[soyclocky]

In general northern Euros are more tactfull than southern with Brits and Irish being the politest and kindest.

True about Brits (unless drunk)

[DesautocaD]

I think British politeness is exaggerated a bit, and I agree that Spaniards are usually very nice (even if a bit loud at times).

[bugagasikaga]

In general northern Euros are more tactfull than southern with Brits and Irish being the politest and kindest.

I'm sorry for asking, but are you being ironic? My impression is that it's the exact opposite. I'm Norwegian, and I can tell you that Norwegians are generally quite impolite and rude.

If a Norwegians bumps into you we will typically not say "sorry" or "excuse me". We don't typically stand up and let the old or infirm take our seat. I know it's actually common for people working in stores to be on the phone talking while they let the customers wait. They'll even ignore you if you go "Excuse me?", and carry on talking on the phone!

I've called companies and reached a call centre, and the person answering would be rude to me. One basically insulted me. My mother called to a call centre, and the woman there (who is supposedly there for customer service) laughed at her!

A lot of Norwegians also behave like a-holes abroad. I've read and heard stories on the news about Norwegians misbehaving in Sweden and Spain. In Spain, some Norwegians actually expect Spain to close off roads and to give Norwegians special treatment on our Constitution Day (May 17). Norwegians are buying up property in Spain and as a result Spaniards can't afford living in those areas. I'm so ashamed.

I'm ashamed to say it, but Norwegians are rude people. I try not to be rude and I take pride in showing a minimum of common decency.

I will say, though, that Norwegians are generally good at one thing: standing in line! It's like a sacred thing for us. We can be rude about everything else, but don't anyone dare cut in line!

[konanoileaski]

Well french aren't rude , we have good manners and we are also polite .

Don't make me laugh.

[haudraufwienix]

I'm sorry for asking, but are you being ironic? My impression is that it's the exact opposite. I'm Norwegian, and I can tell you that Norwegians are generally quite impolite and rude.

If a Norwegians bumps into you we will typically not say "sorry" or "excuse me". We don't typically stand up and let the old or infirm take our seat. I know it's actually common for people working in stores to be on the phone talking while they let the customers wait. They'll even ignore you if you go "Excuse me?", and carry on talking on the phone!

I've called companies and reached a call centre, and the person answering would be rude to me. One basically insulted me. My mother called to a call centre, and the woman there (who is supposedly there for customer service) laughed at her!

A lot of Norwegians also behave like a-holes abroad. I've read and heard stories on the news about Norwegians misbehaving in Sweden and Spain. In Spain, some Norwegians actually expect Spain to close off roads and to give Norwegians special treatment on our Constitution Day (May 17). Norwegians are buying up property in Spain and as a result Spaniards can't afford living in those areas. I'm so ashamed.

I'm ashamed to say it, but Norwegians are rude people. I try not to be rude and I take pride in showing a minimum of common decency.

I will say, though, that Norwegians are generally good at one thing: standing in line! It's like a sacred thing for us. We can be rude about everything else, but don't anyone dare cut in line!

I have not that much experience with Skandos but my impression is that while they aren't as friendly and kind as the English and maybe are more direct they still act very civilized/social in contrast to more egocentric and self righteous southern Europeans. That Jante Law thing might have to do with it.

---------- Post added 2012-06-11 at 16:03 ----------

Well french aren't rude , we have good manners and we are also polite .

French aren't unpolite but they often appear cold and sometimes a little arrogant because they aren't very open.

[ImmimiFruff]

I'm sorry for asking, but are you being ironic? My impression is that it's the exact opposite. I'm Norwegian, and I can tell you that Norwegians are generally quite impolite and rude.

If a Norwegians bumps into you we will typically not say "sorry" or "excuse me". We don't typically stand up and let the old or infirm take our seat.

My mum and sister was in Spain. People in the bus stared quite amazed and ill-willed when she sat while my mum stood.

Spaniards might be rude, but at least they have respect for the elderly more than us.

