Anyone with experience of living in a small town? I need etiquette tips.?

This is more about common sense than etiquette, because not all small mountain towns are the same. If there's one near a popular ski area, for example, it will have a very difficult culture than a more isolated one.

I suggest you treat it the way you would a new job. Until you know the cultural norms and behaviors, be friendly but put yourself more in the mode of gathering info rather than sharing it. Sure, there are safe topics like cooking and weather, but there's no reason to overshare on personal stuff until you're sure you're not talking to the town gossip!

The best way to meet people in a non-threatening way is hang around downtown. If there's a cafe or diner type place, start frequenting it. You don't have to worry about being a great conversationalist, because it's the starting of convos that is so much harder than answering a question. You'll get questions! And that's how it starts. And small shop owners are perfect for you to ask your own, because there's so many topics. Compliment them on something you see and then ask "if they have X"....So much convo flows from this.

The cool thing is that your goal isn't to immediately find a new and vast social circle. It just takes one person you've had several fun interactions with, and then it stops being something you think about. Also, always remember this is on your timetable. You can go full bore for a solid week, meeting and chatting, or you can take that week off and start again the next week. Don't get rattled by what you think people "expect" of you. Most in small towns are happy to see new faces, but aren't going to get overly pushy about wanting you to be here or there. And the ones who are like this are the ones you'll learn to avoid if you proceed at the pace you're comfortable with.

Good things: cooperativeness and more community oriented mentality; eveyone knows each other; usually safer environment; more contact with nature.

Possible challenging things: gossip; lack of diverse entertainment (theatres, ballet, museums); possibly higher addiction levels; competition among neighbours.

It is wise to be friendly and polite at all times, and at the same time very careful about what you say to people and what you do. It is good to ask someone who has lived in that place for a long time about "conventional social norms" and traditions if there are any.

Don't prep too much because it will make you feel awkward and them as well. Just follow in toe. If they are nice to you, then be nice back. If they bring over a welcome basket, ask them to come in and share, depending on what it is, like pie or wine. If you are not ready for company because everythings in boxes, make sure you extend an open invitation. Tell them, when i'm all settled in, I'd like it very much if you'd come over for dinner.

Just treat them how you would want to be treated. In this place, it's highly likely that they will want to be a part of your life to get to know each other.

Because people in a small community do not reach far and wide for their daily happenings, they focus quite a bit on one another, usually. Therefore, I would suggest that you keep any personal information you do not wish for everyone to know, private. Keep things you do not want broadcasted to yourself.

Remember, it takes time to know people and to trust them. It is entirely possible to be open and friendly without revealing too much of your private and personal information.

If I were you, I would get involved with things you are passionate about so you can feed your desire to be happy. There you will meet others with like-minded interests.

Be careful about how much you share about what you think. I'm not saying don't be friendly or share about your life but in terms of those hot button social and political issues, I would avoid sharing.

4,000 people is still a lot of people and not all of them will notice you or care about you. It will mostly be your neighbors and co-workers, people you interact with. Really, I wouldn't worry about it too much. People are all people.

Just a suggestion, do a lot of smiling and subtle hi greeting, then go with the flow of the general population, and please never talk down to people even if you believe they are wrong with any subject matter. There will be plenty enough time in the future to gently and casually make it known to those that they were wrong.

People will either keep to themselves, or come out of the woodwork to welcome you.

You'll see people who know you after you've been in their shop or store once, who will remember your name, who will care when you don't feel well, and who can help you get involved with things in town that you are interested in.

Everyone will know your business, but most won't judge.

i think its more fun cause you get to know people more