• 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 Serbia

Behavior

The Serbs 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 Serbia, 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 Serbia Dining & Food Page), and avoid sensitive conversation topics, such as politics, finances, and business unless initiated by your local counterpart.

Dress

The traditional dress in Serbia is similar to many other traditional outfits in Europe, the men wore pants and shirts as most women wore dresses. The specific designs and styles of these outfits were very particular to individual towns or regions so they vary substantially, but some commonalities existed throughout the culture. Most outfits included embroidery in red, with many women wearing loose-fitting long-sleeved shirts, a long apron, embroidered socks, and a belt. Men generally wore similar shirts with knickers. Both men and women often wore a jelek, which is similar to a vest.

Today it is rare to see anyone in Serbia wearing this traditional dress, although some older people (especially in villages) still wear them and they can often be seen at tourist sites. More common is modern western-styled clothing, which nearly everyone wears on a daily basis. As a visitor to Serbia, you are welcome to wear the same western-styled clothing, but try to dress for the occasion as the Serbs tend to be a bit on the conservative side (relative to much of Europe) and long pants should be worn if entering a church or other formal setting. 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