Where the kindest people in the world live. Countries with the friendliest people. What's in practice?
When you're on vacation, you probably don't want to encounter rude people. If you're looking for a place where you can expect to make a lot of nice connections, you need to head to one of the countries with the friendliest people in the world. Their residents offer such a warm welcome that a boring, inexpensive tour can easily turn into an unforgettable trip.
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Thailand is often referred to as the "land of smiles" and it really is. Overall, Thailand is a very hospitable, friendly country, especially when traveling outside of the major tourist centers such as Phuket and Bangkok. One visitor noted that restaurant employees even get annoying by “trying to be too nice.” In addition to friendly townspeople, Thailand has picturesque beaches, good weather, a dazzling ocean, interesting shops and outdoor cafes with fantastically delicious food.
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Readers of online travel magazine Rough Guide have voted Scotland as the friendliest country in the world. This is the only European country that deserves to be at the top of our list. You will definitely enjoy Irish humor and the funny accents of the calmest and friendliest people in the world, Scotch whiskey and beautiful scenery. Scots laugh at themselves, rarely take anything seriously, and have a great sense of humor (many of the world's best comedians come from Scotland). They will definitely tell you a lot of funny stories.
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Ireland is not only one of the most beautiful countries in the world, it is also famous for its cheerful, generous people who greet you as if you were best friends who lost each other a long time ago and have now met. If you like to joke and laugh, the townspeople will share anecdotes and be happy to listen to your stories. The Emerald Isle is one of those rare places where you will always find at least one new friend without even trying. All you have to do is walk into almost any pub, have a pint, and someone will definitely start talking to you. The sincere hospitality of the Irish is known throughout the world, and their laughter is quite contagious. Be sure to visit the impressive sights of Giant's Island in Northern Ireland, the Ring of Kerry in the southwest, make new acquaintances from the townspeople, and you will remember a trip to Scotland as one of the best trips of your life.
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Thanks to the Lord of the Rings trilogy, almost everyone in the world is now familiar with New Zealand's stunning landscapes, with soaring snow-capped mountains, volcanic forests, sparkling lakes and golden beaches. This is one of the most popular adventure destinations and is home to several extreme sports such as zorbing, in which a person slides down mountains in a large inflatable ball. It is also the birthplace of rafting, bungee jumping, air diving and jet skiing, as well as softer sports such as nature trekking and mountain biking.
But New Zealand is not only an extreme paradise, the locals here are known for their generous, often exuberant nature and positive attitude towards life. Every citizen will definitely smile at you when they meet, and this is not a tribute to tradition - they are really happy to see you.
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Iceland has a fairly cold climate, but the warmth of the hearts of its people and the breathtaking scenery raise the temperature to an acceptable level. In a land that sees only a few hours of sunshine during the darkest days of winter, it seems that people would be gloomy and irritable, but ancient elven magic must be at work here, because the locals are always smiling and in great spirits.
Iceland's awe-inspiring and rugged landscape is filled with roaring waterfalls, velvety black sand beaches, glacial lagoons, hot springs and steaming volcanoes. Don't be surprised if the locals want to treat you to free food, drinks, or give you advice on where to go and what to see, friendliness is part of the culture. You have a good chance to find one or two walking buddies, enjoy a lot of friendly banter, add a lot of new contacts on Facebook, and leave a lot of pleasant memories.
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Although Canada is a huge country with a very diverse landscape, one thing that is consistent across all of its regions is that the people here are extremely friendly and polite. Store clerks, hotel employees, and even strangers give you smiles and courtesy in abundance. Canadians are so polite that even if you crash your car into a tree, they will apologize for planting the tree in such a bad place.
Even when stuck in traffic in large cities such as Toronto or Montreal, it is very rare to hear the horn blaring. Nobody honks, everyone waits patiently. One story published in the National Post exemplifies the Canadian mentality. A law student in Edmonton, Albert forgot to turn off his car lights at night. When he returned to his car, he found a dead battery and a note on the windshield. “I noticed that you forgot to turn off the headlights. If you're reading this, your battery probably doesn't have enough charge to start your car. I left the blue extension cord on the fence and the battery charger under the car in a cardboard box. The note also described in detail how to start the car. “Good luck,” the unknown well-wisher added at the end.
