Slovenes
Posted by Mission-Shape-4895@reddit | AskBalkans | View on Reddit | 331 comments
I have the impression that the Slovenes don’t like to be associated with the people from Balkans and culturally they are more similar to Austrians and western slavs (especially Czechs). Is that also your impression? Would also like to see answers from Slovenes themselves.
ThickCaterpillar9867@reddit
They are not culturally more similar to Austria,they are more similiar to Slovakia maybe but def not Austria
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
Definitely Austria. It is neighboring country so it makes sense. Less to Slovakia.
crivycouriac@reddit
Tbf, Slovenia’s historical experience is indeed very similar to Slovakia’s
ThickCaterpillar9867@reddit
Germanic vs Slavic ,they cannot be culturally more similar to Austrian
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
I hope you are joking? Please do some research. Do you think Hungary and Finland have similar cultures? Or Moldova and Portugal?
ThickCaterpillar9867@reddit
Wai wai wai😂😂no I do not think that those examples are correct, I was not referring to the language and Finno-Ugric are 2 separate languges so idk why wven mention it, so not language but culture ,Germanic vs Slavic ,you never gonna be Germanic
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
Don’t be so triggered. I don’t want to be Germanic. I am simply saying that Slovenian and Austrian cultures are more closely related than Slovakian and Slovenian. That has to do with historical and geographical reasons.
ThickCaterpillar9867@reddit
What you are saying is completely false,Germanic Culture is a distinct culture from the Slavic one ,it is not just the language ,you are clearly triggered . Why do not you pick Italy as similiar or Hungary or the real similiar one Croatia😂😂people tend to pick the best
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
You don’t seriously think that Austrian culture is more similar to Icelandic culture than to Slovenian? Or that Slovenian is more similar to Russian than to Austrian?
Generally speaking Austria is the most similar. Culturally and genetically. We were part of same countries for 1000 years.
I really don’t understand what is your problem. You clearly lack understanding of Slovenian history and culture.
ThickCaterpillar9867@reddit
No I thjnk Austrian culture is more similiar to German culture and Swiss culture but not in anyway or form near Slovenian culture which more similiar to Croatian/Serbian /Bosnian to south Slavs culture (smth you do not like but is the truth) and I believe Slovakia is way nearer your culture than the Austrian one,Slovakia was also part of the same empire so you are the one not educated to know that but again you did not answer my question,why not Hungary or Italy?
Rainfolder@reddit
What the other Redditor tried to tell you is that Slovenes, due to being in one way or another connected to Austrian culture, developed a similar culture from religion, holidays, customs, food, music etc. This connection goes from the common country of Carantania, to the Frankish Empire(Charlemagne), the Holy Roman Empire, all the way to the Habsburgs. This has left many common traditions. While Croatians do share some similar history(NE Croatia and Istria), Bosnia, Serbia, Macedonia, etc. do not. They do speak a South Slavic language, but they were never under the same rule until 1918.
So, for a sense of what Slovenian villages, 2 look like. What national music, 2, 3, and national costumes look like.
Also when it comes to the traditional food. Before 1960, Slovenia didn't have Burek, Kebab, Čevapčiči; all these were brought with the immigrants. Traditional food has its roots in Alpine, Italian, and Hungarian cuisine.
This is what the other guy is trying to tell you, Slovenia is a Slavic-speaking country with its own culture, which has been shaped throughout history. And because of the history, it shares many aspects with Austria, especially Carinthia and Styria.
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
Slovenian culture is by no means similar to Serbian or Bosnian culture. There are some overlaps with North Croatia tho. South Slavic is a linguistic term not a cultural or genetic one.
You have very wrong image of Slovenia. You are basing your conclusions on the fact Slovenia was part of Yugoslavia.
There is a bigger overlap with Austria than Italy or Hungary. Historical factors. We were directly under Austria so that makes sense.
I suggest you doing some research on Slovenian history (beyond Yugoslavia) and culture. And possibly even genetic background. Good luck!
ThickCaterpillar9867@reddit
You are competely delulu if you believe that,you are south Slavs ,you have identical ,language ,mythology ,origins,customs and even genetic(mixed like everyone but clear slavic input). How is slavic not cultural or genetic??that is some dumb satatements,I do not have any wrong image fro Slovenia ,you think that being Slavic is wrong ,I do not ,I value the truth, I would suggest you to stop reading nationalistic propaganda and read actual history and embrace your south slavic origin and forget the germanic one,simple as that
Sudden-Ad-307@reddit
Spotted the turk/serb who immigrated to austria
ThickCaterpillar9867@reddit
Why??you dumb ?
Sudden-Ad-307@reddit
Looks like i was spot on
ThickCaterpillar9867@reddit
No you were not
Sudden-Ad-307@reddit
I doubt it
ThickCaterpillar9867@reddit
Do you wanna bet?You are just hurt Slovenian that will never be Germanic
Sudden-Ad-307@reddit
Neither will you my turkish friend
ThickCaterpillar9867@reddit
But Im not Turkish😂😂
Sudden-Ad-307@reddit
Sure
ThickCaterpillar9867@reddit
Let us bet o it ,in Austria literally no one thinks they are similar to Slovenian,rightfully so.
Sudden-Ad-307@reddit
That don't make you not turkish tho
GymBroLots@reddit
I'm Slovenian - but I'd rather be connected to the Balkans than Austria. 🤷♀️
Immediate_Lab_4909@reddit
We already had that project, it was a failure.
GymBroLots@reddit
So yeah... About that.
We kinda ended the project of No Borders - Same Currency - Central Government just to try to get into another No Borders - Same Currency - Central Government thing.
Riiiight. Gotcha.
Scoreboardvietnam@reddit
The least likeable people in the Balkans.
Really cringe people, only Romanians pretending to be very close to Italians culturally and Albanian lads with their square head pretending to be Italians while on “hunt” for one night stands in European bars are more cringe.
Immediate_Lab_4909@reddit
Why albanians never smile?
Scoreboardvietnam@reddit
I do.
throw-awewe-iy@reddit
Please tell your friends not to visit!
Nobody likes you guys as immigrants, Albania and Kosovo can f*ck off from Slovenia.
Scoreboardvietnam@reddit
Probably butthurt because some ugly Albanian fcked your wife.
Not being liked by Slovenians is something that no one cares about. It is like not being liked by Burundi
life_is_breezy@reddit
Yeah, the difference being that Albanians keep moving to Slovenia, but no Slovenians move to Albania.
Scoreboardvietnam@reddit
The ones moving to Slovenia are Kosovo Albanians.
We don’t care
life_is_breezy@reddit
Great, so happy to here that, I wouldn't know the difference anyway.
_BREVC_@reddit
But are they wrong though? Their belief that they are better than, say, Serbia or Bosnia stems from the objective fact that they are better than Serbia or Bosnia.
Imaginary_String_814@reddit
Better in what sense ? Better is also the wrong word, maybe more successful in certain metrics
Slovenia is barely a factor on the global landscape. Neither in the region nor in the union.
throw-awewe-iy@reddit
Economically we WERE better off in Yugoslavia, and that is all. We are no better than anyone, except u/Scoreboardvietnam. Everyone is better than that guy.
