Icy-Engineering9912

Early summer on a remote Greek island is something everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime. Would you visit?

Posted by freddo_expresso@reddit | AskBalkans | View on Reddit | 183 comments

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Kardan Aydınlık is an Islamic nasheed rooted in 1970s Turkey. In the 1990s, it was sung in Islamist circles in reference to Bosniaks and Albanians, and later became associated with Palestine. In your country, are religious chants also used for political purposes?

Posted by Empty-Pace-4228@reddit | AskBalkans | View on Reddit | 15 comments

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Why do so many people assume that Ajvar is an Albanian condiment? I mean, I low-key wish it were because it’s delicious af but most people in Albania don’t even seem to know what it is. Is there any dish often confused as part of your country’s cuisine that in reality isn’t?

Posted by Substratas@reddit | AskBalkans | View on Reddit | 92 comments

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Icy-Engineering9912@reddit

I thought it was more of a Serbian thing, and I think it is popular in Kosovo too. I may be wrong. I’ve never tried it myself but I would like to.

How harsh was Albania under it's communist rule?

Posted by Kickfinity12345@reddit | AskBalkans | View on Reddit | 161 comments

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Yes, my mum has told me of stories exactly like this between her family. They were so scared to even light candles or seem joyful on Christmas because of fear their family would inform the authorities.

How harsh was Albania under it's communist rule?

Posted by Kickfinity12345@reddit | AskBalkans | View on Reddit | 161 comments

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Icy-Engineering9912@reddit

He was a complete nutcase. My parents and grandparents had such a hard life because of his brutal regime. I wouldn’t even know where to begin explaining what they went through. The impact did end with him. Albania is still decades behind other eu countries all thanks to him.

Do you envy Slovenia for having Melania Trump?

Posted by crivycouriac@reddit | AskBalkans | View on Reddit | 39 comments

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Icy-Engineering9912@reddit

Uhh No.

Guess the Balkan country!

Posted by KarpetzNerd@reddit | AskBalkans | View on Reddit | 32 comments

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Icy-Engineering9912@reddit

Albania ?

Would you join a union with Italy?

Posted by Organic_Contract_172@reddit | AskBalkans | View on Reddit | 63 comments

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Icy-Engineering9912@reddit

Can I claim honorary Balkan status, am from south eastern Styria, and we were always told in school that Austrians especially Styrians are just Germanized Slavs(Slovenes)

Posted by ItHappensSo@reddit | AskBalkans | View on Reddit | 96 comments

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Icy-Engineering9912@reddit

Do these guys look Balkan?

Posted by Starfalloss@reddit | AskBalkans | View on Reddit | 222 comments

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Icy-Engineering9912@reddit

No, not all. The one at the front definitely doesn’t.

Balkaners who moved to Western Europe and the USA how was your experience with the locals?

Posted by KhanofSeljuks@reddit | AskBalkans | View on Reddit | 105 comments

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Icy-Engineering9912@reddit

I moved to the UK when I was a child. I never had an issue with how people treated me. I’d never voluntarily tell people where I was from, people rarely asked. English people are weird about these things, too polite to ask. They avoid asking about your background. I think people just thought I was English anyway, but I always felt like an outsider.

Butchers at Easter, goats, lambs or rabbits in the Balkans

Posted by Low_Skill_4096@reddit | AskBalkans | View on Reddit | 9 comments

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Icy-Engineering9912@reddit

Always lamb sadly, they are very cute ☹️

How much do you identify yourself over your job?

Posted by Extra_Loquat_5599@reddit | AskBalkans | View on Reddit | 32 comments

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Icy-Engineering9912@reddit

Yes, a lot of my identity is tied to my job. I love working. I’ve worked so hard to get where I am in high finance and I’m proud of it, it reflects years of dedication and commitment. I know people see more in me, but I do measure myself by how far I can go in my career. It’s not about the money, I think about work constantly, even in my sleep. I know it’s not healthy, it’s probably down to my upbringing, competitiveness, and high standards.

What tropical fruit is your favorite?

Posted by No-Marsupial-4050@reddit | AskBalkans | View on Reddit | 40 comments

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Icy-Engineering9912@reddit

Pineapple, papaya, and passion fruit.

Are Balkan women covering up their feet more to avoid feet fetishists?

Posted by Rude-Violinist9724@reddit | AskBalkans | View on Reddit | 20 comments

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Icy-Engineering9912@reddit

I just don’t like the idea of men being sexually attracted or aroused to my feet. Every time a man looks at them, I panic a bit and assume it’s that. Foot fetish is a real thing. once you notice it, you can’t unsee it. Maybe it’s less common in the Balkans than in the UK, but I still notice it in men who stare and find it creepy so I prefer to cover up if I am going somewhere busy. I have friends who sell pictures of their feet and it is disturbing to think how much of a big thing it is.

