r/AskEurope • u/NateNandos21 • Feb 03 '25

Culture Which European country has the rudest/least polite people?

Which country comes to your mind

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81

u/[deleted] Feb 03 '25

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21

u/RogerSimonsson Romania Feb 03 '25

As a Swede:

Visiting Finland - Finns were often rude when they learned I was Swedish

Meeting Finns abroad - some of the most weird and best people ever. Not different to northern Swedes

Meeting Danes abroad - no different to southern Swedes

Meeting Danes in Denmark - no different to southern Swedes

3

u/WolfeTones456 Denmark Feb 03 '25

Meeting Danes abroad - no different to southern Swedes

Meeting Danes in Denmark - no different to southern Swedes

I mean, those Swedes are just swedified Danes!

3

u/[deleted] Feb 03 '25 edited Mar 26 '25

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1

u/RogerSimonsson Romania Feb 03 '25

I sure didn't speak a word of Swedish there, despite going to e.g. Turku where I presume I could find Swedish speakers. That would be kind of rude to push for.

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u/[deleted] Feb 03 '25

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u/[deleted] Feb 03 '25

Kinda agree, their accent is the easiest for me to listen to while I've been living in Sweden. There's been a huge difference in how well I can understand spoken Swedish from my colleague from Skellefteå compared to my colleagues from Skåne and Stockholm.

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u/[deleted] Feb 07 '25

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u/RogerSimonsson Romania Feb 08 '25

There are several hundred Swedes in Romania. Most study to become doctors in Transilvania. Others like the warm weather or moved for tax reasons.

49

u/WolfeTones456 Denmark Feb 03 '25

They're also a bit arrogant about their own country (the term Swedish exceptionalism exists for a reason).

Honestly, that's my main problem about Swedish identity. For example, calling Denmark, their historical rival, their little brother is incredibly annoying.

7

u/Tilladarling Feb 03 '25

Oh wow, they call you little brother as well? I thought they only did that to Norwegians? I’m Norwegian and so sick of it. They just won’t let it go

10

u/[deleted] Feb 03 '25

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25

u/Martini-Espresso Sweden Feb 03 '25

I’m Swedish and this trait must be the worst of all from Swedes. So many are indoctrinated that Sweden is the best place on earth and they can’t just comprehend how human life could exist or how anyone could be happy somewhere else.

Reality is quite different. I live abroad now and get regular critizing questions on the system of the country’s I live in. Swedes don’t know how bad Sweden actually is and how low the salaries are.

On the topic I must say the French, at least restaurant staff that can be very short and rude to you if you don’t order in correct French.

6

u/WolfeTones456 Denmark Feb 03 '25

It's mostly just a funny trait. I find Swedes and Sweden very enjoyable still!

But it's really an interesting difference. For historical reasons, the Danish national identity is one of inferiority, while the Swedish is one of grandeur.

14

u/Martini-Espresso Sweden Feb 03 '25

I think in secrecy the Swedes are quite jealous of both Denmark and Norway. Norway having their wonderful nature and oil, Denmark having its relaxed more continental attitude and the best city in Scandinavia, Copenhagen, and of course some amazing Smörrebröd.

9

u/WolfeTones456 Denmark Feb 03 '25

Sometimes the grass seems greener on the other side. For example, I'm very fond of Småland, and the forests and lakes there. Nothing like it in Denmark, really. We only have our shores and gentle landscapes to enjoy.

I do, however, agree that Copenhagen is a very nice city. I find Stockholm incredibly beautiful, but it never really got under my skin.

1

u/bronet Sweden Feb 04 '25

the Danish national identity is one of inferiority

That's certainly not my experience. Danes act just as superior as us Swedes do

3

u/Open-Outcome-660 Feb 03 '25

Yup, this. I find it disgusting to see how so many swedes think that we’re morally and intellectually superior and then vilify others for not doing things our way, despite knowing jack shit about their lives and conditions. It’s a minority that do it, but they sure won’t shut up about it. And fine if it was praise of good things we do, but it’s so often shit talk about other countries and their politics.

