Least Friendly Countries

[emmie]

not us, whew.

http://travel.aol.co.uk/2013/11/04/the-worlds-least-friendly-countries/?ncid=webmail6

[pixie373]

Although we apparently voted ourselves the third rudest. I wonder what it's based on.

[emmie]

no idea, but i confess that by and large i think that British are fairly polite say in comparison to some i have come across on my travels.... The Parisians were most definitely the rudest i encountered.

[jno]

hard to say what the criteria must have been. I've found NZers friendly but also Iranians, who are in the bottom five. Number one for me - probably Turks.

[emmie]

the Turkish people i have met in Turkey were polite and pleasant,
the Greeks the same, helpful and very nice. The Americans the same, wonder how they came to the conclusion they have....

[pixie373]

My parents, who have travelled a lot, say Russians (even if they're not in Russia). I wouldn't like to judge on meeting a few individuals, though.

[pixie373]

... Sorry, i meant the rudest, there ^^

[emmie]

i never cared for some Americans who i met on travels overseas, in countries including here, they were often loud and rude, however back home i always found them helpful and friendly... paradox.

[emmie]

not sure, the Parisians were fairly unfriendly, and i have been to Paris more than once...

[naomi24]

Generalising, but ....

Israel - unfriendly.

Sri Lanka - friendly.

[emmie]

Israel, that surprises me somewhat....

[naomi24]

Can I add Sudan to unfriendly? Dreadful place.

[ichkeria]

Paris is indeed, I'm sorry to say, not the friendliest of places. Although as with many countries that seems to apply to the indigenous population more than immigrants. On my first night in Paris i was befriended by a very friendly Arab couple. And I've also known actual Parisians who turned out to be less unfriendly than at first seemed.

Russia though is in a league of its own, the rule above about "indigenous population" applying equally.

[jomifl]

If getting mugged and having to avoid bandits constitutes being unfriendly then Kenya is the most unfriendly country I have visited. Everyday Spain is the friendliest though I can't speak for the Costas.

[ichkeria]

Yes Spain is indeed very friendly in my experience, which surprised me a bit as I was expecting people to be rather blase about foreign tourists. Generalisation is I suppose dangerous

[naomi24]

Emmie, perhaps I should qualify that. The Israelis are unfriendly - the Arabs are friendly enough.

Agree with Jom - Kenya could be better.

I adore Paris - although I know a lot of people who think it's unfriendly.

Russians are even worse when they're outside Russia!

[FredPuli43]

Even Parisians find their waiters abrupt. There have attempts over the years to make them less so, but they seem to take pride in it. But Parisians themselves are a friendly, helpful bunch. You have to remember that we appear rude to French people because our cultures are different. We do not address strangers such as shop assistants, as "sir" or "madam", we don't say "Good morning ladies and gentlemen" (abbreviated to "Messieurs, dames") , addressed to everyone in the shop, customers included, when we buy a paper, and so on. Given that, we are able to put their backs up without meaning to and it is not altogether surprising if we get an abrupt, unfriendly response.

[jomifl]

Fred is absolutely correct about the French, They are very formal and non -correctness is perceived as rudeness. Greet people you don't know from Adam, shake hands at the very least with those you know and for preference kiss them, opposite sex included. I have had to visit Paris regularly for medical reasons and on the whole find them quite friendly and helpful. You have to bear in mind that the French have the most beautiful country, most poetic language, finest cities, most sophisticated culture, most glorious history and food beyond compare, (and you'd have to be stupid not to realise that) just like Britain except poor Britain doesn't have Jonny Halliday.

[FredPuli43]

No Halliday, but we do have Cliff Richard ! And we have Kenneth Branagh rather than Gerard Depardieu, but I'm not sure the French have still got him, after his theatrical flounce off. And we have Cilla Black and Vera Lynn and they've got...er...is Mireille Matthieu still going ?

I can go into an ordinary bar in France and ask for an omelette, and someone will make it, having established what kind of omelette I want; try doing that in Britain and you'll be pointed to the 'pub meals' menu ! It is not just in haute cuisine that the French are capable.

But the French are a very reserved people; they take a very long time to make firm friends, but when they do, it's for life.