Are people in a better mood on a sunny day after rain or snow?

@TheHorse (218881)
Walnut Creek, California
January 20, 2016 10:10pm CST
The San Francisco Bay Area, once the home of the hippy movement, the Summer of Love, and the Grateful Dead, is now known for the grumpiness of its people. My students from the Midwest and South lament that people rarely make eye contact here and sometimes look at them with disgust if they say hello while passing on the sidewalk. Even I, the friendliest Midwesterner in history, have noticed that people look straight ahead, or at their cell phones, while walking on the sidewalk. Men often give me the "I'm a gang banger and might mug you" look if I say hello to them, and women often give me the "You are obviously a rapist/murderer" look of I do the same. One the roads, cutting people off is common, and waving thanks for a kind traffic gesture is unheard of. But today was different. It was sunny and warm, after several days of rain. Guys were waving thanks when I let them go first during a "four way stop dilemma." The gals at Big Five Sporting Goods and my Mexican restaurant were laughing at my jokes and treating me as if I was a cross between Chris Rock, Tom Cruise and a young Kevin Costner. People on the hiking trails were smiling and saying hello as my kid client and I passed them. I thought for a minute that I was back in Iowa. Do you think people get into a better mood when the sun is shining after a few days of rain or snow?
19 people like this
20 responses
@LadyDuck (471541)
• Switzerland
21 Jan 16
Absolutely, people feel and look happier when the sun is shining. I have always noticed how people look sad in those cold cities where the sky is always grey, they do not even look at you.
3 people like this
@LadyDuck (471541)
• Switzerland
21 Jan 16
@TheHorse Yes, I would call this "mutual fear". In Italy you find friendly people in the small communities, but people in the big cities do not want to have close contact with the others. Here in Switzerland there is less crime, people are more relaxed and then more friendly.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (218881)
• Walnut Creek, California
21 Jan 16
I think that "mutual fear" may have to do with population density. Is it the case in Europe as well as the US? I found people to be friendly in Munich, but I was In my "friendly tourist" mode.
1 person likes this
@gr8nana6 (6614)
• Conyers, Georgia
21 Jan 16
Oh definitely, sunshine will bring out the happiness in people I know it does me. I am more upbeat when the sun is shining.
3 people like this
@TheHorse (218881)
• Walnut Creek, California
21 Jan 16
I think people here (Northern California) get used to it, though. Then they fade back to grumpy and overly competitive.
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
21 Jan 16
Of course they do, the decent weather has a great effect on most people's mood.
2 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
21 Jan 16
@TheHorse Yes, the contrast makes it seem far better.
@TheHorse (218881)
• Walnut Creek, California
21 Jan 16
I think it's more pronounced after some grey weather.
1 person likes this
@much2say (55614)
• Los Angeles, California
21 Jan 16
That's very possible! People can get in a foul mood during unwanted weather, but when the sun comes out it's like they can breathe again. But actually I prefer lots of rain! I have a friend from the Bay Area and she tells me that the people down here (in Los Angeles) aren't too friendly! So perhaps we are grumpier!
2 people like this
@TheHorse (218881)
• Walnut Creek, California
21 Jan 16
The horror! When I lived in Santa Barbara, people seemed a lot happier than they are here. I've never lived anywhere like this before. But today seemed like an exception.
2 people like this
@much2say (55614)
• Los Angeles, California
21 Jan 16
@TheHorse I love Santa Barbara - always so beautiful there! I actually met a lady at our Trader Joes who said she lived in Santa Barbara all her life and now she's trying to get a home out here. I asked her why would she move from a place that a lot of people would love to live. She said yah, yah, it's beautiful and all - but claimed she wanted a change - she felt it was more diverse out here - culturally and spiritually. She seemed happy to be here, so perhaps our lack of rain and plenty of sunshine did put her in a most happy disposition.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (218881)
• Walnut Creek, California
21 Jan 16
@much2say I have one friend who has lived up here for seven years after spending all of his post-college years in Santa Barbara. He said he's learned a lot here, but he's moving back to Santa Barbara.
@garymarsh6 (23404)
• United Kingdom
21 Jan 16
OH yes that is definitely the truth. You can see people are much happier and friendlier when the sun shines unless it is in the middle of a heatwave.
3 people like this
@TheHorse (218881)
• Walnut Creek, California
21 Jan 16
Oh, I forgot about the head. That detracts from the "what a wonderful world" factor.
@JudyEv (340019)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Jan 16
I haven't really noticed but I guess it's possible. I'm more inclined to engage someone in conversation when it's a lovely sunny day.
2 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23404)
• United Kingdom
21 Jan 16
You probably see more sun than we do in Australia than in the UK so you should always be happy! Take @Asylum he continuously has to go abroad to get the sun and his dose of Vit D as it is so rare up North where he lives. He tends to be abroad more than he is in this country so it is proof that the sun makes you happier!
