This really is an east coast / west coast thing though.
West coasters are more insular and stereotypically suburbanite.
Nice but not kind.
Not outwardly hostile but won’t break their own protected little bubble to help a stranger, usually.
East coast, we’ll tell you you’re an idiot for hitting that piece of slag in the road while helping you change a tire.
Kind, but not nice.
We go out of our way sometimes to help, but you’re gonna get an earful or no conversation at all (as in OP’s story).
This really is an east coast / west coast thing though.
West coasters are more insular and stereotypically suburbanite.
Nice but not kind.
Not outwardly hostile but won’t break their own protected little bubble to help a stranger, usually.
East coast, we’ll tell you you’re an idiot for hitting that piece of slag in the road while helping you change a tire.
Kind, but not nice.
We go out of our way sometimes to help, but you’re gonna get an earful or no conversation at all (as in OP’s story).