Country you visited that has the coldest/warmest people? (farm, racist)

[iNviNciBL3]

Coldest: UK (London)
Warmest: UK (London)

Majority of the people were very friendly and funny, there was some rude behavior but doesnt mean they are bad people... they could have just been having a bad day.

[Ruth4Truth]

Just a comment here about how "coldness" can change if you know the language. Austrians and Swedes are warm if you speak their language. However, Norwegians remain cold even if you do speak their language. I found Londoners (including obvious immigrants) to be very cold, and obviously I speak their language. But Brits farther north are very nice. I've heard Brits say the same thing.

[cmptrwlt]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

Just a comment here about how "coldness" can change if you know the language. Austrians and Swedes are warm if you speak their language. However, Norwegians remain cold even if you do speak their language. I found Londoners (including obvious immigrants) to be very cold, and obviously I speak their language. But Brits farther north are very nice. I've heard Brits say the same thing.

Do you speak Norwegian?

[KathrynAragon]

I haven't found that Austrians were any warmer when I spoke German to them. Just sayin'.

Honestly, out of all my travels, the overall demeanor and attitude of Austrians is the most baffling to me. I've actually been shoved out of a line (for tickets to an event), cursed at, and almost thrown out of a restaurant because I asked (ASKED) if they took American Express (this was in Vienna, and I have a sneaky suspicion that American Express is accepted widely there). The waiter, who had been barely able to contain his disdain for our family from the moment we were seated, puffed up, rolled his eyes, and said, "You are in AUSTRIA." (REALLY????) "You will pay in Austrian schillings - not marks, not francs, and NOT WITH US DOLLARS!" (Which wasn't even my question.) (This was before the euro by the way.)

This was one of the few times in my life that I've stood up and walked out of a restaurant. And I had the schillings - I just didn't want to use my cash if it wasn't necessary. I said, "Tell you what - I'll make everyone happy here - especially my family. We'll take our business, and our schillings, elsewhere." Then we didn't stop driving till we crossed the German border - where I could basically pay for anything I wanted any way I wanted - schillings, marks, OR US dollars!

And I don't know what they're so arrogant about - their roads, infrastructure, cleanliness, etc are not nearly at the same level as their German next door neighbors.

[Scotslass]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

Brits farther north are very nice. I've heard Brits say the same thing.

You mean Scotland? The people are very warm and friendly, The Spanish are nice but I miss the banter and down to earthness of back home.

[KathrynAragon]

Originally Posted by Scotslass

You mean Scotland? The people are very warm and friendly, The Spanish are nice but I miss the banter and down to earthness of back home.

I have always heard that the Scots are very friendly people. My husband spent a lot of time working in the North Sea and loved Scotland and the people.

[syracusa]

Originally Posted by Scotslass

...but I miss the banter and down to earthness of back home.

I've always wondered about this expression. Overall, I think I know what it means, but I would still like to know more details about actual behavior.
What does a "down-to-Earth" person look like? What does he do?

By contrast, a person who lacks this quality...what does he look like or what does he do?

[Scotslass]

Not quite sure how to approach this. You are from England I am sure you know we are quite different. I have been to many places and I find the Scots to be very unique, the people I've met in the Highlands would have bent over backwards to make you feel welcome, so generous and the personalities are unique too. Scottish folk are just really open and friendly. As far as I know we have a very positive reputation. I believe the Irish are quite similar but again unique in their own way. I am sorry that I cannot explain very in-depth but it's something that has to be experienced the atmosphere ans charm is justvery different. There have been people I've met here that I've felt I've known for years, there's no fake friendlies too. Very simplistic, straightforward folks?

The sense of humor is also very unique. Jokes in Spain are just not the same, the humor and the people are more keep themselves to themselves way.

We also know how to enjoy ourselves us Scots I guess I am very open minded and happy go lucky. Have you been to Scotland or met anyone from my homeland? Some are just mental but in a fun way, have awesome memories from back home. Good times.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by cmptrwlt

Do you speak Norwegian?

Yes.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by KathrynAragon

I haven't found that Austrians were any warmer when I spoke German to them. Just sayin'.

Honestly, out of all my travels, the overall demeanor and attitude of Austrians is the most baffling to me. I've actually been shoved out of a line (for tickets to an event), cursed at, and almost thrown out of a restaurant because I asked (ASKED) if they took American Express (this was in Vienna, and I have a sneaky suspicion that American Express is accepted widely there). The waiter, who had been barely able to contain his disdain for our family from the moment we were seated, puffed up, rolled his eyes, and said, "You are in AUSTRIA." (REALLY????) "You will pay in Austrian schillings - not marks, not francs, and NOT WITH US DOLLARS!" (Which wasn't even my question.) (This was before the euro by the way.)

This was one of the few times in my life that I've stood up and walked out of a restaurant. And I had the schillings - I just didn't want to use my cash if it wasn't necessary. I said, "Tell you what - I'll make everyone happy here - especially my family. We'll take our business, and our schillings, elsewhere." Then we didn't stop driving till we crossed the German border - where I could basically pay for anything I wanted any way I wanted - schillings, marks, OR US dollars!

And I don't know what they're so arrogant about - their roads, infrastructure, cleanliness, etc are not nearly at the same level as their German next door neighbors.

LOL! Wow, bad day, or bad week in Austria! Now I'm curious to go back and see what happens. Either times have changed, or maybe it's just Vienna?? Salzburg is fabulous. I've never had a bad time in Austria. Sorry that happened to you. I always thought it was so cute when the women would cheerfully say "Gruss Gott!" instead of "hello". Interesting custom. I'm guessing you didn't get many cheery "Gruss Gott"-s.