Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I felt that Chinese were cold in the beginning, but it was mostly due to people not being able to speak English. If you know the language people love to talk to you, especially if you got kids. I also found Japanese and especially Thai people to be open.
My experience is that Hong Kong is a little bit cold, probably because it is a busy city and people do not have time for eachother.
When I think of cold, I think of Eastern Europe or Russians. Ive never been to those places so I dont know if its reslly true, but going off old stigmas, I dont think anywhere in East Asia is very similar. Japanese and to a lesser extent, Koreans, can be distant and reserved to strangers, but I wouldnt call either culture cold in the slightest. They are all far too friendly to be called cold.
Russians and East Europeans generally are the warmest people I've ever known. Foreigners think they're cold, because of the dour, Soviet-era stereotype, and because people who don't speak the language/s have trouble breaking the ice. I don't know if that's changing, now that more people in those countries speak English. But IMO, they're warmer than Americans, who tend to be superficially friendly. That's not how I define "warmth".
Russians and East Europeans generally are the warmest people I've ever known. Foreigners think they're cold, because of the dour, Soviet-era stereotype, and because people who don't speak the language/s have trouble breaking the ice. I don't know if that's changing, now that more people in those countries speak English. But IMO, they're warmer than Americans, who tend to be superficially friendly. That's not how I define "warmth".
I would agree with this however I find that in comparison to East Asians Americans are very warm I find many East Asian just lack the capacity to feel empathy some however learn to mimic empathy superficially because it's an asset when dealing with the public and making money in the USA, I've met a couple East Asian psychologists that do this they follow a script, one was Korean and the other Chinese.
How exactly do you think Russians and other East Europeans express warmth in more depth than Americans.
I have many Korean friends. They aren't cold. They just, like many other cultures, need to know people better before making them their friends. Friendships and smiles they give aren't fake and superficial.
It's important to have good manners and treat all people with general respect, not just those who are your freinds. Having manners is not being supercificial.
It's important to have good manners and treat all people with general respect, not just those who are your freinds. Having manners is not being supercificial.
It sounds like they view people who they perceive as not valuing education with disdain I was raised to view people without manners with disdain. I think many Latin Americans share this cultural trait an I would much rather have a Latin American customer than a Korean any day on average they're rude as hell.
Is this a joke? Not sure if most of the people here commenting are Caucasian. As an Asian myself, some of the comments here can't be taken seriously. I think it's probably a good idea to keep in mind that if you don't know the culture, cannot speak the language, look like a tourist, don't look very welcoming yourself or not very well-traveled or integrated, almost everyone outside of your country will appear badly mannered and "cold".
Between us, we have been to China 6 times, Hong Kong about 8 times and to Malaysia, Vietnam and Singapore. We find the people just fine and we're extremely helpful last time in China. Gosh, when we got out of the airport bus at the wrong place, at night in winter in Harbin, we wandered into the first hotel for help. The person on the desk could not have done more. He contacted our booked hotel, confirmed the booking, found a cab and delivered us to it. Would not take a tip.
To be honest, we have encountered some pretty unhelpful people when travelling in the US. Seems there if you are staying four or five star, yes people are helpful. Staying cheaper places it is pretty much hit and miss.
Russians and East Europeans generally are the warmest people I've ever known. Foreigners think they're cold, because of the dour, Soviet-era stereotype, and because people who don't speak the language/s have trouble breaking the ice. I don't know if that's changing, now that more people in those countries speak English. But IMO, they're warmer than Americans, who tend to be superficially friendly. That's not how I define "warmth".
Well yeah that is true. Once you get to know Russians well, we are very open and welcoming. We're only cold on the outside
I would call HK irritated and annoyed, not so much cold. Cold is indifference and disinterest, HKers on the other hand are actually very passionate, just not to customers. Kinda like Parisians.
Japan isn't a cold culture either. It's an extremely considerate culture, just really repressed in certain aspects. China on the other hand is the complete opposite.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
