Post: #1

I like a sociable culture. I like it when people think it is normal to talk to random strangers, As a result, I talk more with strangers and meet more people. (Including girls)

The opposite ia true in cultures with a lot of suspicion or shyness. After years in a EE cpuntry, I am sp bummed out by the general vibe that I dk not see myself going back anytime soon (despite business interests).

Which country has the most open and sociable culture on earth?

Post: #2

Ten most sociable countries according to the Legatum Prosperity Index / Social Capital sub-index

1. New Zealand
2. Australia
3. Canada
4. USA
5. Iceland
6. Norway
7. Denmark
8. Malta
9. Germany
10. Ireland

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/maps-a...countries/

Post: #3

(06-12-2018 02:57 AM)Montrose Wrote:  Ten most sociable countries according to the Legatum Prosperity Index / Social Capital sub-index

1. New Zealand
2. Australia
3. Canada
4. USA
5. Iceland
6. Norway
7. Denmark
8. Malta
9. Germany
10. Ireland

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/maps-a...countries/

Not going to comment on the Anglo countries on there, but you know that list is bullshit as an indication for actual sociability when you see Germany and no less than three Scandinavian countries on there. All four of those countries are characterized by introverted, stiff, relatively socially awkward northern European temperaments wherein people generally require copious amounts of alcohol before they begin opening up to others, especially foreigners.

Post: #4

What about southern american countries and Balkan?

Post: #5

I could believe Ireland and Australia, but the other countries on that list sound wrong. Also, what about SEA and the Carribean?

Post: #6

From my experience USA

Post: #7

Australia definitely shouldn't be on that list. I know in Melbourne and I'm sure in other major cities that Australians are quite cliquey and stick to their own circle of friends when going out. I see this happen especially at birthdays and house parties where people just hang out with the familiar faces. Guilty of doing this myself.

Post: #8

USA and Canada by far. There is a culture of assuming people are decent until they prove otherwise. I honestly don't get the hate America gets on this board.

If you can't make friends in the US you might as well give up.

Post: #9

For me by far the best country is South Africa. You can go into a bar on your own and by the end of the night you will know everyone at that bar. Same applies if you hang out at an airport or at a gym.

Second place goes to USA in my opinion. Third Brazil - unfortunately often a bit of a language barrier.

Post: #10

Iceland being on that list gave me a good laugh.

Post: #11

(06-12-2018 07:53 AM)Not a Second Hander Wrote:  USA and Canada by far. There is a culture of assuming people are decent until they prove otherwise. I honestly don't get the hate America gets on this board.

If you can't make friends in the US you might as well give up.

Yep in 3rd world and other shittier countries that some members here are fond of people a lot of people only act nice because they want something from you. In the states there are many more wealthy people and a bigger middle class so in the states averaged out this isn't as much of a problem.

Post: #12

What about countries like Brazil, Peru and Chile?

Latins are usually friendly and warm, and yet they are not on this list???

Ireland? probably the coldest country on earth and sparsely populated. All the fun loving and ambitious Irish people left long time ago to Australia and USA.

Post: #13

The problem with the US (based strictly on what I've heard) is that people prioritise their careers and work too many hours to have much of a social life. Sure, strangers might frequently make small talk but how many of those interactions lead to meaningful friendships?

Take Spain on the other hand, where one and even two hour lunch breaks are common. People socialise a lot more and are less obsessed about their jobs, even if it comes at the expense of being less productive.

I think the overall time dedicated to friends and family should be a better indicator of how sociable a country is than the easiness of having small chat with strangers.

Post: #14

Serbia and Balkan countries are pretty social.

Post: #15

US is very comfortable no matter your background. But in terms of friendliness I find American friendliness to be very businesslike. They're more networking than making actual friendship bonds. It makes sense since the culture there encourages breaking family bonds early and going on your own, etc....

Still the fact that it's so welcoming as a country puts in somewhere high on the list.

I'll throw in a vote for Lebanon and Arab countries in general. If you avoid the scammers and isis terrorists the rest are very friendly and genuinely want you to enjoy their city. Even the religious ones can be quite friendly and respectful. Also in Lebanon you can be on joking terms with anyone instantly. And once you do for example exchange info theyll hit you up to hang out and stuff. Bonds that should be businesslike there turn into friendships. I had a bouncer lose his job for my sake once and I only knew him from the club.

Also Mediterranean in general are social imo but my experiences with most were short term.

Some like Slavic ones are difficult but once u do make friends they're your friend for life.

Post: #16

(06-12-2018 02:15 PM)Dragan Wrote:  Serbia and Balkan countries are pretty social.

I second this.
Though history depicts the Balkans as a place with "hot blood" that always had a kind of war going on...natively the people are very friendly. In Albania (my country) hospitality is passed from generation to generation and it's in our tradition. Plenty of articles and better explanation about this if you lookup "hospitality in Albania".
If you genuinely show good attitude and respect Albania will be extremely kind to you and you'll see the most social/friendly people ever! Please...never confuse hospitality with weakness and take advantage of it...you'd be in for a bitter surprise!
Cheers

Post: #17

What about Korea?

Post: #18

(06-12-2018 07:53 AM)Not a Second Hander Wrote:  USA and Canada by far. There is a culture of assuming people are decent until they prove otherwise. I honestly don't get the hate America gets on this board.

If you can't make friends in the US you might as well give up.

