The most welcoming people? (page 5 of 8)

This year I hiked the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) in the United States, where I met many Americans who were particularly kind to hikers. Would I have found the same kindness in every corner of the country?

Absolutely, I also found Americans really friendly during our hikes in the West, especially in Wyoming and Montana. Most of them were hikers from big cities in different states. A couple we met in Glacier NP even invited us to dinner at their place in San Francisco. I find them welcoming, open-minded, and easygoing—just nice people. The same goes for New Zealand. Otherwise, I had excellent interactions with locals in the Philippines, Myanmar, Iran, Turkey, and Syria. I think Nepalis are incredibly kind, and Serbs too. All these people are extremely hospitable. On the other hand, I didn’t connect as much with Peruvians and Bolivians, probably because of the language barrier. My Spanish is pretty bad, and few of them speak English. I also didn’t find Namibians particularly welcoming, but that’s likely because it’s a very touristy destination and the way you travel is different. Everyone’s in their own 4x4, so you don’t cross paths with many people. It’s more of a contemplative trip than one filled with encounters. Often, the stranger in front of us is a reflection of ourselves... Some French people make little effort to communicate, and that’s too bad.

Thanks to everyone for the interesting discussions. I now live in Guadeloupe / St Martin. I don’t find the people here to be the most open or smiley. I’ve experienced much friendlier places elsewhere. But I’m here for the quality of life. No yellow vests—just swimsuits. No veterans from November 11th. Just sun-kissed folks. Hehe

My best memory: North Africa and Black Africa. 😎

I’d love to hear your thoughts on which people charmed you the most during your travels?

Hello,

For me, the Yemenis and the Jordanians.

Cheers.

hi there, Latin people in my experience. Not only is it easy to chat with them, even with strangers, but we also touch each other to emphasize our conversations 🤗 Some other cultures step back as if we had the plague 😄

hi, Latin people in my opinion. Not only is it easy to talk to them, even with strangers, but we also touch each other to emphasize our conversations 🤗 Some other people back away as if we had the plague 😂

I agree. We really have an easy way with people, whether in Mexico or Colombia. I should add that my family is Spanish—it helps ;)

Hi there, I’d say Latin people, personally. Not only is it easy to strike up a conversation, even with strangers, but we also touch each other to emphasize our exchanges 🤗 Some other cultures step back as if we had the plague 😂

I totally agree. We’re really easy to connect with, whether in Mexico or Colombia. Though I should mention my family is Spanish—that helps ;)

I’m also from a Latin culture. That said, people say we can be superficial. But what about others—are they always sincere and "wholehearted" in ongoing relationships?

I dunno, my best friend is Argentinian and a very good Mexican friend, and I wouldn’t call them superficial—quite the opposite, with that philosopher-aesthete-psychoanalyst vibe that a lot of Argentinians have 😏. Not trying to lean into stereotypes, but Argentinians *do* have a way of talking... And in both Mexico and Colombia, we found that people quickly dive into serious topics, like politics (Latin America is *super* politicized, by the way).

I don’t know, my best friend is Argentinian and a very good Mexican friend, and I wouldn’t call them superficial—quite the opposite, with that philosopher-aesthete-psychoanalyst side that many Argentinians have Without wanting to fall into clichés, Argentinians *do* talk a lot, though... And in both Mexico and Colombia, we found that people quickly shift to serious topics, like politics (Latin America is *very* politicized, by the way).

It was the opposite for me in Colombia, where I spent 6 years. People would tell me, "You can go there" or "You can’t go there" (it was in a conflict zone). They were considerate with me, very protective, but I felt that anything related to the guerrilla was off-limits. I saw them as "big" kids—so joyful. Often, people who’ve suffered express a contagious zest for life and joy 🤩

Funny to see this discussion resurface! The key word here is "welcoming" rather than just "friendly," "kind," or "helpful." For me, the gold medal goes to Iranians (though that was a while ago) and more generally to the Middle East—so much to learn from them! I’ve also had many great experiences in Latin America, but I tend to attribute that to the fact that my wife speaks fluent Spanish. Goes to show how speaking the local language can really change things and make connecting with locals easier.

Hi, Exactly. The term used is "welcoming." And I agree with you about the Middle East in general without naming any specific countries.

Hands down, the French are the most welcoming people: human and women's rights for everyone, free healthcare, housing wherever you want, and so many associations. I even helped an American one day by pointing out the most interesting provinces to visit.

