What do you think are the friendliest countries, cities, etc. in the world? Have you traveled somewhere and been surprised by how friendly the locals are? Over the years I have heard people say that Alberta is not a friendly place compared to other parts of the world.
I enjoy it when strangers talk to me in public. Any suggestions about the most friendly places to visit? I have heard that Nova Scotia, Montreal, and Turkey have really friendly people. I want to visit these places in the future, but additional suggestions from the group will be great!

How often do you start conversations with random people in the streets here?

Very often Carly
. What about you?

If I am standing in line at the bank, in a grocery store, etc. I often will strike up a conversation with people nearby.

Are you s Maritimer? Lol! I do the same thing.

I grew up in NS and when I first moved here, I was shocked at the looks of confusion/concern when I greeted people walking down the streets. You would be considered rude if you didn't say hello or good morning as you passed others. Lol

California, Anaheim and orange county!!

New zealand hands down. Alberta is one of the worst.

Well crap. Nobody's talked to me (Albertan)! I dont think we are unfriendly but Canadians may be a bit reserved.

I agree with New Zealand - Queenstown was so incredibly welcoming!
I don't think Alberta is unfriendly though. It is very transient as of the last decade or so though, so we can maybe assume the ones you are meeting are not really from Alberta
(Calgarian)

When were you in New Zealand? How long were you there?

2011 was there for 2 weeks. Great country and cant wait to go back!

Peru

Hmmm...wow. Thanks for the suggestion!

Cayman Islands, lived there for 9 years and always pleasantly surprised at how accommodating and friendly people are there

Amsterdam!

I was also going to suggest Holland - super friendly ppl that LOVE Canadians (the war and all...)

Bali and Darwin in Australia

In Asia I will go with Philippines, the Filipinos are very friendly welcoming not to mention they are my in-laws and Phillipines have one of best beaches in South Asia, Hong Kong beautiful city with diverse people and that was my real shock, To see so many people from different background enjoying life together, they have nice food in Hong Kong. Africa, Ethiopia is on the top of my list very friendly people and have a rich history, off course Egypt the mother of Earth as they locals call it. Egypt is one of the places that as long as are a live on this planet you most visit and see those Pyramids. Europe Turkey is on the top of my list special Istanbul, I will definitely go back one day and their food and the Turkish delicious can not be missed. Paris the city of love, very enjoyable. North America, Vancouver is the best, I love the beauty and vibrant of the city.

Of course Nova Scotia and Newfoundland.
Ireland and Scotland had me at hello!!!! The people there are awesome!

Portugal

Barbados, people would stop us on the street and ask how we were enjoying our stay and what could they do to make our stay better! This was several years ago but it has stayed with me. Generally, I find that if I am friendly, kind and attempt a few words in their language......most people are friendly and kind in return

The Philippines. We were there a few months ago and were happily surprised with the genuine friendliness of the people. I also agree with Barbados, one of our favourite Caribbean countries, because of this. It's not the prettiest Caribbean island, but the nice people sure make up for that.

Newfoundland #1
Anywhere in the Maritimes.
We went to Memphis last year, people were amazing.

Nice to hear about Memphis as I am thinking of a trip there and Nashville next year.

Loved Memphis..would go back in a heartbeat!

Jacmel Haiti

I just cycled across Canada and I would say calgarians, Quebec City, all Martimes especially NFLD are the friendliest. New Zealand world wide and the Irish top my west world and shrilanka was the tops

Vietnam by far has the most friendly people I have ever met.! It is an amazing country with amazing locals! I'd recommend it a million times to anyone who is considering going.

I personally think it depends on you as a traveller as well. I always meet so many friendly people, even at places where I'm told that people aren't friendly...as long as you're willing to open up and learn the local culture, you'll be welcomed with open arms. I don't know about the rest of Alberta, but I have found that Calgarians are one of the most friendly people in Canada... having recently moved here from Vancouver.

Thank you Maria! I think we're pretty great too
.
I agree it depend on the traveller as well sometimes. If you put out positive friendly energy, most times that is what you get back
.

Taiwan for sure. Incredibly friendly people there and extremely safe. I couldn't believe how nice they were

Portugal, Germany and Switzerland were the most friendly places I have visited in Europe. Nicaragua was the most friendly place I've been in Central America.

Italy! Conversely, I found France and Spain's cultural bias to lean towards cool to downright unfriendly.

I agree with France.

Yes to all of this. I too unfortunately found Paris unfriendly in general, but the rest of France no problem. And in Spain the locals didn't seem too interested in interacting, though that was probably just a language barrier.
Italy was so beautiful, but unfortunately the men there in general tend to be quite vulgar and inappropriate and it can be uncomfortable at times for a young woman.

It not just the place but people. In San Diego this summer people were lined up for the shuttle bus to Comic Con. The bus stopped near the back of the line. No one moved. The people from the front of the line walked back along the line and go on the bus. The rest of the line followed in the order that they were in the line. I wish I had the presence to video this very positive group think moment.

thats unreal, I would have loved to see that. Lucky you.

