Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Morning coffee]

You�ve travelled for adventure, romance and culture, so why not to make some friends? Taken from Lonely Planet�s 1000 Ultimate Experiences, here�s a list of places where the welcome is always warm.

Ireland
Centuries of turmoil have certainly taken their toll on the Irish: they�ve been left with a deliciously dark sense of humour and a welcoming attitude towards strangers. That famous ability of the Irish � to find craic (fun times with convivial company) in boom or bust times � means you�re always in for a treat. These days, after the end of the �Troubles�, a cautious optimism reigns supreme, infecting the land once again with the sense that anything�s possible.

USA
Blamed though they are for the coming of WWIII, the Anti-Christ, Miley Cyrus, Bruce Willis, monster trucks, rampant street crime, and noise pollution through overloud talking, Americans just take it all in their stride. They know there�s no such thing as a �typical Yank�, so you can just stuff your stereotypes in a sack, mister! The USA�s citizens will invariably welcome you and help you get the best out of their country � all they ask in return is for you to leave your preconceptions at home

Malawi
Malawians describe themselves as �the friendliest people in Africa�, living in the �warm heart of the continent�. Anyone who�s visited will know that the rare (for Africa) cohesion of the country�s ethnic groups is solid evidence for this, as is the people�s propensity to welcome you into their homes as well as their nation. Malawi is small, poor and without a lot of facilities, but with a greeting like that who needs Western-style comfort?

Fiji
Fijians are generally considered to be the �friendliest people on the planet�. And why not? They�ve got plenty to smile about � lush islands, kaleidoscopic reefs, cobalt sea, a wealth of marine life, world-class diving, romantic coastlines, awesome cuisine � and they love to spread the love around. Fijians have a rep for helping travellers feel welcome, thereby allowing you to uncover the best from this sprawling group of islands. Just don�t mention the coup.

Thailand
Southeast Asia�s most-visited country is bound to offer a welter of stereotypes and clich�s. Here are some: dazzling islands and beaches; lush and balmy weather; great shopping and great food; the �France of Asia�. Here�s another one: �world�s friendliest people�. Gawd, not another contender (see Fiji and Samoa). Why bother trying to analyse why the Thais are so easygoing and quick to smile? They just are, and that�s all there is to it.

Samoa
What�s this? Samoa reckons it has �the world�s friendliest people�? Hmmm, trouble is there�s no ratifying body for such a claim, meaning the Samoans are up against the Fijians, who also claim to hold the title. OK, enough: let�s settle this with a Googlefight. A search for the phrase �Fiji world�s friendliest people� garners 16,600 hits; the phrase �Samoa world�s friendliest people� reaps 13,800. Sorry, Samoa, the interweb has spoken, although travellers can rest assured that your beautiful country harbours lovely and warm people who will leave a deep and lasting impression.

Vietnam
Vietnam is another country inextricably caught up in Western images and stereotypes: napalm, tormented soldiers, Oliver Stone films� But Vietnam put all that behind it a long time ago and is now on a huge drive to become the new �Asian tiger� economy. Economy and history regardless, travellers are bound to get a friendly welcome and plenty of smiles in Vietnam. Vietnam Visa news here.

Indonesia
It�s hard to make generalisations about a country that contains so many different cultures. Still, from laid-back Lombok to the rice fields of Java and the highlands of West Papua, the one thing travellers can safely expect is a wide smile from the locals. Indonesians of all stripes share an innate hospitality and a fascination with visitors, and they always find time to stop, meet and greet. Whether it be spontaneous English lessons with bike-riding schoolchildren, casual banter at streetside food stalls or haggling for batiks, interaction with the locals is a highlight of travels in the archipelago.

Scotland
The Scots have survived English invasion, brutal weather and the pain of having the world�s worst goalkeepers. This fighting spirit against insurmountable odds has left them with an extroverted, buoyant demeanour and a blackly humorous nationalism (you�d want to see the funny side after witnessing some of those goalies). Naturally, this attitude rubs off on travellers � Scots are so loyal they want you to share in the good stuff, too.

Turkey
The Turkish people have an unsurpassed reputation for hospitality. With their heavenly cuisine, dreamy coastline and spectacular historical sites, the Turks know there�s no reason to be secretive. Expect warm greetings, countless cups of tea and plenty of time to sit and chat in this charming country.

