• 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 Montenegro

Behavior

The Montenegrins are very well aware of the world around them as well as the differences in opinions and behaviors. Because of this they are quite understanding of various cultures and foreigners so odd behaviors are generally accepted (but not encouraged).

Your behavior should begin with modesty as being loud, rude, showing off wealth, or dressing provocatively will get you stares. Likewise, placing yourself above others or boasting is viewed negatively.

As a visitor to Montenegro, just try to follow the lead of the locals by dressing in like manner (see below for details), dining in the local etiquette (see our Montenegro Dining & Food Page), and avoid sensitive conversation topics, such as politics, finances, and business unless initiated by your local counterpart.

Dress

The traditional dress of the Montenegrins is quite varied. Although a small country, the mountains in Montenegro divided the people as numerous dress styles arose; plus outside influences changed the dress from region to region so there was great diversity in the traditional dress of the people. For many women, the dress included a shirt, a skirt or dress, an apron, and a belt. There were additional pieces of clothing if needed, such as vests, coats, and others. The dress was generally colorful, commonly in reds, blues, whites, and golds, with much of the gold being decorational. Men's clothing was traditionally the same colors, as most men in the country traditionally wore white knicker-like pants with long socks, a buttoned and collared white shirt, with a long colorful jacket called a gunj, a vest called a dzemadan, and other items, including a dolama, which was a top with open sleeves, a jelek, which is a sleeve-less embroidered jacket, and others.

Today the traditional dress is all but gone as modern western-styled clothing has taken over. The particular cut of the clothing today depends primarily on weather as the beaches in the summer can be very hot, while the winters in the mountains can be very cold. As a visitor to Montenegro, dress for the weather. There is little that will offend the Montenegrins, so the most important element to dressing in the country is weather and secondly by occasion as churches and formal settings obviously require more formal dress, while beaches are a bit more relaxed. If in doubt, dress on the more conservative and modest side as the Montenegrins tend to prefer more neutral colors that don't draw attention to themselves. Lastly, sunbathing naked or women sunbathing topless is only permitted in certain places so always be sure to know where this is allowed before doing so.

This page was last updated: November, 2013