Novel-Wait328@reddit
oh man,you should hear what slovenes think of your nation then
Scoreboardvietnam@reddit
Tbh don’t give a flying fck
ActuatorNew6203@reddit
And please tell your homies from Kosovo they can fuck off too.
Scoreboardvietnam@reddit
I indeed hope they do leave that obnoxious place.
You can keep sucking aged Österreich di ck and ve happy.
Novel-Wait328@reddit
good
ActuatorNew6203@reddit
We take great pride with this. WTF would we even want te be likeable to shithole countries?
JufffoWup@reddit
I've never met a likeable Slovene on the internet.
pisscuntfuckshit@reddit
Yeah bro, we are unlikable unlike the Albanians that everyone loves.
crivycouriac@reddit
Granted, Albanians are at least known to some extent
loco_mixer@reddit
well, slovenia and austria used to be the same country so your comparison is way off
dragecs@reddit
That's a wrong impression. Slovenians are just as Balkan as any of us mortals. And proud of it.
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
We are not Balkan, sorry.
dragecs@reddit
Anyway, I just came back from Ljubljana last week, everywhere I turned there were Bosnians and Macedonians, so...
Immediate_Lab_4909@reddit
Wow you found different nationalities in a capital, congrats!
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
Yes I am not surprised. There are many immigrants from Bosnia, Serbia, Albania, Macedonia. Especially in Ljubljana. By your logic Germany is Middle Eastern country, so…
Unable-Stay-6478@reddit
There are lots of Slovenes in Belgrade, as well.
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
Lots? How many? Few hounded I suppose?
I can assure you none of them moved there for a better life standard/economic reasons. Probably moved there after marriage or for diplomacy, trade etc.
On the other hand almost 20k Serbs live only in Ljubljana.
dragecs@reddit
So Turkiye is Middle East now?
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
Turkey is 97% in the Middle East yes.
Timauris@reddit
We're a hybrid of everything really, you can see the influences from everywhere I would say.
Still, after the elections that just passed, I still feel that we're very deeply connected with the Balkan mentality.
jv_valvasor@reddit
We are genetically western Slavs, closest to Slovaks. During Hun incursions we got split with them by Hungarians and met our southern Yugo cousins. We look nothing like them, we look more alike with western Slavs than with Croats, not to even mention Bosnians or Serbs.
Nonetheless, we became South Slavs during the Illiryan movement, when our language codified and our elites pushed our identity in the South Slavic sphere. It was a political act. This makes us strange, related but not familly,...like a distant cousin stranded with estranged group of brothers. We were brainwashed in seeing ourselves as Yugoslavs and became ones, but the feeling of estrangement remains.
We think we are Balkan, no doubt, and we like it. Even if not outspokenly. The other Balkan people do not consider us as such, not fully, that is why we are shy about it. But in reality I think we are just Slavic and we mistake this for Balkan ethos.
Also. If you have not watched the clip of Žižek on Ljubljanica bridge, you should do so. It speaks the truth, even if it contradicts what I said above. Funny enough, this falls perfectly in the Balkan state of mind.
anonumousJx@reddit
This side of the river civilization, other side savages
jv_valvasor@reddit
Hic sunt leones
nikolapc@reddit
Well, Ljubljana is mostly on the south side of the Sava.
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
Well the northern border of Balkan are rivers Sava, Danube and Kupa. Not only Sava.
sqjam@reddit
haha Žižek to the rescue
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
Oh yes the famous geographer and historian.
IMustBust@reddit
Ah, but you are VRONG!
CountryRegular3411@reddit
Thats what i want to hear, thank you
Scoreboardvietnam@reddit
Me mediterean civilized oyropa you balkan
crivycouriac@reddit
Our wish to be associated with Austria is entirely linked to their money.
I’m not even kidding, if you ask a Slovene why they like Austria they will always say something along the lines of “Austria is rich”. If Austria becomes poor tomorrow, rest assured that Slovenes would try to do everything to distance themselves from it.
Kaos275@reddit
I disagree. I grew up in Štajerska (Slovenian Styria) and I feel more culturally aligned with Austria than the rest of Slovenia.
crivycouriac@reddit
That would have to take an analysis of your lifestyle
rawarawr@reddit
Really? The accordion, the national costume, the Pust carnival celebration, the love of wine and homemade sausages are all from Croatia, right?
throw-awewe-iy@reddit
Pust? Love of wine?
That is not Austrian at all. What a horrible take
rawarawr@reddit
It's not Austrian I didn't say that. We celebrate it for the same reasons as Austrians and in similar ways as them too. Wine culture mostly comes from Štajerska (which is Slovenian part of Styria) - oldest vine on the planet comes from Styrian city Maribor too.
crivycouriac@reddit
Austria is traditionally a beer country
GroundZeroMstrNDR@reddit
Nope, Styria, Lower Austria, Burgenland and Vienna are famous for their wine. There isn't even a single brewery (maybe you find some craft beer hipster in the capital) in Burgenland while every third village has lots of vineyards and a wide range of different flavors like Uhudler. People also drink beer but the traditional and more common drink in those regions is wine
Fear_mor@reddit
Unironically all of these things exist and are part of the culture in Croatia, tf do you think we eat? Dirt? Do you think you guys are the only ethnic group to put on costumes and do some funky shit once a year? Go look up zvončari lol
Corp-Por@reddit
I thought you only ate fish!
person1549@reddit
We do like wine and we have a history of being bankers/traders. If you check those boxes you might just be Croatian, good job.
rawarawr@reddit
Well you might just be jewish with after your statement, congrats to you as well.
person1549@reddit
I meant pre communism ofcourse. Most of our banks got rekt after ww2. Besides that we dont really have much in common with jews.
As a country we are very much weird, different from all our neighbours. Its probably the Hungarians that infuelced us the most.
notshysana@reddit
Didn't we always say we're more like Switzerland rather than Austria?
crivycouriac@reddit
I don’t know how we would justify such a claim
notshysana@reddit
Slovenia was the richest country after the fall of Yugoslavia.
Corp-Por@reddit
One Serb once defined us as "The Jews of the Slavic peoples"
crivycouriac@reddit
Still doesn’t justify it
notshysana@reddit
Lmfao all I am saying is what they were saying. It's not that deep
adamgerd@reddit
This is one of the two reasons Czechs like Austria tbh, mountains and wealth.
Mission-Shape-4895@reddit (OP)
I noticed that many Czechs have german surnames. The Austrian/German influence is huge in the Czech Republic
MarucaMCA@reddit
Same for Slovenia. I know only a handful of Slovenians and half of them have Germanic sounding names.
Ur-Best-Friend@reddit
It depends a lot on the region. You probably met mostly Slovenes from Gorenjska where what you say is absolutely true, but if you go to Primorska for example, you'll find very few surnames with a Germanic origin, and plenty of Italian instead. Our history is complex, with a lot of different influences.
