What is the normal amount of friendliness to a stranger…
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What is the normal amount of friendliness to a stranger?
Hello!
So, weird question, but I’m visiting Germany (Munich and Berlin), and I’m coming from \*\*Southern California\*\*.
I've been before, but only in Munich, only for a few days, and when I was there I noticed many people would give me weird looks.
I understand we are a lot “friendlier” to strangers than most people are. I recently discovered that it makes some people in Europe uncomfortable. The most common criticism I hear is that some think we're insincere or passive-aggressive with our overly energetic personalities.
So I wanted to ask: what is the most socially acceptable amount of friendliness to show strangers (when you are just out and about) before people start looking at you weird?
I’m not going to change my entire personality because I enjoy being outwardly friendly, but I understand public social norms are different, and I don’t want to make anyone uncomfortable.
My normal interactions with strangers in public:
Waving and smiling if you make eye contact while walking by
Saying good morning
Going up to people and giving them a compliment
Making small talk and asking how a stranger is doing when we are both waiting in line
After meeting someone and feeling like you know them, we can hug if both parties are comfortable
All of these are normal and expected where I’m from, but I worry I’ll feel like a fish out of water if I do them in Germany when I go. I want to create lasting friendships so that I can visit more often. Can y’all help me understand the social norms a bit better?
Thank you so much!
#local
source
Hello!
So, weird question, but I’m visiting Germany (Munich and Berlin), and I’m coming from \*\*Southern California\*\*.
I've been before, but only in Munich, only for a few days, and when I was there I noticed many people would give me weird looks.
I understand we are a lot “friendlier” to strangers than most people are. I recently discovered that it makes some people in Europe uncomfortable. The most common criticism I hear is that some think we're insincere or passive-aggressive with our overly energetic personalities.
So I wanted to ask: what is the most socially acceptable amount of friendliness to show strangers (when you are just out and about) before people start looking at you weird?
I’m not going to change my entire personality because I enjoy being outwardly friendly, but I understand public social norms are different, and I don’t want to make anyone uncomfortable.
My normal interactions with strangers in public:
Waving and smiling if you make eye contact while walking by
Saying good morning
Going up to people and giving them a compliment
Making small talk and asking how a stranger is doing when we are both waiting in line
After meeting someone and feeling like you know them, we can hug if both parties are comfortable
All of these are normal and expected where I’m from, but I worry I’ll feel like a fish out of water if I do them in Germany when I go. I want to create lasting friendships so that I can visit more often. Can y’all help me understand the social norms a bit better?
Thank you so much!
#local
source
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