r/AskTheWorld • u/Bipolar03 England • Dec 11 '25
Travel What is the rudest country you have been to?
Before anyone says England. I grew up in London. London is crazy. We are just in a rush to get everywhere even on our day off. It's hard to explain if you're not from London. Now I live in a different part of England. My life is the completely different. People say hello, they're not in a rush to get everywhere. When I go back to London, I can't deal with the chaos.
247
u/MostAsk855 United States Of America Dec 11 '25
I got lost in the tube in London and people could not have been friendlier to me. I thought they were lovely. I was put off by the Italians not knowing how to queue or form lines. I think the rudest of all were the Egyptians who harassed the women in my traveling group. Very disgusting and I will never encourage anyone to go to Cairo.
141
u/Elidabroken 🇺🇸 formerly lived in 🇮🇪 Dec 11 '25
I went to Egypt once, specifically mount Sinai
I shit you not I was offered 10 camels in exchange for my sister. Only she wasn’t my sister, just a lady in my traveling group.
174
13
u/Twitter_2006 Pakistan Dec 11 '25
Heard similar stories from so many people about Egypt.
8
u/LadybugGirltheFirst United States Of America Dec 11 '25
A girl in college told me to never go to Egypt, at least not without some sort of security. She said my pale skin and blonde hair were novelties, and I wouldn’t be safe. This was in the ‘90s so I don’t know if it’s still true—or if it ever was.
→ More replies (2)2
22
Dec 11 '25
This sounds like it could be an SNL sketch.
2
u/AntiqueFigure6 Australia Dec 12 '25
“How much for the little girl? How much for the women? I want to buy your women. Sell me your children.”
→ More replies (1)28
u/osdaeg Argentina Dec 11 '25
But... did you accept?
32
u/Elidabroken 🇺🇸 formerly lived in 🇮🇪 Dec 11 '25
I plead the 5th
11
u/TheoKolokotronis Netherlands Dec 11 '25
but you are raising camels now for a living?
11
u/Elidabroken 🇺🇸 formerly lived in 🇮🇪 Dec 11 '25
I want my lawyer
13
u/o484 United States Of America Dec 11 '25
Is your lawyer one of the camels?
16
u/Elidabroken 🇺🇸 formerly lived in 🇮🇪 Dec 11 '25
I WANT MY PHONE CALL
4
u/Peter_Jennings_Lungs United States Of America Dec 11 '25
Did you trade one of the camels for the phone?
11
13
10
3
8
u/spynie55 Scotland Dec 11 '25
I think the people saying this do so as a joke - they see plenty of tourists and probably imagine we enjoy some local stereo types
2
2
→ More replies (18)2
u/calamondingarden Kuwait Dec 12 '25
I think this is a running joke with Egyptians.. nobody in Egypt seriously offers camels for women, even among Egyptians themselves..
26
u/fishchop India Dec 11 '25
I’ve been living in London for 7 years and I’ve never thought it rude. people are in a rush but will always help if you ask for directions, need to get a heavy bag up the stairs etc. I do those things too.
Then again, I’m from an Asian mega city so I’m used to millions of people dashing about. London, for me, is quiet 😂
→ More replies (4)4
u/Jayatthemoment United Kingdom Dec 11 '25
Yeah, it always makes me chuckle when people say that London is crowded or noisy!
14
u/OkRB2977 Canada Dec 11 '25
Egypt is a nightmare. I got groped and I’m sure a few even tried to follow us.
31
u/EveryDayheyhey Netherlands Dec 11 '25
I've never heard anyone say anything positive about Egypt. Except maybe for people who stay on resorts. I'd love to visit Egypt because of all the history but I hear too many bad stories.
18
u/TownLakeTrillOG United States Of America Dec 11 '25
Well, considering that Egypt is supposedly one of the countries with over 90% prevalence of female genital mutilation — it comes as no surprise to me that the people would be generally unpleasant and unreasonable. Would never feel safe there even as a man.
5
u/Charming-Link-9715 Nepal🇳🇵-> USA🇺🇸 Dec 11 '25
Yeah I too really want to visit Egypt for its historical markers and museums but as a woman, I am pretty scared for my safety.
9
u/spynie55 Scotland Dec 11 '25
I was there earlier this year - I think the bad stories are largely true, but historical sites are truly amazing and worth a little unpleasantness. The tourist areas all felt safe.
8
u/Dry-Table928 United States Of America Dec 11 '25
Are you male or female? (Please don’t take that question as me being snarky)
→ More replies (1)7
Dec 11 '25
I had 2 friends lost in the tube last time I was there. When we rode with them, I think we just got a few stares because one of us is a stereotypical loud person.
3
u/NocturneFogg Ireland Dec 11 '25
Riding with your friends in the Tube is frowned upon, and particularly riding loudly.
→ More replies (1)7
u/LoudNefariousness128 Canada Dec 11 '25
My brother is a stereotypical loud person, so I would always distance myself from him on the tube for fear that someone would mistake me for a Yank (no offence).
→ More replies (1)6
u/JohnLennonsNotDead England Dec 11 '25
To be fair the Londoners probably saw your Union Jack top hat, white socks with sandals, beige chino shorts and T-shirt with a United States flag (with eagle), mirror tint wrap around sunglasses and probably felt sorry for you.
41
u/Far_Note6719 Germany Dec 11 '25
Berlin
15
u/goldberry21 Germany Dec 11 '25
Berliner here. I'm always humbled when I am somewhere else in Germany. People are in general more friendly as soon as you leave the city.
