Which country has the rudest/friendliest People

I am heading to Europe soon and perhaps I am being over prepared. I was just curious which country or countries have the friendliest people and which have the rudest. I am sure its all just a matter of cultural differences but I am interested none the less. I have asked several people what there thoughts are but I always just getting conflicting answers. For example, some people say Polish people are rude others say they are very friendly. Others say Austrians are the rudest. What are your thoughts based on your experiences? How should I behave to get the best reaction from locals?
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I agree with you in regards that the perception of who's rude and who isn't is a matter of cultural distance: certain manners and customs are just accepted in certain places while other's aren't, yet I also agree with Johan in the fact that you're going to meet idiots everywhere, no matter where they're from. From my own travels, one thing I've learned is that the country your from does not determine whether or not your surperior, inferior, more rude or more friendly than anyone else; people are going to be people and not everyone is nice nor does the right thing. What I'd recommend to you is just read up on the cultures of the country's that you plan to visit and when you travel there just keep and open mind and "go with the flow". As the saying goes, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. Not everyone lives and does things as you would do back in your home country and you have to accept that and be open to that, and the one's who are saying that certain members of a culture are more rude than others is possibly for that reason-they were looking at that culture through their country's norms and not taking the person's actions within the county's cultural context. So, keep an open mind, go with the flow (because you're not going to be in Kansas anymore) and just be polite, respectful and be patient! Everyone in Europe (well all over the world) have different opinions on puntuality and time so don't get impatient and angry, or else you'll experience rudeness.
In my opinion, since you asked about which countrys have the most friendliest people, in my opinion the Poles, the Italians, the Norwegians and the Spaniards are the most beautiful, kindest people you could ever meet. I noticed you mentioned that some people say that Polish people are rude, but I can attest against that. When I was there, there were times where I needed help, and with the little Polish I knew, people went out of their way to help me. When I was in Krakow, for example, I had lost my cell phone and I needed to call home, but I was having problems using the phone booth. I asked this lady off the street to help me, and the lady went as far as to go inside the phone booth and actually dial the number. She did this 4 times. I had another lady who helped me in Krakow when I first arrived. I had problems getting into my hostel because it was locked and no one was there so the woman used her cell phone and called up the proprietor herself to get someone to open up for me....Maybe I met the right people at the time, or maybe it was just luck, but I have a general good impression of the Poles. The Italians I met made me feel very welcome and treated me like family or a close friend...even though I'm not Italian, they made me feel like I was. The Norwegians to me seemed to be helpful and pleasant and welcoming as well, and if that person couldn't help you, there was always someone around who could or could tell you where to go. I remember while in Oslo I was looking for an international calling card and if the proprietor didn't sell it, either that person or one of the customer's told me where to go and look...very nice people to me. The Spaniards do have their moments, but all and all they're friendly and welcoming too. As for the rudest, I wouldn't say they're the rudest, but I feel that the Belgians have an attitude problem, but I was in Brussels and in the more touristy part of town and I was there for one day so that was just a first impression. I lived in France actually for a year, and from that year I personally found the French people in general to be good, friendly people but the French can be very stubborn to the point where it's annoying and even though when they give advice or try to help, they're saying or doing whatever it is to truely help, but they tend to say and do things that are more hurtful and helpful, but they tend to say what's on their minds rather than think things through, so if you go to France, just be polite and respectful and watch what you say and don't look for arguments, because you won't have a chance in winning it! I haven't been to these countries, but I find the Finnish, Swedes, Germans and Swiss to be very friendly. But once again, it depends on who you meet because people will be people and we humans can be very nasty to one another, so just try to be polite, respectful, patient and open minded and I think you'll be okay...I hope this helps...good luck, have a safe trip and enjoy yourself! Reply to this

Thanks for the great tips. I want to make it clear that I would never pass judgment on an entire culture, as one person said their is always a few rotten eggs. I believe now that how you treat people influences how they treat you. I think it becomes more complicated when you go to a foreign country however, because the social protocol changes things that are accepted in one area may not be in another. Therefore let me ask this, is there anything that typical American's do on an everyday basis that although normal here would be considered rude, taboo or distasteful in a European country? Reply to this

