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The World's Most Polite and Rude Cities
I don't know how empirical this study is, but here's the skinny. Reader's Digest dispatched several undercover reporters in three dozen cities across the world. In each city, the reporters:
- Walked into public buildings 20 times behind people to see if they held open the door.
- Bought small items from 20 stores and recorded whether the sales assistants thanked them.
- Dropped a folder full of papers in 20 busy locations to see if anyone would help collect the scattered contents.
The reporters awarded one point for each positive outcome and nothing for a negative one. The results of this "study" show that the top three most polite cities are New York, Zurich and Toronto. Conversely, Asia fared very poorly. Eight out of nine cities there finished in the bottom 11. Could this be a cultural thing?
The least friendly city? Mumbai, India. They may be rude in Mumbai, but they sure can cook.
Filed under: Arts and Culture, Asia, North America
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 6)
Uji May 20th 2008 8:16AM
Though culture is mentioned, there are too many problems with this survey and the sample sizes aren't big enough to be statistically significant.
I live in Tokyo, which is surprisingly more rude and unfriendly than the rest of Japan--as is often the case with big cities. But, then that depends upon what neighborhood you are in, what people populate that area, and what criteria are being used.
There are cultural differences and personality differences that can affect the results. In much of Japan, people tend to be more shy than other places, and will be less inclined to pick up papers for somebody because they will feel like they are being intrusive, but people will usually pick up a single item or point out a dropped item. People don't make a point of holdings doors for others here, for it is just not considered a common courteousy, but they won't let a door slam in someone's face either. For one, Japan doesn't even have a history of western style doors; doors were sliding, and their was nothing to hold open, and therefore no door to slam in another's face. Shop openers will almost always thank the customer, but also standardly greet the customer as well, (something that isn't common in many places). In fact, several employees might greet you here, but not offer any assistance, for the customer is often expected to ask for assistance.
Keith Wood Jul 7th 2008 1:54AM
I think Oklahoma City is very friendly. I've visited there for the first time last month and I can't believe how friendly and polite these people are. The airport staff were vere helpful and friendly. I went to a restaurant in Norman(15 min from OKC) and I had one of the most sweetest waitresses. She was vere hospitable to me. She even offered me a free to-go drink!!
Other friendly cities: Charleston, SC, Nashville, TN
Least Friendly cities: NYC, Wash DC, Atlanta, Chicago, LA.
Keith Wood Jul 7th 2008 2:38AM
To all you Southerners, forget the civil war. It's a done deal. It's dead!! This is the United States of America, not the Divided States of America! When was the last time you said the Pledge of Allegance? Forget about the past and let's move forward as one nation, not two or three.
Mystics Aug 2nd 2008 4:17AM
Yes, I agree Mumbai is the most rude city in the world. Infact, I think the whole Indai is rude!!! Once I was in Bombay, O my God, it was very terrible....... Thereafter, Bihar of Indai, thats much terrible !! However, Darjelling located between Indai, Nepal and Bhutan is awesome. The people there are very polite, helpful, frank and friendly. very smiling faces even in streets , greeting each other ..... wonderful !!
Towards polite, I think Zürich can be a topper, if not well next to NY. I find the Swiss people very helpful and friendly than any other in the world except the people from Darjeeling.
paul Mar 9th 2009 12:26AM
the story changes if the insider is from a poor country.he get positive results in ny coz hes a westener too. new yorkers will only be polite if you came from europe nor you look like them, but if ur an asian or african.....sorry they will snob you....they will even treat you as beggar or terrorists....they will descriminate everybody except their kind...
candice Jul 13th 2009 10:01PM
new yorkers are definitely not rude as the stereotype says. the rudest city in america is by far dallas, texas. i live in near fort worth, so i should know. i can't wait to move back to california - people there may not be friendly, but if they're not, at least they leave you alone. they don't make it a point to be rude to a stranger. texas in general is the rudest place i've ever been.
Izzy Jul 25th 2009 9:32AM
Nah.. I dont have to apologize for anything.
I see what I see and stand by my comments. Chinese and Indians are disgusting people. Their ethics are at the bottom of the barrel compared to other developed or developing nations in the world.
Intelligent? No. Not any more intelligent than any other people in the world.
Multiligual? They cant even read their own chracters.
People around the world speaking Mandarin. LOL. Hunny. Get a clue. No one is going to be speaking Mandarin. English will ALWAYS be the world language. Dream on. China is a backward, horrible country where the people operate like animals. No civilized person wants to speak that language. The only reason they might have to is that the barbarians in China cannot learn our language.
Powerhouse? LOL. Watch..China will collapse internally very soon. The country is a mess. The people are animals and the civilized countries are starting to turn against these people. China had its 2 minutes of fame. Its over. Buh bye!
lucy Sep 5th 2010 9:56AM
hahahaha w.e. u say.......
just remember tho no matter wat china has the largest population in the world......
it would be incredibly hard to destroy it no matter wat and its growing by the seconds too.....
sure i do agree country is a mess....
but getting better and the chinese ppl hav great expectation for their kids..... therefore u can see a lot of chinese ppl outside of china generally get good marks and hav a good education ....... where i live anyways....... most of the ppl who actually care about school are azns...... not only that.... they r also expected to do extra curricular activities......
cant read their own characters? r u sure about that?
maybe like the poorer places but most can .... and seriously hav u realize how much harder their characters are? and how many there are?
fiona Dec 20th 2009 9:42AM
are you kidding i was just in nyc i live like a half hr away and omg they are so rude! i was with my friends and omg this young woman pushed my friend she nearly fell over! i personally thought it was funny but yeah thats not very polite. if you say nyc is polite i would hate to go anywhere else in the world.
miheal bohmer Jan 9th 2010 12:14AM
New Yorkers polite? Does that mean they thank you after they mug you?