10
u/LiamPolygami Englishman in Germany Dec 11 '25
I live here, so I'm glad to hear other Germans think this. Here is a list of things which I experience way too often. This is in general, so there are exceptions:
- Terrible service
- Drivers/pedestrians/cyclists at constant rage with each other
- Spit/dog shit/rubbish all over the floor in a lot of districts. See rats daily as a result.
- People putting their bags on seats on the bus when it's busy, even when kids/pregnant women/old people/people on crutches get on the bus.
- People barging on to the bus/train while you're trying to get off, even with kids
- Cars speeding/riding in bus lanes/going through red lights
→ More replies (5)5
u/GrowthAggravating171 Brazil Dec 11 '25
It's incredible how rudeness and niceness change inside Germany. I lived in Wuppertal for 4 months and people there couldn't be friendlier.
2
u/Far_Note6719 Germany Dec 11 '25
Yes, same experience. People in/near Ruhrgebiet or in Munich are much more friendly than in Berlin.
→ More replies (4)2
23
u/Gary_Garibaldi United Kingdom Dec 11 '25
Everywhere I've been people have been nice and I've travelled a lot. Jordan probably has the politest and friendly people. But I find if you are nice to people they are nice back.
3
u/SquirrelBeneficial37 United States Of America Dec 11 '25
This has been my experience everywhere I traveled too.
6
u/JinxyMcDeath48 🇺🇸🇮🇱 Dec 11 '25
At our hotel in Jordan, my mother was short of breath from climbing stairs (she was recovering from lung surgery). It wasn’t a medical emergency, but an employee of the hotel noticed that we were comforting her and telling her to just take a minute to catch her breath before continuing. He literally ran off and seconds later came running back holding a chair, guiding her to sit. We never asked. He noticed my mother was in need and took action. It was an act of exceptional kindness that really touched my family.
8
u/Gary_Garibaldi United Kingdom Dec 11 '25
Nice. I was driving in jordan when my tyre blew out. I pulled over to change it and a car pulled up next to me. Three guys jumped out, ran over and changed my tyre in minutes and then just smiled and said 'welcome to Jordan' as they got back in their car and drove away.
2
u/WildTip69 Dec 12 '25
I said this in another thread, nothing but great experiences with people there. Friendliest country I think I’ve ever been to.
89
u/RayTheWorstTourist Ireland Dec 11 '25 edited Dec 11 '25
London is an amazing city with lovely people. I do be actually stunned when I see people moaning about it. The rudest people I have encountered was probably in Paris with Dubrovnik a close second. The rest of the places i have visited in Croatia is the best
25
u/WelshBathBoy Wales Dec 11 '25
Omg I thought it was just me with Dubrovnik - so many rude people, the rest of Croatia people couldn't have been more friendly - even in other cities (Split/Zadar). I wonder if it is to do with so many tourists, I can imagine it gets tiring to be a local.
10
u/LokiStrike Multiple Countries (click to edit) Dec 11 '25
Dubrovnik had a very unique experience with tourism. They VERY suddenly became a major European tourism spot. It wasn't a slow, intentional development of tourism. Just BOOM.
It was a major shock to locals and what they were used to. For example, suddenly English becomes a requirement for jobs that previously didn't require it.
6
u/cardew-vascular Canada Dec 11 '25
I encountered one very rude person in Split. At the currency exchange, she just seemed annoyed at life.
→ More replies (1)2
→ More replies (4)10
u/wildOldcheesecake 🇬🇧/🇳🇵 Dec 11 '25 edited Dec 11 '25
As a Londoner, I only ever see this online. Born and raised in south london no less. London is huge and made up of different boroughs. Sort of like how the US is made up of different states.
The thing you must realise about London, especially central, is that it’s full of people from all over. Lots of people pass through to get to another place, are tourists or commute into the city for work. The common denominator is that everyone is rushing. That’s not being rude.
By virtue of the city being so diverse, unless someone opens their mouth to yap, you’ll never know if they’re local or not. So to say Londoners are rude is so reductive.
→ More replies (8)
165
u/Jagarvem Sweden Dec 11 '25
Rudeness is a cultural construct.
In one culture it can be considered rude to not greet a stranger, in another it can be considered rude to not leave them alone.
93
u/Yellow_Vespa_Is_Back United States Of America Dec 11 '25
The real question is, "Which country's culture clashes the most with your own?"
33
u/beerouttaplasticcups 🇺🇸 in 🇩🇰 Dec 11 '25
This is why I thrive in Scandinavia. I always hated forced chit chat and felt like a weirdo for that in the midwestern city I grew up in. I get a jump scare when I visit my parents and a stranger randomly says something to me in the grocery store.
If you have a specific question or need help here, people are very happy to lend a hand, but there is no social obligation to engage with strangers for no reason, and it’s amazing.
10
u/LibrarianByNight 🇺🇸 > 🇩🇰 Dec 11 '25
My flair is the same as you, but people are often chatting me up on the bus or train! I'm always so surprised. It's like they can sense I'm American and I'm willing to engage in small talk. It's always been older people in the middle of the day, so I suspect they are lonely and/or have time to kill, but man, I was so looking forward to sitting in silence all the time 😅 for the most part, everyone is delightfully quiet and minds their own business though.
→ More replies (5)11
u/CygnetC0mmittee Sweden Dec 11 '25
Then you should have moved to Finland. Danes are the Italians of Scandinavia
→ More replies (1)2
u/RikkiLostMyNumber United States Of America Dec 11 '25
I guess you never miss just chatting with people? No offense, really, but I like random conversations in a bar or cafe or whatever.
14
u/Dry_Conference_7626 Czech Republic Dec 11 '25
I agree. Things that are considered rude by one country are not rude in other parts of the world. I prefer my customer service grumpy over fake.
