On Sun, 08 Jan 2017 19:08:51 +1100, Jeßus > wrote:

>On Sat, 07 Jan 2017 23:12:01 -0800, sf > wrote:
>
>>On Sun, 08 Jan 2017 06:56:44 +1100, Jeßus > wrote:
>>
>>> On Sat, 07 Jan 2017 11:40:08 -0800, sf > wrote:
>>>
>>> >On Sun, 08 Jan 2017 06:26:04 +1100, Jeßus > wrote:
>>> >
>>> >> On Sat, 07 Jan 2017 11:22:13 -0800, sf > wrote:
>>> >>
>>> >> >On Sat, 07 Jan 2017 14:44:16 +1100, Bruce >
>>> >> >wrote:
>>> >> >
>>> >> >> On Fri, 06 Jan 2017 18:21:52 -0800, sf > wrote:
>>> >> >>
>>> >> >> >On Sat, 07 Jan 2017 12:38:40 +1100, Bruce >
>>> >> >> >wrote:
>>> >> >> >
>>> >> >> >> Are you saying that the content of stranger chit chat is
>>> >> >> >> geographically determined?
>>> >> >> >
>>> >> >> >Often. Sometimes it's culturally based, but it's definitely more
>>> >> >> >common outside large urban areas. I was brought up in the country and
>>> >> >> >have no problem striking up a conversation with the person behind me
>>> >> >> >in line. I'm always surprised (but not offended) when someone strikes
>>> >> >> >up a conversation with me, because it's behavior that's out of the
>>> >> >> >social norm for this particular area.
>>> >> >>
>>> >> >> I guess big city people are more into stranger danger.
>>> >> >
>>> >> >We live closer together and feel no need to reach out to strangers.
>>> >>
>>> >> I think it's more a westerner thing rather than anything to do with
>>> >> living closer together.
>>> >
>>> >I think you'll find other North Americans who disagree with that
>>> >up-thread. Small town and rural Americans can be quite friendly with
>>> >strangers.
>>>
>>> I would have thought so too. What I meant is westerners tend to not
>>> converse to strangers in bigger towns and cities. I found that not to
>>> be the case in Phnom Penh, for example. Very friendly people and
>>> willing to chat. Interestingly, that includes other westerners there
>>> on holidays too, come to think of it.
>>
>>My experience with Asians on the Asian continent is that they study
>>English as a second language and want to practice on native English
>>speakers after they feel competent. YMMV, but I think that's what you
>>are confusing with friendliness.
>
>That's rather insulting.

Yes very, while it is true they enjoy practicing their English, they
are very friendly - then again - I suppose it would depend on how you
approached them, if condescending, why should they salute you?