Touring - World's Rudest Countries for Travellers

A poll has been released listing the world's rudest and least rude countries for travellers.

Here are the 10 rudest countries on the list:

1. France
2. Russia
3. United Kingdom
4. Germany
5. Others
6. China
7. United States
8. Spain
9. Italy
10. Poland

The countries voted least rude were:

25. Japan
26. Denmark
27. Canada
28. New Zealand
29. Indonesia
30. Portugal
31. Thailand
32. The Philippines
33. Caribbean region
34. Brazil

Do you agree with these lists? While touring have you found any countries to be especially unfriendly? Which were the friendliest?

I agree with Portugal being in the least rude list. I do a lot of touring there and have found the Portuguese to be most gracious and welcoming. That (along with the fact that it's rather inexpensive, has lovely backroads, delicious cuisine and is quite close to where I live) keeps me going back year after year. :)

http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/life/worlds-rudest-countries-travelers-309852

Yeah, others is a really bad country. Should be at the top of the list in my opinion.

All credibility lost on that one, I'm afraid.

A poll has been released listing the world's rudest and least rude countries for travellers.

Here are the 10 rudest countries on the list:

1. France
2. Russia
3. United Kingdom
4. Germany
5. Others
6. China
7. United States
8. Spain
9. Italy
10. Poland



Yeah, Others is a really bad country. Should be at the top of the list in my opinion.

All credibility lost on that one, I'm afraid.

Can't understand why Germany or USA are on the top list. I've been to a lot of places and those were two of the friendliest. It depends whether you go off the tourist circuits and actually encounter local people. All tourist locations can have their share of people who would rather be somewhere else. Airport people in any country can be pretty bad, especially Australia. Please don't rate us on our airports.

Yeah, Others is a really bad country. Should be at the top of the list in my opinion.

All credibility lost on that one, I'm afraid.

The poll obviously has its limitations, but I think it can be a good starting point for a conversation.

The poll obviously has its limitations, but I think it can be a good starting point for a conversation.
Maybe so, but the limitations are much bigger than that.

Unless an individual has been to all the countries on the list, then it really can only be subjective and at any given moment. 1200 people from Europe, Australia and North America isn't a decent enough N to make this any more than a throwaway news filler for CNN (1200? With an on-line poll? You've got to be joking in this day and age of social media).

I've found good people and rude in every country I have visited. Painting a whole country with a tar brush is not a good idea. I try to take into account cultural differences, which travellers from some big countries I can think of can't or won't comprehend.

Maybe so, but the limitations are much bigger than that.

Unless an individual has been to all the countries on the list, then it really can only be subjective and at any given moment. 1200 people from Europe, Australia and North America isn't a decent enough N to make this any more than a throwaway news filler for CNN (1200? With an on-line poll? You've got to be joking in this day and age of social media).

I've found good people and rude in every country I have visited. Painting a whole country with a tar brush is not a good idea. I try to take into account cultural differences, which travellers from some big countries I can think of can't or won't comprehend.

Okay, you've made yourself clear. You're not interested in discussing this.

I hope some of our fellow touring cyclists who are interested will chime in and give us their impressions of cycling in different countries and the treatment they've received--good or bad.

Can't understand why Germany or USA are on the top list. I've been to a lot of places and those were two of the friendliest. It depends whether you go off the tourist circuits and actually encounter local people. All tourist locations can have their share of people who would rather be somewhere else. Airport people in any country can be pretty bad, especially Australia. Please don't rate us on our airports.

I've never been to Germany, but I've met a lot of Germans on the road, most of whom were very friendly.

Okay, you've made yourself clear. You're not interested in discussing this.

I hope some of our fellow touring cyclists who are interested will chime in and give us their impressions of cycling in different countries and the treatment they've received--good or bad.

I've got my own opinions, but why attempt to denigrate or praise another country based on what really is limited experience of those countries, their customs and cultures?

And what about the other 170 or so other countries in the world not on the list?

For cyclists it doesn't really matter how friendly the people may be, when those people immediately become egotistical bastards once they step into a car. So, in my experience, Portugal doesn't score high on friendliness because too few people there ever seem to have taken a driving test.

I have only cycled in Russia, Germany, China, US, Poland on the "worst" list and Canada, New Zealand, Thailand on the "best" list.

