Yes, I live a mile outside of Boston and I grew up here. I don't think I've ever met anyone from here that really fits the stereotype. My local friends don't smile any less than my Californian friends.

> People often told me they knew I wasn’t from around there because I smiled so much.

I've always understood jokes like this to be a sort of ironic "it's funny because that's what people say about us even though it's not really true". I am now realizing I might be alone in this.