How similar the Balkan countries actually are, and is there an ‘odd man out’ among them?
Posted by LenaLena93@reddit | AskBalkans | View on Reddit | 169 comments
The question from the title.
Do you think we all ultimately share similar, unique Balkan experiences, and can relate to most topics here, and to each other, due to being basically Balkan (shared Balkan sentiment), or do you think there are more differences between us, and more topics that only some of the countries can relate to (EU countries, ex YU countries, Slavic countries…).
Historical-Wear-9948@reddit
I feel that Turkey has more in common with all of ex yugo that Slovenia or Albania. Every other country is pretty similar. Greece is slightly different but not that much
Efficient_Elk_5243@reddit
Slovenia has the least Balkan feautures. You mentioned Turkey, but then "Greece is slightly different". Greeks are one of the Balkans that are the most similar to Turkey & Albania also.
Historical-Wear-9948@reddit
Yeah I agree but I was more so speaking in the context of ex yugo.
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
What are you even saying? Turkey has nothing in common with Slovenia. Slovenia is in Central Europe and Turkey is in the Middle East.
Historical-Wear-9948@reddit
I meant to say except, typo
Beautiful-Dish-6275@reddit
Idk why, but i always thought Greece was pretty differrent from the rest of the balkans.
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
Slovenia is not even Balkan and yes it is very different. Once you cross the border to Croatia you enter the Balkan. Everyone notices the difference.
Beautiful-Dish-6275@reddit
Nah m8, i cross it regularly and ur def exaggarting it.
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
I am not. Even tourists say so.
zabickurwatychludzi@reddit
as a frequent tourist to both: lmao, no. Sure, Slovenia is visibly richer, buth other than that and slightly different language, there's very little difference.
Beautiful-Dish-6275@reddit
Bruh, why do you hate on Croatia so much and downplay it?
Especially Dakmatia which yiu constantly call balkan and backward.
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
I don’t. Just being objective. Croatia is pretty okay country.
I NEVER called Dalmatia backwards. Don’t make up some silly lies to victimise yourself. However Dalmatia is objectively geographically in Balkan.
It seems as you think that being Balkan is something negative?
Beautiful-Dish-6275@reddit
Not negative, just a lot more complicated than you put it.
Dalmatia and northern Croatia are a lot more similar than northern Croatia and Slovenia for example.
The whole region thing in Croatia is overhyped and i know this since i lived in both parts of the country.
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
You are the first person saying that. Most people see North Croatia being more similar to Slovenia than to Dalmatia (food, traditions, certain words, music, dances, mentality).
Beautiful-Dish-6275@reddit
Im just speaking from my experience growing up and studying in Split and doing my college degree in Zagreb.
People are very similar, they wouldnt be the same country if they werent.
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
Zagreb is the capital so is more diverse. I am talking about Zagorje and Međimurje.
Beautiful-Dish-6275@reddit
Italy is a nice example and its true Zagreb is more diverse.
I will say that when i was in Maribor it felt super similar to Split as well.
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
Maribor and Split super similar? Yea that’s simply impossible. And I doubt anyone would agree with you. Those two cities have nothing in common.
Beautiful-Dish-6275@reddit
Whats the difference? I only visited Maribor and can sat i felt at home.
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
Everything? History, culture (food, music, architecture). I cannot think one one similarly.
Beautiful-Dish-6275@reddit
Idk bro, besides architecture its pretty much same, clean streets, nice and friendly people etc.
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
By this logic Split and Copenhagen are also pretty much the same.
Beautiful-Dish-6275@reddit
I mean, are they not?
Port cities with rich history. Ofcourse Cph is like 10 times bigger.
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
I see there is no point to continue this conversation. Enjoy the rest of the day!
Beautiful-Dish-6275@reddit
Why?
I mean if you dont want to continue thats fine, enjoy your day too and i think we had a nice discussion. I hope i managed to change your view on the matter atleast a little.
Cya!
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
No you didn’t. In fact I couldn’t disagree with you any more so let’s just agree to disagree. ✌️
Beautiful-Dish-6275@reddit
I mean we can agree to disagree, but i just dont get why you see Dalmatia the way you do.
