What comes to mind when we think Romanians right now is that they are marching against their government (and winning). Or maybe you don’t watch the news and Romania only goes with vampire tales in your mind. Either way, there is more to Romanian culturethan count Dracula and political turmoil.
Table of Contents
Here are a few things you absolutely must know (for fun or survival) about Romanian culture.
1. Romanians are not gypsies.
Well, technically the Roma are citizens of the country, but they are a different ethnic group. As statistics go, 88.6% of citizens are Romanian, then we have 6.5% Hungarian and 3.2% Roma people. The main language is Romanian, but there are also native Hungarian and German speakers.
2. That being said, it is the Roma people that are often associated with the country…
…since they are notorious for migrating to wealthier Western countries for seasonal work (and yes, sometimes criminal activity). There are also some Romanians that do the same and plenty of kids raised by their grandparents while their parents are away.
It is a practice in all Balkan countries but is particularly visible here as this is still a developing country and one of the poorest in the European Union.
3. Romanian people are generally more private and reserved, not quick to jump into friendship.
That being said, they will value your interest in their country and more often than not go out of their way to help a foreigner or to make their stay more pleasant. There might be a language barrier, too, so consider that they might not be rude, simply confused and embarrassed of their lack of knowledge of English.
Try to speak slowly and in a clear voice, with simpler words if you feel like they might not be understanding you. However, don’t do that to everybody you meet as it comes across as somewhat offensive to people who actually speak decent English.
Bottom line, bear in mind that language might be an issue with the Romanian culture, but only if you suspect they don’t understand you.
4. Manners and respect go hand in hand.
Older people, as well as those with advanced degrees or with higher-risk professions (doctors, engineers, policemen), are treated with utmost respect for their experience and knowledge.
In Romanian culture, a lot of value is placed on titles, so addressing others with their proper title+last name is the proper way to go about when interacting.
5. Since it is there are some patriarchal values that Romanians still hold dear, they sometimes come across as backward and bigoted.
At the same time, they are also very friendly and polite (as we already mentioned), so as long as you respect their views, they will respect yours (minus some of the old ladies, they are judgmental).
In any case, while I am not excusing it, expect a certain degree of homophobia (not as much racism, though) and refrain from PDA regardless if you are straight or gay. This is simply a more conservative society and it is always better to be on the safe side.
6. Hospitality matters a lot to them, especially to the women.
It is often regarded as a housewife’s duty to take excellent care of her guest and thus present her family as good as possible. This is why sudden, surprise visits are not always welcome – you don’t know what state the house will be in and you might put your hosts in an uncomfortable situation.
7. Apart from properly preparing the home, Romanians are also big on food.
Meaning that portions will also be big and you will have to insist on not receiving a second helping. The initial refusal is seen as a part of etiquette and this is why your hosts will not take it seriously. The same goes for alcohol and dietary preferences such as veganism.
You would have to be very firm to convince your hosts that no, you don’t want that third glass of wine/won’t eat their pork stew. For vegans, gluten-free folks and such it’s always a good idea to say it in advance, but still double check and don’t get offended if they forgot or even remembered and still decided to offer meat (just in case).
It’s just part of the Romanian culture 🙂
8. Traditional patriarchal roles have been disrupted by the years spent under the communist rule, as well as by the economic situation which obliges women to also contribute to the family budget.
Most Romanian women have successful careers AND do the majority of the house chores. The way this is balanced out is that some areas are considered a man’s job – for instance home improvement and car maintenance. Be prepared, if you are a male, for a certain degree of mockery if you can’t work a power drill, and if you are female – if you can’t prepare basic dishes. The other way round is not true – women are perfectly fine not knowing how the engine works, men don’t need to learn to cook. I am not saying this is correct, but it is what it is. Once again, if you respect their views, Romanians will respect yours, too.
9. On the topic of women, they are treated with respect almost equal to that shown to senior citizens.
In the public transport, it is expected of men to give up their seats to ladies, and of the young – to give them up to the older. While this is common etiquette for most Western countries, in Romania it is near obligatory. Expect some angry stares if you forget to do it, maybe even some confrontation (it has happened to me more times than I can count, and sometimes just because I didn’t notice the elderly lady that has entered).
10. With so many conservative values, you will be surprised at how ok it is to drink and smoke in public.
In the hot summer nights, parks are the place to be and everybody drinks beer, some even hard liquor. Drunkedness, however, is way more frowned upon than in Western countries. Romanians are easily shocked and disgusted at drunk people, even if they are just a bunch of 20-something’s making their way home from the club. In general, you will notice that while Romanian people drink quite a lot, they don’t really get blind-drunk and throwing up is actually rare, even at disco bathrooms.
