Conde Nast Traveler released the results of its annual Readers’ Choice Survey, which included, among other things, a list of the ‘friendliest’ and ‘unfriendliest’ cities in the world. As it turns out, five U.S. cities are ranked in the top 10 ‘unfriendliest’ cities in the world – including Newark, New Jersey, which was voted the least friendly city in the world. Just one U.S. city – Charleston, South Carolina – ranked among the top 10 friendliest cities.
Here’s a look at the top 10 ‘unfriendliest’ cities:
10. Tangier, Morocco
9. Atlantic City, New Jersey
8. Detroit, Michigan
7. New Haven, Connecticut
6. Lume, Togo
5. Kuwait City, Kuwait
4. Luanda, Angola
3. Oakland, California
2. Islamabad, Pakistan
1. Newark, New Jersey
“Which would you rather visit? Newark or Islamabad. I'm going to Newark every time. I don't care what you are going for. I'm getting it in Newark, not Islamabad,” Pat said. “I find it interesting that half of the top ten unfriendliest places in the world are in the United States.”
“Let's narrow that down. I find it interesting that they are also all progressive cities,” Glenn continued. “Atlantic City, New Jersey, Detroit, Michigan, New Haven, Connecticut, Oakland, California, and Newark, New Jersey. Those are some of the most progressive areas in our country. What does it tell you?”
Given our poor standings on the ‘unfriendliest’ cities list and lack of representation on the ‘friendliest’ cities list, the Conde Nast Traveler voters obviously aren’t too pleased with the hospitality of American cities.
“Most people in America are friendly,” Glenn said defensively. “Let's look at it. Where are the friendliest places in the world?”
“There's only one American location that made the list,” Pat responded.
The top 10 'friendliest' cities in the world are:
9. Ubud, Bali (tie)
9. Kilkenny, Ireland (tie)
8. Mandalay, Burma
6. Margaret River, Australia (tie)
6. Paro, Bhutan (tie)
5. Charleston, South Carolina
4. Queenstown, New Zealand
3. Thimpu, Bhutan
2. Hobart, Tasmania
1. Florianoplis, Brazil
“Number 5, the only time America comes in, that's Charleston, South Carolina,” Glenn discovered. “Really, besides Charleston there's really no place I want to visit on this list… I'll go to Queenstown, New Zealand, Margaret River, Australia, but it's so far away. I'll go to Kilkenny, Ireland…”
“There's a threat to someone named Kenny in the name of the city,” Stu quipped. “Doesn't sound friendly at all.”