Well, it's not really what Americans do on a daily basis back in the states that's considered rude, it's just most of the other Americans that I've seen over in Europe just act crazy and overly selfish for some reason and because of this attitude is why we have a bad name all over the world. No, not all of us Americans are a bunch of selfish, ignorant neandethals but sadly a lot of American tourists do act like apes when they're abroad and believe me you'll see them and they will embarres the hell out of you (so much so, a lot of times I pretened that I wasn't myself). Basically, here are the things to consider so that you don't repeat the sins of so many of our countrymen:
1) Don't talk with your friends so loud so that everyone can hear you: this draws attention, is just plain rude and disrupts everyone elses peace and quiet and attracts the scam artists and theives (who love to rip off American tourists) because they know who you are.
2) Don't get impatient, no matter what the situation, because in Europe they don't like to be in a hurry for everything and they don't like being told what to do, while in the US we don't seem to mind it. Also, just because something's not getting done real quickly, doesn't mean that it's not getting done. Remember they don't have the fast paced life style that most of us have in the US, so just take a deep breath and it will taken care of. If you feel you need to say something, just make a simple, polite statement and leave it at that-don't try to pitch an argument because you'll have serious problems and it won't go anywhere...
3) Don't make complaints or boss anyone around, no matter what the situation because they don't really appreciate that (in the US we don't tend to care, but the Europeans don't seem to like that)-just be polite and if someone is going to be bossy to you, just be polite, do what they say and if it's something you're not comfortable with just make an excuse and leave..DO NOT SEEK OUT AN ARGUMENT OR MAKE A SCENE which is something these "ugly Americans" love to do!
4) Try to learn some basic words in the language, at least if you can say hello/goodbye please, thank you that's okay. A lot of these "ugly Americans" tend to think to assume that everyone speaks English and yes a lot of people do, but not everyone and not everyone speaks it well, so if you just learn a few words it will go along way and they will have more respect for you than if you just butt in and just start speaking in English. If I traveled to a country where I didn't speak the language, I always asked them in their language if they spoke English or I'd start out the conversation in their language and if they saw I had trouble, if the person knew it always butted in with English. If you just go in and assume that everyone speaks English, you're going to get a rude reaction because well that's just not right. How would you feel if someone came into your store immediately talking to you in French in the US, just assuming that you do or Spanish for that matter? Just attempt to speak as much as you can and if you have problems be patient-and if there's a misunderstanding, don't panic or freak out, just explain nicely that that was not what you wanted or was saying and just go from there...
5) Be Polite and respectful-in the US we do tend to be informal with people, even with strangers. Always be polite and respectful around people even strangers. Remember your pleases and thank yous and yes ma'ams and no ma'ams, even with people who are being rude to you..it just goes a long way and if someone wants to be less formal with you they'll let you know, but when you first start a conversation with someone or even if you walk into a small store or bakery be polite!
6) Don't assume anything, ever! Don't assume that that clerk speaks English fluently just because his store is right across from the Eiffel Tower, don't assume that that man is rude because he's got infront of you in line or it was your turn to order at the bakery but the woman two people behind you butts in anways, or that that man is really being nice and is being helpful but is really a scam artist looking out to rip you off. Also, never assume that everything is like what it is back home...Remember you're in a different country where the official language is not necessarily English so just remember that the culture, customs and life are going to be different and have room for that, and don't dismiss something just because a dish didn't taste right to you or is just different even if it's something you truly don't like because no, it may not be acceptable at home but that's the way they do things there, and you have to respect that. So keep an open mind, be willing to try new things and "go with the flow" and when a cultural difference does turn up just say, okay that's the way it is and just go with it.
7) Use your city maps and all, but don't stop in the middle of a sidewalk to look at it...many American tourists tend to do this and you don't have the sidewalk space for it, so find a corner or a plaza so that you can sit down in a corner, look at your map or take your pictures so that you don't get in anyone's way.
8) This isn't really about being considered rude, but if you don't want to get a whole lot of attention and be pointed out as an obvious American, don't wear shorts or shirts with logos or brands on them, nor wear your camera around your neck or a weird hat-dress like you normally would if you were out on the town back home-just because you're in a foreign country doesn't mean you have to wear your shorts and your Hawaiian shirt or your Budweiser T-shirt...they will know immediately that you're an American tourist because only Americans wear stuff like that. Also don't wear really loud colors; just bring basic, normal clothes and don't keep your camera, guide book and map out in plain sight-this way it will be harder for someone to know where you're from.
9) Try to be as low-key as possible; don't dress, act, or behave as you wouldn't back home-just because you're in a strange country where you don't understand anything doesn't give you an excuss to be different from how you normally are.
10) Read up on your country's cultural norms, language and food before you go so that this way there are no surprises when you get there and the culture shock isn't that overwhelming-also read up on what you want to see too so that you actually can understand and appreciate it.


