A "please" and "thank you", a smile or a small gesture is often enough to make travelers no longer feel like strangers. A recent international study shows which countries around the world are considered particularly polite and how courteous people consider their own countrymen to be. Germany is among the top 5.
For people traveling abroad, everyday social interactions strongly influence how welcome they feel. Even a friendly greeting in a café, patience in the face of language barriers or a simple smile on the street can make a big difference. The British financial services provider "Remitly" asked people living abroad where they find the most polite people. Germany is among the top 5, and locals were also asked how courteous they consider their own country to be.
More than 4,600 people from 26 countries were surveyed to find out how politeness is perceived worldwide. Participants were asked to indicate which countries they thought had the most polite people - based on their own experiences and personal impressions. At the same time, they were asked how they rated the politeness of their own country.
1st place: Japan (35.15 percent)
Japan leads the ranking of the world's most polite countries: 35.15 percent of respondents cited the country as an example of outstanding politeness. This visibly characterizes everyday life in Japan, and the country has long been associated with respect and social harmony. Bowing not only serves as a greeting, but also as an expression of respect. The language itself is also strongly characterized by polite forms and honorifics, which further underlines the respectful interaction with one another.
2nd place: Canada (13.35 percent)
It is jokingly said about Canadians that they apologize for things that are beyond their control. And indeed, politeness and consideration play a central role in everyday life. In addition to the welcoming nature and good job opportunities, Canada is a popular destination for people to live or vacation.
3rd place: UK (6.23 percent)
Like the Canadians, Brits are known worldwide for their impeccable appearance. Frequent apologies and the consistent use of "Please" and "Thank you" characterize the language. The pronounced queuing culture also shows how deeply politeness is integrated into everyday life. Another typical aspect of British culture is humor - often dry and self-deprecating. According to the survey, newcomers value precisely this culture in the UK.
4th place: China (3.07 percent)
In China, politeness is deeply rooted in traditions that are shaped by Confucianism and emphasize respect, hierarchy and social harmony. This can be seen in many ways - for example in respect for older people, in avoiding direct confrontation and in subtle forms of conflict resolution. Everyday manners place great importance on maintaining relationships and communicating politely.
5th place: Germany (2.80 percent)
Despite the Berlin snout and Munich "Grant" (High German: displeasure), Germany makes it to 5th place in the politeness ranking. Respondents appreciate the Germans' focus on direct communication and privacy. In addition, a formal tone is common in everyday life, which loosens up in the course of personal relationships. Courtesy is also expressed in the form of punctuality, reliability and consideration - for example by avoiding noise late at night or on Sundays, which are traditionally considered days of rest.
The perception of politeness in one's own country was also examined as part of the survey and shows interesting differences between how others and oneself are perceived: while Japan is seen as particularly polite by other nations, the Japanese see their own politeness as rather modest - in the self-ranking they are almost in last place. Perhaps an indication of cultural modesty.
Brazil and Chile are at the top of the list: people there rate their own politeness the highest, with scores of 9.46 and only just behind. In both countries, everyday life is characterized by warmth, hospitality and social solidarity. In third place is India, where politeness is often practiced more implicitly, for example by caring for friends and family, while formal phrases such as "please" and "thank you" are not necessarily common.
1. Japan - 35.15 %
2. Canada - 13.35 %
3. United Kingdom - 6.23 %
4. China - 3.07 %
5. Germany - 2.80 %
6. Philippines - 2.30
7. Sweden - 2.26 %
8. Denmark - 2.07 %
9. Finland - 1.92 %
10. South Africa - 1.82 %
11. Australia - 1.73 %
12. Switzerland - 1.73 %
13. United States - 1.57 %
14. India - 1.53 %
15. Ireland - 1.46 %
16. New Zealand - 1.36 %
17. Norway - 1.23 %
18. Netherlands - 1.21 %
19. Thailand - 1.15 %
20. France - 1.15 %