11. The booze of choice (apart from the universally popular beer) is called tzuica…
…and you better know how to hold your alcohol, since this one is 40% and usually you have it with salad or appetizers, as an apperetive. In a way, Romanians see the spirit as an appetizer in itself as it is said to increase your appetite for the rich, greasy dishes to follow.
12. Superstition is a real important part of Romanian culture, and for good reason.
While not all weird rules are followed by everybody, some superstitions are so popular that you might have a hard time convincing people that they are untrue and don’t really matter. Black cats come to mind, but also not leaving your bag on the floor, not sitting at the corner of a table, not whistling inside a building (which means you invite evil spirits inside).
13. Romanians are humble people and highly dislike those who boast with their wealth or achievements.
You will notice they even downplay their qualities, so as not to come across as too full of themselves. Self-irony and sense of humor are essential as they demonstrate both humility and cheerfulness. Romanians love to laugh at themselves first.
14. In comparison to Western, non-Balkan countries, prices in Romania are almost comically low.
With minimum wage at just above 200 EUR, this is understandable and you will enjoy a new-found sense of wealth while travelling around the country. In the eyes of locals, your foreigner status might be equal to rich person status. This is both good (respect) and bad (higher risk to be mugged or defrauded), so keep your guard on.
15. Romanian cuisine might not be the most vegetarian-friendly, but everything is delectable.
For some dishes, you will need to gather your courage and I hope you have a strong stomach, too. Examples include tripe soup and a sort of meat-jello with pork and plenty of garlic (Piftie). A way to ease into it are all the different yummy breads, as well as their national dish made of boiled corn meal (Mămăligă). The mămăligă goes with various different toppings, cheese and butter being the classic. Try it with bacon as well — corn goes surprisingly well with it.
Romanian Culture: Conclusion
Romania is large and also largely undiscovered. It is great alternative for travelers on a budget that still want to have the European experience or for Westerners tired of the usual Greek beaches they visit for their vacations.
With all the peculiarities of the social norms, the national character and even the food, it might be intimidating to try communicating with Romanians. I promise, though, it is worthy. The Romanian culture isnaturally humble, down-to-earth and friendly, so please, promise you will try making some Romanian friends on your next trip.
FAQs
What are 10 interesting facts about Romania? ›
- Romania Has a Merry Cemetery. ...
- Romania Houses 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. ...
- Romania Is One of the Countries with the Fastest Internet Speed. ...
- Romania Has the World's Second Largest Administrative Building. ...
- Romania Has Europe's First Electrified Castle.
Romanians are formal and reserved with a strong need for privacy. Most do not trust strangers readily. They are generally shy and quiet when you first meet and admire modesty and humility in themselves and others. Once you develop a personal relationship Romanians will open up slightly.
What is the main culture in Romania? ›Romania is quite ethnically homogenous , with various sources estimating roughly 83-89% of the population are ethnic Romanian (Români). According to the 2011 census, ethnic Hungarians are the largest minority ethnic group (6.5%), with the Roma community constituting the second largest (3.3%).
What do I need to know about traveling to Romania? ›- Romania is safe for solo female travellers. ...
- Romania is BIG. ...
- The trains are so slow – bring a book. ...
- Romania makes for a great road trip. ...
- There's a closed border. ...
- Don't spend long in Bucharest. ...
- Dracula tourism isn't much to speak of. ...
- Time your visit to Bran Castle wisely.
Romania is famous mainly for its Dracula legend, stunning castles, and charming old towns. There is also a strong sense of cultural identity which is reinforced by the delicious traditional foods and unique urban legends.
What are 5 facts about Romania? ›- The heaviest building in the world is in Romania. ...
- Romania has a perfectly round-shaped village. ...
- Romania is home to the tallest wooden church in the world. ...
- The first European city to have electric street lights is in Romania. ...
- The modern jet engine was invented by a Romanian.
Romania is a very religious country. Christianity is the largest faith, with roughly 81.9% of the population identifying as Romanian Orthodox Christians, 6.4% identifying as Protestant Christians and 4.3% identifying as Roman Catholics in the 2011 census.
What is Romanian culture food? ›Romanian dishes consist of vegetables, cereals, fruits, honey, milk, dairy products, meat and game. Multiple different types of dishes are available, which are sometimes included under a generic term; for example, the category ciorbă includes a wide range of soups with a characteristic sour taste.
