Transcript Social Etiquette in Romania. - UE-YES

UNITED EUROPE IS IN OUR EYES
COMENIUS MULTILATERAL PARTENSHIP
2012-2014
SCOALA GIMNAZIALA CARAULA
MEETING AND GREETING
Initial greetings are formal and
reserved:
 a handshake,
 direct eye contact
 the appropriate greeting for the
time of day. Buna Dimineata - Good Morning, Buna
(
ziua - Good Afternoon, Buna Seara - Good Evening)
Some older Romanians kiss a woman's hand
when meeting them. Foreign men are not
expected to kiss a Romanian woman's hand.
Close friends may kiss and hug each other
when they meet.
When kissing, expect to kiss twice, once on
each cheek starting with the left cheek.
Usually, young people say "buna ziua" to older
men which means "good day" and to women
"sarut mana" that means “I kiss your hand" but
people say it in a hurry, so it sounds like
"sarumana" . People do not say “sarut mana" to
men, only to priests. The youth greet with
"salut", “servus" or even “hello" or "hallo".
VISITING
- When invited to pay a visit to Romanian homes,
the rules of etiquette require to offer as a token of
respect, a bunch of flowers to the hostess (make
sure you choose the flowers in odd numbers
(3,5,7, etc), otherwise the lady may feel awkward
since, in Romania, people bring flowers in even
numbers only to funerals!!
- It is also proper to bring a bottle of wine or a box of
chocolates if there is a certain celebration or
anniversary in the respective family.
- A gift for the children is always appreciated
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Traditional Romanian hospitality requires that much time is
devoted to friendly conversation and taking time to visit,
rather than adhering to set schedules or agendas.
There is no point in getting upset if people are a little late, or
very late, and “immediate” can sometimes mean a long
wait.
Most people are not in too much of a hurry except when they
are driving.
You might hear the word "immediate" that means "I'm
coming right away" but you may want to ask where the
person is, to be sure they are really on their way. Usually they
say "immediate" when they are still at home.
There are also some institutions where punctuality is
expected, for example schools, not all of them but most.
DINING ETIQUETTE
Arrive on time if invited to dinner.
 You may arrive up to 15 minutes late for a
party.
 Check to see if there are shoes at the front
door. If so, remove yours.
 Expect to be treated with great honour and
respect.
 DO bring flowers, chocolate or liquor for your
hosts, and bring a gift for their children, too.
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TABLE MANNERS
Leave your napkin on the table. Do not put it in your lap.
Wait for the host or hostess to say "pofta buna" (good appetite) before you
begin eating.
Always keep your hands visible when eating. Keep your wrists resting on the
edge of the table. Expect to be offered second and even third helpings.
You will have to insist that you cannot eat any more, as refusals are seen as
good manners and are not taken seriously.
It is acceptable to soak up extra sauce or gravy on your plate with your
bread.
To indicate you have not finished eating, cross your knife and fork on your
plate.
When you have finished eating, place your knife and fork across your plate
with the prongs facing down and the handles facing to the right.
SOCIALIZING AND CONVERSATION
DO expect to have to
repeatedly refuse if
you are offered
something that you
don't want. In
Romania, "no" doesn't
always mean "no"
because it's
considered polite to
refuse.
You will quickly learn that
Romanians are very
accommodating and
polite to visitors to their
country. Even so, abiding
by their etiquette will
help you blend in a little
more and it will impress
those you come into
contact with!