These Are THE RUDEST Cities In The Midwest: You Won’t Believe Who Made The List!
Find out which Midwest cities are breaking the politeness stereotype and which ones are living up to their reputation. 😲 #News #Midwest #CityRankings
Midwestern Manners: Which Cities Are the Rudest?
ST. PAIUL, MN – Midwesterners have a reputation for politeness, using the term “pop” for soda, and wearing shorts in chilly weather. But how accurate is this reputation? A new study explored which Midwest cities uphold the politeness stereotype and which do not. You may be shocked by how Minnesota ranks!
Evansville, Indiana: The Rudest City
Evansville, Indiana, scored 5.82 out of 10 on the rudeness scale, topping the list. Residents here rarely hold doors open for strangers, with only 30% doing so regularly. Furthermore, only 26% of locals bring food or drinks to social gatherings, the lowest in the region.
Fort Wayne, Indiana, is the second-rudest city with a score of 5.71. Other rude cities include Rockford, IL (5.7), Columbus, OH (5.64), Detroit, MI (5.59), Joliet, IL (5.55), and Kansas City, MO (5.15).
Minnesota: The Politeness Capital
Minnesota stands out for its politeness. St. Paul is the most courteous city, with 80% of residents often holding doors for others. Minneapolis also ranks high, with 63% of people likely to do the same and 83% bringing food or drinks to social events.
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St. Paul drivers are considerate, with 50% frequently yielding to others. In Minneapolis, 77% of residents smile or greet strangers, and 63% hold doors open.
The Roots of Midwestern Politeness
Midwestern politeness often involves small gestures. Friendly interactions with strangers, considerate driving, and thoughtful engagement with friends, family, and neighbors are common.
Friendly Strangers
Around 55% of Midwesterners regularly hold doors for strangers, with Des Moines, IA, leading at 90%. In Cleveland, OH, 96% of people smile or greet strangers, while in Rockford, IL, only 40% do so.
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When bumping into someone, cities like Aurora, Des Moines, Naperville, Omaha, Sioux Falls, and St. Paul are most likely to offer an apology. Conversely, about a third of Kansas City residents will just move on.
Toledo, OH, is the best place for getting directions, with 92% of people helping out, compared to St. Paul, MN, where only 61% will assist.
Courteous Driving
Driving manners matter too. Aurora, IL, drivers are the most courteous, with 80% yielding to others. In Columbus, OH, 82% don’t yield.
Aurora also leads in following traffic rules, with 80% compliance. Rockford, IL, drivers are the least compliant, with only 20% following the rules.
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Neighborly Acts
Helping neighbors is a key part of Midwestern politeness. In Omaha, NE, 80% of residents are willing to help with chores like shoveling snow, compared to just 10% in Fort Wayne, IN.
For social gatherings, 88% of Peoria, IL, residents bring something to share, while only 26% in Evansville, IN, do the same.
Midwestern Stereotypes: Reality Check
The stereotype of polite Midwesterners has some truth. The average politeness score for Midwestern states is 0.5 points below the national average, indicating that people in the region are generally more polite.
Tell us about your experiences with Midwest manners in the comments section below!
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Read the full study here.
