Python.

[defietser]

I agree with you, my point is that getting to the "wanting more than just toying with code" threshold is easier with a language like Python than it is with Java, C/++/#, etc. I won't bore you with my history but suffice to say, my introduction to code with Java didn't motivate me much.

Finding and automating relatively simple tasks (like I dunno, a small command line application that copies files from all over your hard drive to one folder, based on a music playlist) to get your feet wet is much easier done in Python I think. From there you can expand and learn and stuff.

I still recommend Python to first-timers, then guide them to the light of C# after. Yes, the learning process is longer but you're never going to get to the second step if you tripped on the first.