MarucaMCA@reddit
Ha, interesting thx! I’ll have to ask them. And yes you do!
MarucaMCA@reddit
You'd like us Swiss people (I work with Slovenian musicians in my spare time).
We have mountains (Guggisberg instead of Triglav), are a tiny country, also speak weird Germanic dialects but we have a A LOT more money (not ME, I'm working poor haha).
So I'd suggest you make us your new besties and in return you give us access to the sea haha.
jinawee@reddit
If Austria becomes poor tomorrow, would they like to be associated with the Balkans?
crivycouriac@reddit
No idea
pisscuntfuckshit@reddit
This is the stupidest, least thought out take ive ever heard in my life.
crivycouriac@reddit
Is it?
stoopsi@reddit
Yes it is. Speak for yourself.
crivycouriac@reddit
You’re probably one of the stableboys
rawarawr@reddit
Yes because we literally have similar foods as Austrians, we have same style of national music as them, we even celebrate holidays that are celebrated only in germanic parts of the Europe. Even our nationa attire is similar to theirs.
crivycouriac@reddit
This does not explain anything
And which Germanic-only holidays do we celebrate?
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
Yea that’s not true at all.
crivycouriac@reddit
There are a few of the Vienna stableboy nutjobs but for the rest it definitively is true
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
I’m guessing you are someone who hates Slovenian culture and language and wishes we were colonized by Ottomans just like Balkan so we would share same history and culture? You probably long for Yugoslavia? I know the type.
crivycouriac@reddit
I dislike both sides but we didn’t profit much from the Habsburgs at all
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
We actually did profit greatly unlike Balkan that was under Ottomans.
crivycouriac@reddit
Highest emigration rate in continental Europe during the 19th century fyi
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
Would love to see our economy if we were under Ottoman Empire.
Fear_mor@reddit
„My seljober ancestors lived in slightly less abject poverty than yours, therefore check and mate”
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
Not sure what you’re trying to prove?
low-sikeliot-9062@reddit
pretty much this. Very well said
StrudlEnjoyer@reddit
You're projecting.
Icy_Huckleberry8893@reddit
Yes but how you feel that croatia is catching you in terms of money,standart of living etc i sow thet avarage wage in croatia is getying 1511€ while in slovenia i tjink 1600€
crivycouriac@reddit
Was bound to happen sooner or later. Slovenia doesn’t have the societal means to be a wealthy society for long.
The only thing that still grinds my gears is why large parts of Croatia still look identical to Ukraine.
Icy_Huckleberry8893@reddit
Because my opinion is that now croatian have that capital in hands to repaired their homes.but is very strange cuz slivenian gdp per capita is way more higher than croatia like 40.000$ vs 29.000 $ slovena i think have alot more capacity is like paradox
Hidrogen_Cosic@reddit
Western overlords gave croatian plebs some capital, so they would be motivated to fight in the coming war.
person1549@reddit
I assure, no balkan country will fight a war any time soon. Especially not Croatia.
Icy_Huckleberry8893@reddit
In wich incoming wars
Hidrogen_Cosic@reddit
Quite possible that europe and uk will go to war against us and russia in next 10 years.
No_Search7380@reddit
Croatia has 428 municipalities. Even in Istria, some municipalities choose the same carpenter that has been in power since independence. Nothing against carpenters and fellow handymen, I’m sure they know how to fix existing issues but sometimes i wonder how well they manage EU funds and other aspects od governing i.e the bigger picture (which requires much higher technical knowledge, one that the 60 year old pushing to 70 most likely doesn’t have. Likewise, their description of “corruption” is usually highly incompatible with the one in our penal code.
As is usual in the case of rural areas and fairly uncommon in larger towns, popularity tends to win over ideas/skills.
Now i can’t blame all the issues on cleptocratic geriatrics, who possess vague intelectual limitations and loose moral obligations, but i can blame most of the problems on them.
sqjam@reddit
Right wingers are crying because of the fact and I love it!
Icy_Huckleberry8893@reddit
What riight wingers what facts? Ididnt understand
sqjam@reddit
The fact Croatia and their economy is doing good.
Imaginary_String_814@reddit
its so good that the average croat moves out with 33 years of his parent home, the oldest in the whole europe union.
I guess economy and family relations are going super well.
person1549@reddit
Yes, a really bad stat for us.
however, the state of country today is a lot, and i mean A LOT, better than it was before covid 19.
The pandemic really made us get our shit together, we have a really good gdp growth, we have reduced our debt to gdp ratio a lot, emigration has slowed down significantly and salaries are increasing (but so are the prices).
We are not on the level of the west, but we made huge progress in recent years.
Icy_Huckleberry8893@reddit
Yeah but gdp per capita is still behind slovenia 40.000$ croatia 29.000$ as they excplain me they have better oension alot of exctra etc but thet croatia is developing fast is obvious
sqjam@reddit
It does not matter.
The fact they could catch up with us somehow terrifies them.
And they used fake news to scare people about how every company is going there and they are already catching up with us.
There is no place for facts in right wing propaganda :)
SomeRandomApple@reddit
The socialist government is to blame
National_Hat_4865@reddit
Average wage is an indicator that can be easily deceiving, look at GDP per capita to best see the economic development of a state and Croatia still has a way to reach Slovenia.
Icy_Huckleberry8893@reddit
Yeah excatly is like paradox i mentioned before slovenia gdp per capita is 40.000$ vs croatia is 29.000$ i dont know meaby croatia have alot informal economy.
Rainfolder@reddit
It would be smarter to compare gross wages, but it's also complicated since Slovenia has also bruto bruto and Croatia bruto2.
Also in Slovenia, you have by law mandated that every worker gets transportation (usually 0,21€/km), and lunch money(cca150€/month on top of 13, 14th salary, all these figures are not shown in the average wage since they are not taxable.
Croats also get some of those bonuses, but they are not mandatory for every worker, so it depends on the company to company.
Yearly gross figures show on the same difference % wise as nominal GDP shows.
It is also true that Croatia has made nice GDP growth since 2020 on.
Icy_Huckleberry8893@reddit
Yes bit again in this grapgh show austrian gross earnings 60.000 that i think is to far from reality idk.
Rainfolder@reddit
What about when you add the 13th and 14th salaries?
Denturart@reddit
Indeed average wage statistic is deceiving, Slovenians have a lot higher extra incomes that officially don't count as salary.
This is a better indicator: Median disposable income is still a lot higher in Slovenia than in Croatia: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/ilc_di03__custom_20666169/default/table
National_Hat_4865@reddit
Like for example bosnia has an average wage of Taiwan - the monopolist of microchips technology that everyone has everywhere in their daily life, are we deadass comparing bosnia and taiwan development levels’.
National_Hat_4865@reddit
P.S. tho Croatia has achieved great results, even better than hyped up Poland, cuz Poland did not have fucking war 30 years ago.
Denturart@reddit
Slovenia taxes wages more, while Croatia taxes consumption (VAT). Also Slovenia has higher social security tax and consequently a lot higher pensions than Croatia. For a lot of Croatian pensioners it's normal to get remittances from relatives who work abroad. This is very uncommon in Slovenia.
