1. Ireland
Centuries of turmoil, conquest, famine and subsequent immigration have certainly taken their toll on the Irish: it’s left them with a deliciously dark sense of humour and a welcoming attitude towards strangers. That famous ability of the Irish to find craic (fun times) in boom or bust times means you’re always in for a treat.
Berabad-abad kekacauan, penaklukan, kelaparan dan imigrasi, telah mengorbankan begitu banyak orang Irlandia. Hal ini menyebabkan adanya semacam trauma bagi warga Irlandia terhadap orang asing. Tapi kini sudah lain cerita. Warga Irlandia sudah melupakan pahitnya masa lalu, dan menata kehidupan mereka yang baru. Kini, mereka bisa lebih ramah dengan para pendatang.
2. Samoa
What’s this? Samoa reckons they have ‘the world’s friendliest people’? Hmmm, trouble is there’s no ratifying body for such a claim, meaning the Samoans have to contend with the challenge of Fiji, which also self-applies the title. Though readers can rest assured that Samoa harbours lovely and warm people.
Ada yang pernah dengar negara Samoa?Beberapa orang mungkin baru pertama kali mendengarnya. Tapi percayalah, keramahan orang Samoa bisa dibandingkan dengan orang2 Fiji sekalipun.
3. United States
Blamed for the coming of World War III, the Anti-Christ, Bon Jovi, Tom Cruise, Michael Jackson, rampant street crime and noise pollution through overloud talking, Americans just take it all in their stride. Americans may be patriotic and love their country but they’ll invariably welcome you and help you get the best out of the United States.
Meski disalahkan karena disebut2 sebagai salah satu penyebab Perang Dunia II, gerakan anti Yesus, banyaknya kejahatan jalanan, polusi, tapi warga Amerika adalah warga yang ramah terhadap pendatang.
4. Malawi
Whereas other African nations are beset by tribal war and fighting, Malawians describe themselves as ‘the friendliest people in Africa. Anyone who’s visited will know that the rare (for Africa) cohesion of the country’s ethnic groups is solid evidence for this, as is the people’s propensity to welcome you into their homes as well as their nation.
Rasanya sulit mencari negara di Afrika dimana tidak terdapat konflik dan perang suku didalamnya. Tapi Malawi memperlihatkan sisi lain dari masyarakat Afrika lain. Mereka sangat ramah terhadap pendatang, yang bahkan jarang mengunjungi mereka.
5. Fiji
Fijians have got plenty to smile about lush islands, kaleidoscopic reefs, cobalt sea, a wealth of marine life, world-class diving, romantic coastlines, awesome cuisine and they love to spread the love around. Fijians have a rep for helping all travellers feel welcome, thereby allowing you to uncover the best from this sprawling group of islands.
Fiji, sudah lama dikenal sebagai negara dengan kepulauan, laut, dan terumbu karangnya yang indah. Dan lebih dari itu, warga Fiji senantiasa menyambut para wisatawan yang banyak sekali datang kesana, tentunya dengan senyuman hangat.
6. Indonesia
It’s hard to make generalisations about a country that contains so many different cultures still, a cliché you’ll hear often is that Indonesian people greet foreigners with open arms. Fact is they do, but the media limelight is stolen by the knack of their law-enforcement officers for welcoming drug dealers and bomb makers in an altogether different ritual.
Rasanya sulit untuk mendefinisikan sebuah negara yang memiliki keanekaragaman suku dan budaya yang banyak. Itulah Indonesia. Tapi pada umumnya, warga Indonesia terkenal ramah. Mereka menyambut tamu dengan tangan terbuka. Tapi sayangnya, belakangan ini, media di negara tersebut lebih banyak memberitakan sisi buruk dan kekacauan yang terjadi di negara ini, seperti masalah hukum, politik, teroris dan lain sebagainya.
7. Vietnam
Vietnam’s another country inextricably caught up in Western images and stereotypes: napalm death; tormented American soldiers; assassins hiding in the rice fields. But Vietnam put all that behind it a long time ago and is now on a drive to become the new ‘Asian’ tiger economy.
Vietnam mungkin memiliki trauma terhadap pendatang, karena dulu mereka pernah dijajah bangsa Asing seperti Amerika. Tapi Vietnam yang sekarang, sudah berubah. Warganya sudah melupakan masa lalu, dan kini siap untuk menatap masa depan, bahkan menuju pertumbuhan ekonomi yang pesat.
8. Thailand
Southeast Asia’s most-visited country is bound to offer up a welter of stereotypes and clichès. Here are some of them: dazzling islands and beaches; lush and balmy weather; great shopping and great food; the ‘France of Asia’. The Thai people’s gracious hospitality does indeed take some beating.
Salah satu negara di Asia Tenggara yang paling banyak dikunjungi Turis Asing, yaitu Thailand. Bahkan julukan “Prancis-nya Asia” melekat pada negara ini. Selain karena keindahan alamnya, tentunya karena keramahan warganya.
9. Scotland
Scotland’s becoming the destination for visitors to the British Isles, winning out over London. The Scots have survived English invasion, brutal weather and the pain of having the world’s worst goalkeepers. This fighting spirit against insurmountable odds has left them with an extroverted, buoyant demeanour and a blackly humorous nationalism.
Skotlandia adalah salah satu tujuan wisata pavorit warga Inggris terutama dari London. Warga Skotlandia mampu bertahan dibawah invasi Inggris, cuaca buruk, dan luka karena memiliki salah satu penjaga gawang terburuk didunia.
10. Turkey
It’s a shame that for such a long time the Western world’s image of Turkey revolved around the drug-smuggling film Midnight Express. Thankfully, we can report the Turkish people actually have an unsurpassed reputation for hospitality. With their heavenly cuisine, dreamy coastline and historical sites, the Turks know there’s no reason to be secretive.
