"Perhaps, we are as weird as them from their standpoint"

My guess is that you are weirder. I doubt if the deli man was passing judgement on you by your appearance and voice. Most New Yorkers and "city dwellers" are used to all walks of life and conditions.

Stripped cars? I've been to rural parts of the country where it is common to see washing machines on the front porch and a stripped car in the driveway.

I assume you were also amazed by the tall buildings?

It amazes me that supposedly intelligent people can have such narrow views of the world and make judgements about the human condition, when it is obvious that they have not been out in the real world.