Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Europe
Reload this Page >

What Three Nations Have The Friendliest People?

What Three Nations Have The Friendliest People?

Old Aug 26th, 2014, 07:57 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,476
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
What Three Nations Have The Friendliest People?

Let's keep this positive. If you disagree do not criticize, just list t5hose who you think are the friendliest people in Europe. For me:

1. Italians
2. Spanish
3. Belgians
IMDonehere is offline  
Old Aug 26th, 2014, 09:09 PM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 17,990
Received 22 Likes on 4 Posts
Portugese
Italians
Greek
HappyTrvlr is offline  
Old Aug 26th, 2014, 10:27 PM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,760
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Why only post this in Europe? This is narrowing your sights to much. Maybe a thread for The Lounge?
ribeirasacra is offline  
Old Aug 26th, 2014, 10:52 PM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,860
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
No country in Europe can beat Japan. I love working here because the Japanese people are the best! The Swiss are pretty nice, still can't match Japan
cafegoddess is offline  
Old Aug 26th, 2014, 11:59 PM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 32,129
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
1) Peruvians visiting Europe
2) Canadians visiting Europe
3) Australians visiting Europe
colduphere is offline  
Old Aug 27th, 2014, 12:05 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 7,933
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The Scots are about the friendliest people (and the most helpful) I've ever met.

Italians are pretty friendly, but maybe I'm biased. Then, I think I'd add the Danes.

These questions are never very revealing, unless you restrict the sample to nations that all the respondents have visited, and require that the visit be more than just a few days in the tourist meccas of the countries.

Also, what does friendliness entail? Smiling service in hotels, shops and restaurants? Or willingness to split their last loaf of bread with a hungry stranger? In Rome and New York, two of my favorite cities, a brusque manner conceals a propensity to go out of the way to assist someone with a problem.
bvlenci is offline  
Old Aug 27th, 2014, 12:08 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 11,212
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
1. Poles
2. Irish
adrienne is offline  
Old Aug 27th, 2014, 12:10 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 11,212
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
>

IMD can't post in the Lounge. You could put a link in the Lounge if you want to do that but only those who are eligible to post there could view or add to it.
adrienne is offline  
Old Aug 27th, 2014, 12:38 AM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 25,496
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
I think it goes something like this, assuming you are outside the big cities or major tourist spots
Turks
Finns
Southern Italians
French
Spanish
Portugal
bilboburgler is online now  
Old Aug 27th, 2014, 12:48 AM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 11,212
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Bilbo - where do spots come from?
adrienne is offline  
Old Aug 27th, 2014, 12:51 AM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,813
Received 26 Likes on 5 Posts
In alphabetical order...

Czech Republic
Denmark
Romania
fourfortravel is offline  
Old Aug 27th, 2014, 12:53 AM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 11,212
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Can we enter subsets within nations? I still have 1 more entry.

I think the French police are absolutely friendly, polite, and helpful.
adrienne is offline  
Old Aug 27th, 2014, 01:14 AM
  #13  
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 7,933
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The Irish maybe very congenial, but I wouldn't exactly call them friendly.

It's true that there are big regional differences, and, as I said, a lot depends on what you mean by friendliness. In some places a surface cordiality is just that, superficial. I would tend to include the Irish in that category, as well as the southern US.
bvlenci is offline  
Old Aug 27th, 2014, 01:21 AM
  #14  
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,585
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Exactly. What on earth is friendly? I just want politeness and help if I'm in difficulty.
I'm going to get that anywhere unless I happen to meet the sort of grumpy soul who can turn up anywhere
MissPrism is offline  
Old Aug 27th, 2014, 01:26 AM
  #15  
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,813
Received 26 Likes on 5 Posts
LucyStanmore, we could travel together! I love the Poles' hospitality, as well, but I figured that since I am Polish I am biased, and, well, I was limited to three.
fourfortravel is offline  
Old Aug 27th, 2014, 02:25 AM
  #16  
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 7,763
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Belarus
Lithuania
Finland
sparkchaser is offline  
Old Aug 27th, 2014, 02:37 AM
  #17  
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,060
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Another of those list themes. "what is your favourite depiction of St. Peter's left big toenail? Where will I never return? Which place in Yurp didn't come up to expectations.

Flame away, but I can see the point of trip reports. They are subjective, but the good ones can be very helpful and enjoyable. The same goes for information about city districts or travel information.

I can see the point of warning that the Ruritanians' idea of hospitality is burning Americans in wicker cages, but the world's smarmiest waiters
Josser is offline  
Old Aug 27th, 2014, 04:36 AM
  #18  
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Since it's in the Europe forum:

Ireland
Spain
Portugal

I base friendliness on many things, but it's hard to explain. Outside of Europe I'll go with Japanese people and Canadians

I am apparently not biased towards my own country (Denmark), pleased to know that at least the tourists likes us
LBird is offline  
Old Aug 27th, 2014, 04:54 AM
  #19  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,476
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
It was just a simple question....

Whatever you deem friendly.
Yes, it is a European board thus European countries
And if someone wants to add fourth to ninth country, that is fine. No one will be exiled for such a transgression.
IMDonehere is offline  
Old Aug 27th, 2014, 05:02 AM
  #20  
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,585
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I agree that it's a silly thread. That's why I'm adding to it.;-) Surely, you need to go somewhere where people are civilised, rather than friendly. A friendly local could charmingly pick your pocket. A lovely friendly taxi driver could grossly overcharge you. There are those delightful leather merchants who have some jackets left over from an export deal and will sell you one for a good price
MissPrism is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -