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True. I actually find a lot of British people chatty in a way most Aussies aren't. Like they'll actually focus on topics, whereas a lot of Australians are more 'activity orientated' and their talk is more 'incidental.' Like the English will actually have like discussions over things. They're better conversationalists in general, one could say. Of course not all...probably related to region, class, education and personality, interests.
In general, I think this is very true. I think that Americans and British are the most "chatty" overall, but of course it helps to share a common language!
I find many Germans to be pretty chatty as well, though - in English. Many of them seem to welcome the opportunity to practice the English skills. And I'm always eager to oblige! I love the way they say things "backwards" as in, "To the store I will go," or "That shirt I like very much!" Of course, I butcher their language and so I'm sure they get a kick out of hearing me say everything "backwards" as well as using the wrong masculine/feminine forms.
I'm quiet around people I don't know, but talk a LOT around people I do know. I often get told to shut up in a joking manner because I talk too much, and I prefer talking about actual topics rather than casual chit-chat which I abhor. I think this is true for a lot of people here. Pick an actual topic, whether it be politics or sport, and things may end up heated.
People in Paris were also friendly. Most people on the streets were more than willing to help us non-French speaking tourists. Paris has a horrible reputation as being snobby and especially unfriendly to tourists. I didn't notice this whatsoever.
London, on the other hand, was a completely different story. The city is great, but the people were some of the coldest, most unfriendly people imaginable all the way from the airport to the hotel. Every waitress treated you more like a nuisance than a customer. People wouldn't help you at all with directions. Some people were nice, but the vast majority were completely frigid. I just could never imagine having to make friends in a city like that.
London, on the other hand, was a completely different story. The city is great, but the people were some of the coldest, most unfriendly people imaginable all the way from the airport to the hotel. Every waitress treated you more like a nuisance than a customer. People wouldn't help you at all with directions. Some people were nice, but the vast majority were completely frigid. I just could never imagine having to make friends in a city like that.
It depends on the hotel or restaurant as to how you are treated, a good hotel or restaurant should be treating it's customers well. In terms of many of the hotel and service industry staff in London, they are increasingly from Poland and Eastern Europe rather than being British. In fact I have stayed in hotels in the UK where nearly the entire staff were from Eastern Europe.
London is by far the most friendly and Paris by far the least friendly. I would put NY in 2nd and Tokyo in 3rd. The Japanese are incredibly polite but not exactly friendly.
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