Can We Guess Where You Grew Up Based on Your Manners?

By: Dustyn Deerman

6 Min Quiz

Image: sturti/E+/Getty Images

About This Quiz

Meeting someone for the first time, you can sometimes place exactly where they're from based on their accent, how they're dressed or some of the key descriptions they use when they talk about their hometown. Something else that can be a dead giveaway-- their manners! We're all familiar with terms like "Southern hospitality" or know right away when we're talking to someone from New England just based on how they're carrying themselves and approaching others, but what about diving a little bit deeper?

Consider people who always hold the door open for others, or drivers who refuse to let others into traffic when they know they've been waiting their turn. These types of traits are learned, not just something you start doing on your own. Sure, Americans definitely agree on a number of ideas about politeness and etiquette, however, manners are highly subjective and certainly context dependent. Everyone has their own set of manners that they believe is appropriate--a lot of that being based on where they come from.

So, can we guess where you're from based on what you value and what you consider are good manners? Regardless of your track record with politeness and etiquette, do you think we can pinpoint where you grew up based on your answers to this quiz? Let's find out!

You're stuck at a red light and it finally turns green. But of course, the driver in front just won't move! How many times do you honk at them?

I would give them just one, quick little honk.

A couple or few at most
Well it depends, how long have we been sitting at the light?

I wouldn't be able to count how many honks, necessarily,

You've just finished an interview for your dream job. How long do you wait before sending out thank you notes?

I already have them written, with exception of a few details I can add from the interview.

I'll send them the next day.
I probably won't send a thank you note in the mail, but I'll at least send them a nice email.

I never send thank you notes, email or handwritten.

While at a restaurant you notice that another guests' sweater has slid off their chair. Do you go pick it up for them?

Definitely, it's no problem and is just a nice thing to do.

I only pick it up if I'm already walking by their table.
I don't get up but try to get their attention to tell them it fell.

Nope. I'm sure the server will see it and pick it up.

Earlier this week you made plans to go out with your friends, and now you just aren't feeling it. How do you tell them you aren't going to make it?

I give all of them a real quick call.

I send out a group text to everyone.
I text only one or two of them.

I only tell them when one of them calls or texts me when I don't show up.

You're writing an email to a new boss. How do you address them?

By Miss, Ms., or Mr. followed by their last name.

I don't use a name at all, I just greet them with a "Hello".
By their first name, we're co-workers now!

By a nickname I just came up with on the spot

You've been invited to a wedding with a business casual dress code. What do you wear?

Something that's classy but is still fun

I'm sure I have a nice enough cocktail dress in my closet.
Something comfortable but nice enough

What does it matter what I wear?

When is it appropriate to have your phone out at the table during a meal?

Never!

It's OK to have it on the table, but don't be on it.
You should have it out, just in case.

Oh, I have my phone out and am on it at every meal.

Sitting down at dinner with you SO's family for the first time, where do you place your elbows?

I know where they are NOT placed, and that is on the table.

I am pretty good about keeping them off the table.
I don't think elbow placement is THAT huge of a deal.

Who cares? I'll put my elbows wherever I want.

At the office, a co-worker comes up and starts spilling a juicy story about another colleague. How do you respond?

I tell them they need to cut it out.

I listen, but don't necessarily partake in the gossiping itself.
I join in, at least a little bit.

TELL ME EVERYTHING! I love gossip.

A friend walks up to you and they have a little bit of food stuck in their teeth. How long does it take you to tell them?

I tell them right away!

Just a moment or two
A little while

I don't ... maybe it'll take care of itself.

As you're paying your check for dinner, how much do you tip your server?

25%, probably more

I always do 20%.
I guess it depends on how good their service was.

A few bucks, probably

Walking down the sidewalk in a larger group, you notice a single person coming up from behind quickly. What do you do?

I tell all my friends to move so they can pass easily pass.

I manage to get at least a few people off to the side.
I apologize as they try to pass all of us.

I just keep walking.

Do you hold the door for others?

Every time

If they're close behind, I'll hold it.
I'll make sure the door is at least still open as I let go of it.