A lot of Norwegians also behave like a-holes abroad. I've read and heard stories on the news about Norwegians misbehaving in Sweden and Spain. In Spain, some Norwegians actually expect Spain to close off roads and to give Norwegians special treatment on our Constitution Day (May 17). Norwegians are buying up property in Spain and as a result Spaniards can't afford living in those areas. I'm so ashamed. Cut the drinking and they will improve on holiday I think.

[ZESINTERS]

........................................

[jinnsamys]

I've only met one Spaniard and it was at a club. He was pretty inebriated and was speaking to me in Spanish. He didn't come off as rude per se, but he was a bit over the top (loud and unaware of personal boundaries), although this was probably due to the fact that he was drinking. I haven't met enough Spaniards to really make a generalization on their culture. But if their culture is anything similar to that of Latin Americans, then I would expect them to be a warm and welcoming people.

I've met a few Italians and they too seem like a warm friendly, welcoming people. A trait of Southern European people it seems.

On the other hand, I've met a few Eastern Europeans and they always seem cold, stubborn, rude, and having a sense of superiority. Might be a cultural thing, or just might be how the few I've met happened to be. Anyway, I voted for Eastern Europeans.

[Âåðåùàãèí]

I have not that much experience with Skandos but my impression is that while they aren't as friendly and kind as the English and maybe are more direct they still act very civilized/social in contrast to more egocentric and self righteous southern Europeans. That Jante Law thing might have to do with it.

Actually, I've had the best experience with people in Spain. They've always been far more open and friendly than anywhere else I've been. I suppose the good weather and outside living just helps, it bring people together more naturally. However, it's quite some years ago since I was there, so it could have changed. And thet's only from my perspective. Other people may experience things differently.

Different peoples have different cultures, and different behaviour is considered "rude" in different cultures. This is probably why Gavroche doesn't consider the French "rude" because according to French culture, they're the well behaved and polite ones. However, the French need to be trolled on occasion.

The whole subject is kind of moot (in the US sense of moot) because there's no set standard for rudeness, it's cultural dependent what you consider as "rudeness". It's entirely POV dependent.

[VomsVomaMew]

To British and Scandinavian... If someday we are introduced, do not even think of holding out your hand... In Southern and Western Europe we kiss in cheeks in these situation; otherwise it is gross. Ha, ha, ha...

[Munccoughe]

Actually, I've had the best experience with people in Spain. They've always been far more open and friendly than anywhere else I've been. I suppose the good weather and outside living just helps, it bring people together more naturally. However, it's quite some years ago since I was there, so it could have changed. And thet's only from my perspective. Other people may experience things differently.

Typically Jam

is that super-tactfull-ness you always have a trait of Danes?

[russmodel]

If I travelled to United Kingdom, Norway or Latvia... and I was introduced to somebody... what should I do? Hmmm, I imagine the other person holding out his/her hand and I'm remaining still. Would I kiss him/her or not? Sometimes rudeness is a matter of culture.

[Idorsearogele]

I have not that much experience with Skandos but my impression is that while they aren't as friendly and kind as the English and maybe are more direct they still act very civilized/social in contrast to more egocentric and self righteous southern Europeans. That Jante Law thing might have to do with it.

Yeah, I do think we're quite direct in Nordic countries. Very little is taboo here. We believe in a classless and egalitarian society, so in contrast to more hierarchical societies we don't have a lot of authorities to "keep us in line" so to speak.

We Norwegians killed off most of our nobility centuries ago, and as a farm culture our peasentry have had a great deal of freedom. I think that our farm culture is reflected in our society today, because we as a people are used to being quite isolated and living in small villages. We're not used to the city setting, which means we don't know how to act around a load of strangers. The result is that we end up being kind of inconsiderate.

[Evoryboypoto]

If I travelled to United Kingdom, Norway or Latvia... and I was introduced to somebody... what should I do? Hmmm, I imagine the other person holding out his/her hand and I'm remaining still. Would I kiss him/her or not? Sometimes rudeness is a matter of culture.

I don't think it's that a big deal, nobody would really mind if you kissed cheeks, the only ones likely to think it's weird are if those 'super macho' man kisses a man on the cheek.