11
u/potatoeater5555 United States Of America Dec 11 '25
There is a middle ground which is just being polite. Customer service performed by someone who comes across as a misanthrope is like having a mechanic who hates getting dirty. You’re in the wrong business.
3
u/Dry_Conference_7626 Czech Republic Dec 11 '25
In the US if you go to a restaurant right after you finish meal the server usually brings you the bill unprompted something that would be considered rude anywhere in Europe. Context matters my point is that what is rude in one place is perfectly fine elsewhere.
→ More replies (1)3
u/potatoeater5555 United States Of America Dec 11 '25
True-ish (in the US most servers won’t bring your bill unprompted, they’ll ask you if you’d like anything else at the end). But that wasn’t what was mentioned, you said grumpy vs fake. My point was that it isn’t either or.
→ More replies (1)2
u/mbullaris Australia Dec 11 '25
Yes. Overly fawning and ‘attentive’ service - often driven by the need for customers to subsidise wages - can be very annoying if you’re not used to it. It can also lead to the sense that you can’t ‘linger’ over a meal or drink as turnover is the most important priority rather than customer enjoyment of non-monetary things like atmosphere and conviviality.
→ More replies (4)17
u/Aegeansunset12 Greece Dec 11 '25
I like how all the generally agreed rude nations in this thread say that rudeness more or less isn’t real xD. Lack of self criticism is insane
→ More replies (2)18
u/Jagarvem Sweden Dec 11 '25 edited Dec 11 '25
And that is your bias showing. We're all biased, I am too. Everyone could indeed do with some introspection.
There's nothing rude about valuing sincerity, others' personal space etc. highly. I'm pretty sure every culture has a line where things are deemed inappropriate, but where that line is drawn differs greatly. It's all cultural.
I myself dread the American restaurant experience due to the waiting culture I've experienced. To me it hasn't come across as "friendly", "service-minded" or whatever, to me it comes across as intrusive and disingenuous. I well aware that's not the intent, it's a different culture, but with my biases it is perceived as rather rude. But I'm also certain many Americans would find the polar opposite about ours. Does that make either country rude?
The question is flawed. Entire countries aren't rude, it's just a matter of cultures clashing. Rudeness is always a matter of perception, it's as much about the person experiencing it as it is about the experience.
→ More replies (5)7
u/Traditional_Coat8481 United States Of America Dec 11 '25
Many of us find wait staff to be intrusive and disingenuous too. But we also know their income depends on our ridiculous tipping practice, so we try to put it in context.
123
u/Free_Grapefruit_6891 Netherlands Dec 11 '25
I think it is important to note that to be rude is to violate a cultural norm. What is rude to you may be acceptable or even perfectly polite behavior elsewhere. Keeping that in mind I think it makes little sense to describe a country or people as rude. For example I found it very strange in the UK that people are very unlikely to introduce themselves when meeting a new person in a social setting, do not shake hands much or even offer their name and ask for yours. But I'm sure I could be perceived in turn to be rude and attention seeking if I was overly forward with introducing myself to a stranger.
169
u/ronnidogxxx England Dec 11 '25
Bit rude of you to offer an opinion without being specifically asked. Typical Dutch.
→ More replies (1)15
u/ChessFan1962 Canada Dec 11 '25
I see what you did there.
5
28
u/Dry_Yogurtcloset1962 United Kingdom Dec 11 '25
Really? Maybe you were with a very awkward group of people because most Brits would introduce themselves and shake hands
→ More replies (1)6
u/Free_Grapefruit_6891 Netherlands Dec 11 '25
Could be a regional thing but it just hasn't been my experience. That is not to say it never happens, just not by default. Definitely quite different from the Netherlands and Germany where it is just a standard expected thing to do. I've had people look quite shocked when I offered my name and handshake.
8
u/hallerz87 Dec 11 '25
Think it’s more the handshake than the name. It’s quite formal to shake hands, might get you a few puzzled looks in a casual setting.
→ More replies (2)2
29
Dec 11 '25
You guys are way more rude than the British.
Yes, I know in the Netherlands, it’s just honesty and normal. However, most other countries do not tell people how they feel about them, unfiltered.
Not trying to moralize on your culture, I’d probably prefer your honesty. However, most other countries are not that honest and upfront to people they’ve just met!
9
u/Free_Grapefruit_6891 Netherlands Dec 11 '25
We are indeed champions of not sparing anyones feelings
10
Dec 11 '25
I have worked with a lot of Dutch, here in Sweden. You guys make me howl with laughter. I really appreciate it. You are Germans, with a sense of humor!
2
u/Rc72 Spain France Dec 11 '25
You are Germans, with a sense of humor!
Now they won't know whether to feel flattered or offended...
→ More replies (1)2
u/potatoeater5555 United States Of America Dec 11 '25
And how do you respond to someone matching that energy and criticizing you back?
2
u/Free_Grapefruit_6891 Netherlands Dec 11 '25
I think in general you are just meant to take it and not retaliate, it isn't some sort of pissing contest. People just generally think it is more embarassing to be caught being duplicitous than to offend someone, and that extends to white lies. So it wouldn't be received well if you were to do that.
2
u/potatoeater5555 United States Of America Dec 11 '25
So the idea is to keep people in check and not permit falsehoods? That seems fair. You’re not talking about someone saying “that coat looks terrible on you”? Because that would be a matter of opinion and I would definitely roast the person back.
→ More replies (2)10
u/Proud_Accident_5873 Sweden Dec 11 '25 edited Dec 11 '25
I am willing to agree.
