Lonely Planet Bluelist:

[peter991]

Lonely Planet Bluelist: The Best in Travel 2008 Friendliest countries

Time after time, these are the places where the welcome is warm. Explore the world's friendliest countries as nominated by Lonely Planet in the latest edition of their Bluelist 2008 book.

Ireland

Centuries of turmoil, conquest and famine — and subsequent immigration — have certainly taken their toll on the Irish: it's left them with a deliciously dark sense of humour and a welcoming attitude towards strangers. That famous ability of the Irish — to find craic (fun times with convivial company) in boom or bust times — means you're always in for a treat. These days, after the end of the 'Troubles', a cautious optimism reigns supreme, infecting the land once again with the sense that anything's possible.

USA

Blamed for the coming of World War III, the Anti-Christ, Bon Jovi, Tom Cruise, Michael Jackson, rampant street crime, and noise pollution through overloud talking, Americans just take it all in their stride — they know there's no such thing as a 'typical Yank', so you can just stuff your stereotypes in a sack, mister! Americans may be patriotic and love their country but so are all the nationals on this list — they'll invariably welcome you and help you get the best out of the US, and all they ask in return is for you to leave your shoe bomb at home.

Malawi

Whereas other African nations are beset by deadly tribal war and internecine fighting, Malawians describe themselves as 'the friendliest people in Africa' living in the 'warm heart of the continent'. Anyone who's visited will know that the rare (for Africa) cohesion of the country's ethnic groups is solid evidence for this, as is the people's propensity to welcome you into their homes as well as their nation. Malawi is small, poor and without a lot of facilities, but with a greeting like that who needs Western-style comfort?

Fiji

Fiji is one of the most coup-ridden countries on the planet, yet its citizens are generally considered to be the 'friendliest people on the planet'. And why not? They've got plenty to smile about — lush islands, kaleidoscopic reefs, cobalt sea, a wealth of marine life, world-class diving, romantic coastlines, awesome cuisine — and they love to spread the love around. Fijians have a rep for helping all travellers feel welcome, thereby allowing you to uncover the best from this sprawling group of islands. Just don't talk politics.

Indonesia

It's hard to make generalisations about a country that contains so many different cultures … still, a cliché you'll hear often is that 'Indonesian' people greet foreigners with open arms. Fact is they do, but the media limelight is stolen by the knack of their law-enforcement officers for welcoming drug dealers and bomb makers in an altogether different ritual. Word of advice: if you travel to the beautiful island of Bali, leave the ecstasy at home, otherwise diplomatic relationships with other countries will be strained, foreigners might not be so welcome anymore, and you'll make fools of us for including Indonesia on this list.

Vietnam

Vietnam's another country inextricably caught up in Western images and stereotypes: napalm death; tormented American soldiers; assassins hiding in the rice fields; the whirr of helicopter blades like the Grim Reaper's scythe. But Vietnam put all that behind it a long time ago and is now on a huge drive to become the new 'Asian' tiger economy. Not even the rampant threat of bird flu can dim the people's appetite for friendliness and hospitable greetings to travellers.

Samoa

What's this? Samoa reckons they have 'the world's friendliest people'? Hmmm, trouble is there's no ratifying body for such a claim, meaning the Samoans have to contend with the challenge of Fiji, which also self-applies the title. Okay, enough: let's settle this with a Googlefight. A Boolean search for the phrase 'Fiji world's friendliest people' garners 36,500 hits; the phrase 'Samoa world's friendliest people' reaps 21,000. Sorry, Samoa, the interweb has spoken, although readers can rest assured that your beautiful country harbours lovely and warm people who will leave a deep and lasting impression on them.

Thailand

Southeast Asia's most-visited country is bound to offer up a welter of stereotypes and clichès. Here are some of them: dazzling islands and beaches; lush and balmy weather; great shopping and great food; the 'France of Asia'; lady boys. Here's another one: 'world's friendliest people'. Gawd, not another contender (see Fiji and Samoa). But yes, the Thai people's gracious hospitality does indeed take some beating. Why bother trying to analyse why the Thais are so easygoing and incredibly quick to smile? They just are and that's all there is to it.

Scotland

Forget Begbie in the film Trainspotting — Scotland's becoming the destination for visitors to the British Isles, winning out over dog-eat-dog London. The Scots have survived English invasion, brutal weather and the pain of having the world's worst goalkeepers. This fighting spirit against insurmountable odds has left them with an extroverted, buoyant demeanour and a blackly humorous nationalism (you'd want to see the funny side after witnessing some of those goalies). Naturally, this attitude rubs off on travellers — Scots are so loyal they want you to share in the good stuff, too.

Turkey

It's a shame that for such a long time the Western world's image of Turkey revolved around the brutal drug-smuggling film Midnight Express — as an advertisement for a nation, it rates slightly below Chernobyl. Thankfully, we've all moved on from that and we can now report that the Turkish people actually have an unsurpassed reputation for hospitality. With their heavenly cuisine, dreamy coastline and spectacular historical sites, the Turks know there's no reason to be secretive.

From Lonely Planet Bluelist: The Best in Travel 2008. Published by Lonely Planet, 2007. AUD$34.95

[canuckamuck]

When Americans come up to Canada (at least western Canada) they comment on how friendly everyone is, When Canadians go down to the states, they keep their windows rolled up and their doors locked.