What country had the friendliest people?
Apr 16th, 2002, 02:17 PM
#62
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I respectfully must disagree with friendly recieved is in direct proportion with that given. I am a very friendly and police, and I act the same way in the 30-some countries I have visited. There is a variety of friendly recieved, regardless of how much is given.
The rudest was Russia. Ironically, at the time that I went there I spoke almost fluent Russian, having taken 6 years, 2 of them intensive. Major Rude. People at the post office would pretend not to understand, and I know I was saying things correctly. The hot water was out in the hotel, and we politely asked the clerk when it would be on. "How do I know? I don't shower in your room," she replied.
It was the result of 70 years of guaranteed jobs, regardless of how rude you were to the customers.
The most friendly was Syria. In spite of 40 years of anti-US propaganda, everyone has a relative in Detroit or Glendale, and they know more about the US they their press tells them. Strangely, their relatives never want to come home from this terrible place.
The people there were so nice. Museum guards opening the museum before hours for us, telling to to take pictures where there were signs saying "No photography," our guide inviting us to his house for dinner, people would walk out of their way to give us directions. And I don't speak Arabic.
Unlike Egypt, when the Syrians were nice, they didn't rudely demand baksheesh. (Egypt was the second rudest. Stop a cab. Ask the drive how much to X location. Agree on a price. Arrive there and it has gone up ten pounds. Hey, I could live with that. It was him shouting about it. And that was typical. As long as they were getting something, they were nice. When you stopped buying they were rude and offensive. (Preemptive comment - it is not "the poverty" or conditions. I have been in many other countries with similar economies and conditions, and it never reached the level of Egypt.
The rudest was Russia. Ironically, at the time that I went there I spoke almost fluent Russian, having taken 6 years, 2 of them intensive. Major Rude. People at the post office would pretend not to understand, and I know I was saying things correctly. The hot water was out in the hotel, and we politely asked the clerk when it would be on. "How do I know? I don't shower in your room," she replied.
It was the result of 70 years of guaranteed jobs, regardless of how rude you were to the customers.
The most friendly was Syria. In spite of 40 years of anti-US propaganda, everyone has a relative in Detroit or Glendale, and they know more about the US they their press tells them. Strangely, their relatives never want to come home from this terrible place.
The people there were so nice. Museum guards opening the museum before hours for us, telling to to take pictures where there were signs saying "No photography," our guide inviting us to his house for dinner, people would walk out of their way to give us directions. And I don't speak Arabic.
Unlike Egypt, when the Syrians were nice, they didn't rudely demand baksheesh. (Egypt was the second rudest. Stop a cab. Ask the drive how much to X location. Agree on a price. Arrive there and it has gone up ten pounds. Hey, I could live with that. It was him shouting about it. And that was typical. As long as they were getting something, they were nice. When you stopped buying they were rude and offensive. (Preemptive comment - it is not "the poverty" or conditions. I have been in many other countries with similar economies and conditions, and it never reached the level of Egypt.
Apr 16th, 2002, 02:32 PM
#63
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I have been around the world several times with work and without exception the friendliest country was Jordan for the Middle East/southern European areas, France for Europe, Australia for the Oceania and Thailand for Asia.
The worst were - Yugoslavia ( very like Russia) Italy, Greece, Indonesia.
The best of America was North West and mid west areas, including Arizona and the worst were the Carolinas, Georgia and NYC - in the Carolinas it was the hotel staff that were the worst, rude and unhelpful and I felt that they thought the world owed them a living - or something.
It does not take much to make people happy - just a smile really. So what is wrong with some people and races?
The worst were - Yugoslavia ( very like Russia) Italy, Greece, Indonesia.
The best of America was North West and mid west areas, including Arizona and the worst were the Carolinas, Georgia and NYC - in the Carolinas it was the hotel staff that were the worst, rude and unhelpful and I felt that they thought the world owed them a living - or something.
It does not take much to make people happy - just a smile really. So what is wrong with some people and races?
Apr 16th, 2002, 02:46 PM
#64
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I'm really skeptical about assertions like these -- notice how frequently conclusions are drawn based on a couple of waiters or a handful of hotel personnel. I think you first have to define what you mean by friendliness and then be aware that you have a painfully small sample if you are basing your judgment on waiters and bellhops.
On the other hand, it's a sharp reminder to all of us that others may judge our entire country by how we react to them in a brief encounter.
On the other hand, it's a sharp reminder to all of us that others may judge our entire country by how we react to them in a brief encounter.
Apr 16th, 2002, 02:54 PM
#65
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With all these posts preceding mine, I probably don't need to add to the reading; but I would like to give my opinion, too. So who are the nicest people? Really, it's everywhere you go as far as I'm concerned. At the same time, you will find someone, if you travel enough, who will be rude and discourteous---and they will be in the same country where you thought folks were so nice!!! I really believe it somewhat depends on the individuals you happen to meet, but I also understand that there is a general bias for or against certain cultures or peoples. And if I were forced to do it, I would have to name the Irish, Scottish, Iranians (yes, Iranians), Syrians, and Swiss as having consistently the kind of people who just naturally seem more courteous, considerate, and helpful. But just behind them would be the entire rest of Europe, including the Serbs and Croats of the former Yugoslavia, the Hungarians, the Czechs, as well as the Poles, Bulgarians, Romanians, and the Baltic peoples.
