Way to Russia Talk Lounge

javier · Frequent Guest Joined: 14 Mar 2007 Posts: 11

I always enjoy going to locations and the first thing you see as you exit the plane is smiling faces as you join the immigration line, and a warm reception from the locals as you leave the airport. Of course, that is just a start, but what I really want to know from the members is where are some of the places you've been that have such friendly people?

fr3d · Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 2:26 pm Post subject:

Poland was certainly one place, I know the people aren't known for this but even the scary looking guys on the passport control had a smile.

We visited Szczecin, so I guess it was a little bit quiet of tourists and british stag parties and that certainly helped. On the whole people were pleased we were there and quite curious too. I spent a night drinking with some local students after my friends had gone to bed and had a great time.

Prague was another, we were four men in our mid twenties and stayed in Zizkov and were made to feel really welcome by some locals, despite Prague being a prime destination for the affore mentioned stag parties.

The other place of note was Tunisia, again I think this has something to do with not falling into the usual tourist traps and mixing with people, showing respect for their language and culture. We were invited to a wedding but it started the day we left so only managed to make it for an hour or so (aparently they last for days!)

madelyn · Just Starting Joined: 14 Mar 2007 Posts: 3

I like Costa Rica for it's friendly people. They have a saying "Pura Vida", which literally translates to "pure life", but it describes their attitudes down there. They're just really happy people who really enjoy life. Additionally, what's nicer about Costa Rica than some of the other Latin American countries we've been to is that they really work hard to keep the country clean... Thanks to travelervideos.com They have a great collection of videos. I get all my travel tips from this resource.

surfguy · Lounge Wizard Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 6996

totally agree!

surfguy · Lounge Wizard Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 6996

Rust

Remember if all people around you are smiling it’s not necessarily that they are friendly - may be it is madhouse!
When I had been to West I could not understand why so many people smiling - they have reason or not. At first of course I was so pleasant, but when I understood that it is duty, not true sense I hated that smile. It so false!!!!! I declare with responsibility for smile has to be a reason (for intelligent and open men)! If you have no reason for example you are thinking about ....forget you clean your dog or not - it is not duty to smile in this case. So many reasons for many different emotions. You have to be in harmony with yourself. With your senses. And why you have to smile everywhere - Deil Carnegie force you? (Fairy tale you will get a power over all people) The strongest country (stronger mean righter, American democracy democracier than other democracy) the biggest hamburger, all people have to smile always and anywhere without any reason? Are you really thought that we accept these values? When I was in West I liked when people don't look at you (with a smile) how much he could earn on you - in Russia it happens much more often/ I don't know - maybe it is only Russian sense?(because I see the smile for you means more than sincerity). Or you became so aloof that true sense means for you nothing?

surfguy · Lounge Wizard Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 6996

body language is a crucial thing and definately our facial expressions can tell so much about our feelings. And we tend to learn what different smiles mean and which ones are sincere, which ones are fake, and which ones are what they are. But I guess when tyou grow up in a society where smiles are un common well then how would you ever learn to read and judge a smile. I smile all the time and mine are not fake and should be taken in thier context. In America we have a lot to smile about...life is good here and there is always opportunity for it to be better. I guess when you live in doom and gloom there is no need to smile. Perhaps people should pay more attention to babies and small children or elderly people who have lived life and have nothing to lose. I guess if you can't accept smiles and try to look for the negative in them then perhaps there is no hope. But I think we all agree that a smile is a sign of Happiness and warmth. Cheer up...the sun is shinning and the weather is warm...life is good! Very Happy

jo jo 7

surfguy · Lounge Wizard Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 6996

Rust

Two to one - it is not fairly! Ok. As I said if you have interesting, various life - the events in your life have to be various. The weather - today is rainy, tomorrow - sunny. We can't change it. It is nature. Wherever you live it can be different events there. Dao - everything is changing. Everyday I filling well, all my life - I am young, for every event I am smiling (tragically too) - I'm sorry(As you say)but if you had first (very strong of course)love-often it was ended, relatives and friends - sometimes they are not agree with you and they are not eternal), the job could be unloved,......................................many, many different events in our life) and it doesn’t matter were are you from - USA, Holland, Russia - it is not possible to fill for every described events positive emotions and smile - it is not good for my opinion. It would be so false!!! Ok. We are living in society and sometimes we have to make smile if it necessary. But mostly we have different senses . And I smile(very often because I like my life very much and like most of interesting events that happen in my life but not always). I think in Russia we have most various life over the world, sometimes it can be difficult then it will be very wonderful, it doesn’t matter. And this big difference gives us understanding - the life so interesting various! ). I like some parts of American life philosophy. Unfortunally, very seldom I speak to American for better understanding. But for us the smile mostly means the positive senses (of course we have different smiles too). For you as I understood during our conversation - it is reaction for all various events.
(For example if I try speak to you and I don't understanding you - if I will act as you say you will see on my face silly uncomprehending smile with a big circle eye. Thanks. But I prefer another behavior because I understand - very complex explain something when your interlocutor looks at you with a silly smile)

MrYaag · Frequent Guest Joined: 22 Aug 2006 Posts: 34

Hong Kong is a good place to visit! They are very friendly and will go out of there way to help you..

surfguy · Lounge Wizard Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 6996

I loved Hong Kong and really enjoyed it there and the people. Plus I surfed there to at Sheko.

As far as what Rust said...Our bodies and our expressions are not all smiles and nor is life...but it doesn't matter where we are from or who we are...we learn to read people...we learn to communicate...and we do this through all of our senses. I am not Russian...and when I am in Russia...well then I have to try my hardest to learn Russian and not just the language either. And when foriegners come to here they should learn our ways too. And of course we all should try to accomodate too.

Rust · Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2007 12:44 am Post subject:

I complitly agree with you - when you are in another country you have to respect there custom . But as I understand for west people we are looking like a gloomy morose nation. Of course not. We are friendly very much.

surfguy · Lounge Wizard Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 6996

well my knoweledge of Russia is almost nothing...but I did visit there enough and have met enough Russian people to raise my interest to where I plan to return and also to keep me coming back to the forum. No Russia is not all doom and gloom and I find it to be a very interesting place, culture, people, and history.