re: the greeting, I think introverts around the world do not necessarily appreciate being randomly greeted by strangers, they just get used to it if the culture is like that. From that perspective, I don't think just a random greeting from a stranger always makes people feel more warm and the days more bearable either. It's more of a correlation rather than causation.
People have different personalities and different associations.
I've also had amazing and unforgettable memories in Estonia with people who I never saw again in my life. It's just harder in here.
As for correlation, a single stranger certainly not. But I have lost count of how many Estonians visited UK/Ireland/Spain and came back telling me they were so happy about being an "amigo" or at having incredible customer service that didn't make them feel unwelcome like a chore.
It does matter.
the flip side is that extroverts around the world don't necessarily like everyone giving the impression that their existence is an inconvenience, they just get used to it if the culture implies that seeking interaction with people they don't have a close interaction with is rude or suspicious behaviour...
(as for Estonia it may have assimilated Russian smile-aversion as well as being nearly as culturally introverted as Finland)
I couldn't have said it better and I'm stealing this from ya. Beautifully said.
as an introvert, I like this discussion.