When traffic lights don’t work, or crosswalks are in disrepair, pedestrians feel like they’re being asked to navigate an obstacle course.
They’re trying so hard to be polite, but instead of making their lives easier or safer, the system seems to be working against them.
Final Words
So, why are Floridians so rude? For many reasons! They’re constantly staring danger in the face, which can cause a lot of tension!
The streets aren’t the friendliest whether it’s for pedestrians or vehicles. Plus, the heat is an added bonus on top of all that.
Now that you’re here, do you think their rudeness is justifiable?