Have you ever encountered a rude driver, received subpar service, or felt generally unwelcome in a particular state?
It’s a common sentiment that rudeness varies across America, and some places seem less hospitable than others.
Stephanie Tanner’s iconic “How rude!” line from the 1987 sitcom Full House is a phrase that some Americans use more than they’d like to.
While certain states pride themselves on kindness, others may need a refresher on basic etiquette.
This guide aims to prepare you for what to expect during your travels and perhaps shed light on why certain areas have a reputation for being less friendly.
Methodology: How the States Were Ranked
Zippia conducted an analysis based on four primary categories to determine the most bad-mannered states in America:
- Rude Drivers: This metric considers the percentage of drivers who exhibit aggressive behaviors such as illegal passing and tailgating.
- Average Tipping Amount: The average tip percentage left at restaurants and other service establishments is an indicator of how residents value and appreciate service.
- Perception of Rudeness: This reflects how residents from other states perceive the rudeness of a state’s inhabitants, capturing overall impressions and stereotypes.
- Customer Service Interactions: The frequency of cursing and other rude language used when speaking with customer service agents provides insights into the general temperament of the population when facing conflict or inconvenience.
The Definitive Ranking: America’s Rudest States
Here’s an in-depth look at the rankings, starting with the rudest and moving towards the most polite:
1. Rhode Island
Rhode Island tops the list as the rudest state in the U.S. Despite its charming seaside towns, a significant 42% of people perceive Rhode Islanders as ruder than other Americans.
This high perception of rudeness overshadows any redeeming qualities, making it a state where visitors might want to brace themselves for unpleasant interactions.
2. Massachusetts
Massachusetts shares a concerning statistic with Rhode Island: 3.1% of its population consists of rude drivers.
Additionally, the state’s average tipping rate of 15% is considered mediocre, making it less than ideal for service workers. The combination of aggressive driving and lackluster tipping contributes to its high ranking.
3. Virginia
Virginia stands out for its exceptionally rude driving behaviors. A staggering 5% of drivers exhibit rude behaviors, including illegal passing and tailgating, which is the worst driving statistic among all 50 states.
This hostile driving environment significantly impacts the state’s overall rudeness ranking.
4. New York
New York often comes to mind when thinking about rude states, and it lands at number four. A substantial 30% of Americans perceive New Yorkers as ruder than those in other states.
However, the state’s 15.6% average tipping rate helps to mitigate some of the negative perceptions. The fast-paced, assertive culture of New York likely contributes to this perception.
5. California
California is the first state outside the Northeast to appear on the list. The Golden State ranks moderately to poorly in rudeness perception, average tipping, and the percentage of rude drivers.
Despite its reputation for sunshine and laid-back attitudes, California’s mixed performance across all metrics places it firmly in the top five.
6. Washington
Washington earns its spot due to a high percentage (3.1%) of rude drivers. On the positive side, residents tip relatively generously, averaging around 16.3%.
However, the aggressive driving behaviors detract from the state’s overall politeness.
7. New Jersey
Thirty-four percent of Americans consider New Jerseyans to be rude. This perception is exacerbated by the fact that 3.6% of the state’s residents engage in rude driving behaviors.
The combination of negative perceptions and poor driving etiquette results in a high rudeness ranking.
8. Utah
Utah presents a unique case. While Utahns may appear pleasant, customer service employees report a different experience.
The state ranks as the fifth-worst for instances of swearing at customer service representatives, indicating a disconnect between public perception and actual behavior when under stress.
9. Illinois
Illinois mirrors many of the characteristics of the top ten rudest states. It has a higher-than-average rate of people perceiving its residents as rude and a rude driver rate of 3.1%.
These factors combine to place Illinois among the least polite states in the country.
10. Ohio
Ohio is particularly unpleasant for drivers, with 4.3% of residents exhibiting rude driving behaviors.
Even with a relatively high tip rate of 16.7%, the state’s poor driving etiquette keeps it firmly within the top ten rudest states.
11. Connecticut
Connecticut boasts a low percentage of rude drivers, with only about 2% exhibiting aggressive behaviors.
However, it falls below the national average in other rudeness factors, preventing it from ranking lower.
12. Maryland
Maryland ties with Connecticut in having only about 2% of rude drivers and an average tipping rate of 15.9%.
Despite these figures, it still ranks relatively high, suggesting that other factors contribute to its perceived rudeness.
13. Wyoming
Wyoming presents a mixed profile. The state has one of the highest tipping averages in the U.S., at 16.8%.
However, rude driving behaviors are common, with 4% of residents engaging in actions like excessive horn honking.
14. Oregon
Oregon manages to stay relatively low in the rankings due to a lower percentage of rude drivers. However, Oregonians tip less generously than Wyomingites, by about 0.4%.
15. South Dakota
Approximately 3% of South Dakotans exhibit rude driving habits. The state benefits from not being widely perceived as rude by the rest of the U.S..
16. Wisconsin
Wisconsin ties with South Dakota in its rudeness ranking, sharing the same percentage of rude drivers (3%).
However, Wisconsin is slightly better at tipping. Despite this, many Americans still view Wisconsinites as rude.
17. Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania residents tip a respectable 16.7%. The state also has fewer rude drivers, with only about 2% of the population exhibiting aggressive behaviors.
However, Pennsylvanians tend to swear at customer service representatives and need to improve their overall rudeness perception.
18. Florida
Florida is the first of three states tied for 18th place. It has the lowest percentage of rude drivers among these three, at around 2%.
19. Georgia
Georgia shares Florida’s 16.4% tipping average. However, it has about double the number of rude drivers on the road. The higher incidence of rude driving likely contributes to its ranking.
