friendliest countries in europe?
#5
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I think those people would have drowned even without Frau Merkel. They see Europe as paved with gold.
People in most countries are friendly if you are friendly and polite to them. There is no such thing as a friendly country.
Ditto the English and Irish. You cannot say one nationality is any friendlier than another. They are all individuals and some will naturally be friendlier than others.
People in most countries are friendly if you are friendly and polite to them. There is no such thing as a friendly country.
Ditto the English and Irish. You cannot say one nationality is any friendlier than another. They are all individuals and some will naturally be friendlier than others.
#8
What Merkel did do is ensure that the criminals who "assisted" the migrants to move received E2500 for every one of the 850,000+ who moved. (based on average reported charges)
= E2Billion
now if she had found a way to get say the Greeks to organise it without criminal involvement then Greece would have had a stimulus and the criminals would not have.
Merkel tries to "wait-out" a problem rather than seize the opportunity, good in some things not in others.
= E2Billion
now if she had found a way to get say the Greeks to organise it without criminal involvement then Greece would have had a stimulus and the criminals would not have.
Merkel tries to "wait-out" a problem rather than seize the opportunity, good in some things not in others.
#9
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Depends on where YOU are from. If you are white Anglo you may be welcome anywhere. If you are of Indian, Asian or African appearance you may find you're not welcome at all in some countries and will experience hostility. Your question is somewhat absurd.
#12
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1. Italy overall - a huge number of people want to talk about their american relatives as soon as they hear you speak. And they always appreciate my very feeble efforts at italian (I studied Spanish and school and work from there) when in markets or small, local stores. Even cab drivers are usually friendly.
2. While the English is general are perfectly polite I have found the Irish to be less reserved and more outgoing and friendly
Caveat: I do not pick countries to visit by friendliness and recognize that people in some countries are more reserved (but not unfriendly)or more formal in their dealings with others. As a New Yorker I recognize the busyness in some large cities that some people take as rudeness when it's really not.
2. While the English is general are perfectly polite I have found the Irish to be less reserved and more outgoing and friendly
Caveat: I do not pick countries to visit by friendliness and recognize that people in some countries are more reserved (but not unfriendly)or more formal in their dealings with others. As a New Yorker I recognize the busyness in some large cities that some people take as rudeness when it's really not.
#13
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Crazy question. Everything depends on personal interaction. Do you speak languages other than English? Can you converse with Europeans? What is your definition of "friendly?" and what are your expectations in terms of "friendliness?" Hugs and welcomes? Polite chat? You might get either, depending on where you go and how well you can converse in other languages, but nothing is a given.It's all dependent upon place and time and your attitude and language ability.
#14
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HI Bruno,
It would have helped to write a few more explaining explaining why you ask this and some context.
If you work for BBC you can also make a documentary on how thread can derail pretty fast on travel forums.
This thread can very easily finish with references to nazism...
It would have helped to write a few more explaining explaining why you ask this and some context.
If you work for BBC you can also make a documentary on how thread can derail pretty fast on travel forums.
This thread can very easily finish with references to nazism...
#15
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I am new to this forum and can't believe the rudeness shown to this OP. That old chestnut, 'If you can't say something nice...' applies here. And to call a question 'absurd' is beyond disrespectful, Blueeyedcod why did you respond in the first place? Just to be nasty? Shoo, go away.
Some folks mentioned your attitude while traveling and it does make a difference. Make an effort to learn a bit of the language, don't be an entitled tourist, stay a little humble and familiarize yourself and respect the country's customs (whether you agree with them or not) like dressing properly when visiting a cathedral or saying 'Bonjour' and 'Merci, au revoir' to a French shopkeeper.
Speaking from my own limited experience, I found the Greeks very open and helpful, same goes for Madrid. I can't name any country that's been particularly unfriendly. The Barcelonans seemed a little more stand-offish but never downright rude. Others may disagree with my answers, but everyone is different.
And of course there are friendly/unfriendly people whereever you go. But obviously your question has been asked many times. There ARE certain countries that in general are more welcoming to Americans (making an assumption here) than others.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/...to-foreigners/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/0...llery/290752/0
https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-m...isit-worldwide
Some folks mentioned your attitude while traveling and it does make a difference. Make an effort to learn a bit of the language, don't be an entitled tourist, stay a little humble and familiarize yourself and respect the country's customs (whether you agree with them or not) like dressing properly when visiting a cathedral or saying 'Bonjour' and 'Merci, au revoir' to a French shopkeeper.
Speaking from my own limited experience, I found the Greeks very open and helpful, same goes for Madrid. I can't name any country that's been particularly unfriendly. The Barcelonans seemed a little more stand-offish but never downright rude. Others may disagree with my answers, but everyone is different.
And of course there are friendly/unfriendly people whereever you go. But obviously your question has been asked many times. There ARE certain countries that in general are more welcoming to Americans (making an assumption here) than others.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/...to-foreigners/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/0...llery/290752/0
https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-m...isit-worldwide
#16
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<And to call a question 'absurd' is beyond disrespectful, Blueeyedcod why did you respond in the first place? Just to be nasty? Shoo, go away.>
Clearly you are not of a race that experiences disrespect.
Shoo. Go away.
Clearly you are not of a race that experiences disrespect.
Shoo. Go away.
#17
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Being Irish, I am somewhat biased I suppose Having lived in Canada and England for most my life, I have found living back in Ireland for most of the past year to be a bit of a revelation - the Irish are more likely to nod and smile if you make eye contact and engage strangers in random conversations. You are expected to greet staff in shops and have a brief chat, rather than just complete a transaction. In big cities like London and Toronto, its mainly just a transaction.
However, I have found in my travels that if you approach people in a pleasant and polite way, you get the friendliness back that you earn.
I learned long ago when traveling in France that its is expected, certainly in rural areas, that if you greet with 'Hello Madam, how are you?' you get a warm smile and great service. If you don't, then you are judged to be rude and dismissive. I then follow up with 'My French/Italian/Spanish is very poor, so please be speak slowly' which earns me a laugh (because I have probably said something entirely wrong) and loads of patience.
I have had some of the most incredible interactions with locals where neither of us understood a word each other said. Several times in rural Northern Spain I asked for help when I was lost, and people hoped into their cars and guided me to my destination.
Overall, I think getting 'friendliness' from people when you travel has more to do with your OWN attitude and wiliness to engage.
However, I have found in my travels that if you approach people in a pleasant and polite way, you get the friendliness back that you earn.
I learned long ago when traveling in France that its is expected, certainly in rural areas, that if you greet with 'Hello Madam, how are you?' you get a warm smile and great service. If you don't, then you are judged to be rude and dismissive. I then follow up with 'My French/Italian/Spanish is very poor, so please be speak slowly' which earns me a laugh (because I have probably said something entirely wrong) and loads of patience.
I have had some of the most incredible interactions with locals where neither of us understood a word each other said. Several times in rural Northern Spain I asked for help when I was lost, and people hoped into their cars and guided me to my destination.
Overall, I think getting 'friendliness' from people when you travel has more to do with your OWN attitude and wiliness to engage.
#18
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Lucky you O'Reilly. I have overheard conversations in Italian where staff have laughed at, been rude to and disrespected Chinese tourists. All they were doing were politely trying to order a meal.
Sometimes it has nothing to do with your OWN attitude at all.
Sometimes it has nothing to do with your OWN attitude at all.