What is disrespectful in Romania? ›It is impolite to chew gum or keep your hands in your pockets while speaking to someone of a higher status. People are expected to dress neatly in a professional setting to show respect for the person they are meeting. Older Romanians may dress more conservatively, ensuring their legs and shoulders are covered.
What makes Romanian unique? ›While Romanian does have Slavic roots, those roots only make up about ten percent of the total vocabulary. The language is actually a culmination of Turkish, German, and Bulgarian. This makes it the most unique romance language.
Is Romania friendly with USA? ›
For the past 25 years, the United States and Romania have walked that road together and strengthened bilateral relations, supported Romania's democratic development and Euro-Atlantic integration, fostered shared prosperity, and worked together to face regional and global challenges.
Is Romania friendly to tourists? ›Romanians are friendly and open and foreigners are usually made very welcome. Chatting with visitors is very common for Romanians and they will find a way to communicate with you even if they cannot speak your language.
Is Romania foreigner friendly? ›Life in Romania
It also has a very distinctive culture and identity, and local people are very friendly towards foreigners moving there to work. Life in Romania is taking on an increasingly cosmopolitan atmosphere.
Marriage Practices
Romanians usually wait until they have finished their university studies before getting married. In urban areas, people usually marry around the ages between 25 and 30.
The basic garment for both men and women in Romania is a shirt or chemise, which is made from hemp, linen or woolen fabric. This was tied round the waist using a fabric belt, narrow for women and wider for men. The cut of this basic chemise is similar for men and women.
What are Romanians proud of? ›Romanians are also proud of their authentic rural life, with its traditions, simple life, hard work, and respect for the land. All of them are still considered today as some of the most important values of the Romanian nation.
What do Romanian people do for fun? ›In general, Romanians participate in sports and recreation through membership in clubs, the most popular being dedicated to cycling, football, handball, tennis, rugby, and martial arts. Basketball, volleyball, handball, and skating are also popular.
Do Romanians have middle names? ›Middle names (second given names) are also fairly common. Many Romanian names are derivative forms obtained by the addition of some traditional Romanian suffixes, such as -așcu, -escu (Marinescu), -ăscu, -eanu (Largeanu) , -anu, -an (Zizian), -aru, -atu, or -oiu.
What do Romanians call their country? ›The name of Romania (România) comes from the Romanian Român, which is a derivative of the Latin adjective Romanus (Roman). Romanians are a people living in Central and South-Eastern Europe speaking a Romance language.
How do Romanians greet? ›Romanians greet friends casually by saying “Salut” or “Bună” (Hello). One may greet strangers with the more formal phrase “Bună dimineața/ziua/seara” (Good morning/day/evening) depending on what time of day it is.
What are Romanian superstitions? ›
Money superstitions
This Romanian superstition says that if your right palm itches, then you'll receive money. On the contrary, if it's your left one, beware…you'll be giving money today.
The Romanians (Romanian: români, pronounced [roˈmɨnʲ]; dated exonym Vlachs) are a Romance-speaking ethnic group. Sharing a common Romanian culture and ancestry, and speaking the Romanian language, they live primarily in Romania and Moldova.
Why is Romania important to the US? ›Today, Romania is a strong ally of the United States, and the two countries work together to build democracy, fight terrorism, and promote regional security and stability. In addition to close historical and cultural ties, Romania is one of the most consistently pro-American nations in Europe and in the world.
What do Romanians drink? ›Romanians' favorite alcoholic beverages are beer and homemade wine, but their importance varies depending on the season: while beer is the favorite drink during summer, wine is mainly consumed in the cold season.
What is a typical Romanian breakfast? ›Traditionally, a plate served at breakfast with include polenta, a side of bread served with jam, butter, or both, a healthy serving of eggs, fresh veggies, and cold cuts, much of which come straight from a farm or garden in rural areas.
What is the Romanian national dish? ›1. Sarmale (Cabbage Rolls) Considered to be Romania's national dish, these stuffed cabbage rolls are actually of Turkish origins, but the Romanians claim that theirs are the best.
What are some weird laws in Romania? ›- The punishment for rape in the Code of Constantin Mavrocordat. ...
- Law against drunkenness. ...
- Banning Mickey Mouse. ...
- Prohibiting abortion. ...
- Marital rape. ...
- Capital punishment. ...
- National Direction of Anticorruption. ...
- The frequency of changes in the fiscal field.
Don't accept food, drinks, gum or cigarettes from people you've just met. Thieves posing as police officers may ask to see your ID and wallet. Romanian police won't stop you at random to do this. If you suspect someone is posing as a police officer, ask to see their identification.