Are Balkan women covering up their feet more to avoid feet fetishists?

Posted by Rude-Violinist9724@reddit | AskBalkans | View on Reddit | 20 comments

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Icy-Engineering9912@reddit

Yes!!! It just creeps me out when men look at them.

Do you think narcissism is common in Balkans?

Posted by Square-Objective2420@reddit | AskBalkans | View on Reddit | 37 comments

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Icy-Engineering9912@reddit

Yes!!! It is really toxic and prevalent in Balkans.

This Serbian hand gesture is associated with fascism by Croats, Bosniaks, and Albanians?

Posted by Difficult-Routine929@reddit | AskBalkans | View on Reddit | 204 comments

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Icy-Engineering9912@reddit

No.

Balkaners, do you have any hobbies you re into or anything you collect?

Posted by PieBright8211@reddit | AskBalkans | View on Reddit | 59 comments

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Icy-Engineering9912@reddit

Reading, working out… and taking myself for walks since I don’t have a dog.

Is it common for women to keep their maiden name after marriage?

Posted by Remarkable_Bird_2149@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 404 comments

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Icy-Engineering9912@reddit

I’m keeping mine.. I’m not a fan of my surname but it’s me, i feel like giving up my identify… it’s only going to be a real pain if you decide to travel with your kids without your husband..

What are worst Balkan album covers?

Posted by Square-Past4070@reddit | AskBalkans | View on Reddit | 305 comments

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Icy-Engineering9912@reddit

😂

SERIOUS TALK: Which capital city in the Balkans do you think is the ugliest? Why?

Posted by Substratas@reddit | AskBalkans | View on Reddit | 666 comments

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Icy-Engineering9912@reddit

Sorry but Pristina.

If you're part of your diaspora, how well do you get alone with the people from your parents' country?

Posted by Financial-Tonight953@reddit | AskBalkans | View on Reddit | 33 comments

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Icy-Engineering9912@reddit

I feel the same. It has never caused issues though, I just feel like an outsider when I go back. Yet, I still feel like an outsider here as I wasn’t born here.

Anyone here left the Balkans and is never comming back?

Posted by Extra_Loquat_5599@reddit | AskBalkans | View on Reddit | 49 comments

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Icy-Engineering9912@reddit

I wouldn’t say never. My parents are already planning to move back permanently, so I’ll definitely be spending a lot more time there when I visit them. However, I don’t see myself moving back, mainly because of my career, and the opportunities here for my future.

Which other Balkan country reminds you most of your country & which one reminds you the least?

Posted by Substratas@reddit | AskBalkans | View on Reddit | 217 comments

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Icy-Engineering9912@reddit

Most would be Montenegro. Least would be Romania or Bulgaria

Why is there such a big difference between Albanians in Albania & Albanians in Kosovo / North Macedonia when it comes to religiousity?

Posted by Substratas@reddit | AskBalkans | View on Reddit | 83 comments

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Icy-Engineering9912@reddit

Communism and the strict enforcement of atheism by the state. I guess faith became less central in everyday life for a lot of people.

Hypothetical question, what do you think would realistically happen if we gather 10-20 people from each Balkan country to a remote location like for example Asia for a "retreat". Would they have fun, have few fist fights or try to Balkanize locals?

Posted by Jovan_Konstantinovic@reddit | AskBalkans | View on Reddit | 47 comments

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Icy-Engineering9912@reddit

I’d like to think they’d all get along. More likely, they’d split into factions by lunchtime, argue over who got what, and only agree on the food being better back home.

Hypothetical question, what do you think would realistically happen if we gather 10-20 people from each Balkan country to a remote location like for example Asia for a "retreat". Would they have fun, have few fist fights or try to Balkanize locals?

Posted by Jovan_Konstantinovic@reddit | AskBalkans | View on Reddit | 47 comments

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Icy-Engineering9912@reddit

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

Could Montenegro ever become the Switzerland of the Balkans?

Posted by biomclub@reddit | AskBalkans | View on Reddit | 155 comments

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Icy-Engineering9912@reddit

I personally think it is just as beautiful, I’d much rather holiday in Montenegro than Switzerland.

Greece has rejected Trump's call for NATO and allied countries to guard shipping at Hormuz Strait. Thoughts?

Posted by FantasticQuartet@reddit | AskBalkans | View on Reddit | 169 comments

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Icy-Engineering9912@reddit

Good on Greece. This is Netanyahu and Trump’s war. It isn’t the responsibility of the rest of the world nor that of NATO to go to war for Netanyahu’s agenda.

