It is very interesting how much we are influenced by the people we associate with doesn't it? There is that saying, "Tell me who you hang out with, and I'll tell you who you are." It is so true.
The way we think, act, identify ourself and our tastes, is very much influenced by who we associate with. Hang around sophisticated, educated, people who are in tune with the way of the world, and we will start to resemble those qualities. Hang out with people who are clueless, cynical, "back-woods," and we will start to resemble that.