>While in Europe, folks would just chat me up at random whereas I'm European and been to several other European countries (well mostly the German speaking one

>While in Europe, folks would just chat me up at random whereas I'm European and been to several other European countries (well mostly the German speaking ones) and never been chatted up by strangers. Maybe you're only in the largest capital cities/big metro areas and are from a country that's seen as exotic over here as not many from there move here (Mexico, US, Canada, New Zeeland, etc) so the locals were curious why you're there and wanted to practice their English with you, because that never happened to me when I was a solo traveler or an immigrant here probably because I'm from a neighboring country that's known so nobody is curious. I had the exact opposite experience in the US, people would randomly chat me up or be very open when I was chatting them up, even had a fling on vacation there. So your European vacation experience doesn't really match mine at all of living here long term. People here also seem very reserved of being approached by foreigners they don't know. I mean, if you're an interesting character they might do some small talk with you to be polite and get to know you, but that's as far as the interaction goes, then they go back to their drinks/friends, they won't be your friends. These bar interactions aren't a reliable way to socialize and make friends, it's just single use superficial interactions that last the night, as explained in Fight Club. And judging by the posts on local subreddits, I'm not the only expat struggling with loneliness in the German speaking parts of Europe.