What shouldn't you do in Romania? ›Avoid crowds, don't leave personal belongings unattended and, if leaving them in a car, make sure they are out of sight. Drink spiking is an issue, especially in Bucharest's Old Town. Don't accept food, drinks, gum or cigarettes from people you've just met.
Why do some Romanians have dark skin? ›Africans have been immigrating to Romania since the Communist Era. The majority of African-Romanians are of mixed ancestry, usually being the children of a Romanian parent and an African student who came to Romania.
Who is Romania's biggest ally? ›
Romania joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 2004, and has established itself as a steadfast ally of both the United States and NATO.
Which US state has the most Romanians? ›The largest Romanian American community is in the state of New York.
How long can a U.S. citizen stay in Romania? ›You must have a U.S. passport that is valid for at least three months beyond your departure date from Romania. U.S. citizens may enter and remain in Romania without a visa for up to 90 days total in any 180-day period.
What time do Romanians eat dinner? ›Dinner time in Romania
While their language is latin, the Romanians take their dinner cues from their Central and Eastern European neighbours, sitting down to dine at 8pm.
Romania is increasingly a card economy. While most businesses do accept credit cards, it may be safer to use cash due to the risk of credit card fraud. There is a large network of ATMs that accept standard international credit and debit cards but you may incur a fee.
What problems is Romania facing? ›Most important challenges for Romania 2022
In 2022, Romania considered rising prices, inflation, and the cost of living to be among the most important issues the country was facing. The economic situation generally was also a concern for 28 percent of respondents.
Some Romanians have dark hair, dark eyes, and olive skin, while others are fair and blonde with blue eyes. The largest ethnic minority in Romania are Hungarians, who live predominately in Western Transylvania. In many towns in this region, it is common to hear Hungarian spoken as the primary language.
What money should I take to Romania? ›local currency is RON , you can also use your credit cards almost everywhere. but it would be good to have and RON cash. You can withdraw RON from ATM or you can change currency at banks or exchange houses. You will find better exchange rates in town don`t rush to change in the airport where exchange rates are lower.
Can Americans buy property in Romania? ›Real estate investment in Romania. The sale of apartments to foreigners in Romania isn't limited: they can freely purchase, rent out, and sell properties. The sale of land to non-EU citizens is prohibited. A land plot with a house can be bought for a legal entity if it's a Romanian company.
What are 5 interesting facts about Romania? ›- The heaviest building in the world is in Romania. ...
- Romania has a perfectly round-shaped village. ...
- Romania is home to the tallest wooden church in the world. ...
- The first European city to have electric street lights is in Romania. ...
- The modern jet engine was invented by a Romanian.
Why is Romanian so unique? ›
While Romanian does have Slavic roots, those roots only make up about ten percent of the total vocabulary. The language is actually a culmination of Turkish, German, and Bulgarian. This makes it the most unique romance language.
What is the most popular tradition in Romania? ›Martisor. This is the most well known Romanian tradition outside of Romania. Martisor is a beautiful custom that happens on the 1st of March, the date that marks the celebration of the Spring season. On March 1, Romanian people offer each other a "Martisor", which is a small charm or trinket.
What is Romania lacking? ›Romania lags in the number of graduates in STEM disciplines (sciences, technologies, engineering and mathematics), while non-technical vocational training is often deficient. The state of infrastructure is abysmal: Romania ranks 102 out of 137 countries in the quality of transport infrastructure.
What are Romanian values? ›Romanians appreciate the long term relations based on trust, respect and loyalty. These are attributes they learn to appreciate early in their childhood. Religion plays an important role in the life of the Romanian people. Most of them are members of the Orthodox Church.
How do Romanians greet each other? ›Romanians greet friends casually by saying “Salut” or “Bună” (Hello). One may greet strangers with the more formal phrase “Bună dimineața/ziua/seara” (Good morning/day/evening) depending on what time of day it is.
Are Romanians friendly to foreigners? ›Life in Romania
It also has a very distinctive culture and identity, and local people are very friendly towards foreigners moving there to work. Life in Romania is taking on an increasingly cosmopolitan atmosphere.
Romanian is widely considered to be the trickiest of the Romance languages to learn, due to the challenge that mastering its grammar poses. French and Spanish are sometimes cited as being difficult, too.
What are Romanian girls known for? ›In case you didn't know, Romanian women are most famous in Europe for their beauty. In fact, Romania is among the top 20 countries in the world where you can find beautiful women. Each region of the country shapes women's charm when it comes to physical appearance as well as personality.