Also Slovenian incomes are a lot higher than net average wage as for some reason an average employee gets around extra 450€ net income per month which legally isn't counted as "salary" but as "reimbursement" (for holidays, food, transport...). Croatia also has some of these extras but they're way lower (around 100€ per month).
Icy_Huckleberry8893@reddit
Yes this excplain everything cuz and gdp per capita slovenia is way,way higher.
StrudlEnjoyer@reddit
They are doing a good job. Slovenian public is unfortunately brainwashed. Yesterday's elections were perhaps a turn for the better but it probably wasn't enough. There is still hope though, the young people voted overwhelmingly against the current regime as they are not as susceptible for the propaganda of the mainstream media. Hopefully it won't be too little too late.
crivycouriac@reddit
I’m not, I don’t even like Austria
This is literally how people act
StrudlEnjoyer@reddit
That's how you act. You've moved how many countries due to better opportunities? All you think about is money. But some of us care about our tradition and culture as well. We don't like Austria because of money. We look up to them, because they are our neighbours and are more successful. But what ties us to Austria is history and culture.
crivycouriac@reddit
You just rephrased what I said to make it sound prettier. It’s all about the money.
Furthermore, the “love” is only one-sided anyway. Most Austrians don’t give a shit about Slovenia and many don’t even know it exists.
GroundZeroMstrNDR@reddit
Wtf what
crivycouriac@reddit
What what
InBetweenSeen@reddit
Of course Austrians know that Slovenia exists. You have odd takes.
crivycouriac@reddit
Not universally
InBetweenSeen@reddit
Well, there are idiots everywhere, but in general it's expected from 10-year-olds to be able to point out Slovenia on a map.
crivycouriac@reddit
For Italy, you had both Silvio Berlusconi and Giorgia Meloni confuse Slovenia in public
IMustBust@reddit
They know it technically 'exists', but even they often mix it up with Slovakia. Couldn't give two shits one way or another.
InBetweenSeen@reddit
I am Austrian, Slovenia happens to be my favourite neighbour.
Austrians mix up Slovenia and Slovakia less than others do. From our perspective they are in two different cardinal directions.
Vienna and Bratislava are the second-closest capitals in the world, so at least eastern Austrians see it as a logical destination for a city trip or have Slovakian colleagues who commute. They also remember it because of Czechoslovakia.
Slovenia is next to people's favourite holiday destinations (Italy and Croatia - and Austria), so they at least have come through Slovenia before. Carinthian Slovenes are part of school education. And that Slovenia is good in winter sports is unironically something people remember it by (eg if they watch Ski jumping at all they know Peter Prevc).
I mean, you can still say people don't give a shit, but in the same way they don't give a shit about other neighbours.
Fantastic_Tea8176@reddit
Agree, this makes a lot of sense
Imaginary_String_814@reddit
our politicians are working overtime on it.
Organic_Contract_172@reddit
Reminds me of how the Polish-Czech relationship developed after 2022 as they civilised. Looks like we are similarly transactional
HistoriBoi@reddit
How old are you?
crivycouriac@reddit
21
HistoriBoi@reddit
Krščen duš, pa tok najstniški razmišljanje...
crivycouriac@reddit
Real friendship is twosided, Austria hasn’t so far shown many signs of it
chunek@reddit
To be honest, I still don't know what Balkan is supposed to mean, but looking at the memes, the general doomerism, the poor attitude towards keeping your surroundings clean, loud speech, exotic music, war crime traumas and hospitality.. none of it is really relatable.
It's not that we don't like to be Balkan, it's that nobody really seems to know what it is, and it gets interpreted by whoever is the loudest or in a majority, and then we get shit on because we don't fit in as much and never did.
johnnygalat@reddit
We are definitely balkan. In corruption levels at least.
trisul-108@reddit
Slovenia is at the intersection of cultures, with Balkan, Austrian and Italian influences. Slovenes appreciate Balkan entertainment, but seek Austrian stability and Italian image. So, they would like to look like Italians, live like Austrians and party like the Balkans.
green_magma@reddit
Italian image yeah right haha
trisul-108@reddit
https://blog.thejacketmaker.com/italian-fashion-men/
green_magma@reddit
Never experienced any tendency at Slo people towards Italian, or any other, style. How come I’m missing that?
trisul-108@reddit
Maybe your Inner Emona is dead?
green_magma@reddit
Not mine but Emona is dead
No_Bother1500@reddit
and Hungary influence in Prekmurje (over the rive Mura). Prlekija is the most infuenced.
stoopsi@reddit
No one ever said they want to look like Italians? Wtf? Short and chubby????!
oy_says_ake@reddit
xlondelax@reddit
Stylish like Italians.
stoopsi@reddit
Slovenians don't give a crap about style. Especially high end like Italy.
xlondelax@reddit
I agree, personally and see it daily on the street. Though the sport and active wear brands and those low mid-range brands are quite popular.
But stylish is probably what the commentator thought with looking like Italians.
trisul-108@reddit
I was thinking of dressing like an Italian. Nevertheless, good catch.
stoopsi@reddit
No one here looks at Italians and thinks "wow, I want to dress like them". Wtf? Most people here live in jeans and workout clothes.
w0mbatina@reddit
Why would I wanna look like a fat dark gnome with sideburns lmao
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
Yugoslavian influencers not Balkan is general. There is a difference.
DemandNew8116@reddit
best of all worlds
treba_dzemper@reddit
They are more like the Czech really, both nations are kind of what the fully developed Habsburg Slav looks like when it has no Ottoman nor Russian influences.
adamgerd@reddit
Well technically Czech has Soviet influence 1945-1989 and Slovenia had Ottoman raids though no permanent occupation but overall yes, we’ve been the most German influenced of all Slavs
KingShango12123@reddit
He doesn’t know anything about Slovenia. It’s only stereotyped picture he is painting. There were also regular Otoman raids done in Slovenia and a lot of young men were taken to serve. To be fair we were never under the full rule of the Otomans like they were. They did take the brunt of that one for sure. One would have to ask how many Slavs are still there. Not saying there is anything bad about that, there was just a lot of blood mixing done over the years.
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
Slovenia was never under the Ottoman rule. There are DNA studies done if you have interest in that.
KingShango12123@reddit
Did someone say it was?
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
You said “we were never under the full rule” which is implying that we partly were?
Res ne razumem kaj točno želiš dokazat? Da smo Slovenci Balkanci? Morda celo Turki?
KingShango12123@reddit
No it implies that Bosnians were. What is the problem here? You trying to say Slovenians are not Balkan? We are. Don’t be silly by taking it to the extreme and trying to make it look like i want to say we might be Turks. And keep it in English so the rest can understand. Better yet, keep it to yourself because it’s not even a debate and you trying to make it one is just sad. Same as you going into my DMs.
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
No we are not Balkan.
KingShango12123@reddit
😂
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
What’s funny? I’m guessing you don’t know the difference between Yugoslavia and Balkan? Little hint: those two are not synonyms.
