We answer the question in the title:
Every day, we watch the work of our hotel staff. There must be over a hundred of them: receptionists, waiters, bartenders, chefs, maids, gardeners, beach sweapers, and a few others with unclear tasks.
They are all managed by Italian managers. And they are among the least smiling and least welcoming people who interact with tourists.
Without exception, all the Malagasy are always smiling, helpful, willing to chat (often in Polish), and don't press out tips.
We appreciate their hard work for around €70 a month (or less) and admire their attitude to their work, which they likely respect.
In northern Madagascar, poverty is dire, as many are unemployed.
Nosy Be is fortunate enough to have become a center of Malagasy tourism.