20. Iowa
Iowa ties with Florida and Georgia, but stands out for its generous 17% tipping average. Despite this, it shares Georgia’s high 4% ranking for rude drivers.
21. Michigan
Michigan has a 16.8% tipping average and only about 2% of its population are rude drivers.
The state’s relatively poor numbers for cursing at customer service agents and perceived rudeness prevent it from securing a lower spot.
22. Tennessee
Tennessee’s tipping average of 15.9% is lower than the states surrounding it in the rankings.
However, only about 2% of its residents display rude driving behaviors, helping to keep its ranking relatively low.
23. Alaska
Alaska is a great place to work in customer service, thanks to its 17.1% average tipping rate.
However, 3% of its population are rude drivers, and enough Americans view Alaskans as rude to keep them towards the middle of the list.
24. Colorado
Colorado’s 16.6% tipping rate is relatively low at this point. Approximately 3% of their drivers are rude.
However, Coloradans don’t have the worst potty mouths relative to residents in many other states.
25. Idaho
Idaho boasts the highest tipping average in the entire U.S., at 17.4%. However, Idahoans aren’t pleasant drivers, with a rate of 4% rude drivers.
26. Nevada
Nevada stands out for having only 1% of its residents classified as rude drivers. Its tipping rate is also a respectable 16.6%.
Nevadans are perceived as rude enough and swear frequently enough to customer service agents that they didn’t earn a lower spot in this ranking.
27. Kansas
Kansas is a solid middle-of-the-road U.S. state for rudeness. It has a higher-than-average rude driver rate of 3%, but it ranks decently in the other rudeness categories.
28. Indiana
Indiana is slightly above average for the national rate of state rudeness. It has respectable numbers in both the percentages of rude drivers and average tipping rates (2% and 17.1%, respectively).
29. Hawaii
Hawaii benefits from low perceived rudeness and a lack of swearing when speaking with customer service agents. However, it has a cringe-worthy average tipping amount of 14.8%.
Interestingly, 60% of Hawaiians believe their state is more polite than other states in the US.
30. Missouri
Missouri is the first of three states to tie in places 30th to 32nd. Of the three states, it has the lowest average tipping percentage and a moderate 2% of rude drivers.
31. New Mexico
Only 1% of New Mexico residents are considered rude drivers, and it has an above-average tipping rate of 16.9%.
New Mexico doesn’t rank as well for perceived rudeness and customer service communication.
32. North Dakota
North Dakota’s 3% of rude drivers isn’t ideal. But with a 16.8% average tipping rate and decent numbers in perceived rudeness and not swearing at customer service categories, it enjoys an above-average ranking.
33. Montana
Americans view residents of Montana to be less rude than in many other states.
Only about 2% of residents in the Treasure State lay on their horns, cut people off, and display other rude driving behaviors.
34. Oklahoma
Oklahomans are generous with their tipping, giving servers an average tip of 16.8%. They also fall in the median for the number of rude drivers on the road.
35. Texas
Texas residents tip a decent 16.6%, and they score decently in other rudeness categories.
36. Arizona
Arizonans are the second-highest tippers in the US, with an average tip rate of 17.3%. Only about 2% of their residents are rude drivers.
37. New Hampshire
New Hampshire stands out for having little rudeness compared to many states near it. With only moderate driving rudeness, the Granite State may be a good choice for your next road trip.
38. West Virginia
West Virginia ties with Arizona for its residents tipping a generous average 17.3% amount. The Mountain State is also one of only three states so far to have a low 1% of rude drivers.
39. Nebraska
Nebraska’s 3% of rude drivers doesn’t bode well for the state. But given that it doesn’t have a ton of residents who swear at customer service agents and low perceived rudeness, the Cornhusker State ranks decently.
40. Alabama
Alabama has a decent tipping rate of 16.6% and low perceived rudeness.
41. Delaware
Delaware has a massive 4% driving rudeness rate, similar to several northern states. That said, its residents tip servers an average of 17.2%.
42. Maine
Maine puts Delaware to shame, with only 1% of its population being rude drivers.
It tips an average of 1.2% less than Delaware, although its perceived rudeness and relatively few swear words spoken to customer service agents help it steer clear as among the rudest states in the US.
43. Louisiana
Louisiana ranks above average in all rudeness categories, offering tourists on the fence a reason to visit the Pelican State.
44. Minnesota
Minnesota’s 16% tipping average is relatively poor for its respectable spot on this list. But it ranks well in all other rudeness categories.
45. South Carolina
The perception of southern charm bodes well for South Carolina, for it ranks low for other Americans perceiving South Carolinians as rude. Its residents also tip a generous average of 16.7%.
46. Kentucky
Kentucky shares the same rate of rude drivers and tipping average as the number one least rude state on this list.
Kentuckians can sometimes have a potty mouth with customer service agents, and other Americans don’t always view them as the least rude in the nation.
47. Vermont
A heartwarming 1% of drivers in Vermont are rude. Despite having a relatively low tipping rate of 16%, residents in Green Mountain State ranked well in the other rudeness categories.
48. North Carolina
North Carolinians don’t display a lot of rude behaviors. The state also has some of the fewest rude drivers and the highest tipping averages in the nation.
49. Arkansas
Arkansans are the second-least rude residents in the US. While Arkansas has a moderate 2% rate of rude drivers, it ranks high in all other categories.
50. Mississippi
Mississippi residents excel in the categories Zippia analyzed, making it the best state in the US for travelers wanting to avoid rudeness.
Alicia Richards