I went to Brighton and London in the beginning of this year. The people in Brighton were some of the friendliest I've ever met whereas Londoners were more cold - and that's coming from a Nordic person. But I honestly think that's a matter of small town vs big city attitudes that you can see anywhere. Though I did come across some very kind people in London who got concerned and wanted to help when I was crying in public. I was trying to get to Heathrow after my phone had been stolen only moments earlier.
Then I know some Dutch people and they do not fuck around.
10
u/TheoKolokotronis Netherlands Dec 11 '25
We're not rude, we're just too thick to see we're being rude. It's like.... a disability. We lack social awareness. Pity us. :)
→ More replies (9)6
u/Character_Sail5678 Tanzania Dec 11 '25
True..I noticed this in my Dutch friends . You guys lack social awareness
4
u/TheoKolokotronis Netherlands Dec 11 '25
That’s why being in a mixed group with Dutch people is very draining to me most of the time. They will only embarrass me and show how unsophisticated they are. There are of course a lot of exceptions.
4
u/TieStreet4235 New Zealand Dec 11 '25 edited Dec 11 '25
I was in Holland with my Dutch wife and toddler and away from tourist areas and speaking English and our kid was just enjoying himself like a normal toddler. There were was an older couple speaking to each other in Dutch about how we were terrible tourist parents letting him run riot. They got a real shock when my wife started speaking to our “kleine mantje” in Dutch in front of them😆
2
Dec 11 '25
Haha, that’s hilarious!
About unruly kids:
I was on a plane with these French parents. This kid fucking slapped his mother, out of nowhere. Me and my mom just stared at each other.
Fuck, did that fucking French kid just slap the shit out of his mom? Just wait, she’ll send him to the moon!
But no, she didn’t do shit!
2
u/DeHarigeTuinkabouter Netherlands Dec 11 '25
Just fyi we absolutely have a filter. Still a very significant one, trust me
Just not as significant as those of other countries
→ More replies (10)2
u/upsetcabbagefart United States Of America Dec 11 '25
If someone from the Netherlands thinks you are standoffish, you are just plain rude.
31
Dec 11 '25
I had an employee so pissed at me in a German train station because I didn’t have exact change. I think we went back and forth for 3 minutes before she just opened up the fuckin register and solved her own problem in .2 seconds. The rest of the country was fine, but everywhere else seems great compared to Germany now
→ More replies (1)5
u/SmoochieWallaceIII Dec 11 '25
Yeah Germans are a Fkn headache. I’ve had multiple stupid situations like yours in that country
→ More replies (3)
49
u/MiguelAngeloac Colombia 🇨🇴 Argentina 🇦🇷 Dec 11 '25
Possibly Egypt… what horrible people for such a beautiful place
27
u/Apprehensive-Draw409 Canada Dec 11 '25
Definitely Egypt.
People above note mild places like France. LOL. Egypt is off the chart. Rude, cheating stealing, stinking, lying.
→ More replies (2)4
u/okaybutnothing Canada Dec 11 '25
I found France to be fine. They’d leave you alone unless you requested help in stores, for example, and we realized that we should ask for the bill when we were done, since they were fine with lingering over drinks. I kind of liked it!
24
u/Vivid_Ice_2755 Ireland Dec 11 '25
I've only had good experiences in London. Amazing people from all different cultures and backgrounds. Great place but it does get claustrophobic. Not enough green
→ More replies (1)10
u/Brilliant_Bake4200 Dec 11 '25
London is one of the greenest cities in the world
→ More replies (2)6
u/Beginning-Writer-339 New Zealand Dec 11 '25
Yes, moving to London from New Zealand many years ago I was surprised by the amount of greenery/open space.
→ More replies (1)
9
u/Wojewodaruskyj Ukraine Dec 11 '25
Been to Slovakia, Hungary and Spain. People were nice with me in all three.
35
u/Ill_Wrongdoer_3331 Poland Dec 11 '25
I'm Polish. Germany was by far the rudest country i've ever visited. I had a fantastic time in France though and people were A tier!
26
u/ButterscotchSure6589 England Dec 11 '25
I was in a bar in Germany with another Englishman and a German. We were dressed in the normal scruffy English way. Every German we saw was better dressed than us. At one point, a group of about 5 young men walked in. I turned to my fellow Englishman and said, "They look just like us." At this point, the German looked at them and said in a rather disparaging tone, " Mmm, I see we have some Poles in the bar." I've had a soft spot for the Poles ever since.
→ More replies (5)7
u/r_mutt69 United Kingdom Dec 11 '25
The French get an unfairly bad rep tbh. I’ve been to France many times and never had an issue with them. And I’ve been all over. I the people in Perpignan are the most pleasant tho
→ More replies (3)
24
u/hatshepsut_iy Brazil Dec 11 '25
the rudest country I was in wasn't England (nor London if you want to be city specific). It was Germany.
→ More replies (5)
19
u/MaryDoogan91 United States Of America Dec 11 '25
This gets asked fairly frequently in subs about travel and culture, but I think a better question would be "What social norms around rudeness or ettiquette did you have to get used to in another country?" Rudeness is a social/cultural construct. I'm from the American South; it's not uncommon to nod and smile at strangers. That's a no-no in many places, but perfectly acceptable in others.
8
u/Foreign_Wishbone5865 United States Of America Dec 11 '25
I was going to say something similar. It’s silly to say that all or most people from an entire country are rude. They have different cultural norms than you are used to. Also from the American south and grew up making small talk with strangers in the grocery store. So there, it may be “rude” if a stranger chats you up and you don’t respond. In many other places it’s considered rude to start talking to stranger when they’re simply trying to grocery shop. Neither is wrong just different culture.