In addition to the friendliness of Canadians, there are magnificent landscapes from wild beaches to high mountains, an abundance of wildlife and many other interesting things. When visiting Newfoundland, you can interact with the locals, many of whom have Irish roots, making Newfoundland one of the most hospitable cities on earth.
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This exotic country attracts many tourists with its rich culture, interesting history, futuristic cities and magnificent coastline. The gateway to North Africa, it is a bustling center of trade where the languages and customs of about a dozen different cultures mix. Moroccans treat tourists like family, showing them around, giving advice, and treating them to a cup of mint tea. In a recent ranking of 140 countries from around the globe, Morocco was awarded third place as the most hospitable country.
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One reader of the online magazine Rough Guides commented, “Fijians are the most genuine and nice people I have ever met! They have open hearts, and although they are poor, they say that money does not buy happiness." Of course, they can afford to smile a lot, living among the lush emerald islands, turquoise waters, wealth of marine life, colorful reefs and fantastic landscapes.
Locals love to share their joy with tourists, making them feel at home, giving advice to help travelers discover the best islands that will give them an unforgettable experience.
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Even though the people of Nepal come from widely different ethnic groups and speak several different languages, they all have at least one thing in common: a very sociable nature. Nepalese people have been called “The Most Beautiful People on the Planet” in a number of studies. Some travelers even call this country paradise.
There are more than 3,000 temples, 1,200 monasteries and 12 of the highest mountains in the world, including the tallest mountain on Earth, Mount Everest, one of the most incredibly beautiful places you can see on our planet. While climbing the mountain is risky, traveling within Nepal itself is considered safe, as crime rates are quite low.
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Travelers often mention Laos as one of the most hospitable countries in the world. In this southeast Asian country, friendliness seems to be part of the local tradition. Rarely will you hear someone speak with a raised voice, all the people here seem to be extremely positive despite their country's tragic history. People will greet you like an old friend and stop what they're doing to help you find your way. Enjoy beautiful sunsets on the Mekong River while sipping Beerlao, a popular beer served on the rocks, and chatting with friendly Vietnamese people.
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The Philippines is a piece of Asia cut off from the mainland in the South China Sea, consisting of more than 7,000 beautiful islands. This cosmopolitan country not only offers a wide range of cultural heritage, along with all kinds of outdoor, water and land activities, but also the genuine friendliness of the local people. One travel blogger, summarizing his experience, noted that “I have visited almost all parts of Southeast Asia.”
The people in Thailand, Laos and Cambodia are very beautiful and very friendly. But the people in the Philippines are simply amazing. Every time I thought people couldn't get any friendlier, they exceeded my expectations. I was invited to their house for dinner, I sang karaoke all night with the locals (a national hobby in the Philippines), I played with their small children on the beach, everyone was smiling and genuinely happy to see me.
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This magnificent country will surely surprise you. Situated between Albania, Kosovo, Serbia, Bulgaria and Greece, it abounds in geographical and cultural attractions and is renowned for its hospitality. Explore the rich history of local architecture, art, music and poetry, attend one of the country's many annual festivals, hike, ski or climb beautiful, towering mountains.
Popular among tourists are Lake Ohrid and the charming village of Ohrid, which lies on its shores, the lively city of Bitola and its lively bazaar, and Skopje, the dancing fountain, in the center of the capital.
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It is the birthplace of classical music and high mountains. Its beautiful cities are filled with architectural wonders, and incredibly beautiful views of the Alps. There are many luxury ski resorts here, and the locals have been voted the friendliest and most hospitable people in all of Europe. Austrians are known for their politeness, and are usually the first to greet strangers on the street.
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Senegal
Senegal prides itself on its reputation as one of Africa's most hospitable countries, with a kindness of people that is foreign to people in many other parts of the world. On the street, you will often see friends walking hand in hand, smiling or laughing contagiously. The Senegalese are truly some of the most smiling and welcoming people you will ever meet. Don't be surprised if one of the locals invites you into their home to eat one of the local mouth-watering dishes. Of course, you can also enjoy the many deserted beaches, rainforests and dazzling nightlife along the coast.