Example: I have had an experience in which a Swiss bank manager saw me walking away from his recently closed bank looking rather crestfallen. I had wanted to change some money, and I didn't know that the bank had just closed. The manager came over, invited me into the bank as he unlocked it, and proceeded to make the change I needed.
Example: In the hills between Sarajevo and Novi Sad, in the former Yugoslavia, my wife and I stopped in a small restaurant along the road, sorta in the middle of nowhere. When we went in, we found it totally filled with working-class Yugoslavs, all men with dark eyes and beards, who stared politely but obviously at my blonde wife in her miniskirt and short blouse (not the best clothing for travel, I suppose, but it was summer). They made my wife quite nervous, and she wanted to leave quickly--which we did as soon as we downed a beer and went to the toilet (an Eastern toilet for those who know what that means). We left after paying our bill, scurried to the car in a heavy rain, and were about to drive away when one of the men from the restaurant came running out to our car in the rain, bringing the maps and papers I had forgotten to pick up in my haste to leave. Thanking him in Serbo-Croatian, I could see that he was so very pleased that he could do something for us. My wife immediately changed her mind about the men in the restaurant and the men in that country.
In Hungary, we have asked a motorcycle policeman for help in finding our hotel, and he gave us a personal motorcycle escort all the way to the front door---not a short distance, either.
In Iran, I have eaten in the homes of working-class Iranians who would give you the shirt off their back. You couldn't admire something in their home because they would give it to you. In fact, they would insist you take it.
In Czechoslovakia, my wife and I were leaving a cafeteria after lunch. She stumbled as she missed a step down from a curb into the city square, and in a flash a big Czech man seemed to materialze from nowhere and catch her as she was falling toward the cobblestone. He was very solicitous and wanted to make sure we were both OK. I will always remember this because we have recalled the incident with the expression "he Czech'ed her fall."
I could go on. Nice people are where you find them.
Example: I have had an experience in which a Swiss bank manager saw me walking away from his recently closed bank looking rather crestfallen. I had wanted to change some money, and I didn't know that the bank had just closed. The manager came over, invited me into the bank as he unlocked it, and proceeded to make the change I needed.
Example: In the hills between Sarajevo and Novi Sad, in the former Yugoslavia, my wife and I stopped in a small restaurant along the road, sorta in the middle of nowhere. When we went in, we found it totally filled with working-class Yugoslavs, all men with dark eyes and beards, who stared politely but obviously at my blonde wife in her miniskirt and short blouse (not the best clothing for travel, I suppose, but it was summer). They made my wife quite nervous, and she wanted to leave quickly--which we did as soon as we downed a beer and went to the toilet (an Eastern toilet for those who know what that means). We left after paying our bill, scurried to the car in a heavy rain, and were about to drive away when one of the men from the restaurant came running out to our car in the rain, bringing the maps and papers I had forgotten to pick up in my haste to leave. Thanking him in Serbo-Croatian, I could see that he was so very pleased that he could do something for us. My wife immediately changed her mind about the men in the restaurant and the men in that country.
In Hungary, we have asked a motorcycle policeman for help in finding our hotel, and he gave us a personal motorcycle escort all the way to the front door---not a short distance, either.
In Iran, I have eaten in the homes of working-class Iranians who would give you the shirt off their back. You couldn't admire something in their home because they would give it to you. In fact, they would insist you take it.
In Czechoslovakia, my wife and I were leaving a cafeteria after lunch. She stumbled as she missed a step down from a curb into the city square, and in a flash a big Czech man seemed to materialze from nowhere and catch her as she was falling toward the cobblestone. He was very solicitous and wanted to make sure we were both OK. I will always remember this because we have recalled the incident with the expression "he Czech'ed her fall."
I could go on. Nice people are where you find them.
Aug 2nd, 2002, 06:49 AM
#69
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Joyce,
I have had the complete opposite of you. People in Italy treated us like family and people in Paris treated us rudely. I guess different people have different experiences. All we can do is keep a smile on our faces and enjoy every country and city we go to.
Janda
I have had the complete opposite of you. People in Italy treated us like family and people in Paris treated us rudely. I guess different people have different experiences. All we can do is keep a smile on our faces and enjoy every country and city we go to.
Janda
Aug 2nd, 2002, 08:47 PM
#70
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Janda i agree, ive been to italy and the people there are beautiful and friendly. The people in Paris were very rude unfortunately. I was disappointed though since i have heard all great things about them. Another place where i met great friendly people was in london.
Aug 2nd, 2002, 09:03 PM
#71
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We went to France expecting the rudeness that everyone has heard of.If you are not the "ugly american" then it is a wonderful country. We loved the culture, art, city, everything that makes it a genuine city. I truly felt like the French were "friendly" during my stay. I would love to live in Paris if I coule-- forever--
Aug 3rd, 2002, 08:09 AM
#74
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I've never been to a country where I felt people were rude--I agree, the way you approach them in a large part determines how they will treat you, but in Costa Rica the people are so friendly it's incredible. I guess because they really like blond children, but they went gaga for my daughter and she just ate it up and now that we're back in the US I realize how unfriendly everyone is here! In London I thought the people were all a bit standoffish but hands down they were the most helpful of anywhere I've been. They won't smile at you in greeting, but they'll drop everything to help you open a door or carry an awkward package.