New York.

Saskatoon, SK

Belize has very friendly people! Very welcoming

Japan
! The people are super friendly and considerate.

I was born in Calgary and have since moved around a bit, but still think Calgarians are pretty awesome. I lived in South Korea for three years and experienced many sweet, kind, helpful people who almost had a naiveté.

Greece for sure. That's one place I've particularly loved because of the friendly locals.

Japan hands down

Phuket, Thailand, Toronto, Ontario I am originally from there but haven't lived there in over 20 years and I went back this summer and could not believe how friendly people were.

Oh boy... Toronto... Really? The only good thing about Toronto is visitors that don't live in Toronto (and maybe great restaurants lol)!!! Live there for 3 years... People are overly stressed, superficial and self-centered... I couldn't smile at people on the street without getting a dirty look.

Cambodia!!!!

China, Thailand and England

Ireland, Belize, Vietnam, Argentina and Cuba. But all of these places only when you get off the tourist track and really converse with the locals! In the touristy areas I always find people are more jaded.

Brazil!!!!! By far the nicest people I've met anywhere

where in Brazil did you go?

I was in Belo Horizonte, state of Minas Gerais! But I have met Brazilians both there and here from other parts too, like from Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, Fortaleza, Recife, and Sao Paulo.. I have heard that people from Porto Alegre and Curitiba, the more southern parts of Brazil, are not as easygoing/friendly but that's the main exception

Sandiego has the nice Americans I have ever met. Great city and people.

Australia. Extremely friendly people.

We have also found Pittsburgh PA to be very friendly.

Australia and Philippines

Corner Brook, NL

St. John's, NFLD. And Thailand is pretty special. Those are the two that stick out to me.

New Zealand

Ireland...great beauty and lovely people, they are also very funny and friendly.

Vietnam

Jamaica, mon!

Ireland, Scotland and New York stick out for me as having very friendly people. I'd go time and time again to all of them!

I think it's important to know that sometimes it's luck. I lived for 10 years in Newfoundland which is known for its friendliness and I found it to be the same as Calgary and Ottawa. It really depends on who you meet and where you spend time. There are nice people and less nice people everywhere usually in pretty equal measure.

Coimbra was the friendliest place I went in Portugal - really lovely people who love meeting travelers!

Newfoundland and Spain!

Thailand and Laos

Myanmar and Nicaragua.

Cuba

We found it depended on where you were visiting. Our resort in Varadero - not! We also stayed at an airbnb in Havanna - met some really great people there - very friendly!

Montreal was definitely a friendly place to visit. Newfoundland - hands down is the friendliest province we've visited in Canada. Toronto - not! We have also found the Mexican people to be very friendly - although with travel warnings it is somewhat disconcerting to continue to travel there... Guatemala's people also stand out as being super nice and friendly!

Italy , great people there

wholeheartedly disagree ^

Mexico, we go to the smaller towns

New Zealand!!
everyone is so friendly and relaxed there

Texans are very friendly. Polite too.

Columbia

We're in Croatia right now. The people so far have been great!! Very accommodating and helpful!!

Scotland! Everyone was super friendly!

Athens!!!! They go out of their way/day to help you

Cuba

Calgary Alberta isn't as friendly as Edmonton Alberta in terms of people starting a conversation with new people. Just my perspective! Nova Scotians, and generally east coast people are more open to random conversations I find.

Ireland.

Cambodia and Australia are among the friendliest countries I've been to

Calgary is actually very friendly. Edmonton is ok...
Having just been in Montreal .... not friendly at all!! And not my first time their either.
The top of my list for friendly in Canada is Quebec City. Absolutely the most amazing experience not to mention it's absolutely gorgeous!
I agree with comments on New Zealand
And internationally if have to say Australia from my experience

Barbados! Truly wonderful people!

Nova Scotia throughout the Province is friendly, found Dubai very friendly and safe.

Myanmar (Burma) & Thailand & Australia we found had amazing people !!

My son was station at Camp Casey Korea. Spectacular people

Ukukhaktok NWT

Burma. Magical place. Buddhism. An incredibly brutal military dictatorship for decades and yet the people are so giving and caring. They also haven't been corrupted by tourism.

Japan

Taiwan, lovely people, beautiful country!

Turkey for sure!

Just finished a tour in Egypt. Very friendly people and felt very safe the whole time I was there.

Albania....friendly people great beaches and mountains and easy on the wallet.

Where?

Where in Albania kyle girard?

Hi Debbie - Albanian Riviera is really nice Himara and the surrounding beaches are the nicest in the Balkans (IMO) . Also the Accursed mountains the hike from Valbonna to Thieth is fantastic. I Also visited Girokaster a town with a very interesting history it is an old Ottoman town with castle and Cold war bunker. Albanians are very hospitable and it was a really fun and safe country to visit. It is off the beaten path and tourism is fairly new there. I Would definitely recommend a visit.

Thanks so much

Maui Hawaii!