Why do people tend to consider Germans distant and unfriendly?

[Anonymous]

I have lived both in England and in Germany as an immigrant and I feel that the Germans tend to be nicer than the English. On a superficial level English people appear to be more friendly and open, but the feeling I get from them is that it's just a mask of politeness and they couldn't care less about you. Germans appear distant, unfriendly and upfront but I could connect with them on the deeper level. Also, the society is not as class divided so people from different social classes are more similar to each other. In England, people from different classes are sometimes almost different species.

[melanieeeB]

We are friendlier than the English... from as far as I know but not more warm hearted than like I don't know Spanish people, kurdish people, italien etc (generalizing here)... not saying germans aren't nice, they're nice and most of them good educated but like example:
I was once invited for dinner at my german friends house, I went in shaked hands and sit down, talked about taxes and stuff like politics and even my friend called her aunt and co by their name.
In comparison being invited to my Philippine friends home, or my Spanish friends or russian friend or even my armenien friend home... In all of those cases I walked in and immediately got hugged by all of them, everyone asking how the family is doing, you're talking about personal stuff and it's just a cozy atmosphere.

[Asker]

But at least you talked about taxes and politics not only about: How are you? I am good, thanks, how are you? Talking about personal stuff means openness, although I wouldn't say that hugs are so warm in Eastern countries. It's just a habit and routine most of the times and I tend to need personal space too so I am not into hugs. It's so paralysing though when people limit themselves to conversations about what plans you have on that day or the next weekend.

[Agape93]

Because they aren't usually immediately bubbly or outgoing with strangers like Americans or Canadians are. They usually need to get to know you before they open up, and when they do, they are very kind and considerate, and quite fun. That's my experience

@melanieeeB

[Asker]

Which is better than being bubbly and outgoing, but superficial.

[Agape93]

Agreed entirely. Its refreshing

[Agape93]

It's like seeing a Russian smile. If you manage to get one, you're either hilarious or they really like you.

[SnowedIn]

There's a difference between nice and distant. Distant just means it takes longer to open up and trust.

That said, I don't think that in general people do consider what you say about the Germans and the English. I've never heard that said. There are very nice people in both nations and shitty people and everyone in between. Not sure that one is generally nicer than the other.

[Asker]

Yeah, of course. There are actually many stereotypes that Germans are cold, distant and harsh which is not true at all

[Levin]

When you say you went to England, I presume you mean, you went to London. London is like 15% of the English population. People from the north are so much friendlier.

Having said that, you know, I wouldn't exactly associate us with being particularly warm. It's all individual. Climate and other factors probably have a lot to do with it.

[Asker]

Birmingham, not London. Yes, people from the north tended to be friendlier: Yorkshire, Northumbria, Cumbria. Some of them not excessively polite, but warmer. Those polite but distant people were mostly from Birmingham, areas around London, Kent and Essex. Those people from Kent seemed to be most condescending and proud of their origins.

[Asker]

Surrey and Oxford as well, showing superiority in their attitude

[Guy13]

No idea. Their language sounds tough like Russian.