MarkUM Jan 17th 2010 10:31PM
Funny... the people calling others "rude" are probably the rude ones.
How am I suppose to take someone seriously when they generalize Southerners, New Yorkers, or a foreigner as "rude" when they post as RUDELY as they do???
Newsflash: there are ignorant, racist, and rude people in New York, Texas, China, or whatever place you can think of. So next time one of you begins to accuse a group of people as being "ignorant" or "rude" and use generalizations in the process.... take a look in the mirror.
Nellie Mar 4th 2010 10:25AM
I did not think Toronto would make the top 3 list of least rude cities. I have lived in Toronto for 20 years and have had my fair share of rude people, more than any other big city that I have been to. People never hold doors for me, they yell at the subway and bus drivers for being to slow and they never stop for you if you are waiting to cross a road.
c Apr 23rd 2010 12:06PM
People from California, by far, are the rudest most ignorant people I have ever met. They are also, the worst drivers in the United States! I was born and raised in Chicago,Il, I thought that the Chicagoans can be kinds rude and are bad drivers, boy was I ever wrong. I moved to Vegas and it seems like 80% of the people that live her are from California. People that I meet in Vegas that are from the east coast, southern states, and midwest are actually very nice people, and I enjoy talking to them and living near them. Californians, wow, they must all believe that they are movie stars, walking around with their nose in the air thinking they are the "shi*", California should be is own lilttle country and gated off just like Mexico is gated off!
Joe Jul 25th 2010 12:19PM
I'm from California, and I don't find myself ignorant or unfriendly whatsoever. As well, we are an absolutely diverse community. From North to South you will find intellect and ignorance, as within any community. The fact that you met a few Californian's in Vegas doesn't make you an authority of Californian's, you see, we ship the retards out, and most go to Vegas. As well, I took a trip once to Arizona, and there were something called "snow-birds" there. When I was there, I had a conversation with a police officer, and he was quoting all of the people that leave places like "MICHIGAN" and "ILL-INOIS" to get away from the ROTTEN weather, and come to Arizona. From his statements, it is these "snowbirds who cause all the problems and don't know how to drive. BTW, if you had ever driven in Ca. you'd know how complicated and cluster*&%#! our highways and biways are, and you probably couldn't navigate them due to your "frostbite on the brain." So please, stay in Michigan, we don't need anymore aliens here that can't navigate, and therefore, SLOW our roadways down. Go to Arizona...
SuzyQ2781 Jul 26th 2010 2:45PM
Blythe California is by far the rudest place I have ever had the misfortune to end up!! What are people thinking there? While I realize it is a small town, we sadly broke down in this town on our way to Phoenix. The town towing company tried to literalyl steal our car. That would be Blythe freeway towing. The only great thing there is the Holiday Inn. If you ever end up in Hell aka Blythe California, do stop in and visit with the awesome people at Holiday Inn. Then get the hell out of this God forsaken town. Not only are the people rude but when you try to complain about it to someone, they don't want to hear about your near death situtation. Oh hell this whole town sucks except the people at Holiday Inn. Patrick and Yesenia, you are totally awesome. The rest of Blythe is without a doubt the worst town I have ever had the nightmare of breaking down.
Suzyq2788 Jul 26th 2010 2:49PM
LOL we can't talk right? Stupidest? Is that even a word? And yes, New Yorkers are the rudest most self centered people in the world. Take a look at this idiot and you'll see it for yourself lol.
J Aug 20th 2011 2:45PM
Everyone knows Japan is the most polite and China (mainland) is the rudest.
Maria Feb 25th 2007 2:45PM
My family and I traveled to Hong Kong for a two-week trip in December, our first trip to Asia. We found shopkeepers and restaurant personnel to be extremely polite and friendly. We decided that people on the street don't mean to be unfriendly, but it is so crowded everywhere that one must keep moving all the time, especially if one is trying to keep up with others in a group. Additionally, I can understand why people were reluctant to help someone pick up papers, as people are cautioned that pickpockets use diversions such as that to catch people off guard.
ericsmusclecars Feb 25th 2007 2:44PM
It's nice to be able to say Hello to someone and not have them think you are a serial killer, the good old days are over...it just doesnt pay to be friendly anymore. Sad real Sad
Ariel NYC Feb 25th 2007 3:08PM
I am not in the least bit surprised, although I am proud. I like my native New York better all the time. One of the good things about being here and growing up here is the array of other-nationals we come into contact with from all over the world. Multiculturalism is our suit, as a result, and I am sorry to say that Asians have fallen from my list of favorite contacts--East Asians and Indians--from my dealings with them recently, which coincides with the list this article speaks of. I was thinking to myself that this is indeed the Year of the Pig, as the behavior I have been experiencing in Asian (and Indian) restaurants exemplifies. They have all been acting in a very piggish manner, to my dismay. As for the headline about Mumbai's cooking (the former Bombay), I disagree... They burn out bacteria with their spices, but one's epithelial cells, as well.