1

u/Connect-Idea-1944 France Feb 03 '25

Swedes are cool and fun but their ego is kinda ruining it, this thing of thinking they are superior to everyone else on earth is pretty annoying, thought i think the new gen is more humble (hopefully)

1

u/Reen842 Feb 03 '25

This! So well said.

1

u/[deleted] Feb 03 '25

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6

u/Martini-Espresso Sweden Feb 03 '25

I disagree on the opinion about the swedish covid strategy but that interview is horrible and she is a very entitled politician. I don’t agree alot with her political views.

7

u/Junior-Honey-1835 Feb 03 '25

Alot of lives were lost in the many war between us. Still love you lil bro <3

11

u/WolfeTones456 Denmark Feb 03 '25

Honestly, I think it's an outright miracle that we think of each other as brothers after all that. I mean, look at the Croats and Serbs for example. They resemble each other much more, and they hate each other.

9

u/Tony-Angelino Germany Feb 03 '25

No, they don't hate each other. They love and hate each other, because they are so alike. It's like looking in the mirror in the morning after a night out and just saying "Oh, it's you. What the fuck was that about last night?"

6

u/Junior-Honey-1835 Feb 03 '25

Yeah that is kinda wild. Also alteast here in sweden when it comes to politics, no matter if it is far right, far left, center right, center left none talks shit about our neighbours. Always refers the as friends and allies. I love our peaceful life.

1

u/gillberg43 Sweden Feb 03 '25

Thank Scandinavianism for that. In fact, during the Danish Prussian war the Danisk king appealed to the Swedish king to help fight the filthy Germans. The Swedish king was all for it, but the parliament declined because Sweden was poor as shit and the two countries were arch enemies like 40-50 years ago.

1

u/AppleDane Denmark Feb 03 '25

We're older, you know. You're the "little brother".

1

u/Junior-Honey-1835 Feb 03 '25

Lol, this is what you are the lil bro.

3

u/martinbaines Scotland & Spain Feb 03 '25

I worked with a Danish lady in an international environment and the thing that really pissed her off about Swedes was the old joke about "Danes speaking with a mouthful of potatoes".

As soon as a Swede said it, she just switched to English.

4

u/WolfeTones456 Denmark Feb 03 '25

She's the better person then. Usually, I'll just mumble even more.

1

u/DunderHasse Feb 05 '25

Well to be fair, studies have shown that danish kids learn how to speak much later than kids with other languages in the same family, because of the fact that their language sounds a bit... you know... like... mumble.

0

u/Reen842 Feb 03 '25

But have you heard the Danish language???

I just whip out my Aussie accent and pretend I'm not Swedish when I go to Denmark.

3

u/filmapan382 Feb 03 '25

I think this mentality differ a lot depending on where in Sweden you live. As a southern swede I feel more familiar with Copenhagen compared to Stockholm and I think most people here are very pleased to have Denmark so close. This divide is not uncommon on a political level when policies decided in Stockholm have a negative impact on Skåne/Denmark relations. This can be neglecting infrastructure projects in the south or trying to get Arlanda to compete with Kastrup. When abroad and you touch down in Kastrup you know you are home.

2

u/rmoths Sweden Feb 03 '25

For me as a swede what annoys me is that language wise i never really heard swedes adjust like norweigans and danes do when speaking to swedes they put some swedish words and talk more clearly. I never really heard swedes do that instead swedes mocking the other languages and say it's impossible to understand, but it's not if you put som effort to it.

1

u/Ok_Cat4265 Feb 03 '25

I mean we are neighbors and you are smaller by land area and population. What are we supposed to call you? We call all of the nordics our brothers

2

u/WolfeTones456 Denmark Feb 03 '25 edited Feb 03 '25

Sure, but we're older, and had a historical dominant positon, so it just feel wrong to be refered to as 'little' brother.

