How to behave in Romania correctly if you are a stranger tourist

Visiting  Romania must run smoothly and gently, it is a wonderful country with interesting people. Whether you come privately, or over a renowned travel agency, you should remember a few things  while you are in Romania.

Another happy friendly Romanian, as we all are

First of all, the people are really fantastic. If you are going to behave yourself in the right way, most of them will be prepared to give all their clothes, literally. Please don't understand wrong, I mean hereby that you can count of them as on your best friends. Nevertheless, check your bills in the restaurants, following the outside patterns some of them will try to charge you with a thick tip!

We are a happy wine country, see here some of my tourists during a wine taste. They all learned to say "Noroc"(cheers!)

Besides, even in this country when the people have an excellent behavior and none incidents against foreign tourists have been reported, you may not go alone in a few suburbs (e.g. Ferentari in Bucharest is very poor and dangerous). If a policeman will dare to stop you, you are supposed to be polite and pacient, which shall not mean showing him your purse or giving him your credit card number.

It is usually here to kiss the hand of a woman, and if you do that, all the Romanian ladies will be watching you much more interested than if you don't. It is a flavor of our culture. If you will be able to speak a few Romanian words, all of us will love for ever! Besides, the love may not be bought, you don't need to give tips bigger than 10 % (an average Romanian wins monthly between 300 and 400 Euros, no more).

Impressive:90 % of the Romanians are Orthodox, and you should take your time and visit one of the selected churches or monasteries, which are really masterpieces

Speak to the people, they are friendly and will answer gladly to any of your question. They are ready to help you at any moment, as they are proud of their identity and are very glad that you came here. In the restaurants, as in other places, rely on the waiters, asking them what is the best dish to order and how to pair it with the right wine (we are a wine country, but you won't be thirsty if you are a beer addicted). Never forget to say "hello" or "good bye", but is advisable to stay away from any discussion concerning politics.

The horse waggons are still largely in use in the Romanian agriculture, maybe you have the opportunity to take part to a special race!

In many places the best offers are hidden under the incomprehensible notion "meniul zilei". As you pronounciation in Romanian is probably not yet the most accurate possible, take a local (maybe a travel guide) in order to grab this offer.

On the market, you must handle a lot, pretending the wished goods are not so good or you don't need them at any price. Here is again better to receive help from a skilled local.

Otherwise, be sure to visit a fabulous country with a rich history, which is a very safe travel destination

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Romania survival course

It is not easy to survive in Romania. That shall not mean to be scared for your life, not at all (Romania is still a  safe country for the visitors, excepting some areas). But don't forget that the most of Romanian don't earn more than 250 Euros, which can make them very eager and skilful in finding new methods of making some extra money.

Don't wanna be racist, but when you meet these Romanian gipsies  you must be very careful

1. First of all, avoid overcrowded places, or overcrowded means of transportation. They make the perfect heaven for the pickpocketers. If you are in a such a place which crowds after your coming, you must be very suspicious and careful. Protect carefully your jewels, cameras, pockets and bags. Call the police, if necessary.

Always ask permission when taking photos of these people

2.On the streets and in buses or trains avoid the ladies with wide flower dresses and their companions. Don't give money to the beggars if thus occurs the slightest possibility for anyone to see the location of your wallet.

3.Don't wear jewellery or cameras on sight. If you  feel that someone is pinching you, be sure that is another searching in your pockets or bag. Be very carefully under these situation, as often they have sharp blades cutting your bags, and you can be hurt.

4.Avoid visiting unfortunated neighborhoods, e.g. the Bucharest quarter of Ferentari. Such places are really dangerous at night.

The quarter Ferentari from Bucharest is very poor and very dangerous, specially at night

5.I know that you love wine, I do too. Mostly of Romanians also do, it is a wine country after all. But avoid suspicious persons coming to you and inviting themselves to drink something from your bottle (with the more refined variant of inviting you to drink! But most probably, this won't happen!

6.Don't exchange money on the streets, by unauthorized persons. You won't get the promised course, as you will receive only magazines cuts.

7.When taking money from a bancomat with your card, beware if doubtful persons are near you. Also notice any suspicious apparel near you, as this can be a camera registering your pin.

Beware of suspicious people or devices watching you while  taking money from your card  to a  bancomat.

8. The Romanians are glad to receive guests. But usually you must try to set a corect price for the both sides, in order to avoid unpleasant surprises.

9.Avoid using cabs, and specially unregistered cabs. Once in a taxi ask about the price, and ask the taxi driver to start the registering machine.

10.Try to learn some Romanian words. The people here are very sensitive to such courteousness. 

If I forget something, escuse me  please, there is no intention in it. If, by chance, you found another method or matter, which upset you, tell me it at once, as everyone should be aware of it!

I hope you will be not the victim of such easy tricks, especially now when you are good informed

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