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Generally polite. Your stereotype of Australians is akin to thinking all Americans behave like John Wayne. Australia is actually one of the most urbanised societies in the world. Spend enough time here and you'll realise we aren't that different. In fact, many Australians have the same reserved nature of the British. In terms of being outgoing/familiar we're nothing compared to say India or Brazil, in general.
Yep, you can only stretch a stereotype so far. I recently met someone from New England in the US (Boston from memory); they found Australians to be just a little too extroverted and direct for their liking...
Last edited by Richard1098; 03-07-2014 at 01:34 AM..
You are right, for the most part, except maybe in parts of the southern cone of south america, people tend to be more polite but also distant than the average latin american. I wanna say the Chileans kind of remind me of the Dutch or Swedish. I'm thinking like Catalonia, northern spain and northern italy and also northern Portugal people have a more closed mindset too and are more about politeness and efficiency.
I don't know too much about the other countries you talked about here.. but in regards to Chile, have you been there or are you speaking by generalizations? One thing I have noticed is that Chile often gets a bad rap for being distant and a but more "rude" per say than other countries in Latin America because people often just visit Santiago. The saying here in Chile is "Santiago is not Chile".
To be 100% honest, I've found Chileans to be more outgoing and friendly than the people in Colombia .. and I spent time in about 5 different cities there.
I do think I'd have a much different opinion of Chile if I was in Santiago though. That's why I ask.
I personally think the United States puts a very high importance on being polite. People who are not polite are often looked down upon greatly and do not fit in well. Impolite behavior is rarely tolerated, and oftentimes if a person is seen being impolite to someone, others will chime in and tell them to stop.
I personally think the United States puts a very high importance on being polite. People who are not polite are often looked down upon greatly and do not fit in well. Impolite behavior is rarely tolerated, and oftentimes if a person is seen being impolite to someone, others will chime in and tell them to stop.
I suspect most people regardless of where they live try to be polite; its just "polite" means different things to different cultures.
A little bit aside from the topic, but every now and again you do come across some doors that you find some women struggling to open, like large doors to some malls with pressure sealing, or those rotating doors that haven't seen greasing for decades which even weak looking men get through without any trouble.
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Postman
I consider that 'chivalry' sexist in a way, or reverse-sexism, it's sort of suggesting weak little women aren't capable of opening doors themselves...
Treatment plan: Ease off on the feminist literature. Read too much of it and it's a sure fire way to detach your mind from all semblance of reality.
I realised it could sound like that. I'm actually male, btw, and am cynical most 'chivalry' when it comes to dating is either the flip-side of chauvinism, or just a way to woo a woman into bed. I just think the idea of opening doors for women specifically in this day and age is stupid.
A little bit aside from the topic, but every now and again you do come across some doors that you find some women struggling to open, like large doors to some malls with pressure sealing, or those rotating doors that haven't seen greasing for decades which even weak looking men get through without any trouble.
Well if you see someone struggling, by all means, give them a hand. But I'm talking in general doors that even your frail 90 year old gran could open.
Most people of the world are polite by their society's rules. Your question really is, "which countries match closest to the definition of politeness I was taught."
Does this make any difference? Only to point out that too many people label other people and countries good or bad, right or wrong, moral or heathen based solely on their own view and fail to understand that in those other countries it is the foreigners who are always "wrong" not the locals.
Most people of the world are polite by their society's rules. Your question really is, "which countries match closest to the definition of politeness I was taught."
Does this make any difference? Only to point out that too many people label other people and countries good or bad, right or wrong, moral or heathen based solely on their own view and fail to understand that in those other countries it is the foreigners who are always "wrong" not the locals.
No doubt it's from a more western perspective, but I do feel there are some things which are also universal, like the golden rule, it's a bit of both.
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