Nah, they have hands, they can do it themselves.

A stranger has stopped you on the street and asked for directions. Do you help them?

Absolutely! Every time.

Oh sure I'll help, but won't go much past at least pointing them in the right direction.
If I don't know where they're trying to get to I kindly tell them I can't help them.

No, I just keep walking.

You just missed a phone call from your mom. How long before you call her back?

Immediately!

I'll call her the minute I am free.
Eh, I'm sure it can wait til the weekend.

She called? I'll get back to her at some point I'm sure.

You're sitting at the table with friends and you've just finished a huge, delicious meal. You're now feeling the urge to belch. Do you let it rip?

Oh no, definitely not

I excuse myself and step outside to let it out.
I do my best to stifle it as I let it go.

Oh yeah, that's the best kind of compliment to the chef!

You're sitting in a theater taking in the latest blockbuster when your phone begins to ring. Do you answer?

I don't realize my phone is ringing because it is on silent.

I check to see who is calling, then send it to voicemail.
I answer the call as I get up from my seat and walk outside.

I answer the call and remain seated, trying to whisper.

When driving, do you ever let people into traffic in front of you?

Oh yeah, always.

I usually do, most times.
Only if I am not in a hurry

No, I'm sure the person behind me will let them in.

You've just entered a home whose owners have a "no shoes" rule. Do you take your shoes off?

I take my shoes off, of course.

I give them a confused look, then slowly remove them.
I make a comment about it but eventually take them off.

I don't. I never take my shoes off in other people's homes.

When greeting an acquaintance or someone you know professionally, what do you do?

I hold my right hand out and give them a hearty shake.

I give them a light hug.
I give them a friendly head nod and ask how they're doing.

I make no physical gesture and just say hello to them.

Your next-door neighbor's dog has been barking incessantly for days. How do you respond to the noise?

I go over to their house and ASK if they can do something about the barking.

I call the neighbor and TELL them they need to do something.
I stand in my front lawn and yell across the yard at them and the dog.

This has been going on long enough. Call the cops.

You're at a friend's house and you notice some opened mail sitting on the counter. Do you read it?

Absolutely not!

I consider it but ultimately leave it alone.
I peep over to at least see who it's from and what the first couple sentences say.

Oh yeah, I read all of it.

You and a big group of friends are watching the Super Bowl at your place when one of them steps right in front of the TV. How do you ask them to move?

Hey, we can't all see, do you mind moving over a bit?

Bud, you're in the way now, mind moving?
We can't see!

YO, YOU'RE IN THE WAY. MOOOOVVVEEEEE!

When addressing a woman, say in a store, how do you refer to her?

Hello, miss.

Howdy, ma'am.
Hey, you!

Hey, how are ya?

A person who speaks another language has approached you, how do you respond?

I do my best to communicate with them.

I try at least for a moment to get an idea of what they're saying.
I walk by them and nicely gesture that I don't speak their language.

Nope! They don't speak my language, I'm not even trying.

How important to you is it to say "please" and "thank you"?

ALWAYS. I always say it.

It's pretty important.
I only say it when someone has done something nice for me.

Eh, it's honestly not that important.

What do you bring with you when you are invited to a get together?

Nothing, bringing myself is good enough.

A bottle of wine
I ask the host ahead of time and bring whatever else is needed.

A side, maybe something like potato salad

During a soccer match you're playing in, your team loses. Do you shake hands or high five the other team at the very end?

Absolutely! Just like we did when we were kids

Well, I'll high-five everyone except for the guy who tried tripping me.
Definitely not, I don't owe them anything.

What are you talking about?

How good are you about covering your mouth when you sneeze or cough?

Always!

Probably 70/30
Only when other people are around

Honestly, I'm pretty bad about it.

Be honest, how flaky are you, really?

Never, I always follow through on my plans, no matter what.

I stick to a majority of my plans, I only cancel if there is a REAL emergency.
Eh, I do OK. I wouldn't go as far as saying I'm totally flaky.

I seriously bail on everything!

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