This city is very unwelcoming to tourists; it is located 1 hour and 30 minutes from Paris.
When traveling, beyond the beauty of monuments or the richness of culture, the welcome from locals is a crucial element of the experience. By surveying more than 12,500 expatriates worldwide, the annual InterNations survey has compiled a ranking of the most and least welcoming cities on the planet. The result: a European metropolis stands out for its extreme coldness...
According to its new residents, this European city unfortunately doesn't shine when it comes to hospitality. In terms of welcoming people, 46% of expats surveyed had a negative opinion (compared to 20% globally). Unsurprisingly, it ended up at the very bottom of the rankings of InterNations, the world's largest expat network.
This city is Munich, the Bavarian capital of Germany, which can be reached in 1 hour and 30 minutes by direct flight from Paris. "It's difficult to establish any social contact with the locals," argues an Italian expat. When asked about their relationships, 54% of expats in Munich admit that their social circle consists only of other expats (compared to 37% globally). Nearly two-thirds (65%) find it difficult to make local friends in Munich (compared to 41% globally), and only 37% are satisfied with their social life (compared to 52%).
As you've probably gathered, when visiting Munich, don't expect the locals to bend over backwards to help you. The prevailing impression is of an incredibly well-ordered city, but one whose reserved inhabitants make little effort to strike up a conversation, even in English, with tourists. Even if you sit down at a table in an iconic beer garden, you might find yourself sharing a table with other tourists... Unless, of course, the alcohol level gets involved, or you happen to be there during Oktoberfest, the famous international beer festival, when Bavarians set aside their restraint!
Unfortunately, Munich's situation is not unique in Germany. InterNations' ranking reveals that three other German cities bring up the rear in terms of welcoming expatriates: Hamburg, Berlin, and Frankfurt.
While Germany attracts with its economic dynamism and culture, it can sometimes be off-putting due to its perceived lack of warmth. And the language barrier can sometimes be a further obstacle: while English is used at work, German can prove essential for building friendships.
L'Internaute
