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?

I have had the most negative experiences as a tourist in Egypt and Morocco. It’s unfortunate that a lot of people you meet want to get money off you and if you are not interested they can get quite threatening. I don’t think these experiences are representative of the countries as a whole though and I’m sure most ordinary people are lovely.

Also found China unfriendly at times - a combination of the language barrier (not their fault!) and being frequently stared at in an uncomfortable way outside of major cities.

Most friendly: Iran, Laos, Thailand and Syria

Unfriendly. All the countries Harry and Meghan go to or America (and dont demand security).

Friendly: All the rest (where they do demand it).

How embarrassing. Have you escaped from the Harry and Meghan hating board?

Idk I have never had much conversations with customs staff. I show them my passport and that’s it. What expectations do you have to rate customs staff on friendliness?

The only place I've ever experienced unfriendliness is in the UK. I'm extensively travelled and I don't recognise half what previous posters have said. Always had very warn reception in France, Germany, Netherlands etc interesting ..

(IME) USA immigration glare at you and don't speak, or not beyond the minimum essential.
Costa Rica immigration smile, say hello, laugh indulgently at your attempts at Spanish and wish you a good trip.

I’d love to live there too!
And that’s very true, there are friendly and unfriendly people everywhere.

Better that than the brown people's experience of a nice few hours meeting in an immigration waiting room purely due to your skin colour

BS. One person in immigration has a good day and you judge the whole nation on it…. A bit dim.

Should’ve said union there, of course they’re not the same thing.

The pp who was berated for her colleague saying her country, Croatia, wasn’t in the Soviet Union didn’t mention anything about the eastern bloc, soviet bloc or anything about their allies and that was my whole point.

Literally just said that it’s a snapshot in time. Calm down 🤣

our Taxi driver was the friendliest, other than that we didn’t a smile for days lol.

I am completely calm dear.

Me? Thanks.
When did I say I 'judge the whole nation' on immigration officials? We've been talking specifically about experiences of people in immigration, not saying that means the whole country is friendly or unfriendly.

Not true. It is called philotimo and it is uniquely Greek.

Tunisia, Australia and Switzerland I have found to be phenomenally friendly and I experienced the best customer service in Tunisia.

The friendliest hotel staff I ever met were in Corfu. At the end of my first holiday there as a single mum with two children, they gave me a gift and came out to wave as we got on the bus. The second holiday there, they remembered me and upgraded our rooms. They were the kindest, loveliest people. I've been to Russia and the people were cautious and rather severe in manner but also kind and helpful. We were there at the start of glasnost so I understand why they were cautious. German people were very appreciative of my attempt to speak to them in German as were the Spanish people when I tried out my Spanish. Also kind and gave my small grandsons free lollies. I don't think I've been anywhere where people were universally rude or hostile.

Netherlands - so friendly! Lovely place

Is it? I have plenty of Greek friends and they are as friendly or unfriendly as the rest of us. Then Greek live off tourism which is why they welcome you with open arms. I think the tide is turning against mass tourism in general now except for in a few places like Greece.

Wow are you always this snarky?

This has been my experience every single time I have flown into and out of an American airport since 9/11. Sorry it doesn't fit your narrative

@LittleBitofBread nah, she was bitching at me