Which country in your opinion has the best mannered people?

Question

which country has the worst manners?

Answer 1

There isn't such a thing like a country with best-mannered people or worst-mannered people.

Answer 2

Although this question seems straight forward (although hard to answer), is is actually "impossible" to answer if you are have any training in social sciences. Actually, it is not a "scientificly valid" question. This is because manners falls in the realm of culture. Not the snobish victorian-like definition of culture but the definition used by social scientists and anthropologists.

In a nutshell, manners is a code of behavior that is specific and valid only to a group. There are classic examples of how some behaviors have a completely different simbolic meaning in cultures that differ from the so called Western culture. This can be easily appreciated by anyone who has traveled around the world and has kept an open mind. One of the most commonly told one, is the facts that Arabs consider if offensive to offer the right hand for shaking because that is the same hand you use to wipe your butt and so, the act of offering the right hand is equivalent to calling the other a piece of ****.

We have also seens movies (such as "Dances With Wolves") in which it is shown that among Native Americans it is considered bad manners to offer a gift to the host (specially a good gift) and is sceen as a chalange to the host to be able to top it.

Having worked as a tourist guide as a teen, I was frequently the guide to sweet and elderly American tourists (who were actually extremely polite). More than once they embarrassed me because they failed to grasp that some behavior concepts don't always apply in other countries or apply differently. Ironically, I am pretty sure that they left here thinking people were rude.

Even within one country, there are slight difference in cultures as people have different ethnic backgrounds, age, social status, etc. Can't you imagine a situation in which an Ivy Leager from New England might be considered ill mannered while visiting his hill billy relatives?

Of course you can toss away the anthropological concept of manner and use your own concept of what is well mannered. However, by doing this, you will be repeating a mistake that antropologists call ethonocentrism and which renders any analisys (such as the one you are trying to make), worthless.

Answer 3

This is a tough one. I have not been all over the world so I kind of have to base my opinion on those individuals that I've met in the United States. I don't think that one can say that all the people from any particular country have good manners or bad manners. There is simply too many other variables involved in such a conclusion. The previous contributor "No One's Puppet" cannot be taken seriously because she comes across as simply an agnry black woman who hates America for some reason. I have regions of America to have extremely polite people of ALL races and ethnicities. I visited New York City a couple of years ago and was terribly nervous about the rudeness I would experience there. I was shocked at the kindness, and helpfulness of virtually EVERYONE I met there. Black, White, Puerto Rican, Asian, virtually EVERYONE was extremely helpful and friendly. I foumnd the same in Chicago, Phoenix, San Francisco, Denver, Phildadelphia, London, Auckland, Christchurch, Mexico City, and Billings. In fact most places i go I find the people to be generally well mannered.

I think there is a lesson to learn here. I consider myself well mannered. I open doors for people, I let drivers in ahead of me, I always say please and thank you, I apologize when stepping in front of someone accidentally, etc... Therefore I see the world through those eyes. Those who think that everyone is rude probably are rude themselves and think only of themselves. Since THEY are rude they see everyone else as rude also.

That probably explains "No One's Puppet" attitude very easily.

Answer 4

My country and my country as well. I believe, every country has both best mannered and worst mannered people. It's just a matter of understanding & identifying with each other.

Answer 5

That's a broad question. In my limited experience (Europe, North America, Mexico, Caribbean) in formal social situations, the English seem to have very good manners. In casual social situations, Danes, Swedes, and Norwegians are very well-mannered. In everyday situations, Americans and Canadians are very well-mannered; its ok to be yourself.

If I were planning a wedding or formal dinner, I'd probably choose an English friend to help; if I were planning a birthday dinner party, I'd get my Danish or Swedish friends to help; when I'm running errands, going to the post office, the supermarket, I want to do that with Americans. Of course this is generalizing, but in my experience, it's generally true.

Answer 6

It is my opinion that Austria has the best mannered people and sad to say I believe that the Good ole USA not only has the worst manners, a large majority of our young people today don't have a clue as to what respect is.

Answer 7

Best: England. I mean they still do so many 'proper' things that we would never even think of doing.

Worst: America. It seems like a lot of people think being nice and polite or having manners is just too much of a bother.
Ex: Once I was walking out of a store with my three year old niece. A lady was going out of the door in front of us and even though she saw us following her, she just let go of the door. If I hadn't put my arm out, it would have hit my niece right in the face. I mean, I'm not saying you have to stand there and hold the door open, but you could make sure you're not hitting/about to hit someone with the door.
I've also seen this happen to elderly people and it's just so rude.
And I'm not saying everyone in America has bad manners, but a lot of them I have encountered do.

Answer 8

Which country has the best mannered people? NOT America.

Which country has the worst mannered people? America.

Answer 9

Beautifully Mannered:

Ethiopians,
Indians
Sri Lankans
Orientals



Bad Manners:
Could be anyone of any race, so this is a hard judgment call.

Answer 10

I don't exactly know because there are many countries thta are well mannered, like in terms of being hospitable and courteous one is the Philippines. For being well mannered, Britain. I guess Japan as well for being well mannered.