Why do New Zealanders consider themselves to be the friendliest people around?

Question

I'm not saying that we're not... but what's the justification? I hear it all the time! What reasons to people have to describe us as that? Or has it just become something we say for the sake of it without really thinking?

Answer 1

I don't think NZers are the friendliest people around.  I just went on holiday to San Francisco and was impressed at how friendly people there are.

Answer 2

they don't sue each other for every little thing that goes wrong in their life

they say please and thank you

they don't have a 24/7 stinky attitude

Answer 3

because WE ARE! we're friendly but we're also bad! if you cross with us. i don't know but i have lots of friends so i'm friendly lol but i also lose friends which makes me 50% friendly. other than that i'm proud to be a kiwi!!!!!!!!!! ^^

HAVE A GREAT WINTER SEASON EVERYONE!!!!!

Answer 4

I've never thought of us as the friendliest in the world, in fact I've never heard one of us say that. Only seems to be said by visitors to our shores.

Anyway, rather have other people talk about us in that way than we do it ourselves. Be humble about it, if it is true I guess.

Can't blow our horn, everyone knows what happens when we do that (RWC 1999,2003, 2007...)

Answer 5

There is no praise like self praise you know. We are friendly because its a bit far to go to find people who are better than us. Enjoy the hospitality you will find here.

Answer 6

I don't know that New Zealander's have given themselves the label, but tourists and people who have visited New Zealand.

We may repeat it, but the label was from visitors experience in New Zealand.

I have had many home stay students and mixed and met with a wide range of people from other countries. They have commented many times on the friendly, helpful bus drivers, people in the street and shops who will willingly give them directions, or help them in some way, and the general smiling reception they get as they travel around.

When people are in need of help, they will generally get it often well beyond what might be expected. Offer them meals, actually take them to where they want to go, and all the little things that have given NZ'ers the friendly label.

I think it is something we can be proud of, and hope that the trend continues.

In many countries this is not the case. The shop assistants and bus drivers do not smile , let alone talk to people.

Answer 7

It's not the New Zealanders who make this claim, its the people who visit our shores

Answer 8

I don't think we think that we are the friendliest people its just that we always hear this.

I work in front line tourism, and I always here the comment that New Zealanders are such friendly people...which is always good to hear and makes me proud.

It's always nice to be able to think that  you can walk down the street and a random stranger is not afraid to say hello to you as you walk by or you happen to be gazing around a cafe or shop and catch someones eye and they say hello rather than "WHAT" (that happened to me in another country i could've said the same back but I was just shocked by her response).

Answer 9

it people from overseas countries tell us that,, that why they all want to live here ,,,, just look at new zealand now ,,, people from all over the world live here now ,,, it a very friendly and peaceful country compared to many in this world,,voilent crime is on the rise  . but many are from other countries doing it

Answer 10

Probably because most people going to NZ stop in Oz on the way there or back - and the difference between NZ and Oz is huge!! Aussies are getting so New York in their rudeness, so NZ seems so friendly by comparison!!

Answer 11

its better than being known for nothing

or being morons, like say, Australians

Answer 12

I don't think we say/consider ourselves the friendliest people around. I think most New Zealanders are more modest than that.

I havn't traveled overseas (excluding Australia) but I think we have more of a laid back approach compared to many other countries. We generally don't get stressed out about little things and we take time to relax. We get along with nearly everyone and always willing to help each other out.

I was on the Cable Car the other day and there were a family of tourists from an Asian country trying to take a photo of the four of them on the Cable Car together. A lady offered to take a photo for them. I think in other countries people wouldn't offer and the tourists would probably be scared that the person would run off with their camera!

If you've lived here you'll know people are pretty friendly. You can smile and someone walking down the street and they'll smile back. Going for a walk and you see someone you've never met before it's likely you'll say hello or ask them how they are.

...

Answer 13

I think it's the sort of small town attitude we have... Small communities where everyone is really close and take care of each other. So even though we might live in cities, we still have this mindset

Answer 14

I think we are pretty laid back and we do laugh alot, but I think often its the kinda laughter you use when you say something as a joke, but its not a joke. I Also don't think we are the friendiest people in the world, the friendliest country of people I have met is the turks and even the people in small town america are heaps more approachable. Also I think the aussies are better sports than us (shock horror I know) but I have had some awesome days watching cricket/rugby at australian venues but I cringe at how some nzers treat aussies who watch sports matchsin nz

Answer 15

Sometimes I wondered I really do because I see us NZer's as the kind of people that wont take no $**** from any1 & sometimes I find it hard 2 believe that we are friendly people even though those who visit the country make the comment its still hard to believe. Because how can those of low tolerance be so friendly, but hey if its others claiming we are & not ourselves unless those do comment then yeah sure we're gonna settle for it!!!....

Answer 16

Why bother asking the question.

The answer is oh so obvious.