Are Americans less collegial and open?

I’m American, but work at a firm with lots of Europeans and South Americans. I’ve actually noticed that wealthy South Americans tend to be very similar to Europeans culturally, and there was a natural tendency for them to hang out together and be closer. I think it’s also possible that people in a foreign country tend to stick together, if you were in China with American coworkers you’d probably hang with them more than the people in their home country

Interesting. I heard from many that moved to London from the US for work that London social groups are tight knit. People are only interested in meeting others from a similar background, even inquiring into one's high school..

I'll say that it depends on the state. Many Californians and New Yorkers are kind of fake. We know what to say, when to say it. We'll pretend to be your best friend, smile, act as if we will be there for you when you need it, "yeah hit me up man let's chill". But when you actually need them, or hit them up, "can't man let's hangout some other time", or some other excuse. I've personally found many Californian's that I've met to be guilty of the above.

I've noticed most Europeans take some time to open up to you.. But when they do, they truly care for you and are there to help you. Their word is their bond.

I've always thought NY was more open than most places. Yes, people are brasher/ruder and the pace of life is faster, but it's also a city that a lot of people move to after college, which forces intermingling since you have to set up a new social circle. It also feels like a city where people constantly move in/out so there's some contributory effect from that too.

Contrast with Chicago, where things feel much more static. Everyone went to a big ten school and grew up in the suburbs. It can be hard to break into new social circles simply because everyone already has one. Just my impressions anyway.

The expat/international community tends to be tight knit in every country, whether that's Asians in America or Americans in Asia, etc. I did find Londoners to be very friendly. Not sure about NY, in general they are outwardly aggressive but not necessarily unfriendly, whereas where I'm from in CA is outwardly passive but can be hiding unfriendliness. The combination can be awkward as hell, because the Californians perceive the aggressiveness at face value and the New Yorkers perceive deception in Californian friendliness.

Unethical Life Pro Tip for any Americans traveling abroad: always say you are from Canada. Everybody loves Canada, across the world.

I'm a European who worked in New York for a couple of years and attended a US college, now in the ME. Also have moved around a lot throughout my life and for work (living in Europe outside of my country of origin). I love both US and European "cultures" - maybe different flavours, but I felt at home in both places and was made to feel at home by people who became my friends. I would definitely disagree, respectfully - I have been very impressed with how open and collegial Americans are. It was easier for me to make friends in the US, but the quality of friendships are the same in both US and Europe. Maybe that's just my experience - there are 1-2 bad apples, of course - but I think it's a function of finding the right people - there are superficial people everywhere you go. There are incredibly genuine people too. I like to think of my friend group as a concentric set of circles - the center being life long friends, the outside being acquaintances from bar parties or pre-games.

As an aside thought, I think it's a difficult time right now because the zeitgeist is becoming increasingly charged around national vs. international (which can change your thinking, in subtle ways that you might not pick up on), but I'd like to think that should have no bearing on personal friendships.

^Appreciate the (tounge-in-cheek?) comment a few posts up about saying you are Canadian, but life is too short to be ashamed of your country and care what others think. Wear it with pride! The US is a great country. Make as many friends from as many places as you can. Your life will be much richer for it in ways you wouldn't anticipate lol. I run with US and EU squads on Warzone (EU team is better / more competitive, but I have WAY more fun playing with my US boys).

In America it really depends on where you are. NY is different from Cali which is different then Texas which is different than Illinois.

i think the most open and (genuinely) nice are the dutch

US people tend to be more superficial in my experience, and don't care much for socialising at work (or after work hours with work people)

singaporeans (i'm from singapore) tend to be the most closed off and professional

Honestly, its because Americans aren't very welcoming of people that don't EMBRACE their culture. Having trouble fitting in with all the broey fratty guys in college and the office? Well, try and actually start doing and talking about the things they do and like. Most american men played contact sports when they were young(not just soccer or something that euros and south americans play). American college men also like to lift weights more (euros and asians are more into cardio and bodyweight stuff). American men like to talk about football and whether Lebron is better than MJ or Kobe, or if Tom Brady or Belichik is more instrumental to the Patriots success. These are all stereotypes and not every guy is like that in the USA, but its undeniable there are some huge cultural differences between guys that grow up here vs europe asia and latam.

Lots of internationals come here and don't pick these things up. They continue to wear euro style clothing that american men think is borderline feminine or tryhard (for better or worse). They remain aloof during discussions on the SEC vs the Pac 12. They don't learn American style humor and sarcasm. They speak dismissively of rural and suburban life (which is uniquely American), and cluster in cities full of other internationals perpetuating the cycle. If anything, I have always felt like they take the lazy way out and just make friends with other internationals because its easy. The ones that truly LEARN american male culture generally do ok and are accepted.

Had a coworker that was French with a huge accent but he went full American while working here. Bought a smoker, cooked brisket in his backyard, would go to football games even though he barely knew the rules, even asked me about what was the best assault rifle to buy since he felt he needed one to complete his transformation. Had a great 4th of july party at his house. Couldn't have been prouder.

I agree with all your sentiments. I find it to even be the case that children of immigrants get way closer at work and hang around each other. Americans whose families are originally from the states form cliques, and first-generation individuals have to sort of find their way into these cliques over time.

I find if you smile at people and are polite, people are generally quite open. The above may seem a bit stupid, but actually different cultures react in different ways to various ice breakers and approaches. But a big smile is universal.