Learn some interesting facts about Europe's population
European Culture could be described as an amalgam of diverse cultures that overlap, but still remain unique and vivid. Being a large continent, European people and their cultures vary from West to East, from South to North, and from Christianity to Islam.
With the strengthening and expanding of the European Union, many people feared that their identity and the unique culture of their countries would be dissolved into a new, common culture. So far, no such tendency has been observed and it's exactly the diversity in culture that attracts tourists to Europe. The general idea when discussing the European mentality is that the southern countries like Italy and Spain, as well as the countries in the Balkan Peninsula are more friendly towards travellers and much more hospitable than the people from the Northern countries like Germany, Finland, etc. This division is conditional, and the individual characteristics of the locals should be taken into account, as well.We'll try to give brief outlines on the general characteristics that are inherent for each specific European nation. The British, for example, are known as gentlemen and very polite and well-bred people, who are usually remote and require more time for becoming friends with someone. They're known as noble by nature, strict in following their promises and open to exploring the world and its options. When in Britain, tourists can expect to be politely directed if lost or have their picture taken in front of a cultural attraction by an accidental passer-by. The cars in the UK will always stop when seeing a person who wants to cross to the other side of the street. French people and especially the Parisians have a reputation for being arrogant and rude. They're nationalists, struggling to preserve their identity. In France, courtesy is very, very important, so if tourists behave nice and try to use some of the basic phrases in everyday situations like pardon, bonjour and excusez-moi, this will make the French quite friendly, and they'll smile and help you even if your pronunciation isn't good. Another good tip to remember is to speak quietly when you're in a public place or means of transport. The Spaniards, on the contrary, are very friendly and open towards meeting new people and directing tourists. However, travellers should keep in mind that English isn't spoken much in their country. As in all European countries, attempts by visitors to speak the native language will be appreciated. Spaniards love to take things slowly and enjoy life more. This is a way of life that tourists should try out, even if only during the time of their visit. The Italians have a similar mentality to the Spanish, but are somehow more energetic and excited about what's going on around them. They love good food and wine, and adore spending time out chatting with friends and flirting. The drivers in Italy are not very careful, so tourists should mind their steps when on the street. Hungarians tend to be friendly and polite with tourists. The policemen, however, usually don't speak English, so if you get lost you should try to ask a passerby on the street. The people living on the Balkan Peninsula, like Serbians, Bulgarians and Greeks, for example, are very friendly and open towards tourists. It isn't unusual for travellers to be invited to their homes the minute after meeting them, and often tourists are given not only directions and information, but are also treated with a tasty dinner and even shelter. Further south, when heading towards Turkey tourists will find a new world, as this is where the Orient is mostly felt. The Turks are very hospitable people and they'll insist upon sharing their dinner with their new friend. When in Turkey, tourists should try the art of bargaining. Going up to the north, Germans, Austrians and the Swiss are all considered more reticent and uncommunicative. They'll behave politely and give directions, when politely asked. To become friends, however, and to be invited into their homes is a long process that takes quite some time. Going further north are the Scandinavian countries like Norway, Denmark and Finland. They have multi-cultural societies, making it easy on tourtists, and there's little crime in this region of Europe, and people try to live in peace and harmony. The Eastern countries like Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, etc. have similar cultures with many things in common. They're friendly people who behave very politely and are eager to help tourists with directions. Travellers should know that the policemen usually don't speak English, so they should be prepared with a few Russian phrases. Tourists should remember that Europe is generally safe to travel, with most crimes being theft, pick-pocketing and vandalism. Only small amounts of cash have to be carried, as most shops, restaurants and taxi companies accept debit and credit cards. Above, we've provided a brief description on some European countries that should give you a good idea of the conditions. However, the information is quite generalised and doesn't cover all national characteristics of the locals.
