According to Lonely Planet,the travel book publisher,the friendliest country in the world in their opinion is Ireland.It says that Irish people have a dark sense of humor,a welcoming nature and an ability to have fun in boom or burst times. The other counties in their top 5 are USA,Malawi,Turkey and Scotland.I have been to them all except Turkey. Malawi is a small poor country in southern Africa where I spent one day once and see no reason to return.I think Scotland deserves a higher position and New Zealand deserves a place- it is certainly well worth visiting.

I find the people the friendliest when I am traveling by myself and everything is going good--the weather, my health, a good night's sleep, the food--and I am enjoying myself.

I laugh at such subjective ratings - in turkey once kids threw stones at me for being a foreigner. enough said.

Denmark isn't in the top 5?

Costa Rica.

Poland

Got stranded hitch-hiking in a storm as a student and was taken in by a family who fed us, put us up for the night and drove us to the bus station the following day.

Gives you faith in human nature.

France?

I've aldo heard a lot about great Polish hospitality.
Personally I'd say Sicily.

Although it's alwaya nice to come out on top of the Poll haha.

I'm not surprised by Ireland being rated as the friendliest country. I've been fortunate enough to only encounter fairly friendly people on our travels, but of the 20 or so countries I have visited Ireland was, by far, the friendliest. But I think this is circumstantial. There are friendly people are rude people everywhere.

Tracy

Sardinia - without a doubt - not really a country but then neither is Italy really a unified country.

Scotland? - try going there with an "English" English accent. You wouldn't place it in the top 5 then.

tcreath wrote: "I'm not surprised by Ireland being rated as the friendliest country."

And that, in spite of my best efforts here.

Markrosy - Did you mention 1966 again?

Markosy, I have a very "English" English accent - real RP I'm afraid, and had no problems in Scotland. People were friendly and welcoming.
I have never been to a country where people were unfriendly to me.
Travelling through the US I have met nothing but friendliness, people taking the time to chat to me, etc. The same in every country I have visited. Tanzania was another a fantastically friendly country.
I think if you travel with an open, friendly attitude you will be met with the same.

How could they not include Portugal?

Although I love Ireland, I wouldn't put it in the top 5, nor Scotland.

We found the people in Italy last year just lovely. And what about Canada?

In my experience, Egypt and France were the friendliest.

Belgium, Israel and England were the least friendly.

Of course, there were exceptions in all of these places.

hetismij

I'll be more specific - the Western Isles and Rosshire - yes a wonderful experience. (people and countryside)

Glasgow (the outskirts, Argyll and Bute) Nope not in my top 567. They went out of their way to re-live the battle of Banockburn! Frequently sail there and try not to moor up for too long!

Yorkshire

I've returned to Ireland 8 times since 1996 because they are the friendliest people in the world.

Scotland should definitely be in the top 5. Canada should be on there, as well. I also agree with whomever suggested Sicily. I would also add Croatia and the Czech Republic.

I've been in nearly 100 countries and would be hard pressed to rate any one more or less friendly than the other