First, I'll say it is pretty subjective and depends a lot on the roads chosen in those particular countries. For example, I've ridden on some roads in Canada with high speed traffic, not much shoulders and hence traffic that was rude. Other roads in Canada I cycled with lots of room and much better. In my travels in Canada, I liked routes I rode in Alberta, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland best and I was least excited on my riding in Manitoba.

Similarly, there is a pretty big variety in both roads and hence drivers in Russia. I spent five months cycling across and had some of the most challenging roads in European parts of Russia. However, there was a pretty big difference here between partially getting on the larger M7 type motorway and the small village roads. I had some of the best interactions with folks on the small roads and villages in Russia and hence would be surprised to find this on the rude list.

Poland was challenging and again road choice definitely paid a role. It was in Poland that I first saw roads with right shoulder that was routinely used by cars to veer right to allow oncoming traffic to pass. The little roads in Poland we saw were occasionally pretty beat up. Overall, my experience in Poland would have put it in the rude category, but that is likely my experience.

I found a noticeable style difference between China and Thailand, with drivers in China being much more aggressive. This was consistent across the country and hence I'd probably concur with that difference. However, again I got a sense of China having a reasonable variety. (I only rode 4000km from Urumqi to Beijing; and also ~200km in Yunnan - but even in this was a reasonable variety).

My routes in Germany were pretty straightforward and hence I'm surprised to find Germany on the rude list. In contrast, I visited the North Island of New Zealand over the holiday period. I found busy roads, not as big shoulders and a lot of traffic. I'm sure I didn't pick the best time of year, but my experience would have flipped Germany and New Zealand.

Three countries I cycled quite a bit but not on this list are Ukraine, Australia and India. Australia is another country with a reasonable variety between roads/traffic around the larger metro areas and in the outback. I spent almost all my time in the outback and would put my experiences in Australia in the less rude group (less than New Zealand), though it would also depends on roads chosen. India I would put as in-between China and Thailand. One needs to keep alert, particularly around major metro areas - but there is a certain rhythm to it all (Vietnam similar though with different rhythm). Ukraine was a country where road infrastructure we saw was on average worse than Russia and drivers at least as aggressive. It would depends on road choices and parts seen but I would have substituted Ukraine for Russia on the more rude list.

I do think there are differences in the road conditions, type of traffic and drivers/riders and could feel contrasts between India/China/Thailand/Vietnam/Cambodia for example in my cycle travels. However, some of the larger countries on this list in particular e.g. Russia/China/USA/Canada (and Australia/India) have got quite a bit of variety within them so it would be difficult to put them into a single bucket.

The statement is so non-specific that I wouldn't have a clue what to make of it. Personally I've always found that regardless of where I travel on business - when money is no object - people are PAID to be polite to me. So what does that mean?

Every country has poor sections where you might take your life in your hands just walking down the street and many countries have vacation destinations and guided tours that effectively isolate tourists from actually interfacing with the population at large.

Then there are cultural differences like you might find between NewYorkers and people living in Toyoko where 'rude' take completely different forms.

So what was the baseline reference used to define 'travelers' , 'polite' and 'rude'?

One of the things that I like most about cycle touring is that people are generally more helpful, open and friendly than when I am a regular tourist.

IOW, that list probably will not apply to us.

Looking at the original poll, I'd agree that it likely doesn't have much relevance to cycle touring. My response above was more on aggressiveness of driving on roads I traveled which is a small subset.

I took a look through my "favorites" photos of a Russian trip and have one photo of a busy M7 motorway and more than 20 photos saved of various interactions with locals. It is that interactions with locals, almost all off the beaten tourist track, that I remember more. At end of each day of riding we'd have what I called our "water ritual", which is going into local village and finding place to fill up on water for evening camping. That was one of my favorite times because of interactions with locals.

Out of ~100 nights, I can think of only one time where we didn't receive friendly welcome, either on the street or knocking on a door. I attribute that one time to a case of mistaken identity. A religious group had been cycling across, spreading their message, shortly before we came. The religious group had also been on local TV. On the one day after that, local villagers saw us in bike helmets knocking at door for some water - and turned away. It took two or three before we were able to fill up. Aside from that day, we received friendly and sometimes very friendly welcome and conversations.