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
I’m assuming you associate southern Italy with poverty and underdeveloped which makes you want to compare Dalmatia to Northern Italy.
In reality those two regions in Italy and Croatia are economically very similar.
For example Bari is economically stronger and more stable than Split/Zadar. Ancona is economically more stable than Split, Zadar or Dubrovnik. Dubrovnik has indeed high-revenue but narrow economy (tourism heavy).
Beautiful-Dish-6275@reddit
Split is pretty well of economically, i wouldnt say Ancona is ahead, Zadar even more so.
I think a lot of people assume the whole economy of Dalmatia runs on tourism which leads to people comoaribg it to southern Italy when its pretty industrial and tech oriented in reality.
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
But it is. You ca’ do your own research if you don’t believe me. I did mine.
Not whole but quite a large part of economy does depend on tourism.
Beautiful-Dish-6275@reddit
Also one more thing, i believe tourism is a big issue for us, it takes up a lot of the workforce that could have worked in industry and because its such an easy money, all investors invest into hotels and apartments instead of tech and research and development.
So we are fighting an uphill battle.
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
Yes I agree with you 100%.
Beautiful-Dish-6275@reddit
Im an engineer and i did move to Zagreb because the job narket is bigger, it is true that the engineering scene isnt as strong as it is in central Europe, but its far ahead of the balkans or south Italy.
Its has industrial guants like carnakers and shipyards as well as a decent tech scene with many promising startups.
JRJenss@reddit
Same, but this might also depend on where in Croatia you're from. I'm from northern Croatia and I basically grew up on Slovenian tv - Kanal A for example. The other side of my family traces its roots back to Gorski Kotar, again some 5 - 10km from the Slovenian border, and I still have family there, altho most of them moved either to Rijeka or Zagreb. At any event, Slovenia feels very familiar and homey to me...it isn't as tho I'm in a different country whenever I visit. Dalmatia on the other hand, does feel like a different country - superficially speaking. Greece however is an entirely different story. Not only does it feel foreign but it feels exotic, and I love it...I'm a total hellenophile.
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
You are describing Central European culture vs Balkan culture.
Beautiful-Dish-6275@reddit
Dalmatia aint balkan culture.
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
Dalmatian hinterlands were under Ottomans, and that region was influenced by them. Culture/lifestyle in Dalmatia is similar to eg Montenegro. So maybe the right word to describe it would be mic of Mediterranean and Balkan culture.
Beautiful-Dish-6275@reddit
Def more like Italy and Spain than anything east of it, atleast on the coast were like 80% of the population lives, the biggest town in hinterland has like 20k people while the coast has places like Split, Zadar, Šibenik...
So the hinterland isnt really what most of Dalmatia is.
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
Croatia is nothing like Spain. It is more like Montenegro than Spain.
It has similarities with Italy because of Venetian history (that’s where the architecture comes from).
Beautiful-Dish-6275@reddit
It has some stuff in common with spain, but i agree Its most similar to northern Italy when it comes to regions outside of Croatia.
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
Not Northern Italy, definitely not. Dalmatia lines up much more with southern and Adriatic Italy than with northern Italy.
Beautiful-Dish-6275@reddit
Arent northern Italians more work and business oriented?
That lines up a lot more with Dalmatia tbh.
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
That lines up more with North Croatia than south. Most of North Italy is not even Adriatic, it is more Alpine. It doesn’t have that fishing culture which is so strong in Dalmatia.
I mean would you say that Dalmatian towns are more similar to Apulia or Milan?
Beautiful-Dish-6275@reddit
Towns apulia, cities Milan, ive been to Milan and Venice and ita def most similar to Venice.
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
Architecture yes. The rest not. Lifestyle, food, mentality is very different. You can do some research on your own.
Beautiful-Dish-6275@reddit
Whats so different in lifestyle and mentality?
I mean from my knowledge north Italy boasts a lot of Inudstries and businesses just like Dalmatia.
Ofcourse, Dalmatia cant be on the same level due to a looooot smaller population.
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
To me personally (but also if you do some actual research) those two regions are not comparable. The only thing they have in common is architecture.
