As modernization reshapes society, what traditions or ways of life still remain in your family or community?
Posted by Expensive-Ad20@reddit | AskBalkans | View on Reddit | 12 comments
Where are you from? What customs, routines, crafts, beliefs, or social traditions have survived into everyday life and do you think they’ll survive future generations, or disappear with the older ones?
BamBumKiofte23@reddit
You'll never go hungry if you cross my house's door. I don't care about your age, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation or religious beliefs, you'll get fed.
Otherwise_Release306@reddit
I live in rural Romania. A tradition I kinda like here is saying "hello" to everyone on the street even if you don't know them, but I see that kinda disappearing with younger generations. In fairness, I hated it when I was a kid too haha.
I also like the Romanian sense of humor and "we'll make it work" mentality. I'm pretty sure that's based on a lot of historical and cultural factors, even though it's not a tradition per se, but this relaxed mindset seems to be disappearing as newer generations (I'm including myself here as a millennial) are interacting with the global world so much.
Otherwise_Release306@reddit
For example, another tradition I like is being so hospitable with friends and neighbors, using food as a social binder, but I know that stems from periods of extreme poverty and famine. My grandma used to be able to make 5-6 dishes from just flour and water,.in different proportions and never minded the little things in life. Older rural people here still have this serene, happy kind of mindset and tackle difficulties with humor, which you can see in all their social customs and traditions, even how they live out their religion. I just love ot so much! For context, my husband and I grew up in the country's second largest city but decided to move 15 years ago so our potential kids could see what it's like growing in a tighter knit community.
Substratas@reddit
I’m from Albania. No customs remain tbh - my family was non-conventional in many ways.
I think many of those customs died / will die within my grandparents’ generation because I see a massive difference between my mom is & her mom - but not so much between me & my mom.
Even grandparents nowadays are nowhere near as traditional as they used go be. All my grandparents know I’m gay and they dgaf.
Substratas@reddit
I’m from Albania. No customs remain tbh - my family was non-conventional in many ways.
I think many of those customs died / will die within my grandparents’ generation because I see a massive difference between my mom is & her mom - but very little difference between me and my mom.
Even grandparents nowadays are nowhere near as traditional as they used go be. All my grandparents know I’m gay and they dgaf.
CockamouseGoesWee@reddit
Food, expectations, parenting methods, communication styles, holiday traditions.
I am a huge stickler to sticking with traditions where sensible, and since I am the future patriarch of my family I help regulate to make sure everyone respects themselves and our family.
Of course some traditions deserve to die. Marry whomever you wish and get whatever career you want, just make sure you are good at it and won't be treated like a fool. And make sure the person you bring home is respectful and responsible.
Expensive-Ad20@reddit (OP)
It’s interesting you focus more on the social aspect of traditions rather than the tangibile. My husband is Romanian & im American- his grandparents live in the Carpathians, semi remote from regular society. Driving up the mountains through the dirt roads is like being stuck in another era. They don’t have the resources or knowledge to “modernize” so to say. This is all they know. They still live off the land, wear their traditional clothing, and have the greatest hospitality you could imagine. Modernization has only just started to reach them- they now have internet access as of middle of last year. Do you know of communities like this where you are from?
Early-Show2886@reddit
only some food-recipes, storys and music from ada kaleh the sunken island...nothing else ...unfortunately.
Expensive-Ad20@reddit (OP)
It’s interesting you focus more on the social aspect of traditions rather than the tangibile. My husband is Romanian & im American- his grandparents live in the Carpathians, semi remote from regular society. Driving up the mountains through the dirt roads is like being stuck in another era. They don’t have the resources or knowledge to “modernize” so to say. This is all they know. They still live off the land, wear their traditional clothing, and have the greatest hospitality you could imagine. Modernization has only just started to reach them- they now have internet access as of middle of last year. Do you know of communities like this where you are from?
Expensive-Ad20@reddit (OP)
What were some of the traditions that dissolved?
Substantial-Peach-90@reddit
Very good question OP, I was thinking the other day I should be more mindful picking up some of my parent’s “traditional” habits, because after they are gone and generally that generation is gone, who knows what society will be like. Surely not good
Expensive-Ad20@reddit (OP)
What are those traditional habits & where are you from? Do you see much of your population embodying these ways of life or is it a lost art now