Why Americans Are So Friendly, According to Immigrants

After living in the United States for a few years, one Eastern European immigrant couldn't help but notice something different about everyday interactions. Americans were genuinely nice, even to strangers.

The Reddit user described how cashiers make small talk, strangers hold doors open for multiple people, and service workers actually listen and respond thoughtfully. When mentioning weekend Netflix plans, people would offer show recommendations like they cared. "It just seems ingrained from an early age," they wrote, calling it "seriously an underrated part of American culture."

Coming from a region where people don't even make eye contact, the warmth felt refreshing and real. Most surprisingly, it rarely seemed forced or fake.

Americans responded with heartwarming explanations for their friendly nature. Some said being nice simply makes them happier inside. Others explained they were raised that way and saw no reason to cause trouble when kindness takes less effort.

One compelling theory suggested that immigrant melting pot cultures like the United States and Brazil developed friendliness out of necessity. When people couldn't speak each other's languages, smiles and warm body language became universal communication tools. That welcoming spirit stuck around even after generations learned English.

Several people connected American friendliness to deeper values of equality and democracy. Treating strangers with warmth acknowledges everyone's equal standing, regardless of background or social class. One commenter from a country with rigid caste systems found the casual respect for all people particularly striking.

Why This Inspires

This story reminds us that small acts of kindness create powerful ripples. For immigrants like Afghan refugee Anita Omary, American friendliness literally changed her life. Arriving in Connecticut while five months pregnant and alone, she struggled with depression until meeting Dee, a nurse who recognized her isolation and became her support system.

Those simple gestures of warmth that Americans take for granted become lifelines for people navigating new countries and cultures. A smile from a cashier, a genuine "how are you?" from a stranger, or a thoughtful conversation about TV shows might seem trivial, but they signal safety and belonging.

The best part? As one commenter noted, making others happy through small kindnesses creates contagious endorphins. Being friendly costs nothing but makes everyone feel better.

In a world that often feels divided, Americans' instinct to treat strangers with warmth and respect stands out as something genuinely special worth celebrating.