If you ask me what surprised me most about life in Raleigh, I would say it’s the friendliness of everyday interactions. Since arriving in the USA, I immediately noticed how friendly and open people are here and how much they love small talk. Back home in Austria, encounters with strangers are usually polite but reserved. You rarely have casual conversations with people you hardly know. In Raleigh, on the other hand, friendliness is everywhere, and small talk seems to be almost a social art form.

I noticed it right away in the little moments. Like when people get off the bus, almost everyone throws a “Thank you, have a good one!” to the driver. At the grocery store, the cashier will ask, “How’s your day going?” and they actually wait to hear your answer. It doesn’t feel like a robotic script, it feels like a genuine moment of connection. It is fascinating that Americans often reveal a lot about their private lives very quickly. Within ten minutes of conversation, someone might already be telling you about their weekend, their family, or their classes. In Austria, this would seem unusual. People tend to be reserved and hesitate to reveal personal details too early on.

Another thing I love is the culture of compliments.  In Austria, people may notice something and think a compliment but often keep it to themselves. Here, compliments seem sincere and immediately create a feeling of connection and warmth. I have to admit that it's nice. You feel welcome and appreciated, and even small gestures like “I like your shoes!” or “Your hair looks great today” can brighten your day in a way that I haven't experienced very often before.

I think one reason this culture of friendliness works so well is that Americans, especially students, seem to be constantly busy and engaged. On campus, this culture of openness is everywhere. Students are constantly busy, for example joining clubs, sports, volunteer work, or social events. There are a lot of opportunities to get involved, and that naturally leads to talking, meeting new people, and building connections. It feels like there’s always something happening, and everyone’s eager to welcome you in.

Reflecting on these observations led me to think about my own cultural background in Austria. I can see the contrast more clearly now.  We are polite, but much less emphasis is placed on casual friendliness or small talk. Strangers rarely engage in personal conversations, and we are generally more reserved. Sharing personal details too quickly can even be perceived as uncomfortable or inappropriate. Although I still value the privacy and reserve of my culture, I now see that the American approach has its advantages. You immediately feel more welcome and included, even when you’re new. But when it comes to forming a real friendship, it can be more difficult. At first, people seem so friendly, but often you don’t hear from them again unless you’re in the same club or do the same sport. Back in Austria, you usually know where you stand with people, which can feel more stable, even if it’s less openly warm.

Living in Raleigh has made me appreciate these little everyday gestures like quick conversations in passing or unexpected compliments. They might seem small, but together they shape the atmosphere of a place and make it feel warmer, more like home. I’ve realized that the Austrian way and the USA way are just different approaches to interacting with people. Neither is better or worse, but being here has taught me to notice the value of friendliness in daily life. I hope to keep a bit of that friendliness and openness with me in everything I do.