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Portugal is a wonderful holiday destination with ideal weather, beautiful beaches, ancient castles and charming towns such as Sintra, one of the most beautiful cities in all of Europe. But no matter where you go in this country, you'll find delicious Mediterranean cuisine, different types of music and dance festivals throughout the year, and people known throughout the world for their kindness and openness. While traveling through small villages, locals are free to invite you into their homes and have a leisurely conversation over a glass of wine.
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Not only is the weather in Brazil usually quite hot, but the attitude of the people towards tourists will surprise you with its warmth. Brazilians are open, friendly and happy people who smile often and are incredibly hospitable. This diverse group of people with roots from every corner of the globe puts family and friendship above all else. If you find a friend here, it's a friend for life.
There are many other reasons to visit Brazil - the clean sand of its legendary beaches, the green paths of the Amazon forests and the annual carnival extravaganzas are really worth a look if you love fun and noisy celebrations.
One of the most pleasant and important properties of human character is kindness. It is difficult to describe and formulate, but very easy to feel and accept. In a world in which there is a definition for any thing or event, there was also a standard for kindness. This term refers to a person’s ability to share his material wealth, including money, as a donation. Also taken into account is the frequency with which a person selflessly helps other people, be it going to the grocery store for a person who cannot do it on their own, or helping a visually impaired person cross the road.
Current Research
Scientists conducted experiments in which people from completely different countries of the world participated. For a long time, a count was kept of actions done from the heart out of selflessness. As a result, it was established which countries have the kindest people: the United States of America, Australia, Ireland, England and New Zealand. Citizens of these countries are quite easily and naturally accustomed to helping each other out; in particular, 57% of subjects from Australia regularly provide assistance to people in need.
Turkey and Estonia had average results, as did Hungary and Portugal. People in these countries are still kind, but they put their own well-being before helping. On average, 25% of residents of these states are ready to selflessly provide assistance to someone in trouble. Unfortunately, there are also those who do good less often. In Greece, only 13% of residents are ready to support their neighbor.
What in practice?
Despite research, there is something good in every person, but there is a place where the kindest people in the world live. In a small village in India there lives a group of people who adhere not just to Buddhism, but to its kindest manifestation - the Bishnoi tribe.
One day, guru and spiritual mentor Jambheshwar saw people suffering from heat and drought. People destroyed the world around them in order to survive. The Guru decided to change the situation by developing 29 mandatory instructions and rules. Today there are about 6,000 followers of this religion, which is called “Bishnoi”. Residents of this village give at least 10% of their harvest to flora and fauna. Village residents consider wild animals as members of their families and feed them regularly. Only dead wood that has “died” from a storm or lightning is used. Believers themselves often die while protecting the environment from poachers.
Is Russia not without good people?
The Public Chamber has created its own list of Russian cities in which the most responsive people live, thanks to whom more than 35 thousand good deeds have been carried out, including environmental events - garbage collection, recycling of secondary raw materials, etc. The leader in the list is the northern capital - St. Petersburg. The second place of honor goes to Khimki, and Kronstadt closes the top three. Among those who were not indifferent were also: Kazan, Cheboksary, Ulyanovsk, Moscow, Ussuriysk, Rostov-on-Don, Nizhny Novgorod.
From a scientific point of view
Scientific research by American experts suggests that being a kind person is quite beneficial. Proper upbringing from childhood and a sensitive attitude towards the people around us helped schoolchildren become physically healthy and psychologically stronger. Helping your neighbor among older people reduced the risk of sudden death by 42%, without taking into account gender, marital status or lifestyle.
Altruistic behavior can reduce feelings of depression and overwhelm. Teenagers are recommended to spend more time with peers in a pleasant environment, thereby reducing the number of suicidal situations.
Having a good-natured attitude towards people significantly suppresses stress. American scientists have discovered that providing social and material assistance to other people reduces one’s own feelings of anxiety and stress. Reducing negative feelings through helping another person prolongs and improves the quality of the benefactor’s life. It is necessary to be able to forgive and apologize, because sometimes love and affection are more important than any medicine. If we received money for kindness, all the advertising in the world would promote love.