Dalmatia is more laid back, outdoorsy, people are more connected to the sea, is known for olive oil production and freshly caught seafood, the temperatures are higher on average. Dalmatia is where people go to summer/beach vacation just like to eg Apulia. Not to mention that one will swim in Venice.
Beautiful-Dish-6275@reddit
While that is true, people here also do plenty of shipbuilding, engineering, finance etc which falls in line more with the north and id say those are more dominant sectors here.
The fact that we have nice beaches is just a bonus tbh.
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
And that’s not true for the more southern part of Italy?
Look believe whatever you want. I’m not trying to convince you. But OBJECTIVITY seen Dalmatia more in common with southern Adriatic Italy. Especially towns such as Ancona or Bari…
Also both Dalmatia and southern Italy are less economically developed than their northern counterparts. That’s just how it is.
Beautiful-Dish-6275@reddit
Its economically worse off due to being further away from central european markets, same for south italy.
I do hope we will get out exports going a lot more a build up our industries like pharma which we are lacking in atm.
We have a port and we can export worldwide so it should happen in the next 20 years.
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
Exactly.
Well I hope that too. It would definitely benefit Croatian economy. So fingers crossed!
casual_philosopher02@reddit
hellenophile..... if you write poems let us know...
Beautiful-Dish-6275@reddit
Funny cuz i am from Dalmatia, imo the whole thing abiut the Croatians regions being different is bloated. Sure there are some nieches that are different, but in the grand scheme of things we are all pretty similar.
JRJenss@reddit
Of course, we wouldn't be one country otherwise...that is why I mentioned superficial differences. Still, they do exist. Whenever I arrive to Dalmatia I feel like I'm in Italy. I cross the border with Slovenia and feel no difference.
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
There is undeniable difference when crossing Slovenian-Croatian border.
CamelAmbitious7425@reddit
Croatia is among the most diverse countries in Europe especially for its size. Dubrovnik and Varazdin or Rovinj and Gospic dont look like they belong to the same country. There are even clear differences in phenotype between the people from different regions.
This_Lion5856@reddit
I was thinking the same when I was young tbf but after joining the EU and having a lot more interactions with Greeks both in Bulgaria, in Greece and abroad we are much more similar than I thought.
For Southern Greece and the islands I agree, but when it comes to Northern Greece and Thessaloniki, the similarities are a lot more than the differentiations
LaVeriteEstDansLeVin@reddit
Greeks are 90% the same everywhere. A village in northern greece isn't so much different than a village in the Peloponnese or the islands.
I've only seen people differentiate greeks north vs south on reddit. In reality there's practically no difference except for some topical dialect words.
Several-Zombies6547@reddit
We usually don't divide Greece between south-north, but the average Greek acknowledges they are some differences the more north/south you go.
casual_philosopher02@reddit
there was this one hillarious post asking how Italic is western Greece and I remember a guy saying in PATRAS? EVERYWHERE ITALIANS! I can't go to Sklavenitis without seeing them!! I laughed so fucking much
LaVeriteEstDansLeVin@reddit
And what are these differences?
thefriendlyhacker@reddit
They're more southern in the South and more northern in the north
vasjpan002@reddit
In the USA, tv eliminated many regional differences, maybe same in Greece.
an1s@reddit
Ye, south Greeks are the same as Macedonians.
Yavannia@reddit
Doubt, I am from northern Greece but worked a lot in the southern islands and we aren't that much different to be honest.
vasjpan002@reddit
My grandparents are from NW Greece (Aetolia & Kastoria) and (loud) southern Greeks in America said we weren't like them, my dad called them Peloporicans. Cypriotes quizically said 'were is that'.
pilose-sre@reddit
It's just island culture that continentals are not always fully aware of.
Extension-Beat7276@reddit
Perhaps because you have proximity to both so you would be able to perceive the similarities better
vasjpan002@reddit
Thessaloniki is the capital and top port of the Balkans, ie has Serb cathedral. Also, Athos has monasteries from many countries.
vasjpan002@reddit
Pelop&isles (southern Greece) spent half the Ottoman period under Venice, Ounia Fatsa Ounia Ratsa. But in antiquity, Sparta farmed Sicily, begat Rome; Athens farmed Scythia, begat Russia.
