5 of the friendliest countries (and 5 of the rudest)

FRIENDLIEST

• PORTUGAL

The Portuguese are seen as very welcoming and friendly people, if you are lucky enough to enter their daily life they will make you feel at home, receive you as if you were a member of the family. They will introduce you to their typical family dishes and will always ask you if everything is alright, if you need something.

They love football so you will be able to chat with them very easily as if you were very close. They are also one of the people who will make an effort to understand your culture and try to speak your language.

If they are so friendly it is because family and friends are very important to them, the values they share are very strong which makes them more friendly to their neighbours.

• TAIWAN

The Taiwanese are also very friendly because they love tourists, they like to showcase their country, their culture. It is common that they come to talk to you in the street just to chat with you. If you need help they will be happy to help you, they are also very attentive about the older generations they help them as much as they can by carrying their groceries for example.

Just as the Portuguese and the Taiwanese have strong family values, it is often the case that from a certain age it is the young people who take care of their parents, grandparents both physically and financially. They are therefore very good hosts and will be attentive to your needs and desires. Another very important value in Taiwan is the planet, they pay attention to recycling but also to food waste by giving the leftovers to the farms to make compost and feed the plants. They are also honest and persevering, a lot of value that this kind of people could instill in us.

• MEXICO

The family is again very important for Mexicans too, as they often come from large families and know that the well being of the whole family depends on all of them, sometimes even extending to cousins and other relatives of the family.

They often have many meals and parties at home, which is a big part of social and family life in Mexico.

Respect is a very important value in Mexican culture, especially for the elderly. This is why it is normal for children, parents and grandparents to live under the same roof most of the time.

• CAMBODIA

Cambodia has a heavy political past which makes its inhabitants very courteous and friendly. They smile a lot and are very willing to talk and laugh with you. They are very attentive about children and will rarely leave them alone. School and education are very important but institutions are not always adapted to the needs.

They are mostly followers of Buddhism which often implies a certain calm and a more open mind. They are humble, simple and always smiling, that’s what you can tell when you talk about the Cambodian people. But just as they are very easily approachable they are not easily forgiving at all, so when a Cambodian person thinks you are lying to them this may be the last time you speak to them.

They are also very shy and do not express their feelings very much even though they are very sentimental. Good and evil are very distinct for them there is nothing in between.

• BAHRAIN

Bahrainis are perceived as highly educated in religion, especially as it has an important place in their lives. They are also humble and friendly, work hard in general and lead an organized life. There are many diversities and different ethnicities in the country as it is a main route for international exchanges. Despite these diversities they are very respectful of cultural differences and choose to live in peace and harmony with each other.

RUDEST

• FRANCE

The French are seen as very cold and unpleasant. They have a family culture that is less close than the other cultures mentioned earlier, which perhaps justifies the fact that they are less inclined to be close to foreigners.

They are also known as pessimistic and negative in everyday life, the word “râler” is an integral part of French culture.

They are also perceived as narrow-minded and in some areas they do not speak English very well. It is also possible that people in Paris will not appreciate it if you don’t at least try to say bonjour in French.

Paris is known to be home to the most unpleasant people, indeed foreigners tend to make Parisians a generalization about the French but you may be surprised in other areas.

• GERMANY

Germans can be perceived as cold and aloof because they like rigour, structure and organisation. Never be late with a German, they are very punctual and expect you to be.

In relationships they are very formal which makes the language exchange more abrupt and can be perceived as a lack of kindness.

Personal space is very important for Germans and it is essential to respect it. Women are perceived as very cold and not romantic, the sense of humour is also a quality they don’t seem to have.

• SWITZERLAND

Just as the Germans are perceived as cold and distant, the French do not smile and do not seem very inclined to talk to foreigners.

They are very result-oriented and also like rigour.

Like the French they don’t like to smile very much either — this can be seen as hypocritical, when a French, German or Swiss person is kind to you and gives you a smile, a compliment so you know it comes from the bottom of your heart.

They also don’t like to apologize all the time for everything.

• UNITED KINGDOM

Perceived as very polite, the English are also very nationalistic. If you ask someone to describe the bad points of the English they will tell you that they drink a lot in the first place.

The other aspect that comes up often is that they are not that open to other cultures despite the tolerant discourse and total acceptance of eccentric style.

They are also seen as ignorant about the world and cultures other than their own. Just like the French they are perceived as unpleasant and pessimistic.

• AUSTRIA

Just like the English, at first glance the Austrians is that they are ignorant about the world. They are very negative in general, sometimes even perceived as aggressive and hostile.

They have the bad habits of drinking and smoking a lot but also of showing affection a little too much by kissing more ambiguously in public places.

They are not respectful of those around them such as their neighbour for example and do not hesitate to play loud music until very late.

Why don’t you ask your language exchange friends about their experiences in friendly and rude countries?

Written by: Lisa Lambert