There are many stereotypes about the character of people in various parts of the United States . In the Northeast and Midwest, people are said to be closed and private. In the South and West , however, they are often thought of as being more open and hospitable. Ask someone from St . Louis where the nearest sandwich shop is, and he or she will politely give you directions. A New Yorker might eye you at first and after deciding it is safe to talk to you, might give you a rather unexpected explanation. A person from Georgia might be very kind about directing you and ever suggest some different places to eat. A Texan just might take you to the place and treat you to lunch. The topic sentence of the paragraph is _______________________________________ ______________________________________.