Turkish VS Greek coffee

Posted by Parsifal1987@reddit | AskBalkans | View on Reddit | 216 comments

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Icy-Engineering9912@reddit

They look the same to me.

What are the two most culturally different parts of your country?

Posted by Holiday_Pumpkin1279@reddit | AskBalkans | View on Reddit | 57 comments

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Icy-Engineering9912@reddit

North and south.

How is Poland perceived in the Balkans and by the Balkan diaspora?

Posted by Mindful_Crocodile@reddit | AskBalkans | View on Reddit | 94 comments

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Icy-Engineering9912@reddit

Really positive!!! Love you all. I’ve met so many lovely Polish people over the years. I’ve spent most of my life in the UK, but I always seem to click more naturally with Polish people than with English people. The only “stereotype” I can even think of is that you’re all hard-working and pretty chilled out. I’m heading to Poznań in June and I’m so excited 💕

Why are there no other Balkan nations that are so firmly pro-West like Albania & Kosovo?

Posted by Substratas@reddit | AskBalkans | View on Reddit | 254 comments

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Icy-Engineering9912@reddit

I always thought it was more about what the West represented, freedom, opportunity, less corruption. especially compared to the communism Albania experienced, which was brutal to its own people. Thats what my dad used to say anyway. As for Kosovo, I assume it is more directly linked to the war.

How are mental issues seen in your country by society and family?

Posted by bipolar1_baby325@reddit | AskBalkans | View on Reddit | 72 comments

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Icy-Engineering9912@reddit

Dealing with mental health is hard enough on its own. It’s sad that so many people here and across the Balkans have to carry the stigma as well. I do think the younger generation is more open and willing to talk about it, but culturally we still have a long way to go. A lot of people were raised to just push through or stay quiet, maybe because of the mentality shaped during communism. I know Albanians especially can be quite closed off about these things, and sometimes caring more about image than what someone is actually going through. Try not to let everyone else’s opinions weigh on you, your wellbeing matters more than keeping up appearances.

"Horta" is a quintessential Greek dish, that is almost mandatory in every dine out. It's simply boiled wild greens, topped with olive oil, lemon, and salt. Does this dish exist in your country, have you tried it?

Posted by ClothesZestyclose814@reddit | AskBalkans | View on Reddit | 222 comments

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Icy-Engineering9912@reddit

No, never seen this before. Maybe people south of Albania of more familiar with it..

What is the ‘optimal’ amount of time before you should change your bedsheets?

Posted by B26Alex@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 242 comments

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Icy-Engineering9912@reddit

Every Sunday.

Police find an unexpected burglar, when the alarm goes off at a bank in Turkey

Posted by U__X@reddit | AskBalkans | View on Reddit | 15 comments

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Icy-Engineering9912@reddit

Cute

What's your favorite country/city and why, outside of Balkans?

Posted by Jovan_Konstantinovic@reddit | AskBalkans | View on Reddit | 69 comments

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Icy-Engineering9912@reddit

Italy, especially the Dolomites, and the south of France. Ireland is beautiful too (minus Dublin), but I could never live there because of the weather.

What’s a place in the UK that you visited once and would happily go back to again?

Posted by Strong-Ad-8037@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 171 comments

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Icy-Engineering9912@reddit

Cotswolds.

Would you offer or accept a lift to/from a stranger?

Posted by Easy_Effort7985@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 96 comments

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Icy-Engineering9912@reddit

No, unless it was extreme weather and the driver was female.

What Balkan country do you find the most mysterious?

Posted by Happy-Hour88@reddit | AskBalkans | View on Reddit | 28 comments

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Icy-Engineering9912@reddit

Romania or Bulgaria… I’ll be going to Bulgaria in June, so I’m quite excited to learn more 😊

What’s one Balkan tradition you think the rest of the world completely misunderstands?

Posted by Severe-Concern5185@reddit | AskBalkans | View on Reddit | 103 comments

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Icy-Engineering9912@reddit

What type of onion… and why?

Which part of your country is known for tribalism?

Posted by Porphyres@reddit | AskBalkans | View on Reddit | 41 comments

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Icy-Engineering9912@reddit

Just the north I believe.

Islam in Balkans

Posted by OkPassenger6321@reddit | AskBalkans | View on Reddit | 141 comments

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Icy-Engineering9912@reddit

Albanians from Albania are Muslim by name. Most of them don’t care, and I don’t think they can tell you anything about the religion if you ask them. Kosovo is different though. I don’t really know much about other Albanian countries to comment on them.