One of the most beautiful things about living in parts of Europe is building new friendships across cultures. Compared to the open, fast-paced friendliness you find in the US, friendshops in Europe unfold more like a slow-cooked meal. It takes time, effort, care and patience, but the result is incredibly rewarding.
The very first thing you notice is how different the social norms are from country to country. In the Southern parts of Europe, such as Spain, Italy or Greece, warmth comes very naturally. People greet each other with cheek kisses, invite you to join their table and aren’t shy about striking up a conversation in a bar or even on a random street. In Northern and Central Europe, like Germany, the Netherlands or Scandinavia, people can be a little more reserved. They are polite, certainly, but less prone to small talk or spontaneous invitations. That doesn’t mean they’re unfriendly; it just means friendship is something built over time, often through shared activities or routines.
Many friendships in Europe start through shared interests: a hiking group in the Alps, a cooking class in Tuscany, or even just a regular visit to the same café or farmer’s market. There’s a strong culture of community whether it’s neighbourhood festivals, public picnics, or football matches—and participating in these events can help break the ice.
Although language can be a barrier at first, English is widely spoken, especially in cities and among younger people. Conversations among locals often revert to their native tongue. But making the effort to learn just a few words can go a long way. A simple “bonjour,” “grazie,” or “takk” shows respect and often earns a smile or even an invitation to join a local tradition.
Living here, you learn quickly that Europeans tend to separate “acquaintance” from “friends” more clearly than in some other cultures. A friend isn’t just someone you chatted with once; they’re someone you’ve shared time with, often repeatedly, and with whom you’ve built trust. That means the bonds you do form tend to run deep.
Living in Europe has taught me that friendship here is not just about socialising it’s about belonging. Whether it’s being offered a slice of homemade cake by your neighbour in Vienna or joining a potluck in a Berlin co-working space, the gestures may be subtle, but they’re sincere.
Making friends in Europe isn’t always instant, but when it happens, it’s real. And that’s worth every awkward first “hello.”
Leave a Reply