KingShango12123@reddit
😂
Mission-Shape-4895@reddit (OP)
Especially Czechs. The Austrian and German influence in the Czech Republic is huge if you look at the architecture of Czech cities and many Czechs have german surnames
Babuci97@reddit
I have a Slovenian friend and he tells me that we Slovenians are Slavs but we are also “ashamed” of being Slavs because Slavs are known as wild and not very understanding people and we prefer to be Westerners. This is not in my opinion but according to my Slovenian friend. While in my opinion I can say that Slovenians are the smartest and most peaceful Slavs and in Balkan too
life_is_breezy@reddit
They only have a hint of Slav in them, society-wise. What makes them Slavic in their behaviour?
low-sikeliot-9062@reddit
They sound as insecure as Poles and their central European larp when they deny any connection to the balkans.
The reality is that they want to be associated with Austria because Austria is richer and has a better image worldwide. Meanwhile the average Austrian does not give two shits about them and mixes them up with Slovakia.
If (when) Croatia catches up they will have no problem in admitting that it is the closest country to them
life_is_breezy@reddit
You are somehow under the impression that Slovenians want to be associated with Austrians, which is just laughable. They don't even know what an "Austrian" is, they just want to be richer. If anything, they aspire to be associated with Switzerland, but even that is just connected to the economy. Slovenians like being Slovenians, but want more money.
Croatia is so far behind, socially speaking, that you can't even compare it. It's a mindset thing to start with, even having more money wouldn't solve anything for them. If Croatia didn't have the sea it would be a shithole, and this is coming from someone who likes Croatia.
notshysana@reddit
We are located on the Balkan peninsula but culturally we are more similar to Russians and Polish slavs than Balkan slavs or other Balkan countries. We don't have that much in common other than having a similar language and slavic ancestry.
zibo12@reddit
I agree but where did you found russians lol...i mean out of all slavic countries we are probably least culturally similar to russians..
oikon7@reddit
No Balkon, no Balkon, nur Mitteleuropa
sukha_para@reddit
takeaway: nobody wants the balcony
PolkaSlush@reddit
Slovenia is what Croatia wishes it was lmao
raw1469@reddit
I'm Bosnian and was born and raised in Ljubljana. And I can confidently say that Slovenians are much more culturally similar to Austrians than people from the Balkans.
Imaginary_String_814@reddit
This feeling is unilateral tho
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
It isn’t a feeling. It’s an objective truth. I’m sorry that’s offends you.
KingShango12123@reddit
Give it a rest. He told you he wants nothing to do with you.
GroundZeroMstrNDR@reddit
It is an objective truth and everyone who has been to both countries a lot and actually talked to people can confirm that. Not every region but central to east slovenia and south east austria are extremely similar. maybe koper and strasshof an der nordbahn aren't that similar.
Imaginary_String_814@reddit
i think you have more regional differences, someone whos close to the border maybe feels some similiarity.
but from my experience such topics are non existent.
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
We do have regional differences, just like any country. Perhaps in Slovenia they’re more noticeable because of our position at the crossroads of different cultures.
Overall, though, there are many shared elements: similar music and traditional dances like polka, comparable cuisine and drinks and overlapping customs, history and even genetic heritage.
No-Working7460@reddit
It's irrelevant. Closeness or no closeness---who cares. Slovenia is doing fine, it's a wonderful place, it comes close to Aut in many aspects (and so do parts of Ita), assuming you like the lifestyle. I'm so tired of these posts.
Imaginary_String_814@reddit
Absolutely many Austrians love Slovenia and it’s an amazing place
And as mentioned such topics you only see online
person1549@reddit
Bosnians like to make claims like these. I met so many bosnians who think that we, Serbs and them are all primitives who will forever be poor and backward.
They make crazy statements like how Slovenes and Czechs are a part of the Germanic culture and are superior to us in every way.
Inferiority complex at its finest.
rawarawr@reddit
Because your knowledge of Slovenian traditions is poor.
HumanMan00@reddit
Why tho?
Imaginary_String_814@reddit
why would they ? theres literally animosity between austrians and germans (on a little scale tho and often in a jokery manner)
they have more cultural differences within Austria imo
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
Slovenia has more cultural similarities with Austria than differences.
adamgerd@reddit
What about to Czech?
forgottenclown@reddit
Do.you have a German flag in the basement?
Imaginary_String_814@reddit
no flag at all, weird question ngl
ksaldo@reddit
So you're Slovenian then..got it
nikolapc@reddit
No, čefur.
Low_Skill_4096@reddit
Your statement will get you a lot of downvotes now, you know how people on Reddit think. 😋😋😋
Above all, there will be comments again from people from English-speaking countries, possibly 3-5 generations in the diaspora, or those who have no connection to the Balkans at all.
Zealousideal-Salt219@reddit
It sounds like an inferiority complex to me. As an Irishman I know this mentality well.
honore_ballsac@reddit
https://youtu.be/r_5Slnkzekc?si=k9oA9_-t8dvOYSWq
Organic_Drop_272@reddit
my two year experience in slovenia while being from bosnia tells me they are fucking great. maybe smartest slavs - the recent conclusion is they werent under ottomans who left all the worst of the eastern worlds. fundamentalism, religion in bosnia, very very bad values which in turkey got fixed with attaturk but bosnia is still left with ottoman funny culture. nobody denies here balkans but they reject the mindset even tho they let themselves enjoy some of the music here and there. its a delicate geopolitical position they were in since yugo but managed very well. got the best end and snowballed since.
Beneficial-Code8026@reddit
I have always felt Slovenia was the most similar to Italy, but I have only ever been around the Western side. I also don't know enough about Austria to make the comparison.
Sensitive-Mango7155@reddit
I think we are more culturally similar to Slovakia or Czechia than the Balkans. We also tend to keep to ourselves more. I know we are Balkan. Maybe not so much so culturally but in the end of the day we are Balkan
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
How exactly are we Balkan? Because as far as I know Slovenia isn’t Balkan not culturally, not geographically, not historically and not genetically.
Unable-Stay-6478@reddit
Ha, I knew you would rise to the surface.
'We are not Balkan, but I'm constantly lurking Balkan subs...'
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
How are those two connected? Are you aware that many people participating in this sub aren’t Balkan?
Unable-Stay-6478@reddit
No, there are maybe two or three people from the same non-Balkan country. I see more Slovenians than Montenegrins or Macedonians in this subreddit.
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
Well I have to admit I do not follow the numbers. But I noticed many people from various different countries which are not part of Balkan.
Slovenians are here for different reasons. Some of them indeed believe they are Balkan because of Yugoslavia (in Slovenia many people think those two are some kind of synonyms, bad I know). And some are just interested in what Balkan people have to say about us. Like me.
I do not have explanations why there is a lower number of Macedonians and Montenegrins which you are noticing.
Unable-Stay-6478@reddit
This is based af. Those people are great.
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
What?
person1549@reddit
I noticed that they care quite a bit about not being seen as balkan, similarly to how Poles want to be seen as central European.
