The Who, What, When, Where, Why and How of Friends

Okay, I can't even begin to list all the ways travel (even my limited amount) has changed and educated me! I have learned too many lessons to list though I will try and list the best ones! Some of the best lessons have been an education in people form different parts of the world. Here is a sort of who, what , when, where, why and how of making friends during travel!



WHO: South Americans What: in my experience this has been Chile, Argentina and Brazil When:As soon as you can say at least one word in Spanish or Porteguese because this will thrill them to no end! Where: they are EVERYWHERE in NZ! Seriously, this is one of the only countries that they can immigrate to with some sort of ease Why: You can learn Spanish and/or Porteguese, eat amazing food that they will cook and feed you themselves, have FANTASTIC dance partners who really will stay out until the last club closes, and will make you feel good because they will constantly tell you a) they love you b) you are sexy c) you have stolen their hearts! (this is the girls too :) How: Smile at them and make an attempt to bridge language barrier, or just start dancing and watch them gather around Drawbacks: they never slow down and can wear you out fast! Also the whole "I love you" thing gets old because it is them constantly trying to sleep with you which is also exhausting



WHO: The British WHAT: Now this includes the English, the Scottish and the Welsh (technically the people of Northern Ireland as well but never say that to their faces!) WHEN: As soon as your feet touch the tarmac you will be talking to them....simply because you speak English...even if they think you speak it incorrectly WHERE: They are the only group that exceeds the South Americans in number so just toss a stick and whereever that lands there is sure to be a British person! WHY: Great drinking buddies (though beware they will want to go to every English or Irish style pub and might be hesitant to try "funky" places), you will certainly learn news pool skills and be treated to lots of chips (french fries to us Americans :) Funny dance partners if you find the "golden moment" when they are drunk enough to not care but not too drunk to do a face plant on the dance floor! HOW: complain about something around you and they will join in and bond with you really fast or just offer to buy them a pint! Drawbacks: they tend to get REALLY drunk and either want to fight you, spill chips all over the place, piss themselves or get you all kicked out of the pub. Also, they tend to travel in packs and sometimes it is hard to make friends with just one or two



WHO: Irish WHAT: Now we are talking the Republic of Ireland here and nothing to do with the UK WHEN: like the British you will most likely talk to one before you land in the place WHERE: these are the most outgoing of all travelers so just look for a Quebab or Chip shop or pub and you'll find plenty to talk to WHY: just a generally outgoing and happy people (they were voted the most likeable nation in the WHOLE world!) they always have a bottle of spirits (or two) to bring to the party, are loud and just a whole world of fun! HOW: smile and they'll smile back and start a conversation, frown and they will try and cheer you up and start a conversation.....avoid them and they will still most likely try and start a conversation!
Drawbacks: like the British they tend to get quite drunk when they go out! However, not quite as willing to fight despite stereotypes to the contrary! really they just get more happy :)


WHO: Europeans WHAT: talking about the Western European countries not a part of the UK, so really France and Germany is what I have in mind WHEN:These guys tend to be sneaky bastards. Just when you think there are only British, Irish and South Americans around...BLAM! there is a random German guy suddenly inserting himself into your group of friends. No one will know who first talked to him or when he started hanging out with you, it'll jsut happen when you least expect it. WHERE:Look for them in the hostels, on their own, usually huddled over a computer, book or chess board WHY: Nice break from the British and South Americans and just a new perspective for the group. Fun to dance with if you can get them away from the hostel. Great chill out buddies during the day when you just want to veg in the lounge or watch a movie. Also can bring the intellectual quota up a bit and can be quite the hotties!!! HOW: They will find you. Do not approach them or be scorned. They will decide when and if they want to join your group!
Drawbacks: They can be quite harsh on your country. And do not even try and correct them when they over generalize to a ridiculous degree or get facts completely worng. After all, they know 2 people who have been to your country and they will draw all their imformation on that and the movies, forgetting that you actually lived your whole life in the country of question!

WHO: Kiwis and Aussies WHAT: These would be the people of New Zealand and Australia WHEN: Being in this part of the world you'd think that they would be the first people you'd meet. Not so. WHERE: you need to get away from the hostels and touristy places. try smaller towns or more local only hang out spots. WHY: Because why would you go to a country and not try and make friends with the locals? Just seems a bit silly really! they are the blood of a culture, not to mention the fact that they will know all the best places to party! HOW: Now unlike so many areas of the world. They LOVE Americans. So, just start talking in your native accent about how much you love their country and you will soon be swarming with them!
Drawbacks: They are crazy. Sorry, no way to get around it. Most Aussies are loud and crazy. Kiwis are just weird and crazy. Maybe it is the isolation from the rest of the world, or the fact that they were founded by the people Great Britian was trying to get rid of? They are just nuts, man!
Okay, there are a ton of other groups of people out there and who I am sure would make excellent friends. However, these were the main groups I experienced throughout my travels here Down Under. I was fortunate enough to meet some pretty excellent people who I hope to keep in contact with and run into sometime in the future!