For me it was Iran! Persians bring the idea of hospitality above and beyond! You pass by families having picnics on the squares's greenery, and they will signal you to come over and join them. You ask for directions, and you'll end up being driven around town. You'll queue up for bread and you'll get the eldest to push through, using her "seniors first" power and buy you bread! You quickly learn to do the same and always bring extra food to offer to drivers, guides everywhere you go. They are incredibly honest in this sentiment, it is not just a formality - their ways of welcoming you and sharing, it's something I've never experienced anywhere else, it was really moving.
Wow, that sounds incredible, and not the only account I've heard of Persians being extremely warm and welcoming. Everyone who visits Iran comes away with tales of generosity! Thanks for reading and sharing your experience Gilda. 🙂
As a Scouser, the natural reply to a brilliantly positive account of a visit to the City would normally be the self-depreciating 'ah, but did you go down to Concert Square or Mathew Street on a Saturday around midnight to see the traditional fighting over who stared at who?'.
But that's disingenuous. Delighted that you both had a really great time and met lots of friendly and warm people. A few years back, 3 ex-pat teacher mates and their partners from Southern England visited Liverpool and I showed them around. As we went from historic pub to historic site and through the Georgian quarter they quickly dropped the car stereo jokes and said similar to what you've written here, Val - the friendliness of the people, the beautiful buildings, and how Gormley's Another Place is like being in a Bowie video or on an alien moon. They even didn't mind that after visiting Mordor Anfield I forced them to go to the Old Lady, Goodison Park, which they humoured me in describing the home of the Toffees as 'more colourful' than the Red's corporate shack.
I did make sure they were all out of the city centre by 11.30, though........
I did actually end up around Lime Street Station after midnight on a Friday (after the concert, long story)! Thankfully it was quiet and I didn't feel unsafe at all. Just called an Uber from the side of the station to get home to the Georgian Quarter. Thanks for sharing your story Tony and I'm not at all surprised your friends had such a wonderful time!
TAIWAN! Without a doubt the most amazing people in terms of generosity. Every interaction was a "how can we help you" situation.
One of many interactions: My wife and I were standing on the sidewalk in the city of Hualien trying to get a taxi to go to the train station. In 2 minutes at least 3 passer-bys had stopped to ask us if we needed help, and the first had helped us book a taxi.
Also, a 4th individual came running out of the 7/11 across the street from where we were standing to see if we needed help. This person was the only staff on at the 7/11 at the time and left the people waiting at the till to run out and make sure we were OK! All the people waiting in the queue just smiled and waved at us!
I feel like anywhere else they'd be annoyed for not getting served, but in Taiwan they were all just happy to help strangers.
For me it was Iran! Persians bring the idea of hospitality above and beyond! You pass by families having picnics on the squares's greenery, and they will signal you to come over and join them. You ask for directions, and you'll end up being driven around town. You'll queue up for bread and you'll get the eldest to push through, using her "seniors first" power and buy you bread! You quickly learn to do the same and always bring extra food to offer to drivers, guides everywhere you go. They are incredibly honest in this sentiment, it is not just a formality - their ways of welcoming you and sharing, it's something I've never experienced anywhere else, it was really moving.
Wow, that sounds incredible, and not the only account I've heard of Persians being extremely warm and welcoming. Everyone who visits Iran comes away with tales of generosity! Thanks for reading and sharing your experience Gilda. 🙂
As a Scouser, the natural reply to a brilliantly positive account of a visit to the City would normally be the self-depreciating 'ah, but did you go down to Concert Square or Mathew Street on a Saturday around midnight to see the traditional fighting over who stared at who?'.
But that's disingenuous. Delighted that you both had a really great time and met lots of friendly and warm people. A few years back, 3 ex-pat teacher mates and their partners from Southern England visited Liverpool and I showed them around. As we went from historic pub to historic site and through the Georgian quarter they quickly dropped the car stereo jokes and said similar to what you've written here, Val - the friendliness of the people, the beautiful buildings, and how Gormley's Another Place is like being in a Bowie video or on an alien moon. They even didn't mind that after visiting Mordor Anfield I forced them to go to the Old Lady, Goodison Park, which they humoured me in describing the home of the Toffees as 'more colourful' than the Red's corporate shack.
I did make sure they were all out of the city centre by 11.30, though........
I did actually end up around Lime Street Station after midnight on a Friday (after the concert, long story)! Thankfully it was quiet and I didn't feel unsafe at all. Just called an Uber from the side of the station to get home to the Georgian Quarter. Thanks for sharing your story Tony and I'm not at all surprised your friends had such a wonderful time!
TAIWAN! Without a doubt the most amazing people in terms of generosity. Every interaction was a "how can we help you" situation.
One of many interactions: My wife and I were standing on the sidewalk in the city of Hualien trying to get a taxi to go to the train station. In 2 minutes at least 3 passer-bys had stopped to ask us if we needed help, and the first had helped us book a taxi.
Also, a 4th individual came running out of the 7/11 across the street from where we were standing to see if we needed help. This person was the only staff on at the 7/11 at the time and left the people waiting at the till to run out and make sure we were OK! All the people waiting in the queue just smiled and waved at us!
I feel like anywhere else they'd be annoyed for not getting served, but in Taiwan they were all just happy to help strangers.
Oh wow, that's mad! Makes me want to go back to Taiwan!! Thanks for sharing Patrik. 🤗