Are people from some areas friendlier?

[McBethany]

I’ve recently been on holiday to a place that due to its location was full of Scottish people and Geordies. I was struck by how friendly everyone was, chatty with strangers, and friendly. Everyone saying morning or afternoon when they pass you.

Its similar when I’ve been to Liverpool - I strike up conversations with strangers all over the place. Great customer service too, chatty bar staff who seem to give a shit about serving you.

This isn’t a South bashing thread, and I’m aware everywhere has its share of miseries, grumps and idiots. But do you think the stereotype of friendly Northerners is true?

I find northern England mixed- Liverpool and York I found to be so friendly and would love to visit again. I didn’t get the same vibes in either Manchester or Teeside. No one was outright rude or anything, they just weren’t really friendly like the other 2 places.

South and west Wales are friendly in general but don’t know much about north Wales. My home town (Home Counties) is a miserable, unfriendly place that I avoid like the plague. Plenty of people on London Underground have been helpful, whether they’re Londoners or tourists.

I'm from south wales and I would say we are very friendly. I feel it's because we are from small valleys so there is a strong sense of community. You literally cannot leave your front door without having a chat to someone even if you don't know them

Worcestershire is really friendly. I find Bristol pretty unfriendly and a bit hostile.

I lived in Yorkshire 20 years and people were friendly but superficially imo.
In Liverpool and on the Wirral it’s a different level. People are not just friendly they actually seem to care. A neighbour recently insisted on helping when she saw me weeding my driveway as she knows I have a health issue.

The most unfriendly people I met were in Devon and South Lincolnshire.
My experience of living in a small commuter town in Bucks was very friendly but most people weren’t actually from there originally.

Yep. My Dad is from Liverpool and couldn't get away quick enough. He said people weren't friendly, they were familiar.

Friendliness, at least my type that involves reading social cues and not pushing me to chat further than simple greetings if I have shown I do not want to engage further than that (reading a book, reading on my phone, earbuds in, closed eyes, etc..) and the type that sees someone needs help and asks, would say much of the SE including many parts of London, parts of Scotland and Wales I’ve been to. Least would say Newcastle in the northeast. I only go there to take the train straight to Edinburgh.

Of the places I've visited, Liverpool has the friendliest people. Cornwall I found the rudest, but I know a lot of Cornish are sick of tourists. I'm from Nottingham so unbiased towards both. London is fine, I go a few times a year, I don't think people there are particularly unfriendly.

I am going to give a flip. I am from the North West but as a student 30 odd years ago I lived in Southampton. Folk were just the friendliest there. I would have people strike up conversations with me at the bus stop and seriously if I ever tried that where I live I am treated like I have two heads for daring to speak. Like wise I worked in a supermarket in Southampton and the staff I worked with were just the kindest friendliest people I have ever met. Worked in the same chain up here and nothing like that at all very off and unfriendly to be absolutely honest with you.

Some people are friendly, some are not. And both live all over the world.

Exactly. I’m not sure one can talk meaningfully about the friendliest place when what constitutes friendly behaviour is culturally contingent.

Interesting how many people think Glasgow is so friendly. Lived here my whole life and I have never considered it friendly. I find it quite menacing and frankly if I didn’t have to live here I wouldn’t. I find Yorkshire friendly when I visit, and the Peak District. London is a lot friendlier than I expected too.

@Sigmama what are you talking about?

Sorry, I meant the north, as in england

@Sigmama ah ok! 🙂

I'm from Newcastle and I've never really got this thing about people being friendlier here. I've lived in London and I do think the thing a pp mentioned about letting people get on with things is actually polite. I actually find customer service in Newcastle ruder than elsewhere too.

Just because somone will strike up conversation also doesn't make them a nice person. I know you said friendly but we often equate the tow.

Glaswegians in general are very friendly, even if the city sometimes gets an unwarranted bad name. Don't stand too long at any bus stop otherwise I will guarantee that at least one Glesga Granny (capitals needed!) will have told you her life story, how many great grandchildren she has, and which neighbour has recently got a new car.

I’m finding my little bit of Somerset friendly and people are very kind.

Also what is the obsession with chatting to strangers? 🤣

Just been in Cornwall for a week and the locals seemed to actively avoid eye contact! I found this surprising but guessed they are mightily fed up with tourists!

If you come from a place where this is normal it doesn't feel like 'obsession'. If you really don't want to interact then wear earphones/don't smile at anyone/move away from someone who starts speaking/say 'I don't speak English' in a foreign accent (though that might result in 'oooh where are you from?' in Glasgow).....some people are just naturally friendly.

I agree with a lot of this.

One thing I've absolutely noticed is people here in Newcastle are shit in busy places and this supposed friendliness dissappears! Like an event or busy shopping street. Hete as londoners are used to it and understand you need a bit if hussle yo keep it moving. People are slow and selfish, have almost no awareness of others and space.

Because this obviously only Liverpool isn’t it.

There’s no gun crime or violence in other areas of the country I’m assuming?

The whole post code war going on in London is made up?

I've always found people who live in places away from cities for example the coast or countryside where the pace of life is slower have far more time for strangers and are more likely to say hello to you in passing.

I'm from the South , born and bred. Moved North around 14 years ago but go back to visit family. I always notice when walking around what used to be my area of the large town my family still live in how much people don't smile or nod to you as you pass them on the path . Up here you get a cheery hello / smile or at least a bit of a nod .

That isn't friendliness, that's because there's fuck all else to do and seeing somebody unfamiliar is likely the most interesting thing that will happen in the entire week 🤣

I wish I didn't speak from experience.