Joyce

Just returned from Italy, and were surprised at the surliness we encountered from a majority of the clerks/waiters there. On the flip side, went to Paris 2 years ago and were surprised at the friendliness of the people, even those who went out of their way at rush hour in the Metro to come over and help us read the map! Found Paris to be much more polite and hospitable than any place in Italy. Has anyone else had this experience? Joyce

Maira

Joyce--- I did, which took me by surprised in Rome. However, once in the Italian countryside (Dolomites, Lake District) people were much nicer. Also agree with French people; I was expecting rudeness, and was surprised again.

Nicest people; Spaniards and Scottish. Genuinely friendly.

Melissa

I have been bowled over with each trip--French people have been the most helpful, hospitable, friendly people I've ever encountered (except in Hawaii). Londoners were also exceptionally nice.

jack

Joyce and Maira: I did too which surprised us!!--location: Florence. What was more surprising was that everybody said that Italians are generally friendly to children and these merchants were NOT!!
I found the French and British people really friendly, helpful and generally just wonderful!!
Regards.

DC

I don't know if you can generalize about countries. Toronto is about the unfrienliest place that I've ever been. Edmonton is about the friendliest.

mel

Must surely be Ireland?

BOB THE NAVIGATOR

Ireland, hands down ! Have not been to Scotland yet but hear good things.

rlk

I have not visited sufficient countries to cast my vote on the 'friendliest' --- however despite being an avid "Italia-phile", I am forced to agree that they are NOT in the running for this honor. I may be more fortunate than some as I'm often assumed to be Italian (I'm not) and only give myself away when I speak with what I'm sure is my heavily American accented Italiano.

Having a friend who moved to Italy several years ago, she's learned it's an oddity that people can be quite friendly & helpful when on the street, BUT once they're working (particularly in customer service oriented situations, as with waiters or store clerks), this helpfulness immediately evaporates. And if you want service with a MAJOR attitude, then try purchasing stamps at any Italian post office --- you'll quickly learn to buy your 'francobolla' at the Tabachi.

Al

Our experience is that friendliness received is almost in direct proportion to friendliness and respect extended. Especially if one makes the effort -- no matter how garbled -- of speaking some words in the local language. "Please, thank you, where is..., and how much...for openers.

Betsy

In Italian cities I encounter much more surliness than in other major cities of Europe.But certainly not all people in all cities of Italy. In small villages in Italy I've encountered some of the nicest most helpful people I've met while traveling. But the major capitol where I've encountered consistently friendly and even playful courtesy? Hands down Paris! From friendly museum staff at the Louvre, to great waiters in cafes, to shop keepers and hoteliers, Paris has been wonderful. Often as I attempt to use French, and appologize for my inability to understand the replies, I'm teased in a friendly way and then spoken to in English. I'm surprised by the,often, general misconception of Paris as an unfriendly place.

John

Al is quite right. Friendliness received is in direct proportion to friendliness extended. My wife and I in the last 6 months have traveled to Australia, New Zealand, England, Scotland and France. Without exception those we met along the way were helpful, curious, friendly and courteous, no matter where we were. We have found that as soon as we opened our mouths, we signaled our American identity prompting the locals to exhibit their knowledge and/or curiosity of America.

What country has the friendliest people? Hard to choose, thankfully.
John

Mel

FYI, the mel that posted above isn't me--I only post under my actual e-mail address. Anyway, I've been very lucky everywhere I've traveled with the exception of unfriendly, less-then-helpful hotel staff in one Rome hotel (but great service in another on another visit) and in two small German villages. The friendliest to me are absolutely the Scots--never met one who didn't express geniune warmth and hpapiness that we were there to share the beauty of their country and offer to help us in any way they could. I also love the British in England--the most wonderful, dry sense of humor that really appeals to me.

Maira

John--- in an ideal world, that would be the case, but it is a sad reality that there are times in which a friendly approach or gesture is not reciprocated. I doubt there is a human being that this hasn't happen to. Speaking for myself, I treat people the way I will like to be treated. Even so, I have encountered ocassional, undeserved grumpiness. Rome seems to have an above the norm share of those. Such is life.