Also it wasn't a case of rich or poor as many of these rural areas were fairly poor.

The statement is so non-specific that I wouldn't have a clue what to make of it. Personally I've always found that regardless of where I travel on business - when money is no object - people are PAID to be polite to me. So what does that mean?

Every country has poor sections where you might take your life in your hands just walking down the street and many countries have vacation destinations and guided tours that effectively isolate tourists from actually interfacing with the population at large.

Then there are cultural differences like you might find between NewYorkers and people living in Toyoko where 'rude' take completely different forms.

So what was the baseline reference used to define 'travelers' , 'polite' and 'rude'?

I'm not interested in the poll. I'd find your ​experience and opinions much more interesting.

Looking at the original poll, I'd agree that it likely doesn't have much relevance to cycle touring. My response above was more on aggressiveness of driving on roads I traveled which is a small subset.

I took a look through my "favorites" photos of a Russian trip and have one photo of a busy M7 motorway and more than 20 photos saved of various interactions with locals. It is that interactions with locals, almost all off the beaten tourist track, that I remember more. At end of each day of riding we'd have what I called our "water ritual", which is going into local village and finding place to fill up on water for evening camping. That was one of my favorite times because of interactions with locals.

Out of ~100 nights, I can think of only one time where we didn't receive friendly welcome, either on the street or knocking on a door. I attribute that one time to a case of mistaken identity. A religious group had been cycling across, spreading their message, shortly before we came. The religious group had also been on local TV. On the one day after that, local villagers saw us in bike helmets knocking at door for some water - and turned away. It took two or three before we were able to fill up. Aside from that day, we received friendly and sometimes very friendly welcome and conversations.

Also it wasn't a case of rich or poor as many of these rural areas were fairly poor.

More than how people drive (there have been lots of threads about that before) I was more interested in how folks treated you when you were off of the bike.

I most certainly would not want to arrive at a village after just after a pack of fanatical proselytizers rolled through on bikes. What a stroke of bad luck!

I can't help to think there are a lot of variables left out. I have not traveled much but I have spent a lot of time talking to people who live in other countries. It seems in some places your skin color can make a big difference on how you are treated (like here in the US a lot of people hate brown people, especially in a lot of southern states). Another big factor is how you are to the locals of the country you are visiting, if you do not show any respect to local culture or customs people will likely be more rude to you, if you show a genuine interest in their way of life I can not help but think they would be much friendlier. I am certain there are exceptions to this but we all know a blanket statement can not cover an entire nation of people.

Polls and surveys like that are often filled out by people who are disgruntled by some aspect of their travels and want to express those feelings. I've read heaps of reviews of hotels and campgrounds as a part of the trip we're on, and some of the places which have been rated rather poorly have actually been quite nice for us. It just didn't meet the needs of the people who felt compelled to give a review.

It's hard to take things like that seriously.

It also depends on perspective. Because Rowan and I have spent the last 3 years in an area where the largest town had a population of about 2000 people, when someone who lives in large city says that a certain village is small and quaint, I'm thinking less than 2000 people. And yet we've arrived at the "small quaint" village only to discover that it is a bustling city of, say, 10,000 people. Different perspectives.

Can't understand why Germany or USA are on the top list. I've been to a lot of places and those were two of the friendliest.

I suspect that friendliness in the USA changes quite a bit based on: which cities you visit and whether you speak English or not. I've noticed that many Americans have a very low tolerance for people who don't speak English... Reminds me of a European friend's favorite joke:

What do you call someone who speaks two languages? Bilingual.
What do you call someone who speaks three languages? Trilingual
What do you call someone who speaks only one language? American.

The article mentions language and culture.

I would imagine that if you know only one language and are familiar with only one culture, you may indeed find it more difficult to travel through countries with different languages and cultures. And especially if you are not willing to be open to other languages or cultures, to learn them along the way.

One of the things I enjoyed about cycling through The Netherlands and Germany was trying to learn some of the language, and here in France, I'm trying to expand my knowledge and use more French. It's interesting and enjoyable for me ... and I've discovered that as I make an effort, the people we encounter try to speak to us in English because they want to practice their English. Great fun, and often leaves everyone laughing.