Beautiful-Dish-6275@reddit
Maybe you are right, never met a Greek personally, but i assumed their society is a bit more similar to western ones due to no communism.
StunningComment6064@reddit
Let’s say that here in Slovenia, nobody sees any similarities with Albanians at all. Culturally and physically they look most distinct from us.
Firm_Bowler228@reddit
I have no idea what Slovenians look like, since no one from Albanian has ever stepped a foot there. But I doubt you have any similarities with Romanians, Bulgarians, Greeks
StunningComment6064@reddit
Slovenia is full of Albanians from Kosovo, lmao.
Firm_Bowler228@reddit
Albania* no one from Albania has even been there , you’re also not very popular, no famous songs from Slovenia, movies, singers.. So we have no idea about your language, culture, mentality, how you look etc. Just so you know, Albanians also aren’t all the same either.
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
We wish that would be true.
Firm_Bowler228@reddit
Albanians apparently make 0.31% of your population. Majority comes from Bosnia and Serbia. So all this focus on us comes from a level of hate. But you know, I’ve personally heard Italians and Austrians say some xenophobic things about you too, so average day as an European I guess
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
That’s data from 2023 in the recent years those numbers got higher. Especially due to of immigration form Kosovo.
I would say quite the opposite. Albanians (but also many Bosnians and Serbs) refuse to respect our culture (starting by learning the language) and think their culture is somehow superior to ours. That they are superior to us.
No Slovenian would “hate” someone just because of their origins. We do however condemn certain behaviour.
So you as an Albanian (I’m guessing) have personally participated in xenophobic conversions about Slovenians with Italians and Austrians? Sounds delightful and very believable!
Firm_Bowler228@reddit
1)90% of Slovenia’s population is Slovenian, 10% immigrants 45% from Bosnia, so no matter how much the numbers have increased, we still aren’t your biggest immigrant. So yeah that’s a big exaggeration that’s simply xenophobic
2) I don’t know how they act, but for language, they do need 3+ years to learn it. And since, you say, the numbers have increased after 2023 it. Keep in mind, unlike Serbo-Croatian speakers that can understand a certain level of Slovenian without prior learning, we can’t
3) Yes, I did my university in Italy, had Italians and Austrians friends that would “joke” about you, but never participated since guys have a history with each other, that’s why I never cared. Now they didn’t hate you, but would exaggerate a bit.
4) South Slavs call us “siptar” which is a derogatory term about us, not a recent term, throwing that term on politics, schools, day to day life, but noooo you are morally, culturally ethically superior people that don’t hate.
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
I’ve never said Albanians are the biggest immigrants group. I only said the numbers got higher which is not xenophobic.
Here is a little glimpse of how they act:
https://www.24ur.com/novice/crna-kronika/sredi-btc-ovirali-promet-plapolale-albanske-zastave-odmevali-streli.html
About the language: funny enough they somehow prefer to speak Serbocroatian than Slovenian.
“Joke” about us? Most of Italians don’t even know Slovenia is their neighbouring country. Slovenia has good relations with both countries. Many Slovenians frequently visit both Italy and Austria and I’ve never heard of anyone having bad experiences there. So please do tell me what is so “funny” about us that they “joke” about?
I thought “siptar” refers to Shqipëria which is literally the name of your country? The word entered Slovenian language from Serbocroatian in times of Yugoslavia. And in Bulgarian it’s not even that widely used.
So I’m guessing that Albanian language has ZERO derogatory terms about other nations? I find that hard to believe tho.
I don’t feel superior at all, but it seems to me you feel inferior.
Firm_Bowler228@reddit
I said you only focus on Albanians due to xenophobic reasons.
https://www.koha.net/en/euro-2024/serbet-vazhdojne-me-ofendime-ndaj-kosoves-bashkohet-edhe-nje-slloven
Very respectful, Slovenians, morally superior people
We do call ourselves Shqiptar and the country Shqipëria, but you twisted the meaning and made it sth negative. It’s like slavs means glory, but slave, which comes from your ethnicity means sth bad. We don’t have any derogatory terms for you or anyone else, cause we’re not that kind of people. But even if we did, that’s not a justification
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
You wanted an example and I gave you one.
