Since we had a post about the most friendliest countries, we should look at countries that have unexpected friendly people, not the usual answers like Ireland, Scotland, Canada, Taiwan, etc. For me it’s Montenegro. Londoners are considered to be cold and rude but I find them to be very pleasant with me.
Yeah, I would say the same thing about Americans (yes I know you’re Americans too. I think we all know I mean the US). If you meet MAGA on the street in a non-political way, they might be super nice. You might have a great interaction. I have traveled around the world and I maintain that food service personnel in the US are the friendliest. I’m guessing many of them are MAGA.
Food service people are not MAGA for the most part. The owner of the restaurant is probably MAGA and all the servers probably hate him.
Also, American culture, especially in the South is to be kind to people at face value
Y’all can afford to visit another country?
Germany. Namely Northern Bavaria. They love it when you try to speak their language and suddenly you are their friend, they are speaking English to you, and they are buying you beer. Suffice it to say that I made a lot of friends there. An amazing experience.
Like you already wrote, Ireland!
It was kinda shocking how openly friendly and relaxed most people there are.
I went to rome once, and I found people to be super unfriendly. Like, giving me looks levels of unfriendly.
After a few hours of this I realized the problem, I was wearing a Deicide t-shirt, and rome is christian as fuck. God I’m stupid.
After a quick change people were really nice :D
Yea, even down to the name, Decide has a very “we’re the devil worshippers your pastor ranted about” look.
Turkey
People love to make exaggerated statements on the internet for attention but I can say very truly that the spirit of the people changed me inside and it helped start my sobriety journey
New Zealand. So wanted to stay there. Made Canadians look a little rude. LOL.
As a Canadian, I can declaratively say that our reputation for being polite is bogus. As a whole, we are a shitty, privileged, nasty group of people. Our country is built on colonialism and genocide, so you can only imagine what a shit pot this is.
Ah, don’t be so hard on yourself. I’ve only had great experiences traveling in Canada and I like to think of Canadians as our brothers. There’s good and bad everywhere. I might have had a miserable trip to New Zealand if I had left just an hour later. Who knows.
I don’t think I’m being hard on myself, I think I’m being hard on the general population of Canada. Most people here are just what I said, overprivileged shit pieces
I feel like there’s a big difference between the surface level presentation that people see in Canadians, and then there’s the reality
Taiwan.
Paris. I’ve always heard bad things about Parisians but they were cool. The only rude people I encountered were tourists.
Im planning to visit Paris soon in a few weeks so hearing this is really helpful! I don’t speak French well and have been trying to get better before the trip. But was worried I’d be treated rudely for it from all the stories I’ve heard. Glad to know they’re just stories
Don’t worry! Say “Bonjour” when you go in a place and say “Merci” when appropriate, don’t be loud in general, and everything will be fine.
For me it was Russia when I spent aroubd 9 days there (in and around Moscow). The people were genuinely friendly and there we not the scammers/tourist traps like in most of Europe and Asia.
The markets were as interesting as any I’ve been to in Asia/North Africa.
Back when the world is simpler (because I was young and ignorant mostly) Moscow shocked me too. Had to study there for a few years and despite their gruff outward look they are some of the friendliest I’ve met at that time.
Only exception is riding the metro/tram during rush hour. Those babushkas aren’t playing around and will tackle you down
Germany, went just as brexit was happening, loved the place and people were so friendly, had a few long conversations with people on the bus/train. Also best breakfasts anywhere.
Netherlands. People there actually smile, it’s crazy
My answer, too. I remember being uncertain how I’d be received as an American. I stopped in a random restaurant once to ask for quick directions. The lady didn’t just give me some “fuck off”/simplistic “go that way” answer, she walked from behind the counter, came around, took the map I was holding out of my hand, and spent SEVERAL minutes explaining to me in perfect English all kinds of helpful info.
I loved that place.
France. You hear about how they’re rude if you can’t speak the language, which I can’t at all. But everyone I spoke to was totally helpful, polite, and personable. Even most of the people who I interacted with who didn’t speak English tried their best to understand and answer my questions.
Cambodia. Genuinely the nicest, and most helpful, people I have ever encountered all throughout the country. I was told about their general friendliness before, but was blown away by actually seeing it firsthand.
China. The people are super nice, sweet, helpful, lovely people. It’s just their government I hate. I don’t know if they hate it too or not since they’re not free to say but I think they’re nice people and they deserve better.