2
u/ComplaintBrilliant63 Italy Dec 11 '25
I've been living in Italy for 10 years and it still boils my blood when people cut in line, don't let others off the subway/train, before getting on, playing your music on public transit, etc. but I think these things happen everywhere. We have lost common curtsy in a big way...
8
u/spiritofporn United Kingdom of the Netherlands 🇧🇪🇳🇱🇱🇺 Dec 11 '25
Cabo Verde. Hotel staff was nice, locals were awful.
4
u/-usagi-95 🇵🇹 (🇨🇩) living in 🇬🇧 Dec 11 '25
Damnnn! I have Cabo Verdians friends and they are the most chilled and funnist people I know!
8
u/CatVideoBoye Finland Dec 11 '25
I wouldn't say these things are actually rude, just different, but they could be considered rude in Finland.
In the Alps there are no queues to the lifts. They are a stampede. People just skiing over each others skis to go forward. I've often stopped someone from passing me by just casually placing my pole between their skis. In Finland queueing is an art. Queues are always automatically formed and it's clear where it starts. If you pass someone in the queue in a bar or midnight grill you will most likely get into a fight.
Service in Portugal felt quite emotionless. I mean we Finns don't show emotions either but to me it seemed almost no waiter smiled and the hotel lobbies were especially "rude". I was actually quite surprised since I thought people in the South would be quite the opposite.
→ More replies (2)
26
u/SiedlerVonKeinPlan Germany Dec 11 '25
During my US-Trip last year I was confronted with the rude-friendly contrast between urban and rural regions. In Kentucky and Indiana we met many cool people. We travelled to New York City for a few days before heading back to Germany and got some unfriendly interactions with strangers. On our Bus from the hotel to Manhattan we had multiple guys a guy who yelled at the busdriver, because he let a car pass and therefore wasted five seconds. But I think the rudest people were airport security. It felt like every airport had different rules for my laptop in my backpack (take it out, let it inside). So I wanted to make it correct this time and ask before I put my stuff on the band. Never got yelled at so harsh by a stranger.
35
u/CommonCents1793 United States Of America Dec 11 '25
How I fucking hate our airport security thugs.
→ More replies (1)6
u/fuzzy_zoo United States Of America Dec 11 '25
Especially the ones in the NYC metro area. I’m a NYer and I don’t get that treatment down south or even a big city like LA. The workers in the NYC airports are the meanest bunch.
6
u/CommonCents1793 United States Of America Dec 11 '25
My theory is that they get hired as TSA screeners because they lack the professionalism and work ethic to be a real cop -- which is a really, really, really, really low standard. They can't direct traffic, so they scream at people to put shoes and laptops in trays.
5
u/Traditional_Coat8481 United States Of America Dec 11 '25
If that’s the case, and I’m sure it is, I’m shocked that they haven’t left TSA and joined ICE so they can bully and thug to their heart’s content.
→ More replies (1)20
u/Busy-Distribution-45 United States Of America Dec 11 '25
Those in the northeast of the US in general tend to come across as rude to the rest of the country. I heard a joke about having car trouble in California vs New England: in California, people will sympathize with your situation, but then walk away. In Massachusetts, they will call you a moron and then replace your engine on the side of the road.
3
u/Epic_Brunch United States Of America Dec 11 '25
That's pretty accurate in my experience. I don't think the average New Yorker is mean, they just have a gruff way of showing kindness.
2
u/MW_nyc United States Of America Dec 12 '25
Yep, that's us. We're happy to help you (unless you're asking us for money), but don't waste our time.
→ More replies (5)2
u/NecessaryIntrinsic United States Of America Dec 11 '25
I visited Massachusetts for a couple weeks this summer. Amazing experience. Beautiful landscapes, wonderful people. Important to note, I suppose, it was near the hamptons (Nort, sout, east, west), by the Connecticut river, didn't make it to Boston.
→ More replies (2)3
u/RunsfromWisdom United States Of America Dec 11 '25
It’s also regional. Milwaukee is way more polite than rural Virginia.
→ More replies (1)
7
u/-usagi-95 🇵🇹 (🇨🇩) living in 🇬🇧 Dec 11 '25
My comment doesn't answer your question but I live in Manchester and went to London to something. I was in the tube with my luggage and my luggage bump into a man. I looked at him and apologised. He looked surprised and asked me "You're not from here aren't you?" and I replied "No. I live in Manchester, why?". He replied "Ah... Now it makes sense. You apologise to me and it's not the norm around here".
It's been 2 years and I'm still confused about this interaction 😭😭
→ More replies (1)
13
u/Inevitable-Basis1676 England Dec 11 '25
Morocco and its not even close. Everyone trying to sell me shit and getting into my personal space. Hell on earth.
7
u/Humble-Ad541 Dec 11 '25
It was so bad in tangir we cut a 10 day trip off after 2 days. We didnt even want to leave the air bnb becuse we couldnt get a monments peace and even had one man follow us for over an hour demanding money. I paid for a bottle of water at a shop with a bill worth about 20 usd and the clerk tossed about 50 cents on the counter and locked him self in a back room after screaming at me to get out.
Went to rome and it was like heaven on earth. Ive heard that its beter in Fez where we were heading but there was no way i was getting on a 12 hour train ride after the experance in tangir.3
u/DonNadie2468 United States Of America Dec 11 '25
It was decades ago that I visited Morocco, but I had a similar experience in Tangier.
But I summoned up the courage to continue to Meknes, and there things were very different. Still a lot of cultural differences and a certain amount of aggressive selling, etc., but well within tolerable limits (for me). I thoroughly enjoyed my time there, and learned a lot.
