I grew up on the west coast, but now I live in an area not far from Lyric and Elizabeth. When I first moved here, I was shocked when people would randomly start talking to me in grocery stores, banks, etc. It freaked me out at first (because you just didn't do this where I come from-it wasn't safe). It especially bothered me when I saw little kids riding around my neighborhood with seemingly little adult supervision. These kids do talk to anyone, and it still makes me nervous. My husband, who grew up in this area, thinks I'm paranoid, but the sad reality is that it's just not safe anymore for kids to be outside unsupervised and to teach kids that it's okay to just randomly talk to strangers. I've heard of too many cases like this that demonstrate that crime can and does happen anywhere.
It is definitely regional and cultural (as in, midwestern-ness as a culture), and I've still not been able to get used to it even though I've been here for many years. I've most likely come across as rude to many people, especially men, but it's just that I don't always think it's safe to just start chatting with strangers.
