"never hand your phone over the counter" - do people actually hand over their phones to random strangers? I'd never do that unless I really know the person
I live in Romania. 90% of the buildings sport this brutalist look, not to mention there are rows after rows having the same design. You get bored and depressed very quickly if you live in such environment.
I'm always amazed at the diversity of the facades when I visit other european cities.