I live in Maine and I always hold the door open for people, especially women of all ages.
They always thank me. One older woman once asked me, “Are you married?” LOL
The smaller mom and pop type markets have bags of ice outside in freezers that are not locked, much like what you described in Texas.
I, too, live in Maine, but my soul longs to return to Texas. Maine is beautiful, but I’m done with long winters and the ever present winter possibility of slipping on the ice when I least expect it. We get to Texas once or twice a year, for a few days or a week at a time. And Arizona. And Georgia. The vast quietness and views in West Texas are the best, from my perspective.