As an American expat living in France, I can't understand how France tops the list of "rudest" countries. I don't think the French are more rude than anyone else, it's just a different culture here. If you act like a typical American and expect people to speak English, then of course, you won't be greeted very warmly (just like a French person in the U.S. who expected people to act and speak French would not be greeted very warmly there!). A little humility and an attempt to speak the local language goes a long way no matter where you go.

As an American expat living in France, I can't understand how France tops the list of "rudest" countries. I don't think the French are more rude than anyone else, it's just a different culture here. If you act like a typical American and expect people to speak English, then of course, you won't be greeted very warmly (just like a French person in the U.S. who expected people to act and speak French would not be greeted very warmly there!). A little humility and an attempt to speak the local language goes a long way no matter where you go.

We are touring in France right now, and we've both been here 2 times before ... and we can't understand it either. But then, we do speak a little bit of French.

As an American expat living in France, I can't understand how France tops the list of "rudest" countries. I don't think the French are more rude than anyone else, it's just a different culture here. If you act like a typical American and expect people to speak English, then of course, you won't be greeted very warmly (just like a French person in the U.S. who expected people to act and speak French would not be greeted very warmly there!). A little humility and an attempt to speak the local language goes a long way no matter where you go.

I speak three languages. French is not one of them, alas, so should I avoid cycling in France? I run into French tourists all the time here in Spain who ask for directions but don't speak a word of Spanish. I'm happy to communicate with them in English if they speak it, and if they don't, I use hand signals or draw them a map. No problem!

We can hardy expect travellers to speak all of the European languages. That would mean only polyglots could tour through Europe!

As an American expat living in France, I can't understand how France tops the list of "rudest" countries. I don't think the French are more rude than anyone else...

I've been told by Frenchmen themselves that Parisians are to blame for France's bad reputation, as many tourists visit the capital, are treated rudely, and make a judgement about the whole country based on their experience there. If one were to visit other French towns and villages, they argue, they'd receive much better treatment.

Do you agree?

I wonder if a poll was taken of customers in the tourism industry, where bicycle tourists would rank. Probably quite well, I suspect.

One of the key ingredients to any interactions is having a friendly disposition when engaging with others.
A smile, good humour (and not in the funny way), a sense of tolerance, and an effort to at least a few of the key words that say "please" and "thank you" go a long way. Even adopting a respectful bow is helpful.

It's been excellent for us on this trip and others in the important areas of airport, restaurants and accommodation.

I've been told by Frenchmen themselves that Parisians are to blame for France's bad reputation, as many tourists visit the capital, are treated rudely, and make a judgement about the whole country based on their experience there. If one were to visit other French towns and villages, they argue, they'd receive much better treatment.

Do you agree?

Yes, I would agree with that, although there are plenty of nice people in Paris too. But really, it's no different than many other major cities. New York City, for example, is not what I would consider a friendly place, and like Paris, it is the first impression many foreigners have of the U.S.

As for not speaking French, you don't have to be fluent to be treated kindly. Learning to say "Bonjour" takes maybe 5 seconds. Your accent will let people know how comfortable you are with the language and in most cases, struggling to ask a question in French will result in a perfectly articulate answer in English! Asking first in English, OTOH, may not get an answer at all. If this sounds rude to you, try asking a stranger in the U.S. a question that's not in English and see what kind of response you get.

I'd think for cycle tourists a big factor in determining "rudeness" is the behavior of its car drivers. This probably isn't factored into this poll since it would probably move France well down the list and some others countries (mention no names...) more to the top.

I've been told by Frenchmen themselves that Parisians are to blame for France's bad reputation, as many tourists visit the capital, are treated rudely, and make a judgement about the whole country based on their experience there. If one were to visit other French towns and villages, they argue, they'd receive much better treatment.

Do you agree?

Most tourists gravitate towards the cities with the iconic tourist attractions. Put 500,000 visitors into any city on any particular day, from all parts of the world, all expecting high standards of service... then I think it's easy to understand why people dealing with them might become a bit short and abrupt.

The experience in other towns and villages often is much more welcoming, but again, that can apply in any country. And there are what might be considered to be rude people there, too.

