<p>1.) It’s not so much that Duke students are any nicer. Small wonder – most of us are from non-Southern states! It’s that the people around tend to be. Many Duke students end up living in a bubble, and that’s a shame, because the surrounding area’s really great. At least, I thought so. Just interacting with people – getting lunch off campus and talking to the people around the bar about football, or chatting up the waitress about where she grew up. Going to a church and meeting people.</p>
<p>2.) It’s true that people care more about your life, both the positive and negative aspects. And I think some people may have an adjustment period to this heightened interest, not least because the increased politeness comes with increased expectations for your own behavior as well. People who have more “set” ways of behaving will have higher expectations for you, too.</p>
<p>3.) I never fit in in my hometown, so that’s the angle I’m coming from. I grew up there for almost my entire life and left as soon as I could and don’t miss it in the slightest, although I do wish my parents would move somewhere else because I miss them. People like me feel very at home in Southern areas like the Triangle and in the Midwest. It’s nice to have people smile at you when you come into a restaurant, and if it means they expect you to smile back, tip well, dress nicely, and be social – well, that’s okay with me.</p>
<p>4.) I’m Chinese. (Preempt.)</p>