@optimist,
Right you are!
I find it amazing the difference in differing locations I have lived in,
-Apartment dwelling outside of major metro area: helped a young woman dig her car out after a freak snow storm. The best she could muster was, “Oh . . . thanks.” Back into her apartment she went.
-Townhouse community: knew 3 of my neighbors by name. Never really talked to any of them.
-House in suburbia: Didnt know anyone around me. Walking the dog, get questionable looks. My dog peed on a woman’shrub, and she accused my dog’s pee was going to kill said shrub.
-Rural area, out in the sticks: One winter, my wife’s car was stuck (front wheel drive). Some guy we never met, driving by, stopped, turned around, came back and helped me push her out. I thanked him profusely and shook his hand.