Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Captain Corea]

I would love to go to Malawi. Anyone ever been?

[Moldy Rutabaga]

Fun thread. Obviously, there are exceptions. Generally, people in big cities are less friendly than those in small towns. Newfies from the outport towns are tremendously welcoming, and people from St. John's are cold, cliquey, and arrogant, almost without exception.

I don't think politeness is the same as friendliness. I find Koreans I meet helpful, but there is always that distance that you can never, ever overcome.

For friendly, I'll pick Mexico. I've never been in a foreign country where I felt so accepted and part of the picture. No sense of us and you that I get every moment in Korea. Hello, amigo.

>I liked Thais, too. I agree. Filipinos, not quite as much.
Now, I find the Thai and Balinese nice, but rather all-business. To me Filipinos were as close to Mexicans, in terms of friendliness, that I've seen in Asia.

The Vietnamese are only friendly when they're trying to make a sale, which is every second you are there. Otherwise I'm not convinced they would care if you were about to get run over.

>Canadians are alright but the under-25 generation are rude louts.
Sadly, yes. I cringe at some of the people I've met. "We Canadians are polite and humble. HEY, YOU! OVER THERE! SEE HOW POLITE AND HUMBLE WE ARE!"

I agree that Americans are generally really quite nice. But I would only live in California if they could get rid of all the Californians.

[curiousaboutkorea]

Wow, another crap list from Lonely Planet. And before I even read the replies, I know there would be people on this thread adding countries not mentioned on the list. "But I had such a great time in Turkmenistan", "Why didn't they mention Equatorial Guinea?", "They forget to mention The Pitcairn Islands" and so on...

These lists are ridiculous and don't do much examining of the countries. In some cases it seems to just be paying lip service to some countries that one might assume to be unfriendly (US for example). In other cases it seems they're just trying to cover a variety of countries so they (the writers and readers) can show how hip and experienced travelers they are.

[nautilus]

[mariposita]

I had no idea the US was considered friendly, but I think it depends on where you are. For example, I lived in FL and didn't think Floridians were very friendly (with the exception of anything Disney), especially for being a tourist state. However, I find people in the western states except Cali to be friendlier and more approachable.

I'd be interested to the see the Least Friendly Countries list.

[WadRUG'naDoo]

Lonely Planet can't even provide acceptable maps in my experience. Their Taiwan city maps were riddled with errors.

[nautilus]

[eamo]

Ireland friendly?

Most Irish would be friendly enough.......as the twee saying goes, "a stranger is just a friend you haven't met yet".

Also, the friendliness of the Irish might depend a lot on if you're judging them from the pub on a Friday night or if you're trying to approach a busy Dublin yuppy on his way to the winebar.....

But walk into certain areas of Irish cities, especially my hometown Belfast, and you could easily get a welcome you'll never forget! Luckily, Belfast has some excellent hospitals.....

I'd say on average Americans are the most welcoming people.

[kiknkorea]

[travel zen]

+1

Blame the Brits!

They never should have let the colony go...they need guidance still...

[Zulethe]

An Irish man saved my life...I just got hosed in Thailand for 6 grand back in 1990...it was my mother's money.

I spent three days in Thailand with no money. I had to beg for money to get to the airport and then they had this friggin airport tax...

I cried the all the way back to America...I was so depressed I was suicidal.

I told my story to this Irishman at a bar at the airport....I had to talk to someone....anyone.

These words saved my life....

Hey mate, what's six grand to your mother when you're six feet under?

those words changed everything....thanks Irishman.....where ever you are.

[cj1976]

[oldfatfarang]

[Caffeinated]

A friend of mine had $1000US stolen from the safe in his apartment as well. No luck getting it back. Luckily it was at the tail-end of a month-long stay. Be warned.

[DrugstoreCowgirl]