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Folk in rural Southern England - pretty reserved, not particularly extroverted or friendly in a very over the top manner as some Americans are, but generally polite, and amiable. Northern England might be a different matter.
Italians - they can be, but they are more reserved in general than I expected, but their English isn't generally not as good if they can speak much at all. I have met some who are very extroverted, though, as well as Spanish.
Folk in rural Southern England - pretty reserved, not particularly extroverted or friendly in a very over the top manner as some Americans are, but generally polite, and amiable. Northern England might be a different matter.
Italians - they can be, but they are more reserved in general than I expected, but their English isn't generally not as good if they can speak much at all. I have met some who are very extroverted, though, as well as Spanish.
Americans as in the USA? Or do you mean anyone from Alaska to Argentina? Here in my town everyone is nice, polite and what you said, but very uptight and not friendly. There are some exceptions, but I don't know, maybe it's just that Mexicans and Latin Americans are much MUCH more friendly and extroverted... But yeah maybe English, especially South English are more reserved than the americans. I think the least reserved and most outgoing and fun Europeans I've met are the Spanish. Though not all Spanish are like that, but in general they are more than other Europeans. I know, I heard that Italy is like you mentioned, also maybe it could be it's demographics since there are lots of old people and kids live with their grandparents practically. Maybe that is why Italians are introverted but I could be wrong.
Wait, how is Turkey and Greece (if that is considered European)? Are Turkish and Greeks like the Latin Americans? Kind of like you can walk around the town and greet someone with a smile and good day, and they do the same to you? I think maybe I'll just go to a beach in Latin America.
It will be surprising to some, but it's not unusual to greet and chat with strangers in rural Austria when it's not totally out of the blue... I guess it's pretty similar to that in other European countries. Why don't tourists experience that? Probably because of the language barrier.
Wait, how is Turkey and Greece (if that is considered European)? Are Turkish and Greeks like the Latin Americans? Kind of like you can walk around the town and greet someone with a smile and good day, and they do the same to you? I think maybe I'll just go to a beach in Latin America.
Turkey is wild. So many people in Istambul, very friendly. Sometimes, speaking as a woman, too friendly.
Americans as in the USA? Or do you mean anyone from Alaska to Argentina? Here in my town everyone is nice, polite and what you said, but very uptight and not friendly. There are some exceptions, but I don't know, maybe it's just that Mexicans and Latin Americans are much MUCH more friendly and extroverted... But yeah maybe English, especially South English are more reserved than the americans. I think the least reserved and most outgoing and fun Europeans I've met are the Spanish. Though not all Spanish are like that, but in general they are more than other Europeans. I know, I heard that Italy is like you mentioned, also maybe it could be it's demographics since there are lots of old people and kids live with their grandparents practically. Maybe that is why Italians are introverted but I could be wrong.
Yes 'Americans' usually refers to people from the USA. If you want it to seem that the person behind the counter is just delighted to meet you, go to parts of America and Australia. Don't see that as much in the UK (not to say all or even most Aussies are like that, but there are more like that).
I feel a lot of Italians might be a bit jaded with tourists...IME countries with fewer tourists are either very friendly or very suspicious. It depends on how well they know English of course.
I would say Switzerland and Austria would be the easiest places to strike up conversations - they are used to seeing tourists and appreciate the business. Like in the U.S and Canada, however, it is a very superficial friendliness, so don't expect a dinner invitation. I know this is cliched but it's true. The friendlier people are from the outset, the less genuine it is.
Don't hesitate to offer a tip if someone (e.g. taxi driver) goes out of their way to assist you.
And yeah, it definitely helps to know the local language, especially please, thank you, hello and goodbye.
I would say Switzerland and Austria would be the easiest places to strike up conversations - they are used to seeing tourists and appreciate the business. Like in the U.S and Canada, however, it is a very superficial friendliness, so don't expect a dinner invitation. I know this is cliched but it's true. The friendlier people are from the outset, the less genuine it is.
Don't hesitate to offer a tip if someone (e.g. taxi driver) goes out of their way to assist you.
And yeah, it definitely helps to know the local language, especially please, thank you, hello and goodbye.
Where'd you come up with that nugget? I haven't found this to be true at all.
Where'd you come up with that nugget? I haven't found this to be true at all.
My travels. Of course there are exceptions in both senses but I don't find much substance in the friendliness of those who are immediately and excessively friendly. Polite would be a better term.
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