America’s Most Courteous States

The way we interact with each other leaves lasting impressions, whether in our hometown or while traveling. Small gestures—holding a door open, saying "please" and "thank you," or giving up a seat on public transportation—speak volumes about personal character and community values.

These courteous actions, though sometimes overlooked in our fast-paced society, remain fundamental indicators of how we value respect for others. Even more telling, the collective behavior of a community can significantly shape visitors' perceptions of an entire region.

Our comprehensive nationwide survey reveals which states are home to America's most courteous citizens. By examining various aspects of politeness—from verbal communication to everyday actions—we've uncovered fascinating patterns in civility across the country.

Key Findings

Southern hospitality is real: Arkansas, Georgia, and Alabama lead the nation in politeness

Regional contrasts emerge: Nevada, New Jersey, and New York ranked as least polite states

Self-perception varies: Minnesota, Arkansas, and Nebraska residents believe they're the most polite

Cultural influence matters: 62% of Americans feel their cultural background affects their politeness

Daily kindness is common: 34% of Americans compliment others at least once daily

Generational differences exist: Millennials and Gen Z value different courtesy norms than older generations

Where Americans Display the Most and Least Politeness

Politeness encompasses both behavior and speech—showing consideration toward others through actions and words. While being courteous to friends and family might come naturally, true politeness extends these same courtesies to strangers.

Our nationwide survey awarded points based on responses reflecting polite behavior, creating a comprehensive score for each state. The results paint a clear picture of America's politeness landscape.

The Most Polite States

1. Arkansas (99.3/100) Arkansas claims the top spot with a near-perfect score. Approximately 75% of Arkansas residents consider holding doors for others "very important"—a simple gesture that reflects deeper cultural values of consideration and respect.

2. Georgia (98.9/100) Georgia residents demonstrate their courtesy through respectful communication. About 62% of Georgians find it "very important" to use people's preferred titles or pronouns—reflecting a culture where personal dignity and respect are paramount.

3. Alabama (98.6/100) Alabamians show remarkable consistency in their politeness. Nearly 90% value giving up seats on public transportation to those in need. Even more impressive, 56% of residents maintain their polite demeanor even when others behave rudely—a true test of ingrained courtesy.

4. South Carolina (98.5/100) South Carolina's high ranking reflects the state's commitment to traditional Southern manners. Residents consistently demonstrate courtesy in everyday interactions, from proper greetings to thoughtful gestures.

5. Tennessee (98.0/100) Completing the top five, Tennessee's culture of hospitality extends beyond tourist areas into everyday life. Residents place significant emphasis on verbal courtesy, with consistently high rates of using "please" and "thank you."

The Least Polite States

40. Nevada (90.7/100) Nevada ranks as America's least polite state, though its score still reflects generally positive behavior. Around 33% of Nevada residents admit to showing impatience while waiting in line through behaviors like foot-tapping, sighing, or verbal complaints.

39. New Jersey (90.8/100) New Jersey's reputation for directness might contribute to its lower politeness ranking. Residents prioritize efficiency over verbal niceties, though this shouldn't be confused with intentional rudeness.

38. New York (91.0/100) Similar to New Jersey, New York's fast-paced environment may contribute to its lower courtesy score. Time pressures in urban environments often result in more abbreviated social interactions.

37. Florida (91.6/100) Florida's diverse population may lead to varying expectations of politeness, with regional and cultural differences affecting overall perceptions.

36. Arizona (92.3/100) Arizona rounds out the bottom five, with residents showing slightly lower prioritization of traditional courtesy gestures compared to national averages.

Self-Perception vs. Reality: How Residents View Their State's Politeness

People's perceptions of their community's politeness don't always align with measured behavior. We asked respondents to rate their state's overall politeness, revealing interesting discrepancies between perception and reality.

States with Highest Perceived Politeness

1. Minnesota (94.7/100) While Minnesota didn't make the top 10 for measured politeness (ranking 11th), residents believe they live among exceptionally courteous neighbors. Approximately 42% of Minnesotans report complimenting others at least weekly, reflecting the state's culture of positive verbal reinforcement.

2. Arkansas (90.8/100) Arkansas residents accurately perceive their state's high politeness, with self-perception closely matching measured behavior. This alignment suggests a self-aware culture where courtesy is both practiced and recognized.

3. Nebraska (89.5/100) Despite ranking 18th in measured politeness, Nebraskans have a notably positive view of their community's courtesy. This perception gap suggests strong local pride and community cohesion.

4. South Carolina (88.9/100) South Carolina's high ranking in both measured and perceived politeness demonstrates consistency between behavior and self-awareness.

5. Mississippi (88.8/100) Mississippi residents perceive their state as significantly more polite than its measured rank (13th), reflecting strong community values around courtesy.

States with Lowest Perceived Politeness

40. Massachusetts (63.2/100) Massachusetts residents are their own harshest critics, rating their state's politeness considerably lower than objective measurements would suggest. This could reflect high internal standards for social behavior.