Im honestly fine with it, they can see themselves as whatever they want, Slovnia will still be the same country, whether they are seen as balkan or not. It wont fundimentally change how people live and how the state works, its pretty irrelevant.
ilijadwa@reddit
There are a lot of Croats who are also desperate to not be seen as Balkan
Hour-Promotion-2496@reddit
Yeah the north-western ones, which aren't Balkan
ilijadwa@reddit
I agree though I also see a lot of Croats trying to claim all of Croatia isn’t Balkan, which is kinda wild to me especially knowing where my fam come from and the culture/mentality
Hour-Promotion-2496@reddit
I think it's mainly the NW ones trying to claim it for the whole Croatia, because they don't understand how diverse and different Croatia is north to south, east to west.
ilijadwa@reddit
I hope so, because the level of cognitive dissonance is insane. But even my dad, who is of herzegovinian and inland Dalmatian heritage still tries to deny being Balkan. Some of the villages he has family in are literally on the border of Dalmatia and BiH and he still claims we aren’t Balkan. He prefers the term “southern European” lol.
person1549@reddit
Im from Dalmatia and it really varies from person to person. Some are extremely balkan, some are basically slavic Italians.
tbb2m@reddit
We are central ffs.
Interesting-Yellow-4@reddit
I used to think so, but our streets are filled with garbage now.
We're definitely the balkans now, regardless of how the transition occurred.
Overtaken_by_Anger@reddit
Slovenes are like a bridge between Western Slavs and South Slavs. A Slovene will somewhat stand out in both of these worlds. But I do feel like they definitely are a little bit closer to Czechs, Moravians and Slovaks, than to Bosnians, Croats or Serbians.
adamgerd@reddit
Makes sense
If you look at history, Slovenes and Czechs have been longer in the same country than Slovenes and Croats or Slovenes and Bosnia, we’ve both been part of Austria since the 16th century and Cislethnia up to the treaty of St. Germain
Hour-Promotion-2496@reddit
Not true. Slovenes and Croats shared a state for longer (\~464 years: Habsburg rule 1527–1918 plus Yugoslavia 1918–1991) than Slovenes and Czechs (\~392 years: Habsburg rule 1526–1918)
rawarawr@reddit
Not at all. We don't speak czech, slovak languages, we don't listen to their music, we don't eat their food. We do speak serbo-croatioan tho, we do listen to balkan music and we do eat lots of balkan food on daily bases.
PlantLady187@reddit
Slovenia is the germanic Balkan and Austria is the Balkan Germany, its that simple.
(MyHeritage puts Austria and Slovenia in the same supgroup of the East European group, Balkan and Germanic are a separate group, do what you will with that info)
Sinkrast@reddit
Austrians absolutely reeling at your post
PlantLady187@reddit
Only thing they can do is downvote lol. Already telling how many if them are lurking in this subreddit
zibo12@reddit
Slovenia in its core is definetly not culturally balkan ,all that is cultural balkan in slovenia stems exclusively from the immigrants from ex-yugoslav countries and with such smaller extent.. that we were once being part of yugoslavia for a short period of time in history and during that time we picked certain things especially like food for example..wich is not a bad thing,but otherwise i would say that culturally we are much more similar to austrians or czechs..
ZonzoDue@reddit
Well, historically, they have been part of the Holy Roman Empire, and especially the Austrian estates, for a 1000 years (just like the Czechs). And unlike all other Balkan people besides Dalmatia, they have never been under ottoman rule either.
That does create some sort of rift culturally, that 80 years of Yugoslavia has not erased.
Everytime I go to Slovenia, I am struck at how it does look like a slavic speaking Austria/Switzerland. It is especially noticeable when crossing from Piran to Istria.
CamelAmbitious7425@reddit
"It is especially noticeable when crossing from Piran to Istria." What do you mean by that? Piran is in Istria!
ZonzoDue@reddit
Yes. I meant crossing the border. You can see the mentality switch.
NoSync22@reddit
Uh, what kind of?
CamelAmbitious7425@reddit
Interesting, i didnt notice any difference between Slovenian and Croatian Istria.
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
69 years not 80
ZonzoDue@reddit
73 to be precise no ? From 1918 to 1991 ?
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
Yugoslavia ceased to exist between 1941 and 1945 so 69 years
ZonzoDue@reddit
You are nitpicking ^^
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
Not at all, just being accurate:)
ZonzoDue@reddit
Well, if we are being accurate, the kingdom of Yugoslavia was not abolished until 1945. Nazi Germany dislocation wasn’t ever recognized nor its puppet states and there is a direct institutional continuity between the kingdom and the republic.
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
Fair point…legally there was continuity via the government-in-exile. But I was counting the period when Yugoslavia actually functioned on its territory which excludes the WWII occupation.
adamgerd@reddit
Yep, Slovenia, Istria and western Croatia are the only parts never held by ottomans then increasingly more Ottoman held as you go east, north Macedonia and southern Serbia and Kosovo are the most Ottoman influenced
the_TIGEEER@reddit
Here is the thing. Slovenians are definitely South Slavs. We used to be in Yugoslavia after all. We identify with a lot of South Slavic / Yugoslavic things like music, food, language, family. We feel Yugoslavic. But after the war, people started using the word "Balkan" to identify specifically Yugoslav things like čevapi, Severina (music), etc. Things that Slovenians all culturally enjoy, but we aren't Balkan. Slovenians aren't geographically Balkan, but culturally we are South Slavic. And because other South Slavs have started using the word "Balkan" to describe South Slavic things, Slovenians got caught in a bit of an enigma where if a Slovenian will say "I love Balkan music" in the same breath as "Slovenia isn't Balkan".
Slovenia is South Slavic / Yugoslavic, but geographically we aren't Balkan.
zibo12@reddit
Slovenia in its core is definetly not culturally balkan either,all that is cultural balkan in slovenia stems exclusively from the immigrants from ex-yugoslav countries and with such smaller extend that we were for a short period of history being part of yugoslavia and during that time we picked certain things especially like food for example..but otherwise i would say that culturally we are much more similar to austrians or czechs..
pisscuntfuckshit@reddit
Im not an expert on this but I suppose the guy who wrote the comment also isnt. Slovenians today enjoy balkan music and food, sure. What is also worth mentioning here is that we have large ex yugo diasporas that are influencing this in a big way. All of this to say, the commenter is being extremely missleading. I challange someone to go listen to some either ethinc Slovenian music or Turbofolk and compare it to Austrian music and then to music from the balkans. The music that was and still is being created here is WAAAAY more similar to Austrian music. Also ask the average Slovenian how many times a week he eats cevapi and how many times he eats weinerschnitzel. I really dont think anyone cares about the balkan label, and sure its hard to say we are not south Slavic. But saying that Slovenia is culturally balkan is just categoricaly wrong.
the_TIGEEER@reddit
Oh my god here we go..
First of all. Who are you to say that I am not or am not Slovenian. Let me guess SNS? Ok..
