1. Introduction to the text
This reading lesson explores the results of a survey that identified the countries perceived as the most unfriendly to tourists. The article discusses the top-ranked countries, including France and China, and the specific experiences that led to these negative perceptions.
2. Vocabulary
| Korean Word | Romanization | English Meaning | Contextual Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 가장 | gajang | the most | The most unfriendly country in the world was France. |
| 불친절한 | bulchinjeohan | unfriendly, impolite | Travelers described the unfriendly atmosphere on the streets. |
| 이어졌다 | ieojeossda | continued, followed | The reports of service workers yelling at customers continued. |
| 대성당 | daesungdang | cathedral | The police were patrolling around the Notre-Dame Cathedral. |
| 국가 | gukga | country | France was ranked as the most unfriendly country in the world. |
3. The main text in both Korean and English
지난해 12월 6일, 프랑스 파리의 노트르담 대성당 재개관을 하루 앞두고 경비대가 대성당 주변을 순찰하고 있었다. 그런데 최근 SNS에서 여행객들이 꼽은 세계에서 가장 불친절한 국가 1위는 바로 프랑스였다.
On December 6th last year, the day before the reopening of the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, France, the security forces were patrolling around the cathedral. However, according to recent social media posts, the country ranked as the most unfriendly in the world was France.
일부 서비스직 종사자가 손님에게 고성을 질렀다는 사례도 보고되었다. 여행객들은 “길에서 웃으면 수상하게 보인다”며 거리의 무뚝뚝한 분위기를 묘사했다.
There were also reports of some service workers yelling at customers. Travelers described the blunt and gloomy atmosphere on the streets, saying “if you smile on the street, you’ll look suspicious.”
중국도 여행객들에게 불친절한 국가로 꼽혔다. 특히 베이징에서 참을성 없는 태도를 경험했다는 증언이 많았다.
China was also ranked as an unfriendly country by travelers. There were many accounts of experiencing impatient attitudes, especially in Beijing.
미국도 6위에 랭크되었다. 까다로운 입국 심사와 지역별로 극심한 태도 차이 때문에 불친절하다는 평가를 받았다.
The United States was also ranked 6th, receiving a reputation for unfriendliness due to its strict immigration procedures and the stark differences in attitudes across different regions.
이처럼 여행객들은 프랑스, 중국, 미국 등 주요 관광국에서 불친절한 경험을 했다고 토로했다. 이는 여행의 질을 저하시키는 주요 요인으로 작용할 수 있다.
Travelers have reported experiencing unfriendliness in major tourist destinations like France, China, and the United States. This can be a significant factor in diminishing the quality of the travel experience.
여행은 새로운 문화와 사람을 만나는 기회다. 하지만 여행객들이 불편함을 느낀다면 여행의 참된 의미를 잃어버릴 수 있다. 따라서 각국 정부와 관광 산업 관계자들은 이 문제에 관심을 가지고 개선 방안을 모색해야 할 것이다.
Travel is an opportunity to encounter new cultures and people. However, if travelers feel discomfort, they may lose the true meaning of travel. Therefore, the governments and tourism industry stakeholders of each country should pay attention to this issue and explore ways to improve it.
4. Reading comprehension questions
- Which country was ranked as the most unfriendly in the world according to the survey of travelers?
- What specific experiences did travelers report having in France that led to this perception?
- How was China also perceived as an unfriendly country by travelers?
- What factors contributed to the United States being ranked as an unfriendly destination?
- Why is it important for countries and the tourism industry to address the issue of unfriendliness towards travelers?
5. Cultural and historical notes
The perception of unfriendliness in major tourist destinations can have a significant impact on the travel experience and the tourism industry as a whole. Governments and tourism stakeholders should work to understand the root causes of this issue and implement strategies to improve the hospitality and service culture in these countries.