I hope this all helps but I think if you just keep these in mind you should be fine. But just remember, use common sense and just be a good person...remember you are an unofficial ambassador for your country (though remember just because you are a citizen of a certain country doesn't mean you know everything about your country either nor are the people you meet truly representatives of theirs) but still, people are going to see you as the foreigner and how you react will cause people to judge you according to where you're from, even though it isn't right but treat others as you'd like to be treated, and patiences is a virtue and that should be enough. Good luck, have fun and safe trip! Reply to this

This topic is interesting! I'd say: when you are in a foreign country, remember that YOU are the foreigner... and then you'll adjust your behavior accordingly! Reply to this

I used to stay at Youth Hostels and they usually have a safe place where to leave your stuff. Digital cameras are very small these days. You can carry the thing in your pocket, front pocket by the way... back pockets are easyly reached by pickpockets. But... why are you so worried??? Just jump! do it! and come back here to tell us... Reply to this

I have to agree with Citizen of the world and OhNoMrBill.
It is the attitude that you have towards others that reflects the response you receive back. If you try and approach everyone you meet, whether in a foreign country or not, with a smile, you are much likely to see a smile in return.
Americans do not have the monopoly when it come to being loud or rude. In fact my only experience of the states, some years ago, was that of being pleasantly surprised that when most people said "have a nice day", which usually makes most Brits cringe, the ones we met actually seemed to genuinely mean it. Many of my country folk here in the UK, go abroad with the attitude that everyone should speak their language and not the other way around. We have been to France many times now and just love the people there (in general). We have found that if you make an attempt to speak a little of their language, they will, with very few exceptions encourage you and welcome you with open arms. We loved the area of the Lot et Garonne so much that we bought some land there and had a house built on it that we now rent out to other travellers.
I have recently started a blog about our adventure at
And we also have a website

Look for the good in others and you shall find it. Look for the bad in others and you will probably find that too.
Happy travelling

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IMHO though its a very interesting post, but it has a smell of social and Ethnic discrimination. What the poster means "Which country has the rudest/friendliest People" ?
There are not specific countries with more rudest or more friendliest People. The whole point has to be examine under sociological and Ethnical views in certain periods of history, now and then. Lets take an example at the very resent uprising in Burma , who can tell me who are the ruddiest (well, if you support the Dictatorship you will say the Monks, but if you are a civilised human been you will say the military Dictatorship forces). This example shows that is all a matter of politics and political point of view. If the internet as is today, was existing in the 30's 40's 60's or 70's all the forums could have been pointed at the civil war in Spain, fascism uprising, WW2 ,May of 68 , the Vietnam war, later on the Lebanon ,the 6 days war and so on, if so then the answers on the "ruddiest friendliest" could had been deferent as today ,the same occurs today about the middle east nations after the energy crisis and the imperialist greed for petrol that created the wars in Suez canal, Lebanon ,Afghanistan, Iraq ech. Going back in History if we where living in the 30's we could discussing about the new regimes in Germany , Italy ,Japan and Spain and all could had thought that all those nations are monsters. But that is not true a nation can be friendly or rude to another depending its present relations. What if you where a black man in South Africa before ANC take over? What if you where a Brit in India in 1947 ,What if you are an American in the 90% of the world today? No it is not they are rude to you because you are Americans, its your sheriff and his deputies that are responsible and your foreign policy. So don't look for rude nations and people, look for rude administration on certain countries. Reply to this

Rudest - Russians.
Friendliest - Ukrainians.

It comes from a shared history of bullying and being bullied, chauvinism and humility. Reply to this

People living in big cities (ANY big city) tend to live faster and are used to deal with (what I consider) a hostile environment. Therefore their first reaction is commonly to step back and look at you cautiously. Don't take that as rudeness.

Parisians have always been told to be rude, even by the rest of french. I don't think they are. Big cities are the one to blame.

Another common complain is that people don't smile when they talk to you or they don't pay too much attention. Should they? When travelling to a foreing country you won't see actors/actresses acting in a play. You will meet real people with their worries, problems, their works, their good and bad days. Don't expect to be the center of the world. In the most touristy areas there are thousand and thousand of tourists and you will be just another one. Should that man in the ticket office have smiled at you? Maybe he was just bothered to deal with another complaining tourist (another one) right before lunch time. Or would you smile to a foreigner asking for a street in Chicago on a rainy monday after that discussion with your boss?

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