Do and don't in Serbia

Serbian people are mostly friendly and I really can not say what not to do. Maybe only in Belgrade you shuld be careful, but in the less cities, you can feel comfortable.

When driving in Belgrade, do look for police waiting for speeding cars especially on the bridge to Kotez.  Also do look for them in Splavovi at night on the weekends. Speeding and driving under the influence is not tolerated at all. 

When dining in restaurants do order a srpska salad or kupa salad or a soup as it seems that every meal is ordered with one of these and waiters will assume you know this.

Don't order wine before 5-6pm at sidewalk cafes because the waiters and cafe goers will assume you are a tourist and do not know how to order coffee at a cafe.  (Based on my own experience).

Do eat biscuits, proja or burek in the morning with coffee at a nearby cafe. People do not eat big breakfasts or proteins in the morning.  They do drink a lot of yummy yogurt drinks with fresh bread and mladi sir.  When you go to a cafe for breakfast you will most likely be eating a sandwich and salad, oh and did I mention coffee, coffee, and more coffee.

Hello.  I will be moving to Novi Sad in August 2010 (with my daughter).  In March, I will be studying for my CELTA and will be living in Hungary for three months prior to moving to Novi Sad.  Do you have any suggestions/advice to offer?

A faux pas for women...and men don't put your purse or bag on the floor. It is bad luck. Strange random fact. can't think of any others at the moment. I don't remember why. something about losing your money or something.

Do not walk around with only one sock on. it's something like step on a crack and break your mother's back.

Do not set bread down bottom side up.

Do not walk through the middle of a pole supported by another pole that creates a triangle. School children believe they will fail their courses.

Pointing with your fingers is incredibly RUDE! Please don't do this.

I will post more as I learn them. Feel free to ask me. I can find things out. I am married to a Serb.

If you come to Serbia you will be amazed by open minded friendly people, good food, music festivals and relaxed lifestyle....

You will stay there forever...

Serbian people is so friendly and nice and really it is a great and beautiful country.

I lived there for 3 months and they were the best of my life. People is very open and warm, always willing to help and have some fun, also they have a great sense of humor, very similar to mexican one.. so latin american culture and serbian get along very well.

DO: Take your shoes off and leave them in the hallway upon entering someones home.
    Accept a cup of coffee when offered (and you most certainly will always be) for it is a tradition in Serbian homes and it may be perceived as rude to decline it.
    Decline offers for food/alcohol if you really do not feel like having any (as long as you accepted something offered by your host).
     Do return a hospitality by inviting people over to your own home next time...Serbs are rather social creatures and like impromptu gatherings.
     Order wine at 10am or coffee at midnight if you feel like it! Order anything you like whenever you like for nobody really cares! Also, do not feel like you have to drink up in a record time and be gone...sip your drink, read a paper, and sit at the same table for 2 hours and again nobody will mind.

DON'T: Get offended if Serbs invade your space by standing too close to you when engaged in a conversation...they do not have a  great need for it like Americans do for instance. 
        Be surprised if complete strangers on the street pet your child on a head or start telling him/her how cute they are or any other random things...we think we are being friendly!
        Be surprised if your friends drop by your home unannounced just to say hi...Serbs do not live on a schedule and do not feel the need to log in gatherings a month in advance.
        Be offended if people use a lot of cuss words during a conversations..it is not personal - it's a way of life! Asking a vast majority of Serbs not to use F words every 35 seconds would be like asking them not to breathe!

That is it for now...these are the biggies.

Thank you all for the insight and for sharing your views on do and don't in Serbia.

Regards,
Sheetul

Do take one of the open bus tours of Belgrade, rather cheap and will show you around the most famous landmarks of the city.

Do go on a cruise down Danube river in Belgrade, beautiful...especially if you manage to get the perfect timing and catch the sunset while on the boat.

Don't take the first cab you see on the street, good chance your charge will be doubled the second u give away you're a tourist, plenty of taxi companies so grab a few numbers up front.

If heading south, do visit the "Devil's town" one of the new natural wonders of the world

And DO enjoy your stay coz crime rate and prices in Serbia are very low

I like serbian people and I would like to be like them , here I am leaving in New belegrad . You can find everywhere nice people , I have my friends in new belegrad. Serbia + serbian people are realy nice .

Odakle ste?

Hi Lafemmet,

Can you please write in English in the anglophone forum so that members can understand and participate in this discussion "Do and don't in Serbia.

Thank you very much.

Sure, I am sorry.

I have only had the one visit to Serbia in 2009, stayed in Belgrade with my Serbian partner and totally loved it. People were great, food and drink excellent...and felt so very safe....then i went back to New Zealand....can't wait to leave.

Agree on dogsrule's rules People in Serbia are very social, they like good parties, good conversations (sometimes very loud ), they will rarely decline an invitation to your home, and they will do their best to make you feel comfortable at their own homes. +1 to NEVER decline a coffee, drink at least one