Do you love to travel and are interested in where tourists are best met? Every year, the popular American magazine Travel + Leisure, with a circulation of almost 5 million copies, conducts a survey among its readers to find out which cities in the world are the most beloved and most hospitable. Among other selection criteria, the friendliness of local residents is undoubtedly one of the most important qualities to be included in the annual ranking. The most pleasant trips cannot be complete without the kindness of ordinary passers-by and advice from a local resident when you really need to find a good place to stay for the night or a restaurant with home-cooked food. In this selection you will find the 25 friendliest cities in the world according to readers of the prestigious Travel + Leisure publication.
25. Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Minneapolis is the largest city in Minnesota and has a reputation for being extremely welcoming, treating locals, visitors and tourists alike. There are a lot of attractions and entertainment centers here, many of which are open to free admission.
24. Copenhagen, Denmark 
Photo: GuoJunjun/wikimedia
Copenhagen is the capital of Denmark, and at the same time one of the most expensive cities in Europe. But its high cost is more than compensated by its fantastic architecture, award-winning restaurants and incredibly friendly and hospitable citizens.
23. Cuzco, Peru 
Photo: D. Gordon E. Robertson / Wikimedia
Situated on the picturesque slopes of the mountains at an altitude of approximately 3400 m above sea level, Cuzco serves as a gateway to the world of one of the most famous archaeological and cultural sites in the world and Peru - Machu Picchu. And although the locals have long been ignorant of peace due to the fact that up to 2 million tourists flock here every year, according to the testimonies of guests, the townspeople remain extremely polite and friendly to all strangers.
22. Portland, Maine, USA 
Photo: Wikimedia
Portland is home to just 67,000 people, but the city's main attractions are its delicious lobster rolls and its friendly citizens. Despite the modest size of this place, the city has a lot to offer tourists - from interesting museums to enchanting beaches and islands.
21. Fort Worth, Texas, USA 
Photo: Mark W. Fisher/wikimedia
This city is sometimes jokingly called the city of cows. Fort Worth is the state's fifth largest city, but it is much more peaceful than its neighbor Dallas. Very hospitable and friendly people live here who love to walk along the central alley of the city and gather in large groups for a barbecue, which everyone simply loves here.
20. Bangkok, Thailand 
Photo: Mathias Krumbholz / wikimedia
Almost 8 million people live in this Asian city, it is the largest and most visited on our list, but despite the overpopulation, the locals really appreciate and love the guests of the capital, they are always friendly and attentive to foreigners. Bangkok is renowned for its cultural heritage, stunning architecture, delicious cuisine and vibrant nightlife.
19. Victoria, Canada 
Photo: TravelingOtter / flickr
Victoria is located on the southern cape of Vancouver Island, which belongs to the Pacific coast of Canada. It is a beautiful, historic city known for its relaxed lifestyle, friendly atmosphere, picturesque scenery and amazing parks and gardens.
18. Reykjavik, Iceland 
Photo: Berit Watkin / flickr
Despite the notoriously harsh weather in the capital of frosty Iceland, Reykjavik boasts warm, good-natured and helpful citizens who always try to create a homely and relaxed atmosphere for tourists. This is one of the cleanest, greenest and safest cities in the world!
17. New Orleans, Louisiana, USA 
Photo: Chris Litherland/wikimedia
Aptly nicknamed "The Big Easy" (a variation on New York's "Big Apple" but with an emphasis on a slower, more relaxed pace of life in the city), New Orleans is home to 350,000 residents, the vast majority of whom are friendly. lovers of parties, jazz festivals and local cuisine.
16. Krakow, Poland 
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Krakow is rightfully considered one of the most unique and beautiful cities in Europe; it is not without reason that large crowds of tourists come here to admire its incredibly rich cultural heritage and large number of popular attractions. Breathtaking architecture is not the only advantage of the Polish capital. Krakow is famous for its very friendly atmosphere and hospitable citizens.
15. Asheville, North Carolina, USA 
Photo: Wikipedia
This is one of the greenest and most environmentally friendly cities in America. Asheville is an energetic and very positive city, and according to some Travel + Leisure magazine readers, everything here breathes so much youth that even older people feel much better and more fun here.
14. Nashville, Tennessee, USA 
Photo: Wikimedia
The capital of the American state of Tennessee, Nashville stands out among other US cities for its famous country music performances, delicious food (most often held in high esteem for hot chicken and barbecue) and very friendly locals who welcome literally all visitors to Nashville. .
