It's still hard to believe that no one talked to other strangers or to you for the whole week! That would never have happened in Italy, where I lived for 26 years!
I think Northern Europeans are really different from Southern Europeans in that way. Maybe it has to do with the weather and the amount of sunlight each region receives? People who spend a lot of time outdoors in the sun seem to be much more social somehow. Although so are the Irish, which doesn’t have much sun to speak of!
It is certainly weird for those of us from different cultures, isn’t it? My sister lived in Italy for 26 years, and she said that would never happen there. Somehow people in the southern half of the world are generally much more open to strangers, I think.
I have traveled solo quite often as well. My big mistake in regard to the hotel in Gerlos was that I was there for a whole week. You often pay for a week’s stay in Austrian hotels, including all of the meals, up front. So you are a captive audience. Which would normally be wonderful for a couple, but not so much for a single. If you are traveling solo in cities or small towns where you can come and go, mingle with people in bars, etc. etc. it would be much better. (Glad I met my guy, too!)
It's still hard to believe that no one talked to other strangers or to you for the whole week! That would never have happened in Italy, where I lived for 26 years!
I think Northern Europeans are really different from Southern Europeans in that way. Maybe it has to do with the weather and the amount of sunlight each region receives? People who spend a lot of time outdoors in the sun seem to be much more social somehow. Although so are the Irish, which doesn’t have much sun to speak of!
This is utterly weird behaviour by my southern European standards and I have lived in the UK for many years and still find it super unfriendly.
It is certainly weird for those of us from different cultures, isn’t it? My sister lived in Italy for 26 years, and she said that would never happen there. Somehow people in the southern half of the world are generally much more open to strangers, I think.
Way to put yourself out there. I’ve done a LOT of solo female travel and it’s not easy but it’s always worth it!!! Glad you met your guy ❤️
I have traveled solo quite often as well. My big mistake in regard to the hotel in Gerlos was that I was there for a whole week. You often pay for a week’s stay in Austrian hotels, including all of the meals, up front. So you are a captive audience. Which would normally be wonderful for a couple, but not so much for a single. If you are traveling solo in cities or small towns where you can come and go, mingle with people in bars, etc. etc. it would be much better. (Glad I met my guy, too!)
Brave lady!
Cultural morés are so vastly different. And we'll probably never know why!
You're right, Jeanine. I guess we should just treasure them rather than asking "Why?"