[SeftyJokipl]

I am quite certain that this reader's digest survey is very wrong. It puts Mumbai in India the most rude city. (It could have been Delhi in my perception though). In Mumbai (which is not close to Thailand in politeness maybe) last year when the floods hit the city there was no case of theft or exploitation. Auto Rickshaws took people over many kms through the water and did not take money. People opened doors in their houses for people to sleep without real discrimination. Offices were opened for shelters and much more. Women were escorted from street to street, with one man handing her over to the next like a relay until she reached home.

These same people will not keep the door open or say a quick thank you to strangers because they do not sense ownership of their situation and hence are shy - for a better word - even if their hearts are eager to connect. These cities are full of people who came to someone 'else's system'.

Thailand is actually far better in this aspect, in connection with foreigners especially, because I feel they are much more independent in their mind and culture vis-a-vis the west and western-way. So, they act with will and free reflex.

So, I think.