I wouldn't say it's hard to make friends in the U.S., I think the "hate" comes from the U.S. being very transactionally-oriented. Generally speaking, friendships in the U.S. are very transactional friendships.

In a way, all friendships are, but in America, most folks don't even at least pretend. If someone's initiating conversation with you here, there's a 99% probability they want something from you.

In some other countries, people talk to you just because you're a fellow human, out of an acknowledgement of that, just to shoot the shit. Some other cultures just have less of a capitalistic, less of an "always hustling" nature.

Pros and cons to either value system.

Post: #19

(06-12-2018 05:32 PM)Spaniard88 Wrote:  

(06-12-2018 07:53 AM)Not a Second Hander Wrote:  USA and Canada by far. There is a culture of assuming people are decent until they prove otherwise. I honestly don't get the hate America gets on this board.

If you can't make friends in the US you might as well give up.

I wouldn't say it's hard to make friends in the U.S., I think the "hate" comes from the U.S. being very transactionally-oriented. Generally speaking, friendships in the U.S. are very transactional friendships.

In a way, all friendships are, but in America, most folks don't even at least pretend. If someone's initiating conversation with you here, there's a 99% probability they want something from you.

In some other countries, people talk to you just because you're a fellow human, out of an acknowledgement of that, just to shoot the shit. Some other cultures just have less of a capitalistic, less of an "always hustling" nature.

Pros and cons to either value system.

Sorry but I have to disagree, whenever I go to the US (like I did 3 days ago), 99% of people will entertain me with funny conversation, welcome me to their country, state and city and sometimes even buy me a drink. In 99% of my interactions in third world shit holes like Colombia or the Philippines, I end up buying them a beer!

Post: #20

I can only speak from my experiences and i'm going to base this on the local population in each country (not making new friends with other tourists which you can do anywhere in the world very easily).

1. Denmark
2. USA (specifically Los Angeles)
3. Belgium
4. Australia
5. Holland
6. United Kingdom

There is also going to be an element how well you fit into the culture of the locals in a particular country. For example, generally speaking i'm going to naturally have alot more in common with someone from England than I am with someone from Canada due to my own personality traits, interests etc

once again the above countries are only from my own experiences and i'm sure others have had different experiences in some of these countries.

Post: #21

(06-12-2018 03:37 PM)Kyon Wrote:  What about Korea?

Koreans from Korea are the least friendly people I've ever met and I've come across people from all over the world. I've never had any positive experience with people from Korea.

I remember going to an international student job fair in Florida when I was at a US grad school. I asked students from all over the US how their classmates were - they all said the Koreans never mixed. The Koreans wouldn't even talk to Korean-Americans let alone non-Korean students.

I haven't been to Korea so it could be totally different over there.

Post: #22

(06-12-2018 03:37 PM)Kyon Wrote:  What about Korea?

No, Korea is not a friendly or sociable place.

People are terrified of socializing outside of their established group.

They only do so if there is something to gain by doing so or the person in question seems especially entertaining.

Korea may also be one of the racist places on earth.

Post: #23

(06-12-2018 10:27 PM)scotian Wrote:  

(06-12-2018 05:32 PM)Spaniard88 Wrote:  

(06-12-2018 07:53 AM)Not a Second Hander Wrote:  USA and Canada by far. There is a culture of assuming people are decent until they prove otherwise. I honestly don't get the hate America gets on this board.

If you can't make friends in the US you might as well give up.

I wouldn't say it's hard to make friends in the U.S., I think the "hate" comes from the U.S. being very transactionally-oriented. Generally speaking, friendships in the U.S. are very transactional friendships.

In a way, all friendships are, but in America, most folks don't even at least pretend. If someone's initiating conversation with you here, there's a 99% probability they want something from you.

In some other countries, people talk to you just because you're a fellow human, out of an acknowledgement of that, just to shoot the shit. Some other cultures just have less of a capitalistic, less of an "always hustling" nature.

Pros and cons to either value system.

Sorry but I have to disagree, whenever I go to the US (like I did 3 days ago), 99% of people will entertain me with funny conversation, welcome me to their country, state and city and sometimes even buy me a drink. In 99% of my interactions in third world shit holes like Colombia or the Philippines, I end up buying them a beer!

Good point scotian. By the way it was a blast partying with you and Crash Bandicoot this past weekend. I haven't been to Canada in a while, but I have been fortunate to receive very solid hospitality over there just about every time I have been there (Ontario). Historically speaking northern US & Canadian culture have a lot in common as a lot of us know. Might be the spirit of those old French fur trappers hahah.

Post: #24

Based off places I've actually been

Colombia

As in,

People socialize a lot - friends, family, etc.
People easy to talk to
People know how to enjoy life

But there will always be a divide if you're from the 1st world (people see you as a money bag)

New York people can be social/easy to talk to, too, since a lot of people are transplants (non-ghetto NY like Manhattan, etc).

But Americans are mostly fake nice/you rarely develop deep friendships

(06-12-2018 03:37 PM)Kyon Wrote:  What about Korea?

Lol

Post: #25

Mexicans and other foreigners in Mexico were really sociable. A few times I was lost or didn't know what I was doing that day so I said hi to people, where is this, where is that, etc. They would invite me to hangout with them and their group of friends after.

I was thinking about saying that none of the stuff that happened in Mexico would happen in the USA but that's not true. Yes it's hard to have meaningful relationships in the USA (I really don't have to many real friendships) but overall we are friendly. Driving ubers was more fun then I expected because of how sociable we are.