6 Things That Can Make Croatians Angry So Mind It

Croatia has been drawing more and more travelers to its shores each year as it offers 1200 islands, crystal clear waters and picturesque villages to explore. Did you know, in the year 2012, Croatia was named Mediterranean’s fastest growing destination? You wonder why? Well, this country surely knows how to lure travelers with its clean national parks, adventure sports and the medieval Old Town of Dubrovnik which, in fact, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Now, if you are planning to visit this beautiful country, there are a few things that you must keep in mind if you don’t want to end up offending the Croatians. Here are 6 things that you should avoid doing in Croatia.

1. Do not be disrespectful.

Croatians are proud of their cultural values and traditions. So don’t do anything that will be considered impolite. Please refrain from commenting about their historical monuments and treat locals with respect just like they treat their visitors. In short, say good things, or don’t say anything at all. Croatians are well-behaved individuals and the same is expected out of you. So be good.

2. Avoid eating on buses and trams.

It might be okay to eat on the buses and trams in London, but the same isn’t true for Croatia. You’ll be stared at if you bite on a tasty slice of pizza or kebab while in a tram or bus. No, this is not because the Croatians don’t like it when someone enjoys their food. It is because most of the buses in Croatia are air-conditioned and don’t have open windows. And you have to think about the other passengers before devouring hot, smelly food on a public transport.

3. Do not be stingy when it comes to tipping.

Okay, so tipping is quite common in restaurants and taxi cabs but not so common in the bars. But if you are satisfied with the service then you should definitely leave a tip. Now the trick is to tip well or not tip at all. Just add 10% to the total bill amount and tip generously.

4. Don’t be loud and drunk

Well, well, no one likes to see a drunkard staggering around on the streets, right? So, you should keep this in mind while you are in Croatia. Croatians enjoy their drinks but they make sure that they drink responsibly without being a liability and you should do the same. Do not get drunk and pee on the streets, smash bottles and talk/sing loudly in public. Doing so is just not acceptable.

5. Don’t engage in political discussions.

Just so you know, Croatia has been through a terrible war just 25 years ago. The memory of the war is still quite fresh in the minds of the Croatians. This part of Europe has been through a tortuous and painful history which is why it is best if you do not engage in any kind of political discussion just out of genuine concern. Avoid the topic, change the subject and move on in case you find yourself in such a situation.

6. Don’t pay in Euros.

Remember that the currency used in Croatia is Kuna. So don’t make the mistake of paying in euros without asking the protocol. There are many businesses that do accept euros (not the coins) but the first thing that you should do is politely ask which currency is accepted and then make the payment.