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In Asia, I've traveled to the Philippines, Japan, China, Turkey, India, South Korea and Malaysia. Folks were generally friendly throughout, with the exception of Turkey (and even then, most were friendly) where I had multiple unfriendly interactions.
One caveat is that the Japanese are very polite as a matter of culture, but they weren't as outwardly welcoming as Filipinos or Malaysians.
Quote explained the reason why people in Singapore, Macau, HK, Beijing ,Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen don't seem to be very friendly to foreigners. Most are not looking for a way out or a lover or financial support from other countries.
Also, smiles are less common and people may speak bluntly in some Asian countries because of cultural and education differences, not actually being unfriendly.
We have found people in China to be very friendly and we always loved travelling there. (Hope the animosity between our governments does not stop us ever visiting again)
In Japan we were on a tour and we hardly had an opportunity to speak much to anyone Japanese, but those we dealt with were reserved, polite but not friendly.
Only been to Bali in Indonesia and all I remember is the hawkers driving us crazy. Hated the place and will never return.
In Vietnam people were very friendly, really enjoyed Vietnam.
We have been to Malaysia a few times and the people are fine. Very pleasant people in Sabah in particular.
In Thailand we have found the people are indeed friendly when they want something from you, not otherwise.
Always found Malaysia most friendly. But spent a lot of time there. Never been to Japan, but I fully expect politeness would rule over friendliness. I know Thailand quite well, but never thought them friendly in the sense I would mean. Quick to anger as well. Cambodia had some good contacts, but also people often wanting something. Laos great little country, but found ir hard to connect. Indonesia, a mixed bag. Met some great people and loved travelling overland across the country as a backpacker. But had a nasty experience that could have been fatal as well. Every place has a bit of everything. Sri Lanka pretty good as well, but need more time to get a real picture. Never been to Philippines but hear it is beautiful but some care required perhaps above some of the neighbouring countries.
Hence Malaysia first. Love Sarawak on Borneo Island for friendliness (even thought to move there)
Second probably Indonesia. Very warm people in general and such an interesting country away from Bali.
Everyone is polite in Japan but they’re not very outgoing, especially toward foreigners.
In the Philippines, lots of people are outgoing and will talk to foreigners, but so many people are rude. Almost all the taxi drivers are rude
Filipino culture is Asian but too different from nearby countries. Can talk with foreigners in easily understood English but the culture is different from English speaking western countries.
Most the friendliest places seem to be countries that are relatively poor and rely on the tourist trade to boost the economy. Other places with relatively higher standards of living not so much.
Most the friendliest places seem to be countries that are relatively poor and rely on the tourist trade to boost the economy. Other places with relatively higher standards of living not so much.
That's only true on some levels. Slavs are generally super grumpy and most Slavic countries are poor. America is very rich and Americans generally are very friendly and chatty.
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