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I've read some stuff about people from Europe being unfriendly. Like people from Paris, Ireland, and eastern Europe. Is it really true? I always thought Europeans were friendly, especailly since Europe is pretty liberal.
It's hit and miss.
Some European countries are generally more aloof than others, but they generally function well and a modicum of politeness can reasonably be expected.
Other situations are dependent on how acculturated you are to their specific country or region - for me, that would be Portugal. I don't have a shred of Portuguese in me, but have taught myself the language and show an affinity for their country and culture, so they treat me well. Similarly, if one speaks decent French, their experience in France should be largely positive.
The country I can vouch for best is Italy, having gone countless times. As you know, the top of Italy is considered "continental." The south, such as Sicily, is considered an entity onto itself. At the top of Italy, I find that service is uniformly good and they are super nice to me, probably assuming that's where I have my ancestral roots. They are also more likely to have traveled and are more used to travelers (in Milan, Venice, etc.). On the other hand, Sicilians present a different scenario. They can either be the nicest of people, practically walking you to your desired destination, or the rudest of people, to which a "vaffan****" is both called for and rolls right off the tongue.
To be honest I actually expects clerks to be that way. They are paid to be nice to customers, aren't they?
I don't understand why anybody would hire someone who can't be polite to paying customers unless they want to drive these customers away. There is such a thing as professionalism...
I think everybody expects politeness, that's a given. But in my opinion, they don't have to smile like a retard all the time. In 99% of the cases I don't know the clerk personally, so I expect some "distance" between us.
One of the few shops in Austria where you get "typical" American customer service is Hollister. Besides the other oddities in this shop, it always feels like they know me for ages. But not in a very pleasant way. While that may be considered as one of the most professional customer services (well trained etc.), it just doesn't feel right outside of the US.
You know what you get, when you enter Hollister. But if some other store would pull that off, it would be considered as highly unprofessional.
In my opinion it's just a cultural difference in customer service. I don't really regard Americans as more friendly, nor do I consider an Austrian shopkeeper as rude, just because he doesn't have a choreographed sales pitch.
To be honest I actually expects clerks to be that way. They are paid to be nice to customers, aren't they?
I don't understand why anybody would hire someone who can't be polite to paying customers unless they want to drive these customers away. There is such a thing as professionalism...
I can't stand clerks who are overly friendly. When I enter a store, I want to be left alone. I don't like it when they walk up to you and try to start a conversation (asking you what you're looking for, giving advice, etc.), it feels pushy and uncomfortable. If I have any questions, I know where to find a clerk myself.
I can't stand clerks who are overly friendly. When I enter a store, I want to be left alone. I don't like it when they walk up to you and try to start a conversation (asking you what you're looking for, giving advice, etc.), it feels pushy and uncomfortable. If I have any questions, I know where to find a clerk myself.
I didn't expect this because, well, your name is in bold, with a star beside it, you know...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Montguy
I'm glad that you've mentioned this, barneyg. It really is strange that this sort of thing qualifies as "moderating" here on C-D (especially considering that when Americans post comments of this nature, they're likely to be removed immediately as "trolling" comments).
Cripes, how come I haven't been nominated for moderator yet (HAHAHA)?
Let's just see how long this comment (and my membership) lasts, if you know what I mean...
When I moderate, I post in red and everyone will clearly know when and why.
Moderators are also members of the C-D community. We do post in many forums like any other member.
We also are allowed to have and voice an opinion.
My post here has nothing to do with moderating.
When i was in Europe this year i found the people in Sorrento and that area (Massalubrense, Amalfitani coast) to be the nicest and more polite and welcoming i ve ever seen in the world.
And i found people in Amsterdam to be extremely nice and friendly.
Paris not so much, not as bad as i thought, but not extremely friendly either.
Rome was the worse. People were rude as i ve never seen before.
I think that in Spain people are more friendly that other european countries that I have visited, but obviously there are differences, in the south, people are more extroverted, in big cities as Madrid and Barcelona people are less nice, and in the north where I live actually people are less cheerful than in my hometown at first, but when you know a bit more about them, they are good people too.
Which part of Spain has you visited?
Sorry for my English I'm Spanish
Andalucia, Barcelona, Basque Country (Guipuzcoa), and Madrid
Americans fall all over themselves being friendly/curious/helpful towards European visitors. Europeans will often be polite and kind towards American visitors, but not the "puppy dog friendly" Americans are towards them.
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