This is a video about ONE single Slovenian who (high chance) is of mixed origins. Not to mention the fact he is clearly drinking and just saying some bs. Slovenia supported Kosovo independence and took in plenty immigrants.
We didn’t twist anything. As already mentioned the word entered Slovenian language in times of Yugoslavia. Slavs doesn’t mean glory. The word slav comes from “slovo” meaning “a word”. Slave and slavic are two different words with tho different meanings.
Interesting because I did some prior research and I came across words: shka and shkije. Which are pejorative words for Slavs, particularly Serbs.
Firm_Bowler228@reddit
There were plenty of Slovenians chanting "Kosovo srce Srbije" we all saw what happened on that match. Came across a Reddit how Slovenians felt about Albanians, and they were all negative. 80% siptare 20% albanac, "uncivilised" " problematic" etc etc. Are there bad, problematic Albanians? Of course; Good ones? Plenty. But it doesn't matter how nice we end up being and how well we have integrated, you have xenophobic attitudes towards us before Albanians set foot there. There are minorities here, they have their own schools, church/mosque and nobody hates them. If you go to places where they live, Albanian isn't spoken there. There's also a lot of immigrants who come from mainly Italy, and don't speak Albanian but nobody hates them, cause there were O derogatory terms before they came. Also, shkja isn't used in Albania, especially in big old 2026. Was used by Kosovo Albanians only for Serbs, not all Slavs
Even in Kosovo has become less and less used, can't say the same about superior south slavs.
And yes., slaves were slaves pretty common knowledge
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
Sure they were. Even the article only mentioned ONE Slovenian. No one in Slovenia actually give a flying f about it. We are not pro Serbia or something. We have problems with Serbs too.
Unfortunately most of the Albanian immigrants are like that. And that’s not our fault. Maybe when they show better behaviour those prejudice will change but until than you cannot blame us for having a bit concerned view.
I’m guessing they respect Italy more than they do Slovenia. When people stop acting like they are better than us, that their culture matters more and start being respectful and decent in the country that welcomed them then we can talk.
In Slovenia they expect OUR teachers to learn Albanian for then because they refuse to learn Slovenian. But they have no trouble taking our social benefits.
I don’t think all of them are that way, but the ones who are throw bad light on all of them. And again, that’s not our fault.
Slavic people were SOMETIMES enslaved in the past sure and that historical circumstance influenced the word slave. But Slavs themselves are not “slaves” as a group…that’s a linguistic coincidence shaped by history not an identity.
StunningComment6064@reddit
0,31% of Slovenian population? Maybe permanent residents? Slovenian cities are full of Albanian workers and emigrants (from Kosovo mainly).
StunningComment6064@reddit
Good for you ;)
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
Slovenia is full of immigrants from Albania and Kosovo. We don’t have any similarities with Bulgarians, Macedonians, Greeks, Romanias either. We have most in common with Central Europe, not Balkan.
Efficient_Resource15@reddit
Romania isn't a full on balkan country either, northern moldova feels pretty eastern european and transylvania is clearly a central european region. The south of romania is very balkan
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
Yes Romania is definitely not just balkan but it is a mix. Slovenia on the other hand doesn’t have a certain region that feels “very balkan”. The only debatable one could be Bela Krajina but even that one is only really to North Croatia than actual Balkan.
Efficient_Resource15@reddit
I was in Slovenia when I travelled to italy a few years back, and I felt it looked closer to Austria and even slovakia than any balkan country. Reminds me of Transylvania too to a degree, but again transylvania isn't really balkan at all. I suppose the only balkan feel of Slovenia are mostly the links with Yugoslavia
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
Thank you for an objective feedback. I often read comments from some Balkan people claiming how Slovenia is no different than Bulgaria, Bosnia, Albania etc. which blows my mind. But could be that they are just trolling. Who knows.
And yes Transylvania isn’t Balkan either. I’d say you are spot on: because of Yugoslavia gets Slovenia called Balkan. I’m pretty certain that if there would not be for Yugoslavia, no one would even think about calling Slovenia Balkan. But here we are.