Joe

In fifteen plus years of European travel, we have received, almost without exception, kind, friendly, helpful treatment all over Europe. East, West, North, South, Germanic, Latin, it really hasn't made much difference. But, the Scotch and the Irish (I am neither) are exceptional. They really do go out of their way to be helpful. I remember coming out of a couple of days of wandering Donegal County and coming into Letterkenny, one of the few places on the trip where we did not have advanced reservations. We had done some research and had identified a couple of B&B's we thought would be ideal. As we came down from the Mountains, we spotted one of the B&Bs above the City. We stopped to inquire about availability. I went to the door while my Wife waited in the car. We were warmly greeted by the proprietress, but , alas, she had no vacancies. But, if we would come in and join her guests for afternoon Tea which was in progress, she would call around to some of her B&B Friends and find us accomodations. I tried to politely refuse as I did not want to impose, but she absolutely insisted that I fetch my wife and come in. We did. She introduced us to her guests, poured us some tea, invited us to partake of the biscuits (cookies) and excused herself to make the calls. We exchanged some travel experience with her guests and, shortly, she returned with "an ideal arrangement with her good friend on the other side of town". In addition, her Husband, Charles, was in the shower, but, "as soon as he gets out and dressed, he will guide you to the B&B across town". Again, we tried to refuse her offer, not wanting to impose. She would have none of it. We should sit down, continue our Tea and "Charles would be with us shortly. There didn't appear to be a graceful choice.

As we continued our Tea,we inquired about a good place to eat and after quickly determining our tastes, she made a recommendation describing the Restaurant and the menu in detail. Then she added, "It is a bit out of the way" (meaning for us), "but Charles will be happy to swing by the restaurant on your way to the B&B so you will know the way". Now, I had begun to consider that Charles was either a Saint, or the most put upon man I will ever meet. Charles came down and proved to be the Saint. As charming as his wife, he implored us to finish our tea and when we were ready, we would head out. Charles first took us to the Restaurant (it was out of the way) and then to the B&B across town where he introduced us to the proprietors, helped us with our luggage (there wasn't that much, but he insisted) and stayed long enough to see to our comfort. We engaged in a bit of conversation (the proprietors included) and then, Charles took his leave.

I swear to you that all this happened exactly as I have described it. We tried to offer some compensation, but, Charles politely refused. We did send a nice gift when we got back to the States and we will never forget this experience or their kindness.

Capo

Joyce, interestingly, my experience is the opposite of yours. I've been to Paris six times and was just recently in Rome for the first time. While I've never found Parisians, in general, to be un friendly, the people I encountered in Rome seemed to be warmer and friendlier.

What I've found from my various trips is that the people who tend to be the most unfriendly are those in positions -- such as subway or train ticket sellers -- where they have to deal with a high volume of people, probably hearing the same questions over and over and over again. While I don't like that, I find it somewhat understandable.

Patti Suttle

Joe-I just loved your story and I am not surprised! The Irish are wonderful!
Thank you for sharing it!
I will be back in less than 4 weeks-can't wait!
Patti

Jim Mohundro

I guess I'll continue to give the Italians the benefit of the doubt, by assuming that they are worn down by so constantly dealing with tourists. On our trip to Milano, Florence, Verona and Venice last Summer, the Italians (particularly officals and shopkeepers) were, if not rude, apparently reluctant to put forth much effort to help us with our questions.

And another thing: the bread isn't very good, either. I've heard there is some tradition of baking bread without salt. On the other hand, the rest of the food ranged from very good to marvelous--Italy is truly a great place for a meal, at any budget level!

Our real surprise was the Austria/Germany element of our trip. With only one exception (a woman who appeared unhappy that we asked for an additional knapkin with our ice cream cones), the Austrians and the Germans were notably friendlier and much more helpful.

So much for stereotypes. Our pre-trip presumptions about what to expect people-to-people in Italy, Austria and Germany were turned upside-down.

We did, by the way, generously sprinkle "thank you," excuse me," "please," and "good (morning)(afternoon)(evening", in the best pronunciations we could manage, throughout our visit. It usually helps in New York and Phoenix too.

Susana

We found the Irish to be the most friendly & helpful by far - with the French coming in second.

Judy

Couldn't agree more. I was also surprised both ways. We were in Nothern Italy (Florence, Tuscany, Milan and Como, Bellagio) but did find the Italians more helpful and friendly in Tuscany than the other areas. The French were great.

Friendliest, most kind and helpful, I found were the Portugese (except for their driving)

Joanne

Guess we have been lucky. We have been treated well in Europe everywhere we have visited, at least by most people. The least friendly treatment we have received was in Greece (by staff at our hotel and the crew on our cruise). Shopkeepers and others were great. In Italy, with few exceptions, we have been treated very well. Incidentally, the bread in Italy isn't bad, Jim just doesn't like it!!