That's Right Neighborly

CNN has this article about the Nation's Friendliest Cities. According to some bullshit survey conducted by etiquette expert Marjabelle Young Stewart, Charleston, South Carolina is America's Friendliest City.

Okay, fair enough. I've never been to Charleston, but they say that Southern Hospitality is really nice. Unless you're a black person, a Jew, an atheist, a homosexual or a Muslim, in which case, Charleston's probably not the friendliest place in the country. Better not head South of the Mason-Dixon line if you know what's good for you. Gee, I wonder if Marjabelle Young Stewart is any of those things...hmmmm......

I liked this quote as well:

"When you pass people on the street, they will nod at you," said Nicholas Fuqua of Tour Charleston, which conducts city walks.

"People who live here are, for whatever reason, polite. Whether it's breeding or in the water, it's hard to say," he said.

Nodding at passers-by? Forget everything I said! Charleston sounds absolutely delightful.

And what's with the comment about water? Something in the water making people act extra-friendly? Does Batman know about this?

San Diego came in second, followed by Peoria, Illinois. Peoria, notably, is shorthand in Hollywood for "place full of dumb Midwestern yokels." (As in, "Will it play in Peoria?"). Also strange, Philadelphia comes in eighth. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Home of atty-tood. They'll yell at you in Philadelphia for ordering your soft pretzel incorrectly. I recall going to a Phillies game with my father, and hearing the man behind us loudly mock player John Kruk about his weight for 4 solid hours. Philly is famous for friendliness like Las Vegas is famous for its gothic cathedrals. Not very.