Efficient_Resource15@reddit
With romania they do to a degree due to transylvania, western/northwestern Romania has a pretty similar vibe to Slovenia, only Slovenia feels even more western
vivaervis@reddit
You're talking like we're some fcn asians. Physically distinct? 😂
StunningComment6064@reddit
Your appearance is different than rest of the Balkans. And this is nothing bad at all.
Infinite-Top-2609@reddit
They look just like Janez Jansa. So there is no big difference in looks i would say ;)
Efficient_Resource15@reddit
They look pretty unique to me
Firm_Bowler228@reddit
There were plenty of Slovenians chanting “Kosovo srce Srbije” we all saw what happened on that match. Came across a Reddit how Slovenians felt about Albanians, and they were all negative. 80% siptare 20% albanac, “uncivilised” “ problematic” etc etc. Are there bad, problematic Albanians? Of course; Good ones? Plenty. But it doesn’t matter how nice we end up being and how well we have integrated, you have xenophobic attitudes towards us before Albanians set foot there. There are minorities here, they have their own schools, church/mosque and nobody hates them. If you go to places where they live, Albanian isn’t spoken there. There’s also a lot of immigrants who come from mainly Italy, and don’t speak Albanian but nobody hates them, cause there were 0 derogatory terms before they came. Also, shkja isn’t used in Albania, especially in big old 2026. Even in Kosovo has become less and less used, can’t say the same about superior south slavs.
And yes., slaves were slaves pretty common knowledge
Repulsive_Work_226@reddit
Slovenia. Even we are more Balkan.
Not been to Slovenia but was in Belgrade for work and other Balkan countrymen talked differently about them.
CommunicationTop8777@reddit
These days 90% of Slovenia is Serbian and Bosnian immigrants, so they are not that different anymore. Slovenia has finally been successfully conquered for the Ottoman Empire/Balkan.
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
That’s definitely not true. Not sure why you spread misinformation.
CommunicationTop8777@reddit
That's what Slovenians say
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
Not official data tho.
Repulsive_Work_226@reddit
if they are happy thats good. Ottoman Empire long gone my friend. Some people in my country want it back but forget what happened the last 200 years.
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
Don’t believe him. You can check statistics. It’s not even close. They are the minority.
CommunicationTop8777@reddit
The Slovenians aren't happy, but that is also good.
Kooky_Resource6348@reddit
Yeah, but ultimately no
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
100%. Slovenian culture is not even Balkan.
amazingamy19@reddit
I think there are two levels for me…
Ex YU countries, then all the other.
For years even, if someone said Balkan, or ‘zemlje u okruženju’ it referred to our neighbouring countries, that are from former Yugoslavia.
silentmarrow@reddit
Yes, I can’t really categorize Romania, Albania, Bulgaria etc. with ex YU countries, it just doesn’t feel right
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
But it does feel right to put Central European Slovenia in same group as Balkan ex yu countries?
silentmarrow@reddit
it does
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
Why?
Slovenian culture, history etc. have really not much in common with those countries. The only region that is somehow similar to Slovenia is North Croatia, the rest is culturally and historically very different.
Slovenia is an Alpine country and has more in common with eg Austria than Serbia, Bosnia or Macedonia.
silentmarrow@reddit
ok i don’t care how you perceive slovenia … #germanicwannabes
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
We are slavic. Not germanic.
You clearly lack any knowledge of Slovenian culture and history.
silentmarrow@reddit
do you know what wannabe means???😭😭😭
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
Oh but we are not. We are very proud of being Slavic. We even called our country Slovenia. You are the one who wants us to be something we are not, some kind of wannabebalkans. Just to please you?
silentmarrow@reddit
I didn’t mean germanic wannabe as in ethnicity, but the german mentality wannabe
Happy-Hour88@reddit
You haven't been to Vidin, Pernik, Tran, etc then. They've heavily influenced by Serbian radio and TV for one thing. I found it amusing that my car radio switched from a Bulgarian to a Serbian station when I entered Pernik coming from the West. I was returning to Sofia from the border village Strezimirovtsi.
I doubt people from Pernik, Tran, Vidin are closer in terms of culture to Burgas or Haskovo than to a Serb in Eastern Serbia just across the border in Nis, Pirot, or Zajecar.