13. Kyoto, Japan 
Photo: DXR/Daniel Vondran/wikimedia
Almost 1.5 million people live here. Kyoto is one of the most beautiful cities in Japan, famous for its rich collection of temples and shrines, of which there are about 2,000. In addition, Kyoto is a much friendlier and more relaxed city than Tokyo, which many tourists increasingly call too noisy and overcrowded for pleasant excursions and relaxed walks.
12. Austin, Texas, USA 
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Austin is not only the capital of the state of Texas, but also the "Live Music Capital of the World" and a city with a reputation for being chatty, laid-back and a great tourist attraction. Finding common ground with a stranger and even striking up a new friendship while strolling around the local Lady Bird Lake or Barton Springs and barbecuing at Franklin Park is the easiest and sweetest thing for Austin visitors to do.
11. Cape Town, South Africa 
Photo: Hilton1949 / wikimedia
Cape Town is considered one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world and is renowned for its relaxed and positive atmosphere. The warm climate, friendly locals and natural beauty make this city one of the most popular tourist destinations in all of Africa.
10. Savannah, Georgia, USA 
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This is one of the oldest cities in the state of Georgia (Geogia). Savannah attracts millions of visitors each year for its spectacular views of cobblestone streets, old parks and imposing historic buildings. In addition, the townspeople are very peaceful, kind and hospitable people.
9. Edinburgh, Scotland, UK 
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Edinburgh is the second most popular city in the UK after London among tourists due to the abundance of local architectural beauty. Travel + Leisure magazine's traveling subscribers also rate the friendly atmosphere very highly, ranking locals as the 9th friendliest city in the world.
8. Sydney, Australia 
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This Australian metropolis practically breathes with natural beauty and positive vibes. Here you can spend hours walking along the pavements and embankments and admire the many cultural attractions. And importantly, Sydney residents are famous for their kindness and willingness to help.
7. Melbourne, Australia 
Melbourne ranks near the top in education, entertainment, healthcare, tourism, sports and many other areas of modern life, making this city one of the most attractive places to live in the world. Another great thing about Melbourne is its kind, open and hospitable people. Perhaps they are so friendly precisely because they live very well?
6. Auckland, New Zealand 
Photo: Sids1/flickr
Auckland is New Zealand's largest city and has a reputation for being very clean, safe and friendly. Surrounded by breathtaking scenery unique to the Pacific Southwest, this city is home to nearly 1.5 million warm-hearted people who are almost always in good spirits.
5. Siem Reap, Cambodia 
Photo: pixabay
Siem Reap is the gateway to the legendary Hindu temple complex of Angkor Wat and a popular resort town in northwestern Cambodia. Despite the ever-growing number of tourists, local residents maintain enviable calm, kindness and responsiveness. Perhaps this endurance is greatly facilitated by their adherence to Buddhism.
4. Cork, Ireland 
Photo: pixabay
Cork is located in the south of Ireland, and is a charming medieval town whose residents are almost the friendliest in the world, according to reviews from Travel + Leisure magazine readers. If you decide to visit this Irish pearl, rest assured that you are welcome here with open arms and warm hearts.
3. Dublin, Ireland 
Photo: Donaldytong/wikimedia
The largest city in Ireland and its capital, Dublin is proud of a rich scattering of centuries-old attractions that attract countless crowds of tourists from all over the world. Combined with the kindness and hospitality of the locals, this Irish city rightfully ranks third among the friendliest in the world.
2. Charleston, South Carolina, USA 
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Charleston is the oldest and second largest city in the US state of South Carolina. A couple of years ago there was a terrible tragedy here, during which a young man opened fire on a crowd of parishioners in a local Methodist church and killed 9 people. But despite this terrible event, city residents continue to be some of the friendliest people on Earth, according to respondents in Travel + Leisure magazine. Any tourist is welcome here, and no one will feel alien, lonely or helpless in this American city.
1. Galway, Ireland 
Maigheach-gheal/geograph.ie
The western Irish city of Galway received the maximum number of votes in a study by an American travel magazine. This place is famous for its picturesque nature, love of music and the friendliness of the local people. They say that the friendliest people in the world meet here.
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