Many people visit Niagara-on-the-Lake and quickly get defensive about their hometown.

Too often when we ask visitors where they come from, they reply, “Oh, just Winnipeg,” or ”just Buffalo,” or “just Hamilton.”

They have been conditioned by people from Florida or B.C. or California, who usually stick their chests out a bit before naming their place of residence.

For the past half-decade or so, I have been kindly going on the offensive about hometowns. The psychological result of this tactic has always been positive and sets up much more pleasant conversations.

For example, earlier this week I had two middle-aged visitors from Manitoba arrive for my free walking tour. On the front steps of the Court House just before 10 a.m., I asked them if they were locals. They sorta looked like locals.

“No, we’re just here from Winnipeg for a few days. We love it here.”

To their surprise, I quickly said, “I lived in Winnipeg for five years as a kid. What a fantastic place to grow up. The community centres are so active, for children and adults, and Assiniboine Park is such a great place.”

Subtly and proudly, their postures changed, and they agreed that it’s great to live on the Prairies. It’s a dry cold and almost everyone is happy to live where they live.

And, I have always been willing to stretch the truth just a smidgen.

For example, just last week we had six people on our tour from Winnipeg, and we were all enthused about camping at Victoria Beach. Not to mention their pride in the Winnipeg Jets. And the Blue Bombers and the Winnipeg Goldeyes.

Not every American is from Florida, Texas or California. For sure, sunshine is great, but sticky hot sweaty summer weather and gated communities are not for everyone.

This summer especially, it seems like half the population of Pennsylvania has visited our pleasant corner of the world. The wineries and the Shaw Festival seem to be the “primary demand generators.” Not to mention the limitless amounts of water constantly cascading over the cliff near Table Rock.

And remember, this is only one-third of the water that should be going over. The other two-thirds is diverted upstream to flow through large tunnels to spin the turbines for the generation of hydroelectric power.

Young Serbian student Nikola Tesla was prescient when he said in the late 19th century he would use the waterfall on the Niagara River to power the world. Water is heavy and we can use a lot of it cheaply.

Isn’t that amazing to ponder? Now, we have two-slice toasters, hair dryers, amazingly cheap plug-in Christmas lights and so many other handy things to make our lives more comfortable.

Even plug-in automobiles, I read.

Oops! I’ll ramble back to my thoughts about making people feel good, just by verbalizing that I love their hometown.

Pennsylvania is a lovely state, Yes, politically a battleground state, but there are so many nice small towns and smaller urban centres.

Have you been to Latrobe, the home of the late Arnold Palmer, and State College or Altoona or Williamsport? Or diamond-shaped downtown Boalsburg?

When someone tells you they are from Pittsburgh or Philadelphia, or Gettysburg or Lancaster in Amish Country, tell them you have visited their area. Immediately, you will have made a new friend.

Yes, we are lucky to live in Canada’s prettiest town, but let them know they are lucky to call their hometown home, too.

Their mood will change. They will walk with a slightly more positive spring in their step.

You will have made a random person feel better. You will have been kind, which is a very good thing.

It doesn’t cost anything, and you will have made our troubled world a slightly better place.

We have reason to worry about the future of planet Earth in many ways. Politically, climate-wise, and otherwise, doing a subtle good deed can make a difference.

Do yourself a favour. Go ahead and step out of your comfort zone if you get a chance this week.

No matter where a visitor is from, make them feel they are lucky to be from where they are from.

I have found they almost always agree.