It's probably more that. I've noticed a marked increase in hostility/attitude at the big ski resorts, esp. on gong show powder days, and a decrease in localism attitude at surf breaks. The ski stinkeye will last all day, the surf stinkeye passes unless you suck and don't belong at the break - shown by flailing on a wave.
I surfed a 4/3 in Oregon all season. Sometimes in summer I'd leave the booties at home - even then they'd go numb occaisonally. I don't find a big difference between 4/3 and 3/2 in terms of mobility, mostly because surfing in a wetsuit is like sex with a condom. Better than nothing, but not something for the long term.