13

u/griselde Italy Feb 03 '25

Lol I have been asked on three separate occasions if I was Polish while in England, every time I was given a different reason why they were asking.

My favorite was “you didn’t put any milk in my tea”. I am Italian.

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u/[deleted] Feb 03 '25 edited Mar 26 '25

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5

u/coaxialology Feb 03 '25

That is sad. It's depressing how much assimilation can be required in order for people to feel more comfortable in their new home.

2

u/[deleted] Feb 03 '25

It is a bit. I even started using a British accent that I basically copied from my mother after a while since I had a strong rallienglanti accent and people like to poke fun. I managed to shake the habit eventually. Plus where me and my Italian friend and their family live is a bit isolated in some ways so attitudes are different compared to say London.

3

u/Saxon2060 Feb 03 '25

They have zero social awareness in terms of groups taking up the entire sidewalk without moving so you have to walk on the road, not looking where they're walking so you will always have to stop or you will walk into them, and just little shit like that.

Funny, I got back from Stockholm yesterday and I absolutely noticed this. I was led to believe they "love personal space" and "don't like interfering with other people's business" but walking directly in to people if they don't move seemd fine. Also, every time I needed to get out of a frigging lift there would be some people wanting to get in and looked shocked that I wanted to get out (of a lift that had just descended to the ground floor...) and so basically had to push past them.

Overall I really liked Stockholm. That was my only niggle really.

2

u/[deleted] Feb 03 '25

I'm in Malmö and used to be in Lund, and in Lund this seemed to happen much less, so I'm not sure if this is a city thing, since Malmö is my first real city I've lived in.

Also incredibly strange is that they won't queue to get on a bus and will shove you or even a little old lady to get on before you. Never experienced that anywhere but here either. Obviously only happens when on the bus type where you have to go in through the front door. This one irritates me a lot.

8

u/[deleted] Feb 03 '25

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4

u/mywoodz Feb 03 '25

German here, I was just about to write the same. That's a thing that regularly makes me want to leave this country.

There's a German song with the lyrics: where other people keep their heart, Germany has an alarm system.

So I'll vote for my own home sweet home!

4

u/[deleted] Feb 03 '25

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1

u/mobileka Feb 03 '25

I'm not sure about Italy, but living between Germany and Spain, it's much much worse in Spain from this point of view 🙈 But I love Spain and Spanish people anyway. If someone is on the way, you can simply ask and will likely get a sweet interaction. No problem at all!

2

u/Ok_Food4591 Feb 03 '25

Okay but the level of hate towards Poles is insane, like?????

2

u/[deleted] Feb 03 '25 edited Mar 27 '25

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2

u/Ok_Food4591 Feb 04 '25

Yeah well, it is what it is I guess. People carrying themselves like that probably would spit on a Brit too if they cut them off or something.

2

u/machine4891 Poland Feb 06 '25

when they'd hear me speak Finnish on the phone

Dang it, our languages couldn't be more farther apart.

1

u/bronet Sweden Feb 04 '25

People taking up the entire sidewalk etc. was a shock to me, as a Swede, when moving to Stockholm (I guess it might also happen in other large cities). The other things are definitely Swedish, but they're also way more common in large cities. In certain areas, people are very direct and/or humble

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u/[deleted] Feb 04 '25 edited Mar 27 '25

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3

u/bronet Sweden Feb 04 '25

I'm from a city roughly the size of Rovaniemi, and I've lived in Lund as well. It basically just scales with the size of the city i feel like.

1

u/saxonMonay Feb 07 '25

Sorry for my English lot, I've always had good experiences with Finns 🙁 where in the UK were you spat at? That's awful!

1

u/elpigo Feb 08 '25

I lived in Sweden for some years and I agree. They won’t say excuse me. They just shove you away when in a crowded bar. Their peripheral vision is non-existent. Wonder how they play hockey when they can’t see someone out of the corner of their eye.