[nzbradly78]

Apparently, the Lonely Planet folks missed one there. Don't they know that Koreans are the friendliest, most welcoming, most loving and most romantic, most intelligent, hardest working, longest working, tallest (of the Asians), purest, most athletic, and most inventive people in the world?

Those editors need to be sacked!

[Murakano]

been to Germany a few times and I`ve always found them very hospitable and friendly.

As for Thailand and Vietnam (moerso). Sure, friendly.....but I feel more like walking $ sign more than not.

[hwa jang shil]

The jocks????? Seriously???

Lonely Planet is shite anyway.

For all the crap the Koreans are going to be given I've always found them and the Thais to have been the friendliest and I've been around a bit.

[Waluigi]

Moroccans are incredibly friendly. Got invited to homes there all the time to eat with families and chat.... amazing.

[wooden nickels]

Where's Nigeria? I'm really surprised Nigeria wasn't on the list. I often receive emails with great job offers, free money, and such. Now those folks are nice.

[Mariella713]

I find New Yorkers really friendly. Every time I go to NY I'm taken aback by how kind the people I meet are. Majority of people I've met in Korea are really nice too, I need more than 2 hands to recount the times where I've been almost reduced to tears by how sweet the people are.

[nzbradly78]

I lived in Morocco for three years, and they were the best years of my life (well, till I got married and had kids).

My experience with Koreans hasn't been really negative (except wit the ridiculous crap they spout off with), but Moroccans are HAPPY people, and I don't get that vibe here. Maybe its living in a city, I don't know.

My experience I've had is over generosity. Example, we met with a couple once for an hour or so. The next time we met, they gave our children some very expensive hanboks! Great, now we have to get their kids something on the level. Maybe its just a one-off, but that's been our experience.

Just on a vent, when one of my kids is having a tantrum (they're 3 and under), why does everyone have to try and cluck like a chicken or shove candy at them? So annoying. BTW, my wife isn't Asian, so our family get lots of EXTRA attention.

[AsiaESLbound]

I see friendliness as the level of happiness and content anywhere locally. Living somewhere is far different than touring as in when you live somewhere, you are getting to know the true spirit of the locals, their culture, and living condition. The Koreans are no more or less evil than anyone else, they don't have a happy vibe going, just a martyr one centering around serving their country and bosses though young people are experiencing new ideas of being individuals free to be themselves. They simply don't feel comfortable with foreigners given their long time closed minded close knit society and their history of being invaded by foreigners. They know teachers and tourists are not out to invade and conquer, but many are still mostly apprehensive.

I thought the older ladies in Western Europe like those who served beer and food were very friendly and can give a warm and sincere thanks. Western Europe felt very civilized and more affluent with a higher standard of living.

Many people are very friendly all across the USA if you display what is proper manners to them. I can't say they like who they think or see as being foreigners given how so many Asians are coming in to operate small businesses that is only xferring wealth over to Asia, because they spend very little in America, but send it to their homeland or keep it under their mattress. Miser antisocial martyrs. Back home, you rarely ever see non-Asians running a shop or motel anymore so many of us do feel xenophobic, because our opportunities are decreasing as more and more come from abroad to work. Nearly every small store or motel from New York to California is typically ran by Indians or Chinese who very rarely come as being warm and friendly.

I agree, in America, New York and the upper Eastern US is quite friendly and outgoing with Californians being blatantly rude and aggressive. New York area is totally a different country than Texas or California. I laughed at how arrogant, high, and mighty airhead stoner shop keepers act in Hollywood. Really, Cali is brutal if you need friendly locals. LA Sux.

[BoholDiver]

I thought the French were decent, and much better than their reputation states.

I liked Thais, too. I agree. Filipinos, not quite as much.

Japanese are polite but sort of cold and distant.

Canadians are alright but the under-25 generation are rude louts.

Interesting list overall.

[charliebrown84]

Was this article done before or after the gay couple in Malawi being arrested and almost convicted for getting married?

[highdials5]

[tiger fancini]

No mention of the Burmese? I've never met any, but have heard plenty of tales about their kindness. They are frequently described as "similar to Thais, before they realised how easy it is to get money out of foreigners".

[chellovek]

Lonely Planet? Come off it, it's the handbook of travel wankery.

"but with a greeting like that, who needs western-style comfort?"

[tiger fancini]