Friendliness in Big Cities and Small

I was visiting a web conference in London (@media 2009) the other week with my colleagues at Newsdesk. We had a great time, both on and off the conference. One thing that struck me about people is that they were quite friendly and polite, even in such a stressful place as the London underground. If I bumped into someone they gave me a smile back, if a corridor was too narrow they let me pass first, and when I needed some change to visit the bathroom a stranger offered it to me. We spent one evening on Brick Lane - a very multi cultural street with lots of activity, great atmosphere, and friendly people.

In New York I've also found people to be surprisingly helpful and friendly. On both occasions when I've been walking on the street on upper east side with my suitcase a car has stopped and I've been offered a lift. In the subway a young man stood up to offer my girlfriend a seat. When we were on the street reading our map people would take initiative to help.

Interestingly in Sweden I've found the change from Stockholm to smaller cities or the country side to be quite nice as people are less reserved there and much more likely to greet you. I guess that makes Stockholm a reserved city in a reserved country. Too bad...