I've visited at least 35 countries, mostly by bike. I've found the friendliest people to be in Mexico. Generally, I've found that the people in immigrant countries (e.g. the Americas, NZ, Australia) are friendlier than in non-immigrant countries. A few non-immigrant countries are certainly exceptions, as I've found the people quite friendly in Thailand, Ireland, & Greece.

I've never had any issues with Parisians, but I speak fluent French. However, I know many people who were in Paris years ago and returned more recently and found Parisians much friendlier than they remember them being long ago.

I've found western Europe to be particularly bad for petty theft, with Spain & France being especially bad. I had something of minor value stolen from my panniers in Spain. There was an unsuccessful attempt to steal from my tent while I was in a French campground, and an unsuccessful attempt to pick my pocket while I was riding the Paris metro. Also an unsuccessful attempt to pick my friend's pocket while we were walking together in Paris. I've heard lots of stories of tourists' cars being broken into in Spain, esp. Sevilla, as well as lots of pickpocketing.

Yeah, i never got the french thing, as i have never really experienced outright rudeness there. If you don't make at least an effort to try and adapt to local customs and language then I think you will encounter rude people in any country you travel.

I've heard lots of stories of tourists' cars being broken into in Spain, esp. Sevilla, as well as lots of pickpocketing.

That's true, and bag-snatching and bicycle theft are also rife.

And what about the other 170 or so other countries in the world not on the list?

Let's have a go at them!

Never bicycle toured, but I can comment that the French really need to improve their 'customer service' skills. The United Kingdom? With the exception of London, just stay out of the larger cities and most folks are quite nice (I've gotten more free beers in the UK than you could imagine!).

Overall, as mentioned by others, larger cities will have 'ruder' people that in small towns; its the nature of the faster pace of city life.

The rudest folks I've ever encountered were in Buenos Aires, Argentina (but the rest of the country was great!). The friendliest folks were in LaPaz, Bolivia - dirt poor but nice folks, and always interested in why someone from a modern country would want to visit their country.

I've found the friendliest people to be in Mexico.

I like Mexicans, too, and Guatemalans and other people from Central America were always kind to me.

I ran into a young chilango in a youth hostel in Lisbon some years ago who was in the middle of a world tour--not the first one he'd taken. When I asked him which his favourite countries were, he didn't hesitate: Syria and Rumania. That answer surprised me, but I've since heard good things about those countries, particularly the former (what a shame they're suffering so terribly now). The Syrian people are supposed to be some of the most hospitable in the world. I think I'd like to do some cycling there once things settle down.

Okay, you've made yourself clear. You're not interested in discussing this.


It appears to me that he is interested in discussing this, and to me, has raised some really valid points.

It appears to me that he is interested in discussing this, and to me, has raised some really valid points.

OK, can we get back to the subject of the thread now?

Where do you like to tour? Are there any countries or regions where you find the people to be particularly friendly? Are there places you avoid because folks are less than hospitable?

I think that the definition of rudeness needs to be looked at.

If an American is in China, then they probably think the spitting and smoking in restaurants is rude.

If a South Korean is in China then they probably think that picking up the bowl to the mouth to scoop rice in is rude.

One's perception of rudeness generally depends on the rules your mother taught you, and those rules should only be applied, if at all, to your own culture. In China I spit and smoke in a restaurant, and would never do that in Australia, I will also pick the rice bowl up and put it to my mouth. I would never do the latter in South Korea.

z

I've only cycle toured in 7 countries but have visited a couple of dozen more as a backpacker, vacationer and business traveler. I grew up in Britain but have lived in the USA for 20 years. Over the years, I must have interacted with thousands of people but looking back, can only think of a handful of cases of outright rudeness. Take US customs and immigration officials out of the equation and the number is smaller still. Painting the entire population of any one country as being "most rude", is IMHO, rather silly.

Unless of course, you went there expecting to find rudeness.

All these types of polls ever seem to do are further useless sterotypes . That said i hate everyone from Delaware.

As a Canadian, I´m glad to see us on the friendly side of the poll. (Not commenting on the data.) It is a point of pride for many Canadians to be friendly and welcoming to visitors. There are places and individuals of course which will go against this, but I'd say the vast majority of Canadian folk are like this.

Ekdog - Espero visitar tu pais un día.

