• Norway!

    Norway: Sunnylvsfjord. Go Now!

    Norway
    Known for its natural beauty, Norway is home to isolated villages, fjords, and mountains that create a culture and landscape without compare. Begin Your Journey!

  • Vatican City!

    Vatican City: Vatican Museums. Go Now!

    Vatican City
    The smallest country in the world offers the heart of Catholicism and among the world's finest art collections, including the Sistine Chapel and the Raphael Rooms (ceiling pictured). Go to Vatican City!

  • Macedonia!

    Macedonia: Traditional architecture. Go Now!

    Macedonia
    Macedonia is a country still finding its unique identity, but its architecture is already one of a kind. Explore Macedonia!

  • Austria!

    Austria: Belvedere Palace. Go Now!

    Austria
    Belvedere Palace (pictured) is just one of many palaces found in Vienna. The capital is a good start to Austria, which also features the Alps, the Lakes District, and incredible history & food. Go Now!

  • Spain!

    Spain: Guell Park and Gaudi architecture. Go Now!

    Spain
    Fusion foods, lively music, historic ruins, and cultural events like the Running of the Bulls and La Tomatina make Spain and Barcelona (pictured) a favorite tourist destination. Explore Spain!

  • Ukraine!

    Ukraine: Traditional Village. Go Now!

    Ukraine
    Ukrainian culture is based on village life, particularly that found in the Carpathian Mountains (pictured). Begin Your Journey!

Social Life in Georgia

Behavior

The Georgians are conservative in most aspects of their lives and this is best seen in their behaviors, dress, and dining etiquette. They tend to dress and act conservatively, much of which is based on their deeply rooted Christian faith. To a degree they also maintain much of the Soviet mentality as they rarely get involved in other people's personal affairs and tend to keep to themselves when in public. Due to this attitude, the people take offense at few things. Although everyone will notice odd behaviors and cultural abnormalities, rarely will anyone point out your cultural mistakes.

As a visitor to Georgia try to follow the lead of the locals by dressing in alike manner (see below for details), dining in the local etiquette (see our Georgia Dining & Food Page), and avoid sensitive conversation topics, such as politics, finances, and business unless initiated by your local counterpart. Also try to avoid being loud, rude, or showing off wealth.

Dress

The traditional dress in Georgia is the chokha, which was an item of clothing that was first common in Georgia, but later became popular throughout the Caucus Mountains. This outfit has been popular since the 800s, although during the Soviet rule it was banned. The chokha, which essentially just means clothing has traditionally come in a few different styles, but all have similarities. Most shirts were rectangular loose-fitting long-sleeved shirts with some decoration, generally crosses. With this shirt underclothing, including pants and shirts were worn as were additional robes, hats, and often times weapons in the form of swords or guns and bullets, held in a belt or sash.

Although the Soviets replaced the chokha with modern western-styled clothing, today the chokha is gaining popularity as a form of pride in the Georgian ethnicity. Despite this resurgence, most people still wear western-styled clothing and often times the clothing is somewhat conservative, especially in cities and in churches.

As a visitor to Georgia you are free to wear nearly any western-styled clothing, but try to dress for the occasion and the weather. Business settings require more formal dress and in churches men and women should have both their arms and legs covered.

This page was last updated: November, 2013