In the small southern Virginia community where I lived for over seven years people are very friendly. As you walk or drive down the street, people wave as you pass by and you wave back. It really doesn't matter whether you know them, it's just the neighborly thing to do.
Folks stop on the sidewalk or in the store and chat a while with each other. When they ask how you're doing, they actually mean "How are you doing?". It's not just platitude uttered in passing. They actually want to know how you're doing. It's just the neighborly thing to do.
If they ask if you need anything they actually mean it. If you say "Yes, I've come to buy some sugar but realized I left my wallet at home." they lend you the money to pay for it. It's just the neighborly thing to do.
I have recently moved to Florida. The town here is more or less the same size. Hardly a large city or anything. I drive down the street and wave to someone on the street or in their yard as I pass. It's just the neighborly thing to do. But, instead of waving back, they simply stare.
No cheerful wave or smile. They just stare. I can imagine their thoughts. "Do I know that person?" "Why is he waving like that?" "Is there something wrong with that guy?"
I have stood in line at the local store waiting to pay for my purchase and tried to strike up a friendly conversation. The person will look at me suspiciously like they expect me to demand their wallet or something.
Seems like people here just don't trust each other. They seem to be afraid of anyone they don't know. How do they get to know each other if they're so afraid of a simple conversation or wave of the hand?
They stare, or they give a suspicious look, or they quickly look away and pretend they didn't see you. I guess here that's the neighborly thing to do.