Greetings
Greeting someone in Croatia is an integral part of their cultural customs. Therefore, it is important to acknowledge people when you meet them. When greeting someone, it is customary to give a handshake and then make a short bow. People in Croatia are more informal when addressing each other, but you should still use formal terms of address when meeting someone for the first time. When leaving, it is important to take the time to say goodbye.
Let’s explore some more Croatian etiquette and cultural customs:
Handshakes
Handshaking is typical in Croatia. Handshakes are the customary greeting for both men and women, but it’s polite to address each War with a formal phrase, such as “Hello” or “Good afternoon.” A firm handshake and direct eye contact are expected. You should use their full name and title when introduced to someone older. Kissing is not an acceptable greeting in Croatia; it is reserved for friends or family only.
It’s generally considered polite to wait for the elderly person in the group to extend their hand first. However, it would help if you kept your hands visible when meeting someone for the first time as a sign of respect rather than using them casually in your pockets or behind your back. You may also have your hands clasped together as another sign of respect, although some may interpret this gesture differently as a sign that you are not interested in having contact with them.
Kissing On the Cheek
Greetings in Croatia usually involve a handshake for people in formal situations, friends and family will kiss each other on the cheek. There are different levels of greeting that change depending on the location and person if it is a first meeting.
Two kisses are customary in Croatia when greeting or bidding farewell to a close friend (usually done alternating cheeks from one side to the other). Men may also kiss women’s hands when introducing themselves. However, these gestures should usually be returned. It is important to note that only people familiar with each other exchange kisses on the cheek—strangers do not.
Outside formal settings, particularly among younger generations, men may hug each other in greetings and farewells; however, hugging between members of opposite genders is rare and reserved primarily for close friends/family members.
Gift Giving
Gift-giving can be an essential part of forming relationships in Croatia. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the culture and customs regarding gift-giving. Certain types of gifts are appropriate, and some that are not. You should also consider the occasion and the person you give the gift to.
Let’s take a closer look at gift-giving etiquette in Croatia:
Appropriate Gifts
Gift-giving is an essential part of social etiquette in Croatia. Gifts are usually exchanged on social occasions such as birthdays, holidays, conversations, and other special events. Gifts should be carefully chosen to make a good impression on the recipient.
With close friends and family, gifts should be thoughtful and personal. Appropriate gifts include homemade items such as crafts or pastries, quality products from local shops or businesses, and flowers and chocolates are also welcome gestures.
In professional situations, appropriate gifts may differ depending upon the occasion but usually involve some form of quality food items like wine or bacon-wrapped cheese. For more formal situations, it is considered polite to give a gift on crisp wrapping paper with quality ribbon instead of using simple plastic wrap or paper bags.
In general, avoid gift-giving that ties to politics, religion, or nationalistic themes since these can offend the recipient and create uncomfortable situations for both parties.
Gift Wrapping
Gift-giving is an essential part of Croatian culture and a form of respect. Gifts are opened before the giver, so pay attention to the proper gift-wrapping etiquette when presenting a gift. It is customary to wrap gifts beautifully in multiple layers and use a special paper or ribbon to mark them as special.
In Croatia, it is polite to include small gifts inside larger wrapped presents, such as little candies or chocolates. It means the recipient will receive lots of presents even though it’s one large one. Such thoughtful touches are typical in Croatian culture and can indicate that you made an effort to present your gift correctly.
The wrapping you choose will depend on the occasion and how close you are to the recipient.
- For formal occasions, use white or silver paper for wrapping and tie with a luxurious bow or ornament shape made with ribbon.
- For informal occasions, colorful papers can be used instead, along with bows or ribbons bearing decorative shapes such as stars or waves.
When you present your gift, offer it with two hands and make sure that all embellishments used for decoration remain attached until the receiver has opened it completely – this way, she can appreciate all efforts taken while selecting her present!
Table Manners
Table manners are an essential part of Croatian culture. Croatians expect their guests to show respect by eating in a certain manner. Therefore, it is essential to know the basic rules of etiquette when dining in Croatia.
This section will cover the proper etiquette for:
- sitting at the table
- handling utensils
- eating different foods
Eating with Hands
In Croatia, it is generally accepted to use utensils such as a fork and knife instead of your hands for eating. However, there is an exception for certain foods where it is customary to use your hands, such as bread, olives, grapes, fresh fruits, and small cakes.
It is important to note that when you are eating with your hands, it should always be done neatly. The traditional way would be to clean fingers with a cloth napkin while keeping elbows off the table and leaning slightly forward with the wrist just above the plate. Bread should always be broken into smaller pieces with both hands rather than ripped or bitten. If olive oil or butter is served with bread, these will usually come as individual servings on small plates, and they are then applied directly onto the bread (not only the kneaded part) either by hand or knife.