If there were a ranking for hospitality, I definitely wouldn’t put France in the top 10! We’re talking about the welcome tourists or travelers in general receive—the human contact with the average French person, their willingness to help others, and give directions... The welcome in accommodations and restaurants. We’re *not* talking about social services (healthcare, housing assistance, etc.) for French citizens or charities like the Restos du Cœur! 😕 Two recent examples in "Eastern Europe": 1- Romania After arriving at the airport, we took a bus to the city center. There were ticket counters, but they weren’t very close, and recently, you’ve been able to pay by card on the bus. I present my card to buy the first ticket, then try again for the second, but it’s declined... I only have one card, so no other payment options. A passenger sees we’re struggling, leaves their seat, and pays for our second ticket with their card. I try to reimburse them in cash, but they refuse outright. 2- Albania We rented bikes in Shkodër to ride along the lake. 15 km from the city, I got a flat tire. No repair shops in sight. At a small bar in a village, a local walked me to a friend’s place who had the tools to fix a puncture—but the person wasn’t home. He told me to leave my bike by the door and come back around noon. We wandered the village on foot, and a kind woman filled a bag with oranges for us—just a gift. When we returned, my bike was fixed. I knocked on the door of the person who did the work and asked how much I owed. No matter how much I insisted, they refused any payment.

Hi,

Like others here, for me, the prize for hospitality goes to the Iranians and the Mexicans.

Both countries suffer from a very bad reputation. A dreadful theocracy combined with a rogue state for one, a democratic state that hasn’t managed to solve its security issues for the other. But these sad reputations aren’t deserved for the vast majority of Iranian and Mexican people.

On the podium, I’d also add Kiwis for their very courteous welcome and their sense of humor.

As for Bolivians, who might seem sullen, don’t judge by appearances. Life is tough in Bolivia, and these people have endured five centuries of humiliation.

However, "if someone offered all peoples the chance to choose the best of all customs, after examining them, each would choose their own." Herodotus, Histories.

Regarding Mexico, this is really old news... A rogue state? Corrupt police? With my girlfriend at the time, we hitchhiked across the entire country. In the Yucatán, exactly at a crossroads in the middle of the forest near Escárcega, a truck driver dropped us off as night was falling. The nearest village, Zapata, was about 10 km away... it was late. A police car approached us. One of the officers asked where we were planning to go... We weren’t really sure. They drove off, and since no cars were passing, we decided to start walking on foot. We were in the middle of the forest. The police car came back, stopped in front of us, and took us to Zapata. They dropped us off in front of a hotel that was more "luxurious" than the ones we were used to. They even negotiated the room price for us—it ended up being the best value for money of our entire trip! 😊

Back in the day, I had an extraordinary welcome from Californians: a guy who put me up for a week and left me the keys to his apartment, a couple I met on the plane who invited me to their place in Santa Barbara, people who say hello in the morning when you walk past their house, folks who spontaneously come to help when you're looking for your way, a guy with his guitar who invited me to join a party that evening up on the hill. If you are going to San Francisco....

Hello everyone, and happy weekend! 😊 There are some ideas we repeat without really thinking about them... Like the one about the "most welcoming people." But after traveling a lot and observing, you realize that hospitality doesn’t have a passport. It’s all about a glance, a smile, a shared moment—not nationality. Honestly, I don’t think one people is more welcoming than another. Everywhere, you meet nice people… and some who are a little less so.

Saying a country is "the most welcoming" just because you met five or six kind people there is a pretty small sample size. When you travel for fun, you’re relaxed, curious, and quick to smile—sometimes even a little starry-eyed at everything you discover. And since one smile often leads to another, the interactions *seem* warm. The locals, though, are often just intrigued: what amazes us is just their everyday life. But let’s also admit that many tourist spots are run by people from elsewhere, often there for business. So between "commercial" smiles and services given in hopes of a tip, you might think you’ve had a meaningful human connection… when maybe not. Fortunately, there are also truly beautiful encounters, with locals who take a little time to chat. And those are often the moments we remember most from a trip. But let’s be real: how many people actually have that kind of time? They’re working while we’re wandering around. I think the key is mostly our own attitude. The more open we are to others, the more likely we are to stumble upon real moments of connection. There’s also an element of luck, of course… But since most tourists stick to the well-trodden areas, opportunities to talk with "real locals" are rare. So saying one people is more welcoming than another? To me, it’s more of a feeling than a truth. 😛

There are a whole bunch of factors at play. You’re often better received in places that haven’t been spoiled by tourism. It’s easier to find friendly people in a warm country than in a region with a harsh climate. Then there’s religion or its remnants; in some countries, travelers must be welcomed because they could be an envoy of the Almighty.

When we talk about welcoming people, it’s without considering the behavior of visitors.

There are a whole bunch of factors at play. We’re often welcomed better in places that haven’t been spoiled by tourism. It’s easier to find friendly people in a warm country than in a place with a harsh climate. Then there’s religion or its remnants; in some countries, travelers must be welcomed because they could be envoys of the Almighty.

When we talk about welcoming people, it’s without considering the behavior of visitors.

That’s not wrong. But once again, as you put it so well, it also depends on us. Being from the South, I find it easy to approach people. And recently, I traveled to a few Northern European countries (cold-climate places) and noticed the locals’ surprise at how casually I’d strike up a conversation. Their surprise only lasted a few seconds because my way of approaching them hit the mark, and their "coldness" vanished instantly.