That's not my point. My point isn't that our cultural music is similar to ~~"Balkan"~~ Yugoslavic music. My point is that Yugoslavic music has become our cultural music next to the turbo folk and Austrian sounding music. Or do you mean to tell me that you don't know the lyrics to Đurđev dan? Or that you don't know any Yugo rock or Severina song? Or do you seriously, with a straight face, want to tell me that you don't know anyone who naturally likes to listen to Balkan trap music?
Of course we have artists making traditional Austrian like music. But we also have artists like Ružno Pače, who is a Slovenian making hyper punk music in Croatian or like.. Luka Basi, Ines Erbus, Nina Donelli, Senidah etc..
If you honestly believe that you're delusional wtf. In the last week I ate both Čevapi and the Vienna steak.. I think it's at least 50% 50% which describes our culture quite well tbh. But at BBQ's you never make a Vienna steak you always go for Čevapi and if you don't agree you are delusional buddy..
That's not what I said.. I said multiple times, that we aren't Balkan culturally that we are oonly Balkan culturally if you take the definition for what it means to be Balkan culturally as being it "Yugoslavic". If you don't understand the difference I can't help you.
And here is an uncomfortable truth for you. We always had a large portion of other Yugoslavs. If we had them for so long and they keep being the only reason why we still have a positive population growth rate, then at some point, their culture mixes with what is traditionally ours to define what it means to be Slovenian..
pisscuntfuckshit@reddit
Ok great, Slovenians who arent of Slovenian descent are culturally balkan and vice versa. We understand eacother.
the_TIGEEER@reddit
Nope we do not. You do not seem to be capable of entertainign non extreme stand points. The world isn't as simple as you would like it to be.
My points are:
A: All Slovenians share cultural similarities with what "Balkan culture means". That's because "Yugoslavic culture" belogns int othe wider umbrella of "Balkan Culture" And all Slovenians share many cultural things with Yugoslavic Culture, but not necessarily many of the other exclusively Balkan non-Yugoslav things.
B: It is true, that obviously the South Slavic first generation immigrants share more of what is considered "Yugoslavic culture". But in Slovenia there is sooo manny second, third, fourht, fifth! generation South Slavic imigrants that almost everyone has family down there. What it means to be South Slavic has through time since the start of the Slovenian people mixed with what it means to be Slovenian, and thereby it has defined what it means to be Slovenian culturally. It's not just Austrian, no matter how hard you want it to be for your own ego.
pisscuntfuckshit@reddit
Whats your perogative? You still arent able to admit that Slovenian culture is more alike to Austrian even tho it is obvious to anyone who lives here or has been here to visit. Balkan music, food, whatever are a "relatively" new concept here. If someone is asking about Slovenian culture he isnt asking about the presence of other cultures in Slovenia. If i were to ask a German person about their cuisine they wouldnt say "ohh my favourite German dish is a kebab because we have a lot of Turkish people here". You are just unironically giving people the wrong impression. And it really is that simple, cevpcici isnt Slovenian food, Severina is nothing like Slovenian music etc. Stop being defensive and go talk to someone irl, yugoslavia isnt coming back anytime soon.
operiluz@reddit
Trying to get one unified view from Slovenians is probably mission impossible. It's a really small country where majority of the population is like an hour away from some border and we also had mass migration for years.
We have most of north Slovenians aligning with Austria and some small part with Hungary, most of west with Italy and most of south with Croatia. The middle is usually just a mess of migrations (within Slovenia and from outside).
Further, Slovenia hasnt really been Slovenia for that long in history. We were always just a part of some bigger empire that didnt really care about us.
Ex-Yugo countries, Austria and Italy aren't really our fans. We're just always stuck in the middle with some cultural similarities with all of them. Would I count myself as part of Balkans? Depends on the day 😀
Nevtr@reddit
Yes. Balkans = caveman, Austria = modern man. Why would you want to be associated with the ghetto?
xlondelax@reddit
I don't care if I'm called Balkan, but, yeah, Slovenes on general have a different mentality as the Balkan, in temperament especially.
Captain3007@reddit
Slovenes never had a sense of national identity and distinct culture that's why. Yet they speak a Bulgarian dialect
throw-awewe-iy@reddit
Wtf are you smoking
LegioXI89@reddit
They are different culturally because ottomans never reached them
rawarawr@reddit
Oh they did, we just fought them off.
LegioXI89@reddit
Naah they didn't really, I mean technically they did reach Vienna but half of europe united in order to fight them off, even mighty Hungarian kingdom(as well as Serbian, Bulgarian etc before that) fell in the process, I mean they were very strong until 17th century, too bad Austria and other european powers didn't take the opportunity and sent them back to anatolia but left the balkans for another 200 years to be ruled by these backward cunts
rawarawr@reddit
They did reach, but they couldn't do much damage here as we fought them off (with a bit of help of course). Simple.
LegioXI89@reddit
With a bit of polish winged husars help 😉
rawarawr@reddit
Low_Skill_4096@reddit
everydays question, ...why?
k0pr1va@reddit
Slovenia attracts curiosity. It's culturally not Balkan, but still South Slavic, but joined Yugoslavia freely and some can be quite Yugonostalgic. It still baffles my mind how some villages I know in Macedonia and Ljubljana used to be one country.
Low_Skill_4096@reddit
Can you understand each other well if someone speaks Slovenian and Macedonian? They are not the same language, after all.
k0pr1va@reddit
Not quite, I speak neither of these, but I speak the dialect continuum called Serbo-Croatian up until 1991. I can understand 80 to 100% of Macedonian depending on the context and effort, but around 50% to 60% of Slovenian in a good day.
Low_Skill_4096@reddit
interesting, so some people claimed slovenian is more like slovakian or sorbian language (Germany), while North Macedonian is similar to Bulgarian.
For me its easy to understand the Goranci from Kosovo.
Its more simple in Grammar.
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
No we cannot understand each other. Slovenia is culturally Central Europe not Balkan.
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
It is south slavic only linguistically.
DogBrilliant8100@reddit
Slovenia might as well be a Western nation in comparison to the Balkans. The standard of living, infrastructure, HDI, cleanliness, general civic sense of responsibility, lower corruption rates, etc. are lightyears ahead of us. They are much closer culturally, poltiically and economically to Austria and Italia than to us.
ERFQHYDRAWAAR@reddit
I’m sorry Slovenes but this debate is Balkan
Infinite-Guess-9566@reddit
That's because we're not Balkan geographically or culturally.
SoundConfident3925@reddit
The concept of a distinctly Austrian culture is indeed a modern construct, shaped more by political identity than by deep historical roots. This contrasts with the ancient Alpine regional cultures, including the Slovenian one, which have millennia of continuity.
Regarding similarities with Western Slavs, particularly Czechs, there are historical foundations for these connections. The Slavic peoples migrated from territories of modern Ukraine through Poland, then across the Czech Republic (specifically Moravia) to what is now Slovenia (historically Carantania). This shared migration path explains many cultural and linguistic connections. This connection was broken by the invasion of the Huns and Germans, and 300 jihads didn't really help neither.
But, the Slovenian language preserves remarkable historical elements. One Slovenian dialect maintains the greatest continuity among all Slavic languages, still spoken today in a form remarkably similar to that of 1500 years ago. Additionally, Slovenian uniquely preserves the dual grammatical form among living languages, a feature that has disappeared elsewhere.