Using Utensils
In Croatia, table manners must be observed. It is very polite to thank the host for inviting you, greet everyone at the table, and offer a toast before beginning to eat. Generally speaking, knives should never touch the mouth while eating, and forks should always be held in the left hand. Appropriate utensils are provided for each dish served on the table and must be used accordingly.
Forks are usually held in your left hand and used throughout the meal from beginning to finish if necessary. Spoons can be used for rice dishes, but knives are generally unnecessary as food is cut into small pieces before being brought to the table. Soup can either be drunk from the bowl – though this practice is considered informal – or eaten with a spoon and should always be eaten upright rather than leaning over it.
If you have been served a large piece of meat that needs to be cut with a knife, it’s best to use your right hand for cutting as it is considered improper manners in Croatia to hold your knife in your left hand while cutting (or vice versa). When eating a particular course or dish, place any cutlery together facing up towards the noon position on your plate to indicate that you are done with that particular item.
Dress Code
The dress code in Croatia is pretty formal and conservative compared to other European countries. However, it is important to remember to dress modestly, especially when visiting places of worship or areas that are more rural.
For men, this means wearing collared shirts and dress pants or jeans paired with dress shoes. Women should opt for skirts and blouses, dresses, or slacks. Avoid wearing revealing tops or shorts.
Business Attire
Business attire in Croatia is typically conservative and formal. Men should always wear a suit with a collared shirt and tie, while women should opt for skirts or trousers that fall at or below the knee and a blouse or tailored shirt. Blazers are recommended but not strictly required. The colors you wear should also adhere to a more conservative palette, such as navy blue, grey, black, white, or dark brown.
It is best to avoid bright colors that may be considered too informal for business meetings.
Clothing items must be high-quality and well-fitted; they should never appear baggy on the body or too tight. Shoes should be polished leather appropriate to your outfit; white shoes are generally seen as inappropriate in most business contexts. Men’s haircuts should reflect the professional environment; long hair tied back may be permitted, but shaved heads and particularly colorful hairstyles are not recommended. Finally, accessories such as watches should be kept minimal and understated to not distract from your professional appearance.
Casual Attire
In Croatia, people tend to dress very casually for most situations. In larger cities like Zagreb, you won’t find many places where a formal dress code is required. Jeans, shorts, and t-shirts are the most common attire for men and women. As elsewhere in Europe, people will look askance at anyone wearing sweatpants or pajamas!
Nevertheless, sandals and shorts should not be worn in churches or other places of worship. Attending theatrical performances or events that involve high culture usually calls for something more dressy, such as skirts and blouses or pressed slacks and button-down shirts.
Of course, dressing to suit the weather conditions is important in Croatia—in the summertime, you may need comfortable cotton clothing. At the same time, layering up with heavier winter coats or sweaters is recommended during the winter months.
Conversation
Conversation between locals and visitors in Croatia is usually friendly and cordial. However, Croatians have social standards and customs that should be observed during the conversation. When meeting someone for the first time, handshakes and small talk are common and appropriate. It is respectful to address people by their title and surname as a form of politeness. It is also important to be aware of body language and to maintain eye contact while conversing.
Avoiding Taboo Topics
Though people in Croatia are generally very open and friendly, some topics are considered taboo. For example, it’s best to tread carefully in conversations about religion, politics, relationships, and family matters, as these could be sensitive topics. Similarly, discussions about gender roles or a person’s income are also off-limits.
Other topics such as art, music, or food tend to be well-received conversation starters and can lead to an enjoyable conversation between the parties involved. In addition, the locals will often welcome respectful questions about the Croatian culture that show an interest in learning more about their life. Again, this can lead to interesting conversations, and you might even receive suggestions of places to visit or things to do locally.
Respect for Elders
In Croatia, respect for elders is a core value expressed by paying due attention to them and showing reverence for their opinions and wishes. Elders are held in high regard, and it is considered disrespectful to ignore them or not show them the politeness they deserve. Personal space should be observed, as words of wisdom come with a certain distance.
Young people should address elderly people formally – respectfully – using titles such as “Gospodine” (Mr.) and “Gospođa” (Mrs.) plus the surname. Do not expect an elder acquaintance to call you by your first name unless instructed. Kissing an elderly person’s hand when greeted may be seen as a sign of respect in some parts of Croatia.
It is polite to allow older people in Croatian society the right-of-way in most situations since they are considered wise professors of life and knowledge makers throughout generations.