CamelAmbitious7425@reddit
Serbs from Serbia are overall more similiar to Bulgarians than to Croats or Slovenians.
Happy-Hour88@reddit
*Western Bulgarians to be precise :)
KonstantinVeliki@reddit
I met Bulgarian family in America and they are from Black Sea region and totally same as anyone in Serbia. They listen to Serbian music, have same names, I can mostly understand them, only grammatical differences in speech.
alokin999@reddit
We also have Vlachs in eastern Serbia
CamelAmbitious7425@reddit
I would still say that Serbs are more similiar to Bulgarians even Eastern Bulgarians than to Slovenians and most of Croats. Both Serbia and Bulgaria are core Balkan Countries, both are orthodox with muslim minority, both were part of the Byzantine and later Ottoman Empire for centuries etc.
LenaLena93@reddit (OP)
😂
StunningComment6064@reddit
Bulgaria is connected to Serbia and North Macedonia there is no doubt. But with the rest 9f ex-yu countries there is 0 links.
Particular-Highway89@reddit
Same when I was younger I thought Balkan meant Ex Yu countries + Albania
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
You cannot be serious putting Slovenia in same group as other ex yu countries? It doesn’t even have balkan culture or history….
amazingamy19@reddit
I specified, it refers to neighbouring ex YU countries.
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
I don’t see where tho
amazingamy19@reddit
Look closer, i guess.
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
I see now what you mean. But I just meant that putting all ex yu countries in same group is oversimplified.
amazingamy19@reddit
Glad I could clear that up for you, so rest assured.
Emergency-Buddy-8582@reddit
Great answer! From Greece.
amazingamy19@reddit
Greece is more westernised and has a different language, but people tend to underestimate the significance of religion.
Being Orthodox is very much ingrained in Serbian identity, and a lot of similar Byzantine architecture can be found in both countries.
Plus Greeks are not cold and unapproachable like some other western countries, so i find the hospitality relatable.
Complex_Shine_1113@reddit
Probably Slovenia?
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
Could be because it isn’t balkan?
True-Blacksmith4235@reddit
There was a poll the other day about similarities between countries, and the only two that didn’t have Serbia are Slovenia and Turkey, and coincidentally, I think they are the odd ones, lol.
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
Probably because Slovenia is in Central Europe and turkey in the middle east.
Dreadscythe95@reddit
Probably Slovenia but even they are pretty Balkan.
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
Pretty Balkan? How?
LaVeriteEstDansLeVin@reddit
I'd say Greece is the odd one out.
1)most of balkans are slavic, which we aren't
2)language is completely different (I mean even the sounds, not just slavic vs non slavic)
3) politically we are part of the west (eu+nato) longer and this has shaped our mentality to a degree
4)we fit more the Mediterranean profile imo
I'm not saying there isn't any similarity with other balkan countries, but we are the least similar to the rest.
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
All that applies also to Albania except for point 3 about eu
thefriendlyhacker@reddit
First time I visited Greece, I was shocked at how familiar it felt. The geography was very different but the food felt familiar and the vibe was homey.
Efficient_Resource15@reddit
I can only speak about my viewpoint as a romanian, I find Slovenia and albania to be the most different from my own country(probably Albania the most as transylvania atleast somewhat resembles the vibes of Slovenia).
Objectively speaking Albania is a balkan country though and though and Slovenia is the odd one out
Esdoorn-Acer@reddit
The odd one = not Balkan
vasjpan002@reddit
Slovenia is very Austrian
vasjpan002@reddit
My DNA says I'm 5% Romanian Gypsy from India. My dad's mom was Sarakatsan. I have a friend Armenian from Romania - his dad was sent to Greece in 1960s to oversee 20 Vlah schools. His buddy, Averof, told him to print books using Greek letters. But generally my DNA basically radiates outward by all land paths.
Nancy_Raegan_Minge@reddit
Why did you say this?
Efficient_Resource15@reddit
Nu știu nici eu
LOKLOREK@reddit
Greece is the man.
Substratas@reddit
Albania.
https://i.redd.it/bu62zfy3osyg1.gif
romicuoi@reddit
Well they still can't decide if Romania is part of them or not
LenaLena93@reddit (OP)
How do you feel?
