I went all over Eastern Europe and even Russia. I would say that Poland and Lithuania were better, but the other countries, the people seemed to even look at you like they wanted to hit you or something. And I thought many very rude when needing something. Not all the time, but most.
2007-03-02 23:59:07 · 17 answers · asked by Ronald S 1 in Travel ➔ Europe (Continental) ➔ Other - Europe
Dont steriotype ! there are good people and bad people
2007-03-03 02:54:25 · answer #1 · answered by cbr600rr 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I went to Riga in Latvia for Christmas 2005 and it was wonderful. The people were incredibly friendly and made an effort to speak English where possible (even though we tried to learn some basic words). We were welcomed in all the restaurants and the hotel staff were fantastic. We made a fuss about how beautiful their capital city was and they loved the fact that we were there to visit their country. I have travelled extensively across nothern, eastern, and southern europe and I have to say that the most unfriendly nations are our own and the French (and mainly because they are not intentionally rude, it's just their 'way') I think one of the reasons why most people are welcoming is that they appreciate tourism and what it means and that we make the effort to try and learn the basics of their language. In England we don't even try to make foreigners welcome and I am always saddened by the fact that everywhere I have been there are natives that can speak perfect English and I only know one language.
2007-03-03 03:58:49 · answer #2 · answered by Jojotraveller 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm an Engish person living in Eastern Europe with an Oriental partner. Oh dear, we get some strange looks but I think that would happen wherever we go!
I've travelled throughout the world and found Eastern European people to be no better or worse than people from other countries. I'm often mistaken for being Eastern European by the locals, but I have witnessed my partner being subjected to offensive behaviour by a small minority of people here (and,yes, he has attempted to learn some of the local language). Make your own conclusion. In my opinion, that would happen many countries.
Sometimes people's behaviour towards you can be judged by nothing more than whether they are having a good or bad day, regardless of nationality.
I've met a good number of Eastern European people in London aswell.They seemed hardworking, ambitious, and keen on European integration. I think you can put your negative experiences down to isolated incidences.
2007-03-03 01:46:48 · answer #3 · answered by Ginny Jin 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Hi I dont know which countries u consider as Eastern Europe, because often people call central european countries like Poland Hungary, Chezck Rep. and Slovakia "Eastern Europe". I am Bulgarian and i dont think we are rude to foreigners but on the contrary we are very cordial people.
2007-03-03 22:49:49 · answer #4 · answered by Ana 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Greece is considered to be in the eastern Europe?If so,I can say that can be quite friendly! ;)
If ,by the term "Eastern Europe" ,you mean the former USSR countries,then I've been in Prague and most of the people there were very helpful.(although the woman ticket collector in the St.Vitus cathedral stole us and I heard that it is happening all the time).
Seriously now,there are good people and bad people I don't think that living in an eastern country makes you either of it...
2007-03-03 02:06:47 · answer #5 · answered by scepticusb 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Strudders got it right.
Communism has only left these countries about 13 years ago.
Not that long ago that things were different for them, VERY different. It takes awhile for people to get use to this new way of living. Esp the older people, being stuck in their ways for so long and then all of a sudden everything they were taught to hate is being forced upon them.
If you give it another 15 to 20 years, im sure the people will be different. Younger generation will be there and wont remember communism days like the elderly people.
I found the people of eastern europe to be very friendly. In Budapest people went out of their way to show me how to get to my hostel. I had one lady ask other people for me how to get to where I needed to go and then took me to the street my hostel was on. I dont think that would have happened here in the States. In Prague again, people would help me out telling me how to get to where I needed to go. Poland, people were super friendly with me and the people I hung out with while I was over there. I think its also on how a person carries themself. If you are showing off and not trying to speak their language when you need help, they are more turned off to help you.
2007-03-03 10:23:41 · answer #6 · answered by Mac 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've travelled quite a bit in Eastern Europe & Russia and found the people to be lovely and very welcoming.
Perhaps you looked aggressive or perhaps were wearing expensive, designer clothes and flash jewellery, which most of them cannot afford - that type of behaviour tends to attract unwanted attention.
With regards to people being rude "when needing something" was that when YOU needed something? Did you attempt to talk to them in their language (even a few words such as please or thank-you) or were they struggling to answer you in English?
Additionally, remember that it's not that long since the Communist barriers came down. Everyone was paid a pittance, regardless of job (apart from those in power) and as few people could afford to eat out or stay in hotels, people in the service industry were only ever dealing with top officials who treated them like dirt anyway. Equally, many have never travelled themselves and their only experience of us 'rich' Westerners is of us coming in and flashing cash and expecting top notch service for a low price.
2007-03-03 01:12:30 · answer #7 · answered by Strudders67 5 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Going to Poland in May with my Polish pals. All the Polish people I know seem to have been friendly enough. My brother is married to a Ukranian though & she's a really nasty piece of work. She's even ashamed to call herself Ukranian. She calls herself Russian all the time...a real mail order bride.
2007-03-04 07:43:35 · answer #8 · answered by Jock 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I love Eastern Europe, I find the majority very friendly. I only found the people in Bratislava to be unfriendly.
2007-03-03 00:32:11 · answer #9 · answered by Safiya 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well...i used to live in Poland for 2 years and i found them very friendly and helpful.
I reckon it depends where you were i only had good experiences living in eastern Europe-Poland.
2007-03-03 00:52:01 · answer #10 · answered by Cess 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well I have been in Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic and never had any problem.
I guess it is like in any other place. They may have a good or bad day.
2007-03-03 10:03:28 · answer #11 · answered by Martha P 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