Where are the rudest/most polite people in the world?
Jan 28th, 2004, 03:42 PM
#1
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Where are the rudest/most polite people in the world?
Until recently, I would say that the rudest people are in Hong Kong. Since, 2002 I have found that this has change, and much to my surprise the people there generally have not been rude. I guess they (HK people) have had their own problems, ie downturn in the economy, SARS, etc which may have caused things to change.
The most polite people I have encountered have been in New Zealand, Australia and, Japan (althought I always have language problems in Japan). I also found Texans very welcoming to tourists.
What experiences have fodorites had?
The most polite people I have encountered have been in New Zealand, Australia and, Japan (althought I always have language problems in Japan). I also found Texans very welcoming to tourists.
What experiences have fodorites had?
Jan 28th, 2004, 04:02 PM
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I am seriously not trying to be rude, but this question is just silly. You can not make judgements like this on just a meeting a few people. What is the point of this question other than to stir up trouble.
When you have met every person in Hong Kong and have had conversations or experiences with each one of them then you are entitled to say they seem rude or nice. Until then you are making assumptions.
When you have met every person in Hong Kong and have had conversations or experiences with each one of them then you are entitled to say they seem rude or nice. Until then you are making assumptions.
Jan 28th, 2004, 04:04 PM
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Yes it is true that there are rude/polite people everywhere. However, this does affect how you like/dislike a particular place. How many times have you asked people how was your holiday; and in their reply they say and the people were so rude/so nice.
Jan 28th, 2004, 04:06 PM
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Agreed that there are rude and polite people everywhere. Also, it depends on your perception of rude or polite - different habits or mores may be seen as rude by someone not used to them when in fact it's just a different set of standards of politeness.
Jan 28th, 2004, 04:39 PM
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If this is a silly question - just shoot me. How you are treated by the local people greatly affects how much you enjoy your holiday.
The rudest people I have encountered are in Hong Kong, France, Spain, Italy and Germany. The freindliest people are in Australia and New Zealand.
The rudest people I have encountered are in Hong Kong, France, Spain, Italy and Germany. The freindliest people are in Australia and New Zealand.
Jan 28th, 2004, 08:52 PM
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Maybe it seems like sterotyping, but I have to agree that the friendliest people ever were in Australia and New Zealand. In fact, their friendliness almost became annoying. When trying to get in the car and leave in the morning from a hotel, we'd invariably be detained for an hour while the person checking us out would insist on knowing where we were going that day, what our route was and offering lists of suggestions for everything from best restaurants to where the best place to stop and pee might be!!
When we went to Ireland we were told we'd find the friendliest people there. After a few days, we both remarked that while everyone was pleasant they certainly weren't as outgoingly friendly as in Australia and New Zealand. Then we had this waitress in Cork who practically sat at our table and wanted to discuss everything in the world with us. Wow, we thought, she really is friendly. Then we found out she was an exchange student from --- Australia. We had a similar experience a few days later and guess what? It was someone who had just moved from New Zealand.
When we went to Ireland we were told we'd find the friendliest people there. After a few days, we both remarked that while everyone was pleasant they certainly weren't as outgoingly friendly as in Australia and New Zealand. Then we had this waitress in Cork who practically sat at our table and wanted to discuss everything in the world with us. Wow, we thought, she really is friendly. Then we found out she was an exchange student from --- Australia. We had a similar experience a few days later and guess what? It was someone who had just moved from New Zealand.
Jan 29th, 2004, 05:23 AM
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The very notion that "rude" is the opposite of "friendly" betrays your cultural biases. The opposite of rude is polite (as the title the thread says), and it is possible to be polite without being (as Patrick points out) annoying.
Here in New England, we're reserved but generally polite on our own terms, which is perceived as "unfriendly" (i.e., rude, I guess) by Southerners who are more accustomed to the very outgoing "friendliness" that most New Englanders equate with being a superficial, lying phony. If I'm from New England and I've just met you, you aren't my friend!
I'm sure this sort of cultural gap extends to perceptions in many European places that have very low tolerances for the time-wasting goofing around that other cultures value as a friendliness warmup of some sort.
Here in New England, we're reserved but generally polite on our own terms, which is perceived as "unfriendly" (i.e., rude, I guess) by Southerners who are more accustomed to the very outgoing "friendliness" that most New Englanders equate with being a superficial, lying phony. If I'm from New England and I've just met you, you aren't my friend!
I'm sure this sort of cultural gap extends to perceptions in many European places that have very low tolerances for the time-wasting goofing around that other cultures value as a friendliness warmup of some sort.
Jan 29th, 2004, 06:35 AM
#16
And, Anonymous, I'd say your response betrays your own regional bias towards the NE US while perpetuating a negative stereotype of all southerners as grinning phonies who find all reserved northerners rude. And I'm not sure but I think you are also implying that this so called cultural gap is responsible for some misperceived bad rep all Americans have with all Europeans. Could you be just a little more simple minded?
Jan 29th, 2004, 07:38 AM
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A braod generalization ,yes, but I have found people in New Zealand to be the most polite and kind, and even generally shy toward visitors.
Austarlians are more outgoing, very friendly.
I have found the French to be more distant and aloof than people in other countries.
Austarlians are more outgoing, very friendly.
I have found the French to be more distant and aloof than people in other countries.
Jan 29th, 2004, 07:58 AM
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Oh dear, now we've added another word "phony" and that certainly does cover many people.
Like everyone I've met a lot of phonies in my travels and day-to-day experiences but the friendliest people I have met live in the Washington DC area. There are few true natives so that most come from somewhere else (other regions - other countries). They're fairly friendly and eager to meet new friends as their families haven't been there for eons.
Like everyone I've met a lot of phonies in my travels and day-to-day experiences but the friendliest people I have met live in the Washington DC area. There are few true natives so that most come from somewhere else (other regions - other countries). They're fairly friendly and eager to meet new friends as their families haven't been there for eons.