Historically, Carantania shared a border with Bulgaria during the period when the Bulgarians adopted the Slavic language, creating important cultural and linguistic exchanges. And this may be the only connection what we have with them.
This historical context helps explain why many Slovenians don't identify with the Balkan label. Slovenia's historical development followed a different trajectory than most Balkan nations, with more connections to Central European cultural spheres.
Just let's be honest here and admit that the Balkan language is nothing more than a simplified version of Slovenian.
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
What is a Balkan language?
SoundConfident3925@reddit
We'll definitely not Slovenian. Bulgarian i suppose.
Probably because one of the key features of the Balkan linguistic area is that languages like Bulgarian (as well as Romanian and Albanian) have abandoned declensions with word endings, replacing them with prepositions. If we were to rank Slavic languages by this measure of who is bigger Balkan, Bulgarian (along with Macedonian) would be at the top with 100%, as their structure has fully embraced this Balkan model. They would be followed by Serbian and Montenegrin at 50%, because while they are geographically in the Balkans, they have retained their case system. Meanwhile, Slovene would remain completely outside with 0%, as Slovenians are linguistic conservatives who have preserved archaic Slavic structures like an abundant case system and the dual number.
This is why it's often said that Bulgarian is essentially Slovene that partied too much with Greeks, Turks, and Albanians.
Cultural_Chip_3274@reddit
I do not know where you are getting this guys, but the only time I had time together with a Slovene, her vibe was definitely Mediterranean, Italian, liberal Greek. At the time we were both at Slovakia and we were both amazed by how depressed people looked there, and I do not even pass necessarily as a cheerful guy. Long story short, this was nowhere like Austrians or Slovaks but the sample is extremely small.
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
Maybe you bumped into a Slovenian from the coastal region.
Dark_Fluff370@reddit
Definitely this ^^^
Novel-Wait328@reddit
were not stoic or cold as austrians in general,but not quite balkan cheerful either
were our own,and been so for quite awhile which is kinda crazy for how many diffrent masters we had since karantanija
CamelAmbitious7425@reddit
Your Impression ist right
rawarawr@reddit
It's not that black and white. Some people like to deny their connection with balkan region completely, mostly because they are nationalists. The thing is we are the only country that mixed with both northern and southern european culture. So for your specific question it really depends from a person to person. Anyone who's real knows that we are mix of both. Objectively not even subjectively.
Fragrant-Training722@reddit
That's because historically Slovenia was part of Habsburg and later Austro-Hungarian empire. This influenced the culture until today as you can hear in national music, see in architecture, taste in food and feel when whith cold Slovenian people.
LittleBigBaws@reddit
They don't like to be associated with the Balkans unless they need cheap labour for their construction projects.
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
That cheap labour moves on its own to Slovenia.
SuedeJacketMonster@reddit
What can I say, I wish I could distance myself too.
nikolapc@reddit
Slovenians are mini Balkans, every region hates each other.
Abject_Avocado_6410@reddit
Croatia and Slovenia are not Balkan States!!
Imaginary_String_814@reddit
Ofc they are, rule number 1.
If you claim ur not Balkan u become Balkan.
Abject_Avocado_6410@reddit
Nah, they are not. There is no western christians on Balkan, only eastern christians and muslims (parts of BiH and Albania) also, romania is not Balkan either, they are east europe
ThickCaterpillar9867@reddit
So Albanian catholics are not in the Balkan?
Abject_Avocado_6410@reddit
Yes, they are. Croatia is board.
ThickCaterpillar9867@reddit
But you jusr said the opposite 1 comment ago
Abject_Avocado_6410@reddit
Don’t be silly.
ThickCaterpillar9867@reddit
No ,Im not you
Abject_Avocado_6410@reddit
There is nothing bad about Balkan. For me, Balkan is place with nice people, good way of life, great food. But Slovenia and Croatia are not part of Balkan.
ThickCaterpillar9867@reddit
You do not get to decide to genius,Slovenia and Croatia are part of the Balkans according to geography ,your opinion does not matter ,you are like a flat earther in this case
hopper_froggo@reddit
Being catholic doesnt override your geographic identity.
Thats like saying maronites and chaldeans arent middle eastern because they are catholic
Imaginary_String_814@reddit
let him embrass himself, everybody considers Slovenia/Croatia as part of the Balkan region. (in a cultural/lingusitic sense)
Abject_Avocado_6410@reddit
We are Slavics, but not balkan!
Imaginary_String_814@reddit
😂😂😂😂 oh boy if you think anyone identifies as western Christian in 2026
But for everbody in Western Europe Croatia and Slovenia are considered part of the Balkan region, there is no need to feel insecure about that. It’s just perception.
Abject_Avocado_6410@reddit
Ok Habibi, sry.
Imaginary_String_814@reddit
Inshallah 👆👆👆
Abject_Avocado_6410@reddit
I knew it. Hope so that you enjoy your holidays! 🤟😊
Imaginary_String_814@reddit
way too easy to troll you, its not even funny.
geoRgLeoGraff@reddit
Many Slovenians love the Balkans and feel connection with Yugoslavia. In fact Slovenia had the highest support rate for Yugoslavia as a country. Sure, culturally Austrians and Czechs are similar in music/food/customs/geography but many parts of Croatia and Serbia also have that. Slovenia has always been most developed of all Yugoslav states and they knew this, it would be weird not to feel tge discrepancy. So Austria is kinda liked but also kinda hated- esp when Slovenians go to work there Austrians look down on them.
Abject_Avocado_6410@reddit
Ok Hahibi, sry.
blodskaal@reddit
Mandatory watch for all balkaners.
https://youtu.be/r_5Slnkzekc?si=4MzgsiToEalCCDZo
Furia_Ideal@reddit
I am portuguese, so also from the balkans, when i was on vacation in Ljubliana that looked to good, definitely looked like austria.
I was ashamed of the slovenes
Necessary-Noise5578@reddit
Hahahaha i love the first sentence!
Novel-Wait328@reddit
i love the 2nd!
klitoriskiller@reddit
Carinthia and Styria got some strong slovenian influences. Just listen so Avsenik and the Oberkrainers.
blitzzardpls@reddit
Slovenes and Austrians have been stealing each others music for decades to the point, where we don't even know where some songs originate
GroundZeroMstrNDR@reddit
Yesterday I've been to Hungary with my Bosnian gf and when driving to Austria I took a detour via Slovenia without telling her. When entering she kept telling me how nicely maintained Austrian streets and houses looks like compared to Hungary until 20 mins later when she realized the town signs are yellow and was completely confused whats going on now
thanasis87kav@reddit
Ah, yes, more East European Marie Antoinettes
syncopex@reddit
https://youtu.be/r_5Slnkzekc?si=4wcN8uHIC_Dcp4ca
Deep-Ad4183@reddit
Personally, in my mind, Slovenians are exactly as you describe them. But I’ve never had much contact with them, so I don’t really know.