Visible-Climate-6920@reddit
Yes, Montenegro
LenaLena93@reddit (OP)
How come lol
Firm_Bowler228@reddit
Religion wise, as an Albanian from Albania I see no similarities with any of them, even from other Albanians. Us in Albania don’t really practice it and we always find it so weird how religious they are, Bible verses in their bio, pictures from church, reports about religion, church/mosque weddings etc etc. also, you guys learn about religion in school, it’s considered a crime here, ruins “secularism”. When I went to Bosnia I saw so many mosques and hijabi women, don’t know why had an idea they weren’t religious. Now the similarities: coffee culture, staring problem, sleeping at weddings, loud, leaving the country, patriotism etc etc
vasjpan002@reddit
I have no accent in English, Greek & French, all of which I learned by age five. My German accent stinks, but Slavic, which I also learned in adolescence, no accent. I suspect we share much pronounciation. I was born in USA but went to Greece 10x, Switz 3x, France 3x, Bulgaria once, Japan once.
vasjpan002@reddit
Balkans share Austrian, Ottoman, Byzantine, Roman, Alexandrian past, but in many ways also resemble their non-Balkan neighbors. Croatia, Albania & Pelop&Isles have Italian past. Slavs, Albanians, Vlahs migrants invaded but were later repelled. Ethnicities mingled under empires without borders. Emperors moved people, either as ethnic cleansing or buffer zones to mitigate migratory invasions. Balkan means mountain in Turkish, so maybe we all share goat DNA. But as Greeks say "crazy goes to mountains"
tipoftheiceberg1234@reddit
Serbia, Bosnia, Croatia and Montenegro have the most in common.
Slovenia is the odd one out. It’s not even Balkan, it’s Central European. The only reason it’s referred to as Balkan so much is because it was ex-Yugoslavia, the majority of which was located in the Balkans, with notable exceptions. Slovenia being one of them.
They tell you you’re not supposed to do this but if you want a quick litmus test about Slovenia relating to Balkan culture, ask yourself “would Slovakia relate to/identify with this?”
If the answer for Slovakia is no, the answer for Slovenia will most likely also be no. The only exception to this is the fact that in Slovenia they might blast Serbian/Bosnian turbo folk in the club. But this would happen in Slovakia too if it was part of Yugoslavia, it has nothing to do with traditional music of the country.
Efficient_Resource15@reddit
Even Romania I feel is more balkan, atleast some of our regions are very much balkanic, and even with that in mind Romania is only partially balkanic, Slovenia isn't even that
tipoftheiceberg1234@reddit
The only reason Romania isn’t fully Balkan isn’t because of its lack of Balkan influence, but because of its notable presence of Central European influence.
Sometimes, I see something in Bosnian culture that I think is so Balkan that only we could have it, and surprise! I find out Romanians have it too (mostly with loanwords, foods, and architecture/mentality)
But Romania has boots in their folklore. Hardly a Balkan thing. We usually have something called opanci, a woven type of shoe.
Alexandrina20@reddit
Romania has opinci also :)
Efficient_Resource15@reddit
Yeah for us is the mix of influences, I am from southern romania for instance and my region is by all criterias very much balkanic. Northern moldova or transylvania are a differernt story though, but even they eat mici/cevapi :))
DismalManagement3808@reddit
In ex yugo it was Kosovo
Royal_Association750@reddit
Greece and Albania
Early-Show2886@reddit
It's hard to say. I think there's a lot of difference between the Balkan countries. It also depends on the ethnicity. I don't know if all Balkan people are the same. Where does that come from? Is it an American thing? Do they really think that way?
EqualVariation5777@reddit
There is nothing unique.
For example, a Serbian woman will relate more with a woman from Canada about period issues than with a man from Serbia. A guy with ALS will relate more with another that suffers it than with their neighbor. Many Balkan grandpas will not relate at all with anything in Reddit and think it's a stupid waste of time.
Beautiful-Dish-6275@reddit
This is well said, i often see people in Croatia yap about differences in regional mentality, but i think its a lot more of an individual thing.
EqualVariation5777@reddit
It's normal, people like to oversimplify.