In response to the piece ("Body art not invitation to violate personal space," Feb. 10), I agree that we do require a certain amount of personal space.

But I do not agree with the generalization that this country does not appreciate friendly gestures such as hugs between acquaintances.

I would change this generalization to "the people who live in the East Coast do not appreciate friendly gestures such as hugs between acquaintances."

Coming straight from a California girl, the cultures of the coasts are surprisingly different.

Now attending Penn State, I have come to realize that the most cold and standoffish people live in this part of the country.

People don't talk to one another in a friendly way in passing; they don't make eye contact, they don't smile, they don't even acknowledge you as a human being.

Desk mates don't talk to each other in class, and girls ignore each other when the live on the same floor.

It is as if on the East Coast nobody cares about anybody else, and it is very depressing.

Before coming here I was excited to join a college community, but now I find myself never wanting to come back, and certainly never living here for an extended period of time without a reason such as college.