@chrisadventures I live in the Netherlands and I'm experiencing what you just wrote up there about being reserved and honestly I'm enjoying it. It's true that in Asia and maybe where you are now we are more open and it's a great feeling that way. Loneliness won't exist I think. I've been here for a while now but I only know the name of the next door neighbor and the couple who parks their car in front of our facade. In the Philippines, I know the names of my neighbors till the 20th street from my house. There's also a disadvantage to that - when it's party time - it's extremely positively happy but as you may find out later - life is sometimes up and down - like the up votes here haha...
The disadvantage is during the down moment - if someone makes a mistake or went through something embarrassing - the whole town gets to know about it even if the person just told his friends.
I guess, I like it here more in the Netherlands being this way .. I've met warm people in thevolkstuin and I came to the conclusion that - the older the people here are - the more open and chill they seem to become. I'm near 40 but I hang out with folks older than I am and it's actually more fun. I think it's the younger people who are more reserve here - I see competition as one factor that causes it - everybody's watching each other - just not saying a word - on my first years here, we went to venice and some people around us saw that we did and went also - its creepy when others do that but I guess that's how life is everywhere in the world - even in Asia , I used to live in a condo or apartment and it's not the same as in the countryside or the normal city life in the Ph, too- everyone's cautious of the other person. But you're right it's extreme here .. however, I don't think it's arrogance, I'm in the East and I've only met friendly, fun, warm heart and helpful (some even offer to help me carry a bag of grocery some times) people around here.
As for what Mahatma said out there - it's true ... you can become the change you want and when you do - you'll attract people with the same energy as you . Have fun in Valencia!