Which Asian nations are the most similar with the Balkan people by mentality?

Posted by NorthGeneral227@reddit | AskBalkans | View on Reddit | 33 comments

Hey! I’m a foreigner who lives in Serbia and very interested in the history and culture of Balkan people.

And of course at 2 am I saw so much memes such as “Bulgarians have mongol blood” (As a Central Asian person I don’t agree on this opinion).

So… according on opinion of the Westerns the Balkan people have many similarities with the Mongols, but I think that it is not true (but maybe some aspects are really similar).

However as an Asian person I’m interested on this for better integration in Serbian society and understand which characters of my behaviour I should to change.

I know for the best integration the similar mentality is the most valued and important characteristic of person in the case if you are stranger.

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TheEagle74m@reddit

Thai, Vietnamese, from what I’ve seen at them they’re very similar when it comes to family relationships and family values as us Albanians. 🤔

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Particular-Highway89@reddit

Thai ppl are mostly known in the world for their transgenders and prostitutes. I think it hardly resembles the traditional Albanian culture

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Kaminazuma@reddit

We had already the proto-transgenders with our Burrnesha 😂😂

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PasicT@reddit

I can't think of a single one, honestly. Balkan people and Asians as a whole live in two very different realities.

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Defiant-Strength2010@reddit

Asian nations most similar with the Balkan people by mentality are definitely middle eastern mediterraneans like the people of Lebanon.

If we are talking about East Asia specifically, then I think Vietnam, and south east Asia in general is the most similar, but in those cases there are some relatively large differences.

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EternalPrince54@reddit

Turkiye, Libanon, Syria? All ex Ottoman ex Roman Provinces basically and maybe even Iran

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NorthGeneral227@reddit (OP)

As a person who is from Russia I strongly disagree, and Russian are European people, not Asians

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Background-Can-4406@reddit

dividing the Continent is a geographcal thing. Russian territory is mostly in Asian continent.

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Own-Interaction9471@reddit

Correct, you can divide based on the geographics or ethnic groups (since we are talking about nations).
Based on % of ethnic groups Russia is mostly European descent.

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Background-Can-4406@reddit

we are not talking about ethnic Group here. its about, where a Nation belongs to which Continent. so Russia is an aisan Country. dont mix 2 different things.

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Own-Interaction9471@reddit

Depending how he meant Russians. Russians as ethnic group are Europeans.
Russians as nationals are also Asians -> Yakuts, Tatars, Bashkirs, Buryats, Tuvans, and Kalmyks.

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SuedeJacketMonster@reddit

In comparison to, say, Brits, yes. Otherwise very different.

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BurgurluGenc031@reddit

İt will be cliche but all other turk or turkic countries with turkiye. Since all of them coming from same 3 turkic tribe u know.

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SOHONEYSAME@reddit

for us, Armenians/Georgians.

for Balkans, Turks.

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Early-Show2886@reddit

Maybe the central asian turkic people have a little bit similarity with the dorbujan tatars in romania?

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PersimmonTall8157@reddit

I would say Caucasus are somewhat similar, if it counts as Asian, but they heavily European/Russian influenced.

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Stogor@reddit

Strong disagree. We are very different, but still have a lot in common when it comes to hospitality and approach towards foreigners and visitors.

You could literally visit someone’s home both in the Balkans and (let’s just say) Southeast Asia, or Turkey/Caucasus region, or even South Asia, and I guarantee you will be offered food at the very least. Doubt you’ll see that in Western/Northern Europe, though.

What I think is common is the fact that majority of people of both Balkans and Asian countries primarily do not come from a wealthy upbringing (as much as the Western world), and there’s this raw beauty you see in people of all these places. It’s like we all know how to live, enjoy and value life more than the typical 9-5, and family is also a VERY important part in both the Balkans and Asian countries.

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EfficiencySmall4951@reddit

Strongly agree, I have Asian friends and the way hospitality and family life work seems very similar to me

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wtfisthissssssssssss@reddit

I have lived in south east Asia for a long while and while I’m not Balkan myself, I have been to the Balkans numerous times.

I think there are alot of similarities. Both regions live very family-centered lives, multiple generations living in the same house is common and even normal and family reputation very much matters

You will also notice that both societies have “ WHAT WILL PEOPLE SAY” attitude. Societal norms and social obligations are alive in both societies.

And as another comment said, as a guest, I guarantee you will offered food at the very least if you are in someone’s home in both cultures. Maybe it will be Tea in SEA while you are more likely to get coffee in the Balkans but the hospitality is similar.

I like to think that if you dropped an Asian grandma and a Balkan grandma in one kitchen they may not look similar or share the same language but they will both tell you to eat more and lowkey judge your life choices but lovingly lol

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blue_eskyy@reddit

Viet uncles do nothing but smoke a cig and drink strong black coffee just sitting there all day, is it Balkan enough?

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Svetlio1231@reddit

Southeast Asia I guess. Pretty much any low-trust society. Also the mongol comment is true.

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Neat_Selection3644@reddit

I would say Indians, from my lived experience.

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StaGofu@reddit

Get the fuck off this subreddit.Out of all european regions balkans have the best hygiene.

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wtfisthissssssssssss@reddit

I have lived in south east Asia for a long while and while I’m not Balkan myself, I have been to the Balkans numerous times.

I think there are alot of similarities. Both regions live very family-centered lives, multiple generations living in the same house is common and even normal and family reputation very much matters

You will also notice that both societies have “ WHAT WILL PEOPLE SAY” attitude. Societal norms and social obligations are very much alive in both societies.

I like to think that if you dropped an Asian grandma and a Balkan grandma in one kitchen they will both tell you to eat more and lowkey judge your life choices but lovingly lol

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Miserable-Ground-379@reddit

We have all blood under our skin