[AK47rulz]

Yeah, I do think we're quite direct in Nordic countries. Very little is taboo here. We believe in a classless and egalitarian society, so in contrast to more hierarchical societies we don't have a lot of authorities to "keep us in line" so to speak.

We Norwegians killed off most of our nobility centuries ago, and as a farm culture our peasentry have had a great deal of freedom. I think that our farm culture is reflected in our society today, because we as a people are used to being quite isolated and living in small villages. We're not used to the city setting, which means we don't know how to act around a load of strangers. The result is that we end up being kind of inconsiderate.

Yeah, the actings between men and women, older and younger, boss and employee is far more neutral and equal in the North compared to most of the world.

It would look weird for a norwegian or swede if someone called them by their occupation, while in many parts of the world you call a person you greet "Doctor" or "judge".

[beonecenry]

My mum and sister was in Spain. People in the bus stared quite amazed and ill-willed when she sat while my mum stood.

Spaniards might be rude, but at least they have respect for the elderly more than us.

I believe you. In Norway it seems almost like a sport to see who can be the most rude to older people and authorities.

Cut the drinking and they will improve on holiday I think. Unfortunately, I wasn't even thinking about the Norwegians getting drunk on Gran Canaria and Ibiza. I'm talking about older Norwegians with money who buy themselves property in Spain, and then expect the Spaniards to speak Norwegian (!) to them and sell Norwegian goods! Some Norwegians in Spain are actually angry because Spaniards are speaking Spanish in their own country!

In addition to that, we have the people getting drunk out of their minds and end up half naked on a sidewalk in Greece or Spain. I'm so ashamed on their behalf.

In Sweden, Norwegians act similarly as in Spain. We buy up Swedish property and expect to be treated as royals, and then in addition Swedes have to put up with Norwegians who get piss drunk and vomit all over the place.

[Lauramalina]

And tell why

The uk

[gimffnfabaykal]

Typically Jam

is that super-tactfull-ness you always have a trait of Danes?

I'm not, (and no) but thanks. The fact is that there's no answer to this thread, as "rude" and "tactless" behaviour depends on learned cultural values and behaviour.

[Malinguenem]

I worked occasionally in a hotel in Helsinki region before and during my studies at the university in different duties where I was in contact with the tourists. According to my experiences, the Swedes and Danes are the most civilized and polite people of all. At least I come along with them the best. They lack the "I'm the king of this place" attitude and if there are something to complain about they do it in a civilized and to-the-point way. The hotel staff is always most happy to give them refunds of some kind because they are respectful unlike some shouters... The English are very polite in a formal way but they more often lack the tactfulness of the Nordics as mentioned here already. The most annoying of the Europeans are usually Southerners like the Spanish. Although they are open and talkative they often have this me me me attitude which becomes annoying pretty quickly.

[zdlupikkkdi]

I worked occasionally in a hotel in Helsinki region before and during my studies at the university in different duties where I was in contact with the tourists. According to my experiences, the Swedes and Danes are the most civilized and polite people of all. At least I come along with them the best. They lack the "I'm the king of this place" attitude and if there are something to complain about they do it in a civilized and to-the-point way. The hotel staff is always most happy to give them refunds of some kind because they are respectful unlike some shouters... The English are very polite in a formal way but they more often lack the tactfulness of the Nordics as mentioned here already. The most annoying of the Europeans are usually Southerners like the Spanish. Although they are open and talkative they often have this me me me attitude which becomes annoying pretty quickly.

Interesting. I was speaking about people in their own countries. I have no idea about who behave rudely in foreign countries. That would be a more realistic gauge, since it's part of good behaviour to know at least something about some of the more crucial "taboos" and customs in the country you visit. I mean, if you visit Saudi Arabia you have to know beforehand of some of their customs and rules. Or you'd end in jail or worse. Among Europeans I believe one of the problems is that we perhaps expect some familiarity and similarity, which may not be there, and therefore we may not be aware of some crucial differences, and we end up being rude towards each other.