Most polite people in the world? (home, taxi, airport)

[Moth]

What I am saying though is that I prefer people being straightforward. If they are able to communicate that in a polite package... even better.

I can agree with you to some extent. I grow tired of the "superficial wonderfulness" that is prevalent here.

But I must also say I would take it any day over the general misery that is so prominent in Germany. Of course there are loads of good and pleasant people there. But there is also a greater degree of people sniping at each other, cutting in line, yelling when a simple please would suffice, usw. My German friends invariably say they are simply being honest and that Americans are superficial. Well, if common pleasantries are superficial, give me more.

Still, I like Berliners. Just like New Yorkers. Blunt talkers with a heart of gold. Schwabians- you can have them.

[ZipZap]

Originally Posted by Moth

But there is also a greater degree of people sniping at each other, cutting in line, yelling when a simple please would suffice, usw. My German friends invariably say they are simply being honest and that Americans are superficial. Well, if common pleasantries are superficial, give me more.

I know what you mean and I have to agree unfortunately. Guess in this poll Germany would not make it into the top ten. And what you describe has nothing to do with honesty... sounds like your friends are trying to put lipstick on a pig here.

Still, I like Berliners. Just like New Yorkers. Blunt talkers with a heart of gold.

Heart of gold? Hey, thats me...

[CroatWebWanderer]

There's been a Readers Diggest survey on this. Done by cities not nations, not sure how reliable and serious was all this, but could be an interesting read.

Their results:

1 New York

2 Zurich

3 Toronto

4 Berlin

etc

How Polite Are We?

My personal top: Paris folks and Austrians in generally.

[Ulysses61]

Boy, I have to strongly disagree that the Swiss are the most polite people. I spent a great deal of time in Switzerland and found most of the people there extremely reserved and aloof. They are formal and not rude, but hardly friendly. I will say I think Switzerland is the most beautiful country in Europe.

For my money, the British are the most polite. They are universally friendly, helpful and polite.

[internat]

Politeness and friendliness should not be confused. Your description of them as extremely reserved and aloof goes well with being polite. They simply aren't extroverted enough to be friendly.

Originally Posted by Ulysses61

Boy, I have to strongly disagree that the Swiss are the most polite people. I spent a great deal of time in Switzerland and found most of the people there extremely reserved and aloof. They are formal and not rude, but hardly friendly. I will say I think Switzerland is the most beautiful country in Europe.

For my money, the British are the most polite. They are universally friendly, helpful and polite.

[Asabi]

I love the Japanese! They truly are a polite group of people (well, most are). I lived in Japan a few years ago and had a beautiful experience there. If it weren't for a waiting job back in the US, I would not have left.

I have also found the Scottish to be very...um, accepting (??) and polite, though that could have been because of the tons of alcohol flowing at the time (people are people, you know).

[Beliy Plashik]

New Yorkers!!!


just kidding!

Actually I find the japaneese culture very appealing to me.

SO I have to say Japaneesse

[Asabi]

Originally Posted by Beliy Plashik

New Yorkers!!!


just kidding!

Hey!!!

I'm not from New York...

[palermodude]

Originally Posted by Moth

I can agree with you to some extent. I grow tired of the "superficial wonderfulness" that is prevalent here.

But I must also say I would take it any day over the general misery that is so prominent in Germany. Of course there are loads of good and pleasant people there. But there is also a greater degree of people sniping at each other, cutting in line, yelling when a simple please would suffice, usw. My German friends invariably say they are simply being honest and that Americans are superficial. Well, if common pleasantries are superficial, give me more.

Still, I like Berliners. Just like New Yorkers. Blunt talkers with a heart of gold. Schwabians- you can have them.

Actually, I have lived in both Germany and the US, and I find Germans to be a lot more friendly and polite than Americans. Regarding common pleasantries, I find the Germans to be more pleasant. It's just my point of view, but I think it's funny how we all have different impressions.

Berliners are not like New Yorkers at all, in my opinion. I prefer Berliners - again personal taste. Furthermore, I'll take someone from Schwabing (cool neighborhood in Munich) anyday. Schwabing is extremely friendly, and I always meet someone new each time I am there. I love the vibe of that neighborhood. Munich has a great vibe. So close to the Alps, great lakes for swimming, and close to the Italian border.

[Luke81]

Originally Posted by CroatWebWanderer

My personal top: Paris folks and Austrians in generally.

I think you picked the most impolite people in the world Born and raised in Austria I've never been anywhere where people easier get into fights with people they don't know (driving the tram is sometimes like watching a talk show), waiters are impolite and especially bus and taxi drivers, the most unfriendly people in the world! Maybe they are nicer to tourists though.