Friendly/Unfriendly Countries

[SailingOnAWave]

Really interested in other people's experiences.

I have always found Ireland and Portugal super friendly. And recently Tunisia.

In comparison I was surprised to find Greece, Norway and Sweden unfriendly.

Is it just pot luck who you happen to bump into?

Upper Ireland 🤯
Not sure whether to laugh or cry @Oceanically.
(Might as well go with laugh I suppose 😁)

I’m Irish. We just refer to it as the North! As in the 6 counties in Northern Ireland. Even though the town my dad is from is technically in the north of Ireland it’s actually in the Republic of Ireland. We don’t say the Republic though we just refer to our country as Ireland. We never refer to it as Southern Ireland either or the south of Ireland as @Terracottacarpetsaid.

It’s definitely a new one🤣. Suppose they could always say the Island of Ireland as geographically that’s what it is?

I have lived in Wales for 50 years - my husband was half Welsh. I have met friendly/un friendly people during my life here - just as I have in any other country! I am friendly myself, perhaps that helps. I love living here.

I love Poland, I think the people there maybe don’t fawn over you but I was there just after Putin invaded the Ukraine, and I was so touched by the solidarity shown by the people of Krakow. Clothing drives, vigils, Pierogi Ruski renamed Pierogi Ukranie. I’ll never forget it.

No it wasn’t. Initially Yugoslavia allied with the USSR but it was never part of the Soviet Union.

You’re the one rewriting history 😅

Anyway, I don’t think you can generalise as much as on this thread really. For example, my older female Russian neighbour is lovely. So kind, her sisters also.

Yep I think it’s often luck of the draw somewhat on who you meet, where you go to - I live in Bath and people often say ‘stuck up’ but if you got me and asked directions I’m an ex north midlands gal who would go out my way to get you to your destination or recommend a nice coffee shop etc - I do agree about a certain amount of false over familiarity in the USA , I think it’s the tipping culture that makes it so sadly, whereas people I’ve met there in a business way have often gone out their way to be sociable in a more natural way. same I think in Istanbul ( which I loved) - a lot of the bonhomie can feel a bit ‘come into my establishment’ - but hey I would rather that than disinterest when on holiday

I love Norway, the scenery, and outdoors is unrivalled. But, Norwegians are cold, and unhelpful. Usually I put it down to nature, directness etc is different between UK and Norway, but my most recent visit, and stay was horrendous. The Norwegian staff are dreadful, this applies across Oslo. The non-Norwegian staff excelled, but Norwegians, the ones being paid to do the same
jobs, to the same standard were just horrible.

If it weren’t for the freebies, I’d be naming and shaming the hotel (I stayed there frequently as well). Especially as a guest was apologising for what the staff had done for them, at the expense of me and my young child (it was this situation I complained, and suddenly they were trying to make things right!). And that was just the hotel, other places around Oslo were equally bad unless I was dealing with non-Norwegians.

Norwegian hospitality, does not exist. Not if provided by Norwegians at any rate. So based on my recent trip, where it seemed to be a Norwegian issue, I can lump, and slate you all off together.

This says more about you than Norway and if our hospitality sucks so much, why do you keep coming back? Out of interest, how do you know who is Norwegian and who is not? Did you know a lot of people working in hospitality in Oslo are actually Swedes?

Yes, I’m also interested in how this poster has an unerring ability to distinguish between Norwegians and non-Norwegians.

I agree it’s ridiculous. I’m Swedish and I very seldom come across unfriendly people in Sweden or Norway. Or Denmark.

Some British people abroad on the other hand…drunk and loud! And young girls and women walking around with their arses hanging out.

I’d never go to Tunisia again. Never.

Well, the majority of non-Norwegians I came across were from southern Europe, or Eastern Europe. I’m aware there are a lot of Swedes too but as far as I’m aware, I only had issues with the Norwegians.

As for why I keep going back, there are a lot of positives but the people aren’t it.

Never been to Oslo, but the places in Norway I have been to were great. With friendly people.

You must go some niche places then as I know Oslo really well and I rarely come across southern and Eastern Europeans in hospitality 🤷🏻‍♀️

Latvia was the undriendliest country ive ever been to. Literally don’t even smile. Very sad place. Many eastern countries are not friendly.

same with Russia and Scandinavian countries.

Italy, And Portugal are very friendly. South American brazil and Argentina friendly

Latvia was variable for me. Aforementioned bus station toilet attendant in Riga could have frozen hell over she was so frosty. Actually felt like congratulating her. Aforementioned taxi driver also did not raise even a faintly friendly face, let alone a smile.
But we had a lovely Airbnb host, met some friendly, warm people in restaurants and cafes, nice helpful staff in a museum.

The Soviet or Eastern Bloc was an unofficial destination but Yugoslavia was considered part of it despite not signing the Warsaw agreement.

I find most countries friendly (being a quiet, often solo traveller helps) but Greece really stands out, unbelievably warm and kind. Austria might win for unfriendliness, the only nice people were german tourists!

I’ve always found the US very friendly.

Norway and France are the least friendly places I’ve been to.

No, it was an ally. There were 15 countries in the Soviet Union and although allied with the USSR for a couple of years, pps Croatian friend is correct that her country was never in the soviet bloc.

There are several satellite states and allies but it is wrong to say that they were part of the USSR. Influenced by, supportive of, allied with. Yes. “Part of” no, that’s factually incorrect.

I love agree Greece, but I hate to break it to you. they are sales people. They are warm and kind to you because they want you in their hotel and in their Tavernas.

What about the customs staff? Delightful compared to Italy! That’s a snapshot though, can’t generalise like on this thread

We found Brazil very friendly. People in the US were also lovely.

I have to agree that Norway was not friendly at all. Beautiful place though.

The Soviet Union and the Soviet Bloc are not the same thing. It is correct that Yugoslavia was never part of the USSR.

I’m going to focus on the nicest (specifically when travelling with DS who is autistic and has LD. He’s 28 now)
Travelled to a few different states in the USA. Salem, Massachusetts. Absolutely wonderful to DS. So kind and understanding. He was 18 then. We’ve also been to Florida, mainly Disney- also v positive.
Turkey (Kalkan - twice) went with DS aged 13 & 16. They were the best! We went in 2010 and 2013. Visited same restaurant. They remembered us, and specifically DS. I really love the Turkish people.

i loved Turkey and found the people genuinely friendly and helpful.

I recently visited Venice and found it quite hostile and frosty. Ticket inspectors on public transport were definitely targeting tourists.