Have you ever been upset by the unfriendliness of locals during an overseas trip you were eagerly looking forward to?
The 'hidden variable' of travel was the attitude of the locals.
Recently, Yahoo USA announced a ranking of the 'most unfriendly countries' based on travelers' reviews shared on social networking services (SNS).
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5th Place: Turkey
Galata Tower in Istanbul. Official Instagram of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkey
원본보기 아이콘One traveler shared an experience at Istanbul Airport, where they ordered a cup of tea but received only a silent, expressionless stare in return.
There was also a comment stating, "Turkey is always mentioned in these discussions about unfriendliness."
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4th Place: China
In particular, Beijing was frequently mentioned for its blunt and impatient attitude.
While one traveler found such behavior amusing and considered it a unique local experience, most reported struggling with culture shock.
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3rd Place: Russia
Due to the cold demeanor, Russia was often described as unfriendly, with some saying, "Smiling at strangers on the street is seen as suspicious."
However, some people who had lived there for a long time argued, "Once you start a conversation, people are actually warm," meaning that the cold impression is not the whole story.
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2nd Place: Morocco
There were reports of incidents such as children making physical contact or buses being pelted with stones.
Many travelers also expressed discomfort with persistent touting. A significant number said, "I never want to go back."
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1st Place: France
"Never Go There" Reviews Flood In
France took the overwhelming first place.
Especially in Paris, there were numerous accounts of being ignored when speaking English, or being corrected on French pronunciation without actually being given directions.
Reports also mentioned loud and rude service staff, cementing France's reputation as the "representative country of unfriendliness."
On domestic online communities, reviews continued: "They didn't bring the menu for over an hour, so I just left," "Not taking orders is standard," "Traveling in France just ruins your mood for a price," and "Never go to Paris."
"Kindness Directly Linked to Tourism Satisfaction and National Brand"
Experts agree that "kindness is directly linked not only to tourism satisfaction but also to the national brand."
From the traveler's perspective, small acts of hospitality increase stay satisfaction and lead to revisits.
Conversely, unkindness lowers the overall trust and profitability of the tourism industry, requiring caution.
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Reporter Seo Jiyeong zo2zo2zo2@asiae.co.kr
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Edit Oh Hyunyoung hyun05@asiae.co.kr
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