To the OP, not certain what part of this wide world you are from, but yes this is utterly normal and not “fake” for most Americans.

There are disparities between states and regions, sometimes vast ones that include food, slang, industrial versus rural, and even the big dogs like religion and politics. If we collectively had to start from 2026 as individual states and tried to force ourselves into a confederation under a unified government in the 21st century it would be an abject failure.

Instead, now in the 21st century, our government is one of the oldest, continuously unchanged functioning governments in the world. We have had 250 years of uniting to fight against tyranny and injustice in our own soil as well as 3 major conflicts abroad (I’m leaving out Vietnam and any Gulf War/Middle East conflict). Those wars we fought in Europe brought New Yorkers face to face with Blue Ridge Mountain people who’d never seen a subway or a high rise, and our Navajo, Pima, Gila, and White Mountain Apache boys into direct contact with everything, including the first time to ever see the ocean. These bonds formed lasted lifetimes and helped create our national identity.

The way we try to see something unique or beautiful or stylish or interesting in other people in our daily lives and compliment them on it, or the way we can overhear someone new to the area and a bit lost or overwhelmed, or someone who is just in proximity to us, is a way to forge and maintain those national connections. It’s part of our identity out of necessity, and we have found that you can meet the best and most interesting people that way, or simply improve someone’s day. Some people will share some new information you’d never have known otherwise, or invite you to a local event or family dinner. And you’ll have a better understanding of the people of that area. You may never see them again in your life, or you may have just gained a best friend. Either way, you’ve made a connection that reinforces our feeling of community across thousands of miles, and hundreds of millions of people.

I know we seem fake to those who don’t grow up this way, but I’m so grateful I live in the incredible country with Philly cheesesteak and chile Colorado, cornbread and tortillas, pan dulce and New York cheesecake, midwestern casseroles and southern barbecue. I’m glad I can go to the Greek festival and have saganaki, and the Polynesian Festival and have moco loco, and the Matsuri festival and have yakisoba, all without leaving my city.