39. New Jersey (66.1/100) New Jersey's low perceived politeness aligns with its measured ranking, showing resident awareness of the state's direct communication style.

38. Nevada (67.6/100) Nevada residents recognize their state's lower politeness ranking, suggesting awareness of areas where courtesy could improve.

37. Florida (68.1/100) Floridians perceive their state as less polite than it measures, possibly due to the contrast between different regional cultures within the state.

36. New York (68.3/100) New York's perception matches its measured ranking, with residents acknowledging the impact of urban pace on everyday courtesy.

Defining Politeness Across America

Our survey revealed several key dimensions of politeness that Americans consider important:

Public Spaces and Consideration

72% of Americans consider it "extremely important" to clean up after themselves in public spaces

64% find it "very important" to hold doors open for others

53% believe keeping voices at appropriate volumes in public is essential

Verbal Courtesy

50% always say "please" and "thank you" during interactions

46% make conscious efforts to use respectful language even in disagreements

34% compliment others at least once daily

Respect for Differences

62% believe cultural background influences politeness standards

57% find it important to use people's preferred titles or pronouns

48% make efforts to learn appropriate greetings when visiting new places

The Impact of Age and Generation on Politeness

Our research uncovered meaningful differences in how generations perceive and practice politeness:

Traditional Courtesy vs. Modern Respect

Baby Boomers and Gen X place higher importance on traditional courtesy gestures:

Holding doors (78% very important)

Saying please/thank you (83% very important)

Formal greetings (67% very important)

Millennials and Gen Z prioritize different aspects of politeness:

Using preferred pronouns (72% very important)

Avoiding offensive language (81% very important)

Digital courtesy such as responding to messages (64% very important)

These differences reflect evolving social norms around respect and consideration rather than a decline in politeness. Each generation adapts courtesy to their social context while maintaining the core value of respecting others.

How Digital Communication Affects Politeness

As communication increasingly moves online, politeness standards are evolving. Our additional research revealed:

Digital Courtesy Norms

68% of Americans believe responding to messages within 24 hours is polite

59% find "ghosting" (disappearing from conversations) impolite in personal contexts

73% consider tone and language more important than response time

Regional Variations in Digital Politeness

Southern states show higher expectations for prompt responses (76% expect replies within 12 hours)

Northeastern states demonstrate more tolerance for delayed responses (49% consider 48+ hours acceptable)

Western states place higher emphasis on quality over speed of response (68%)

This digital dimension adds nuance to our understanding of regional politeness, with traditional "polite" states often extending their courtesy expectations to online interactions.

The Role of Education in Fostering Politeness

Analysis of our survey data revealed correlations between educational approaches and regional politeness rankings:

Educational Emphasis on Courtesy

States in the top 10 for politeness report 38% higher rates of teaching courtesy in schools

82% of parents in highly-ranked polite states actively teach manners at home

Community programs promoting civility exist in 65% of the most polite states

These findings suggest that politeness is both culturally transmitted and formally taught, with educational systems playing a significant role in maintaining regional courtesy standards.

The Economic Benefits of Politeness

Research shows that politeness can translate to measurable economic advantages:

Tourism and Hospitality

The top 5 most polite states report 23% higher tourism satisfaction ratings

Customer service ratings average 18% higher in the most polite states

Repeat visitors are 27% more common in states with high politeness scores

Business and Workplace Benefits

Companies in polite states report 14% higher employee retention

Customer loyalty metrics average 16% higher in the most polite regions

Workplace conflict rates are 22% lower in highly polite states

These correlations suggest that collective politeness creates economic value through improved social transactions and business relationships.

Cultivating Courtesy Across Cultural Boundaries

Understanding politeness variations across America helps navigate regional differences respectfully. When traveling or relocating:

Adapting to Regional Courtesy Norms

In Southern states, expect more verbal acknowledgments and conversational courtesy

In Northeastern regions, directness may be valued over conversational niceties

Western states often blend casual friendliness with respect for personal space

Midwestern courtesy typically emphasizes helpfulness and community consideration

Universal Courtesy Principles

Regardless of region, certain courtesies remain universally appreciated:

Acknowledging others' presence

Expressing gratitude for assistance

Respecting personal space

Cleaning up after yourself in shared spaces

Listening attentively during conversations

Methodology

To determine America's politeness landscape, we surveyed residents across all 50 states, asking questions about:

The importance placed on various courteous actions (holding doors, giving up seats, etc.)

The frequency of polite behaviors (saying please/thank you, complimenting others, etc.)

Reactions to impolite behavior from others

Self-perception of individual and state-level politeness

Points were assigned to responses demonstrating polite behavior, with state averages calculated and adjusted to a 100-point scale. Higher scores reflect greater politeness as measured by both attitudes and reported behaviors.

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