I've only cycle toured in 7 countries but have visited a couple of dozen more as a backpacker, vacationer and business traveler. I grew up in Britain but have lived in the USA for 20 years. Over the years, I must have interacted with thousands of people but looking back, can only think of a handful of cases of outright rudeness. Take US customs and immigration officials out of the equation and the number is smaller still. Painting the entire population of any one country as being "most rude", is IMHO, rather silly.

Unless of course, you went there expecting to find rudeness.


+1

I've lived in 2 countries and travelled in a lot more, and like you, I've really only encountered a very small number of cases of rudeness. In fact, I'd have to work at it to think of some examples.

The overwhelming majority of people have been decent ... in fact, the ones that stand out in my mind are the ones who are extra kind, friendly, helpful, etc.

to me, that poll equates "rudeness" with lack of willingness/know-how to speak in another language.

a little of French is really valuable in France ... just simple greetings/numbers.
same in Germany to a smaller extent.
in Central/Eastern Europe, a little German goes a long way.
in Russia, better now Russian/a slavic language.

also, the jokes about Americans knowing one language are spot on

:lol:

Ekdog - Espero visitar tu pais un día.

¡Ojalá que puedas! :)

I haven't travelled a lot, so I guess I've been lucky in not encountering any rudeness in what little foreign travel I've done. The only time I've run into blatant rudeness was in a Trailer/RV park in Florida. It was almost exclusively French Canadians living there and they wouldn't give you the time of day or even acknowledge your presence. Bonjour or not. I don't know why.

Getting robbed, maybe shot in south florida , by making a wrong turn
in the rental car out of Miami International is a bit of a harsh reception..

Never bicycle toured, but I can comment that the French really need to improve their 'customer service' skills.

Why? To suit you?

I have fond memories of trying to order a new headset in a lyon bike shop when i lived over there. It was very hard to get the shop to take my money, kept trying to sell me a cheaper one than the one i ordered. With some insistence i got them to pull out the catalog and pointed out exactly which one i wanted. That shop always told me i spoke french well, but i think that is only because i knew all the names for bike parts, thank you sheldon brown!
Now, i don't even want to go into the story about how hard it was to return an item in a shop!

Sure, it could be better based on my american experiences, and i guess i could call it rude, but that's how it is. If you grew up in that culture you wouldn't think it rude, just normal.

When i was living in budapest a hungarian friend told me she thought waiters in the US were rude because they kept asking if everything was ok, or if she needed anything else. She didn't want to have the waiter interrupting her conversation with her dining companion. Yes, different perspectives indeed. In hungary it is considered rude for the waiter to offer you another beer, for example, after you drain the first one, you should get their attention and order one. It is also rude to leave the tip on the table instead of telling the waiter what you will be tipping when you pay the bill.

Learn the local customs and adapt, and don't go around considering things to be rude you do not understand, or for people to change their culture to suit your perspective.

Learn a few words: hello, goodbye, please, thank you, excuse me, beer :) Those will go a long way...

The vast majority of people I've encountered while cycling have been friendly and cautious about their driving around me in every country I've ridden in. But there are always those few, in every country, who will be jerks, dangerous, negligent, etc. Since the vast majority of my riding has occurred in the U.S., naturally I've run into more of those types here. I don't think an entire country can be painted with the same broad brush. Attitudes toward cyclists seem to vary by locale and driving culture. Even then, generalizing can be misleading, IMO.

Riding a Harley,me with long hair and a beard,across the deep south during the sixties and seventies was far worse than any other country I've been too......by far.

So I guess it's the U.S.A......

I've found people who want my business are the friendliest. Doesn't matter where I am, the nicest people are the ones who think I will buy something from them.

I don't think an entire country can be painted with the same broad brush. Attitudes toward cyclists seem to vary by locale and driving culture. Even then, generalizing can be misleading, IMO.
Absolutely.


And the other thing to think about is what kind of day the person you are encountering has had. If you walk in after a line of people with complaints have been there, you may get a "and what do you want" sort of response. But if you walk in after the person has been given a compliment, you may have quite a different response. Same place, same person ... but different situations have occured immediately before you got there.

It's one of the reasons I suggest arriving at the check-in desk at the airport early. Try to be the first one there while the check-in person is still fresh and hasn't had to deal with 100 different complaints and issues.