I think most places are like that. I was in Germany recently, and some people greeted me when I entered and said goodbye when I left, which was something I wasn't quite prepared for. In Southern Europe, people tend to hassle you a lot, almost force you to buy something. Makes me not even wanna look.

I'm not good on one-on-one, really, unless I know them well, but sometimes if they initiate contact, I feel like I have to keep the conversation up, or else it gets awkward.

I usually feel more comfortable talking to the same sex, because as a girl, or woman, if you like, I feel that guys might be more judge mental in some aspects. As if they aren't as understanding and accepting (not saying this is necessarily right, just how I feel, it might just be me being more judge mental of myself). Also, I feel unsure how to act around men, because of the element of flirting. What is considered just being friendly and what is considered as more than that? I'm not asking, it's just what makes me more uncomfortable around men.