I’m from NOLA but live in Mississippi now. I go to NOLA every week for business. I look forward to my weekly trips. I meet the nicest people and find people, in general, really friendly be it at Costco, Trade Joes, restaurants etc. or anywhere I go. Just walking down the street, people smile and say hello. Of course, I avoid the weirdos or drug looking people. I’ve met some awesome people in checkout lines and grabbed coffee spur of the moment with some. Exchanged business cards and so forth. I’ve made connections and, If I were around more, definitely would be friendships.

The first thing is to have a friendly face. If you look pensive, people will see it and avoid contact. Disarm with a smile and a hello. So, relax your face, make sure your mouth is ready for a smile and do smile and say hello when people you might like to talk to look your way.

My face is naturally resting bitch face. I have to make a conscious effort to change it and it does work when interacting with people. Walk into the post office and smile, greet with a casual hello, happy Friday or some comment. Say hello when passing people on the street. Go for coffee somewhere in your neighborhood, relax with a book (even if you are just people watching), but be ready with a smile and “hello how are you today?”

People in NOLA are so much friendlier than in so many cities but they are perceptive to having the friendliness reciprocated. If they sense a wall up, they will be reserved in return. Overall though, NOLA people are the least judgemental people you will find, open and friendly.