I hate to say it, but I tend to agree.
(I was born and raised near Rochester, but moved away nearly 20 years ago.)
In 2004, I was on a fishing trip in northern Ontario where we had to be flown in on a float plane. While waiting for the plane on a dock, a boat pulled up and a couple guys hop out to unload their gear.
Since I was just sitting there, I went up to them to give them a hand. After exchanging a few words, I noticed one of the guys (in his 50's) had an accent like mine. I asked him where he's from and he replied, "Buffalo". Of course, I say "Go Bills!" and tell him that I was originally from Rochester.
He thanked me again for helping them, and said... "it's nice to see someone offering help." I say something like, "hey, we WNYer's always help each other out."
Oh boy, did that ever do it.
The guy went on and on about how people back there USED to stick together and help each other out. He said that things have really changed in the past 10 or so years.
I thought, "yeah, yeah... just another grumpy guy."
However... I try to visit friends and family every few years and have noticed a "shift" myself.
EVERYONE back there bitches and moans about EVERYTHING! It's really incredible.
Neighbors on my street used to know each other and lend a hand. Now... no ones seems to know each other, and the people I spoke to don't have a good thing to say about anyone.
What's going on up there???
(Before you start flaming me... I LOVE New York State and am VERY proud to come from there. It saddens me deeply that the general attitude has changed so much.)