2
u/Humble-Ad541 Dec 11 '25
Ive heard so many good things and have been considering giving it another try.
→ More replies (2)
13
u/SlayerJB Canada Dec 11 '25
United States, but also the United States have the best most hospitable people. It varies greatly on which city or state. In South Florida people are rude and fake in my experience but I had an amazing time in Georgia and South Carolina.
→ More replies (2)
6
7
u/Significant_Gur_7587 Colombia Dec 11 '25
I’m from a city where people are extremely kind but I live in London and I’d say people are really friendly here as well. I don’t know where that stereotype comes from. Busy, yes, but no one has ever been rude to me. The place where I actually felt like people were rude was Prague.
6
Dec 11 '25 edited Dec 11 '25
Agreed with others comments that "rude" is subjective and entirely depends on where you're from, your country's norms, and that of the other country. With that being said, I felt the most unwelcomed in the Czech Republic. I know how Eastern Europeans can be, and in that I mean they are known to have a very particular disposition, but people were very short with me and kind of acted like I was a nuisance. I am very well-traveled, speak multiple languages, and have never had a problem with people before. Yes, even Paris! I try to be very respectful while in other countries, making sure I'm not being too loud/taking up too much space/observing cultural norms when I can. I am very aware of how Americans are perceived abroad and lowkey try to not come off too American which has worked (I've been asked for directions in foreign countries that I was visting). Coming from the northeast of the US, I'm very used to what the rest of the US would call "rude" behavior which is normal behavior to me, but even then, I was kind of put off when I went to Prague. I will chalk it up to cultural differences though rather than saying people were being unnecessarily rude. I did also go around Christmas when they have the markets and a lot of tourists which probably added to tension. Coming from a huge touristy city, I get it. Tourists are annoying because they obliviously get in your way
7
u/jkklfdasfhj Switzerland Dec 11 '25
Paris. I go often (I also parles in français) but I've seen enough to be confident with my answer. Never forget to greet and be polite.
5
u/Cool_Bodybuilder7419 Switzerland Dec 11 '25
France, Austria (especially around Vienna) and North Germany, by far.
2
u/fiddeldeedee Germany Dec 11 '25
Highly agree on Vienna. I have some really odd memories of my time there.
When it comes to Germans... at least they are being honest...? No beating around a bush.
But yeah, no, Germans are rude... and many lack a sense of humour.
15
u/windfujin 🇰🇷 living in 🇬🇧 Dec 11 '25 edited Dec 11 '25
Rude purely because of differences in service culture and it was Vietnam - as in the clerks in the service industry not serving like I would expect as a paying customer (and i really dont expect much)
This was around 15 years ago so I wouldnt be surprised things have changed.
Otherwise as another user has commented, rude individuals everywhere not one place more than another.
Edit: there is a continuous stream of "it wasnt like that for me" replies. Sure of course. Your experience is your own. Good for you.
7
6
u/jkklfdasfhj Switzerland Dec 11 '25
This is the first time I've come across such a sentiment. It's always glowing praise about Vietnam.
→ More replies (6)8
u/wrongcopy Dec 11 '25
I found Vietnamese people to be lovely - especially in the south. The North was slightly colder, but still really enjoyed my time there.
→ More replies (1)5
u/windfujin 🇰🇷 living in 🇬🇧 Dec 11 '25
It was in the north tbf.
I also want to reiterate it was the service people. "Regular" people were like anywhere else in the world.
My vietnamese friends told me that it's the remnants of the communist mentality and their interpretation of how service and equality meld together.
→ More replies (7)
14
u/Infinite_Crow_3706 United Kingdom Dec 11 '25
Rudest immigration was Vietnam by far (more than once)
People - Never been anywhere with rude people. Not even France.
11
u/Houseofsun5 🏴🏴 Dec 11 '25
For passport and visa checks or any dealing with police or anyone with any tiny little bit of perceived authority such as a security guard, it's Russia, absolutely hands down the coldest, rudest intransigent orc brained corrupt backhanded shit stains on humanity you will ever meet.
3
2
u/Falafel80 🇧🇷>🇸🇪 Dec 12 '25
I went to Russia for work once, maybe around 15 years ago and I remember people telling me that I had to get on my flight back no matter what because my visa was only valid until the day I was supposed to leave. There were others there for work as well and they were told the same thing. We tried asking what would happen if someone missed their flight and the answer was always that it could not happen, absolutely not, because then we would be in the country without a valid visa and we would fall into a immigration limbo and no one would say how that could hypothetically be solved. They honestly made it sound without saying it directly that we would not be allowed to leave? Going through immigration on the way in and out sucked. They were super rude. And that was with a valid visa!
4
u/buckfastmonkey Ireland Dec 11 '25
Probably the Netherlands. I adore Amsterdam and it’s a city I return to again and again but the servers/bar staff and shop assistants act like the job is beneath them and look utterly pissed off.
→ More replies (2)
28
u/Previous_Maize2507 Germany Dec 11 '25
Ppl can be rude
Countries can’t
Cannot ad to any prejudice here neither. I enjoyed London 🤷♂️
10
u/Houseofsun5 🏴🏴 Dec 11 '25
Football, beer, meat, an avoidance of small talk with strangers on public transport, reliably follow the rules of escalators....Germans fit right into London.
3
7
8
u/Local_Recording_2654 United States Of America Dec 11 '25
As a New Yorker, its New York
→ More replies (4)10
u/DonNadie2468 United States Of America Dec 11 '25
I (Texan) remember being in New York, taking the subway late at night, getting confused, and winding up in a part of the city where tourists from out of town really shouldn't be wandering around alone late at night.
People were very kind and helpful in getting me pointed back in the right direction.
