“I’ve never met anyone nice from New Jersey.”

Introduction to Friendliness Rankings

A recent study has revealed the friendliest states in America, with Hawaii taking the top spot as the friendliest state. However, what comes as a surprise to many is that New York was ranked the third-friendliest state, behind New Jersey in second place.

Reactions to the Rankings

Many people are skeptical about New York being ranked behind New Jersey in terms of friendliness. Keith Toliver, a 74-year-old New York native, expressed his doubts, stating that he has never met anyone nice from New Jersey. On the other hand, Michael Claps, a 63-year-old New Jersey commuter who previously lived in New York, defended his former state of residence, saying that New Yorkers are super friendly.

Defending New York’s Reputation

Devika Kumar, a 27-year-old who grew up in New Jersey but now lives in NYC, believes that New York is just as beautiful as her home state and that the people are really nice. She explained that while New Yorkers may come across as aggressive and hard to approach, they are actually nice people. Dylan Layman, a 31-year-old former New Yorker visiting from Montana, agreed, stating that the Big Apple’s hustle and bustle is key to its friendliness.

Comparing New York and New Jersey

Laura, a 60-year-old New Jersey native, noted that while New York is not that distant, it is probably friendlier than its neighboring state. She explained that if you put a smile on your face and say hello, New Yorkers will talk or smile back. Shafeeq Ibraheem, a 29-year-old San Francisco resident, was pleasantly surprised by the friendliness and helpfulness of New Yorkers during his trip to the city.

A Balanced Perspective

Andrew Fernandez, a Jersey guy, offered a diplomatic perspective, stating that everywhere you go, there are friendly and unfriendly people. He explained that while some areas in Jersey may be friendlier than others, the same can be said for New York.

The Top 10 Friendliest States

According to the study, the top 10 friendliest states to visit are:

1. Hawaii
2. New Jersey
3. New York
4. California
5. Nevada
6. Massachusetts
7. Arizona
8. Illinois
9. Utah
10. Virginia