AIBU to think Germans are generally more sociable than Brits?

[Greyblankie]

last year we were in a very German populated area of Italy - almost all guests were German and the staff spoke Italian and German, few spoke English. I’d learnt a bit of Italian for the trip but ended up speaking more German than Italian 😂

Anyway, we noticed a few things - firstly, Germans tend to be very friendly!

Now being British, a bit unsociable and full of social anxiety when it came to breakfast I’d find us a table in the far corner of the room as isolated as possible 😂 but what would happen is the German guests would come in and immediately set up on the tables closest to ours. A quick guten Morgan and that was it … but DH and I would end up surrounded whilst the rest of the room remained empty

Is this a cultural difference between brits and Germans or is it us (well, me really) who is more unsociable than most?

what other cultural differences have you noticed between Brits and other close Europeans?

I have a Dutch friend who is so blunt it’s actually funny - think “do you think I’m putting weight on?” Her - “yes” 😂

Almost everyone is. 😀

The French do this too. You can sit anywhere in a restaurant/cafe and they will always sit right next to you even when the place is empty!

I think we Brits are just generally more reserved and not in your face. We cringe when we see/hear loud Americans as it's just not our way. Yes, the Dutch are very to the point and think it's hilarious that we apologise for everything, including breathing!

Im married to a German man and spent quite a bit of time in the country so have accrued quite a bit of experience in noticing the differences over the years. I think we Brits come across as far friendlier on the surface but theres often a layer of insincerity to it. Germans on the other hand tend to be much more earnest and direct, so it can feel blunt at times but theres something quite refreshing about knowing where you stand. Having said that I would definitely rather live here in the UK than in Germany as I think we are less uptight than the Germans. They are very privacy conscious which is good in some ways but can also create an uncomfortable atmosphere where people really don’t want to raise their voices in a restaurant or on public transport oh and they are big followers of rules to the point of being inflexible, yep the stereotype is true! Having said all this it also really depends where in Germany you are. Much like the UK there is quite a stark difference in how open people are in the cities vs small towns and villages and young vs old people.

It clearly depends on the situation and the individuals. Yes, one does see reserved Brits bending over backwards to avoid polite conversation with European neighbours, but in my experience in tourist destinations they are vastly outnumbered by incredibly obnoxious Brits engaging in antisocial behaviour which other Europeans do not put up with from their own countrymen.

In my experience Germans are generally very friendly and sociable (obviously every country has individuals with differing personalities). One of my favourite countries to visit!

Whether they're any more or less friendly than any other country is debateable though. If you live in the UK you're probably only coming across lots of people from other countries when you're on holiday, and they're probably on holiday too - so everyone's much happier and more sociable!

Yeah we tend to avoid places where the stereotypical Brits abroad frequent - often that involves going places where nobody speaks English 😂

I was in Germany last year and there was a guy who had snakes on the windscreen of his car! I asked "why do you have snakes on your windscreen?", he replied "those are my vipers".

He then opened up his boot and there was a slab of meat there. He explained "this is my spare veal".

Germans are definitely more direct. They’re just as nice, just fewer pleasantries, faux politeness, etc.

I think it's probably best not to stereotype any nation or ethnic group. People have varying social characteristics.

@PatriciaRockssurely this is more about observing cultural difference? Nowt wrong with that!

I think German, French, Spanish and Italians are all generally friendly nations. There are obviously individuals who go against the grain; I work with a German woman, she is probably one of the rudest, most arrogant people I have ever met!

There's such a variance in any country, though. You meet friendly people and rude people anywhere and everywhere.

I think Brits can seem to fall into two extreme camps. There's the 'Oh no she's coming over to talk to us'Brit s (that's me .basically anti social with people met in restaurants/holidays ect)and the opposite what's called Brits abroad people. We do sometimes seem a bit socially inept in comparison with other European nations and can't seem to easily hit a happy medium.

You don’t know they sat there to be friendly. They may have thought, look at them trying to be as far from anyone else as possible, we’ll soon muck that up for them. Did you hear any sniggering? 🤭

I'd have got up and moved. Quickly

Even I’m not that bad 😂

Ooh the weekly Brit bashing thread. As someone pointed upthread, we are one extreme or the others

I don’t inflict myself on strangers and expect them to pay me the same respect. Unfortunately they don’t always do this so I try to limit going out as much as possible.

I would as well (and been fairly blatant about it)

Are you Southern? I find the Welsh, the Irish, the Scots and Northerners all very sociable and friendly. (I don't know many people from the Midlands)

The only people I've found less overtly friendly were people from the South of England.

Don’t be ridiculous - I’m British and proud - it’s a lighthearted observation, try removing the chip off your shoulder!

Nope! Northern!

I’m Irish and find German and Italians to be very friendly and like that Irish and British more reserved

It's well known that it's difficult to make friends with Germans. They tend to have close friends from school and university, and don't feel a need to develop friendships after that.
That's not what the OP is talking about here, I know. Personally, I like talking to new people and finding out about where they live, and I find the OP's attitude to other people quite extreme. She doesn't even want to sit at a table near other occupied tables?!

You know that some people don’t want to chat to randomers, yes?