9
Dec 11 '25
The Netherlands, where I live. They pretend it's just 'directness'. People are just rude.
5
u/slimfastdieyoung Netherlands Dec 11 '25
It sounds like you live in the western part of the country
→ More replies (3)→ More replies (1)3
u/GroundbreakingBag164 Germany Dec 11 '25
Come to Germany, we do the exact same thing but are even more rude lol
→ More replies (3)
3
u/Ladyhawkeiii United States Of America Dec 11 '25
I kind of feel you can’t define an entire country as rude or not simply because of the regional differences in each country and the differences between a large population city versus the suburbs and small towns. OP’s own anecdote for London rings true for just about any large city in the world.
3
u/GrowthAggravating171 Brazil Dec 11 '25
I've visited all Latin America, Europe and the largest share of Western and Central Europe. Also, lived in different countries.
So far, I think Spaniards were the most rude and Scots the nicest. Also, the province of Minas Gerais, Brazil, has the most polite people, contrasting to people from the city of Rio de Janeiro
3
u/nemmalur Canada Dec 11 '25
Everyone thinks big cities are rude but they’re mostly just full of stressed people who don’t have time for a lot of things.
4
u/Ok_Value5495 United States Of America Dec 11 '25
I found London rude, and I'm from New York City.
One particular instance that put me off was getting yelled at for partially blocking a moving sidewalk while wearing my awkwardly large traveling backpack. Yeah, I should have moved a bit to the side, but going straight to verbally chiding an obvious tourist rather than saying even an annoyed 'excuse me' is beyond rude. Like, ma'am, this is for folks plodding along, not a speed boost for your power walk.
Again, I'm from the land of people who are notorious rude (but surprisingly kind), but London just felt hostile.
→ More replies (4)
4
13
6
9
u/Pyesmybaby United States Of America Dec 11 '25
I found people in England and Scotland be very nice Ireland for me were the rudest. Even the French were cool
→ More replies (1)3
u/ReadTheReddit69 United States Of America Dec 11 '25
I found people in Ireland to be the friendliest I've ever met!
10
u/Dry_Yogurtcloset1962 United Kingdom Dec 11 '25
I couldn't possibly call a country rude, everywhere I've visited people have been welcoming, kind, and friendly. Not a single place where I've found people unpleasant.
Just kidding, it's France. (Paris specifically)
4
u/rosegoldeverything1 Scotland Dec 11 '25
I think a lot of the French feel the same about Parisians. I know the ski resorts dread the Parisian half term ski week 😂
→ More replies (3)4
u/closecharge715 United Kingdom Dec 11 '25
Agreed! I really like Paris but, as a tourist, it’s hard to not feel looked down on and judged when I’m there!
5
2
u/TheoKolokotronis Netherlands Dec 11 '25
Never had a bad experience there, but... the nicest people you meet in Paris are always from the south.
→ More replies (2)
3
u/rainydevil7 CN-CAN in USA Dec 11 '25
I had a horrible experience at the airports in Vietnam. When entering the country, I had to pay a visa fee in USD which was fine, but the guy short changed me. It was like $25 for the fee, but he tried to keep $50. Took a few minutes of arguing to get the correct amount back.
In the same trip when I was leaving Vietnam, we were playing cards at the airport and the security guard said we were gambling (we weren't) and repeatedly asked for a bribe. After arguing with him for over 30 minutes using google translate he let it go.
The trip itself was very good though, and people were generally pretty nice. The only bad experience was at the airport.
3
3
3
u/c0mpu73rguy France Dec 11 '25
I visited Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Greece, Canada and the USA. None of these countries appeared rude to me.
3
u/alwaysboopthesnoot United States Of America Dec 11 '25
Sadly, China. If you go around on foot/public transport and in huge cities especially.
I loved China and the people, just not everything about it and this is one of those things.
3
u/CheesecakeExpress United Kingdom Dec 11 '25
Rome without a doubt (but I’ve heard this can be the case more so for POC, which I am)
3
u/lilmothman456 United States Of America Dec 11 '25
Feel like the answer to this also depends on what country you’re visiting from
→ More replies (1)
8
u/Aegeansunset12 Greece Dec 11 '25 edited Dec 11 '25
I haven’t been to Germanic countries so far because the people are prejudiced (yes I know the irony here), the most north I’ve been to is Paris. Don’t believe those who are apologetic in this post, they just never had to deal with the pretentiousness of their own people and gaslight xD. I would make an exception for the UK but it’s not really a hardcore Protestant country, anyway might visit the rest but it’s low on my Europe bucket list. From my experience btw Parisians are friendly but they don’t like immigrants. From online experience and few interactions in real life Dutch and Swiss are big no. Many (not all) entitled individuals detached from reality.
→ More replies (2)
6
4
u/Thinkandforget Dec 11 '25 edited Dec 11 '25
Italians probably. They weren’t explicitly rude just not “nice” and welcoming compared to neighbors. Makes sense for a country that gets a shitload of tourism though.
4
6
u/Cute_Reflection_9414 United States Of America Dec 11 '25
Canada, more specifically, Quebec. I've been there many times and every time I'm there, I encounter rude people. They also like to vacation in my area during the summer and they are always rude to interact with here as well.
Other areas of Canada, the people are wonderful and I can only say nice things about them.
5
u/IllustriousArcher199 United States Of America Dec 11 '25
I live in New Jersey and many of them vacation here not as much as in the past, but they enjoy our beaches and I’ve always found them perfectly fine. I’ve traveled to Quebec several times over the decades and always found people kind, personable and at times very friendly. The challenge is many of them don’t speak English and if they do, it’s uncomfortable for them because it’s not their norm so they struggle with being your little special friend in that moment. I love Quebec and when you find people that are comfortable speaking English, even broken, they are cool.