3 people like this
@TheHorse (218881)
• Walnut Creek, California
21 Jan 16
@garymarsh6 When I lived in Seattle, I didn't see the sun for many months. My next stop was Santa Barbara, which was perfect for me at the time.
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
21 Jan 16
@garymarsh6 Oh come on Gary, it is so long since I had a holiday that I expected my passport to be withdrawn due to lack of use.
3 people like this
@celticeagle (166992)
• Boise, Idaho
21 Jan 16
The sun gives us vitamin d3 and can seem to up our moods. It's a definite good thing. And with the sun shining there is an absence of that confined feeling that makes me feel gloomy after a while.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (166992)
• Boise, Idaho
21 Jan 16
@TheHorse ....It's a relief. It's like breaking out of a dark and gloomy jungle into a beautiful meadow.
@TheHorse (218881)
• Walnut Creek, California
21 Jan 16
I agree. I found it interesting that the unusual friendliness occurred after a few gloomy days.
1 person likes this
• United States
21 Jan 16
Yes, I think people are in a much better mood when the sun is out (after a few days or rain or gloominess, probably snow too!) It is rare to see people acknowledge each other or simply say hi or smile now a days without judgement.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (218881)
• Walnut Creek, California
21 Jan 16
I enjoy my road trips, because people are quite different in other places. But today, I really felt like I was back in Iowa. Still, I hope we get more rain, because we need it.
1 person likes this
@Vjvals (906)
• Roseville, California
22 Jan 16
Many people here are always that way. More so than it used to be. But when it's sunny after lots of grey days there's a bit more cheer, then it fades.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (218881)
• Walnut Creek, California
22 Jan 16
Always happy and social? Or always grumpy and avoiding eye-contact?
@jstory07 (139717)
• Roseburg, Oregon
21 Jan 16
Yes I think when it is nice outside people seem to be happier and more friendly.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (218881)
• Walnut Creek, California
21 Jan 16
I wonder if it's more so after a few days of rain/snow, or just in general.
@LeaPea2417 (37355)
• Toccoa, Georgia
22 Jan 16
I am always happier when the sun is shinning especially on Spring or Autumn day.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (218881)
• Walnut Creek, California
22 Jan 16
I enjoy pleasant Fall and Spring days as well. I don't enjoy intense heat as much as I did when I was younger.
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
21 Jan 16
I'm the same as you when it comes to disposition @TheHorse ; snow, rain or shine but I do think you're right about the majority. It must be the sun's ability to boost people's Vitamin :D
2 people like this
@TheHorse (218881)
• Walnut Creek, California
21 Jan 16
Vitamin D could be a factor. Or just appreciating people more when you've been cooped up for a few days.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
21 Jan 16
I know I prefer a sunny day over a rainy one. I can't speak for others.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (218881)
• Walnut Creek, California
21 Jan 16
Right now, I love the rainy days because they're good for our "crops." And of course we need this blasted drought to end.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
21 Jan 16
@TheHorse yes, rain is always important for so many things. I like to curl up with a good book on rainy (or sunny) days.
@trivia79 (7828)
• El Segundo, California
21 Jan 16
scientifically speaking, on a sunny day
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (218881)
• Walnut Creek, California
21 Jan 16
Oh oh. It's clouding back up. I'm not sure what's in store for us tonight.
1 person likes this
@trivia79 (7828)
• El Segundo, California
21 Jan 16
@TheHorse what's up with the store?
@cherriefic (10399)
• Philippines
22 Jan 16
The sunny day can uplft anyone's mood. Maybe those people are just waiting for these kind of days.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (218881)
• Walnut Creek, California
22 Jan 16
Could be. The effect continued through yesterday, though it was milder. Now it's raining again. Yay!
• Page, Arizona
21 Jan 16
Oh yea it puts you in a giving mood. It does me
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (218881)
• Walnut Creek, California
21 Jan 16
The sunshine does? Is it enhanced if there have been a few days of rain?
• Austin, Texas
18 Apr 16
If the sun shines bright, rain or snow, before or after, it puts me in a good mood.
@fawkes62 (1276)
• United States
21 Jan 16
It seems like having the sun out after a few days of gloomy weather seems to improve people's moods. It definitely helps my mood.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (218881)
• Walnut Creek, California
21 Jan 16
I'll see how today goes. Of course, MY mood affects how those around me act. I was feeling like joking around yesterday, and I was waving people in in traffic, so I may have been projecting my own mood onto others.
1 person likes this
@KristenH (33386)
• Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
23 Jan 16
Hard to say. I don't blame if they don't want to be snowbound and trapped by the storm.
@carexing25 (1822)
• Philippines
22 Jan 16
rainy days feels lonely.. people are happier during sunny days, i think
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (218881)
• Walnut Creek, California
22 Jan 16
I like rainy days. But I live in California, where they haven't been happening very often in recent years.