Nancy, I was going to say that! Good show!

Cold??? Have you been to New York? Talk about cold fish and the women all act as if they had a bug up their collective asses.

top

I met cold people at home and abroad. Likewise, very nice people.

Goodshow, <BR>sometimes the answers are just SO obvious, that I can not help myself :-)

Someone drive a stake through tothetop's heart. Man is that annoying!

I lived in Europe for 7 years and found that although many people tent to be more reserved, but were VERY friendly and helpful as long as I did not portray the UGLY AMERICAN. I had many friends there and was invited into many homes. Yes it does get cold esp in the Winter (good going Nancy). The hospitally shown me many times was most gracious.

only if it is winter and they don't have a coat on.

Nancy <BR> <BR>Me three! <BR> <BR>My first response was same as yours, my second was more sensible: if you go out into the world with a smile on your face you will usually get one back, if you go out into the world comparing everything and everyone with back home you probably wont be so popular.

How can you possibly find all Europeans 'cold' Europe is such a diverse continent. I know that here in England we are supposedly 'cold' (although I don't agree) but Europe also includes countries such as Spain,Greece,Portugal,Italy etc -the people from these nations are anything but 'cold' -I think you need to be a touch more specific ,rather than writing off a whole continent!

could if be possible that they are reacting to the way you may have approached them. usually you get back what you give. we have always found the europeans to be very warm and friendly to us. an attitude check may be in order

Cold? I guess I'm having a hard time pinning down a definition of this. Do you mean aloof? Haughty? Recalcitrant? Unhelpful? Self-absorbed? Unconcerned? I've never felt Europeans (and that in itself is a real generalization, as there are certainly cultural differences evident in the way people live and behave in different parts of Europe) to be any of those. <BR>Certainly Europeans as a whole don't walk around with big loopy smiles on their faces for no reason at all, and they don't act like you're their best buddy after the first few words of conversation, but cold? I don't think so. <BR>Personally, I find the European custom of greeting people, always saying thank you, and always saying good-bye (in stores, outdoor markets, even among strangers walking in a park) to be a more genuinely "friendly" habit than the "Hi guys!" stuff you find all over the USA among people who've never laid eyes on one another. <BR>In sum, I think Europeans are more respectful, a bit more private, and more sincere in their words and actions than Americans. But cold, never. Some of the most genuinely heartfelt words and gestures I have encountered came from Europeans I barely knew.

Universally, you're probably more likely to find friendlier folks outside the big cities - no different than in America. <BR> <BR>A little bit of 'effort' from the traveler (starting a few polite phrases in local language) goes a long way in warming people up! I've seen too many Americans intent on speaking only English, then becoming impatient (sadly, even rude) with the response they get. Nonetheless, I've found that certain cultures are indeed a bit more reserved than others, though it doesn't necessarily translate to being 'cold' in my book. <BR> <BR>Secondarily, as someone from NJ, I'm sorry to hear the previous poster's complaints out the local attitude - but but rest assured that, even though you didn't find us, there are MANY friendly people here :)

Larry, <BR>Traveling makes us realize, if we are perceptive, that what we have have been believing to be a absolute characteristics, friendliness, coldness, etc. are not that simple concept after all. <BR> <BR>How do we decide if one is unfriendly? If one is unfriendly at 9am but not at 3pm, is he any more unfriendly than one who is friendly at 9am but not 3pm? <BR> <BR>As others have stated, the Europeans are more reserved. While they are generally more reserved (unfriendly if you wish), as time goes on, I see sincerely in the relationships. <BR> <BR>Compare this to "friendly" Americans. After initial "quickly becoming friends," after whatever factor that bounded the relationship disappears, monetary echanges, contract, we often get dumped like a piece of trash. <BR> <BR>One would have to choose which type of "friendly" he wants, or realize that there are many different manifestations of friendliness.

Oh my goodness Larry - you mentioned something I have said for years but everyone always disagreed with me. I have always had a good time with Parisians - they've been helpful, friendly, etc. But those I've encountered in Rome - aaaach! I have had people ignore me, turn their backs to me...taxi drivers rip me off...no one helpful (except other tourists). And this is in 3 visits there (all for business). I had thought it was because I am a non-white woman, and that Rome was more heterogenous than Paris, but I guess that wasn't all correct. Still I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one to think that Romans are not the friendliest people on earth.

What I think in America when you meet somebody very quickly you say he is my friend. In Germany for example it normaly takes time untill you call somebody a friend. BUt when he is a friend it is a very closed friendship <BR>and normaly you can allways count on him.

I would have to agree with Larry. I find the Americans & Australians are very outgoing and friendly to strangers. It takes much longer for Europeans to warm-up to strangers.

Larry... <BR>Sorry, can't agree with you. We found folks along our travels much more likely to talk to visitors than members of my "tourist" community in the USA. I came back vowing to be as nice to our visitors as I can. We had really fun 5 minute chats, hour long chats, and now long term friendships. Strangers drove us to a B&B in the next town, in a gale. Sorry, don't agree. <BR>

Larry, I have dated a man who lived in Sweden and one who lived in Switzerland. I have lived, myself, in Sweden and traveled alone, with friends and with my boyfriends to various countries in Europe. I cannot say, in the least, that Europeans are "cold". Quite the opposite. The men are gentlemen (how many American men do you see jump up and let a woman sit on a bus? Or help her get a bag or a baby carriage into a bus?), and people value not only their privacy, but also friendships. <BR> <BR>They consider (as do I, for that matter) the American "Hi, I'm blah, I'm your server...and you're my new friend" attituide of so many here in the States to be rude and superficial. There's no substance behind that fake facade. <BR> <BR>Still waters run deep.