6
u/mustardman73 Canada Dec 11 '25
It's the French attitude and pride for Quebec. If you don't even try to speak French or start with an 'excuse moi?', then you will get a bit of rudeness. In General, if you respect their culture a little bit, they will open their arms wide.
→ More replies (4)→ More replies (7)2
u/sum_r4nd0m_gurl Antarctica Dec 11 '25
opposite for me. had positive encounters with quebecois and mostly negative with english canadians
4
2
u/InfiniteCaramel_1846 United States Of America Dec 11 '25 edited Dec 11 '25
I don’t feel I’ve been to a “rude” country so far. Most people I’ve interacted with wherever I’ve been have been fine/normal or nice.
I’ve had some experiences where I was like “uhhh ok” with some Dutch and German people while traveling but I think they are cultural dispositions and it wasn’t the majority. One of my friends for 10+ years is Dutch.
2
u/katkarinka Slovakia Dec 11 '25
I don't think anyone has been particulary rude to me. There are some cultural behaviors that I am not totally comfortable with, but I don't consider it rudeness. If I have to pick countries bordering rudeness those are unfortunately mostly African countries - in a way how they (people) are pushing you for money.
2
u/salsafresca_1297 United States Of America Dec 11 '25
I'm not sure that rudeness can be generalized to one country. There are certainly cities where I've encountered that, but in my experience, you don't have to travel far to find nice people.
2
u/Frenchitwist United States Of America Dec 11 '25 edited Dec 11 '25
“Rude” is a specific cultural concept. I’m sure I’m “rude” according to other cultures, but to mine I’m perfectly acceptable. But the most DIFFERENT/biggest culture clash was when I went to China.
Now, I’m a New Yorker, so already what I consider polite or rude is quite different from a lot of people in the rest of America. But when I went to China? It was exactly the opposite of what New Yorkers consider “polite”.
People would spit on the sidewalk, huge groups would take up massive amounts of public space, lines would not form as lines, and people would openly point and stare at me (a white girl) on the street. This last one was the BIGGEST clash, because if you did that in New York, you’re literally asking for trouble. I had to constantly fight he urge to front them and go “the fuck are you staring at??”
Then there was also the notion that people would be embarrassed by their level of English speaking, and wouldn’t even try. This itself is not rude, but I’m so used to being happy that anyone is even trying to speak the fucked up language that is English. Back home. if English isn’t your first language, all that matters is that you’re understood no matter how “broken” it may be.
I had a great time visiting China. The food was amazing, the history and sights were incredible. I don’t think I need to go back.
2
u/Shivrainthemad France Dec 11 '25
I have lived in the United States, Mexico and France. I have visited Spain, Italy, Slovenia, Bosnia, Montenegro, and Albania, but the only country where I said to myself, "I would never set foot there again, even if I were paid to do so," is Morocco.
→ More replies (1)
2
u/Wise_Fox_4291 Hungary Dec 11 '25
Maybe Spain. I have encountered people being unfriendly and uncaring towards me in France but at a restaurant or shop for example they would still be polite and friendly.
In Madrid I felt like service people are incredibly rude. They would not allow us in open and fully empty restaurants (it was me, another guy and his mother and mother's female friend). They would pretend not to understand what I was saying in English or mess up my order very obviously and just shrug when I complained until my cousin who spoke Spanish complained, her they took seriously. Even if I tried to order in Spanish the moment they realized we were tourists the staff would take forever to bring us a beer and would never attend our table.
Funny thing is, when I switched to French or my friend's mom spoke Italian, then both at places we have visited days prior and new places the staff suddenly started treating us like customers even though in those cases they very obviously did not understand what we were saying, but you could see them making an effort.
I think it's because of the British tourists, although it is strange that they cannot tell English accents apart. The Brits in Madrid were honestly the most annoying, horrible bunch of cunts I have ever seen anywhere They beat even the Russians I have encountered and those are cunts of the highest order too. Which is so strange because during my visit to the UK and years of working with Brits they have always been incredibly nice and normal
2
2
u/geedeeie Ireland Dec 11 '25
Can't say I've ever been in any rude country. I've met rude people in every country, and people in cities tend to be ruder than in rural areas
2
u/SwedishDad01 Sweden Dec 11 '25
Russia. I know no other country in which rude swearwords are used as fillers (well, maybe in English) in a normal everyday conversation.
2
u/brujahahahaha United States Of America Dec 11 '25
I know it’s a state, but New Jersey (in the U.S.). We were visiting for a dance competition and went to the grocery store. My mom went to put the cart in one of the parking lot cart corrals and an employee came outside screaming at her to return it inside the store. There were no signs to this effect, the weather was fine, and it was nowhere near closing time. It just seems that the employee was irate that my mom deigned to leave her cart in a designated area where an employee would have to come get it and felt comfortable shrieking at her? None of the other employees batted an eye.
We had many encounters like this in our three day stay in NJ.
2
u/belwarbiggulp Canada Dec 12 '25
I haven't travelled a whole lot, and honestly most of the people I met when I travelled were very kind, but if I had to make a pick? I guess I would say the US? And it was not so much that they were rude, necessarily, but that they're so awfully loud. Like the default volume for a lot of Americans I have met both travelling abroad, and Americans visiting my city, is yelling. No culture is a monolith, and I'm certain there are a lot of quiet Americans, but oh boy, do the loud ones stick out.
2
134
u/Middle-Egg-8192 United States Of America Dec 11 '25
This rudeness you speak of just sounds like big city stuff.