As a tourist in Romania, you will notice that Romanians are friendly and open. Romanians will make sure that you’ll feel welcomed in their country but there are some cultural differences that you need to be aware of.
To avoid the cultural shock, I’ve listed below some characteristics that make us, Romanians unique. Of course, Romania is a diverse country and not all its residents are the same but these cultural characteristics will definitely help you when traveling to this beautiful country.
-> To read 20 fascinating facts about Romania, click here.
1. Romanians are talkative and assertive
Romanians like to talk. A lot. Don’t be surprised if you see strangers starting a conversation on public transport. If you’re traveling long distances by train, expect to be asked where you’re going, where you’re coming from and what you’re doing in Romania. This is our way of being friendly.
When in a social group, everyone is expected to share experiences, even personal ones. We like to dig deep into other people’s lives. Invading someone’s privacy is our way of saying “Hey, I like you. Wanna be my friend?”.
2. Romanians like to complain about everything
If there’s a trait of personality that defines each and every Romanian, this is it – we like to complain. Even when we don’t have something to complain about, we’ll find (I mean, invent) something.
From politics to health to traffic, nothing seems to ever satisfy us. We complain to friends, work colleagues and pretty much anyone who ever gets in contact with us. However, complaining is acceptable only among ourselves. Hearing someone from a different country complaining can be interpreted as a sign of weakness.
If you ever hear a Romanian complaining, try to be sympathetic and empathetic to his “struggles”. This is how you make a good impression.
-> Is Romania safe to visit? Find out here!
3. Romanians are open
We are open to anything. We are open to new technology, new ideas, new cultures, new everything. After the restrictions of the Communist regime stopped, Romanians were left with an unsettled hunger for new.
For us, new equals opportunity which gets me to the next point.
4. Romanians are adaptable and resourceful
Romanians are creative when it comes to finding solutions to problems. We like shortcuts and we adapt extremely well to new circumstances.
Also, Romanians have an entrepreneurial spirit that is impossible to stop. We always think about how to make more money with less effort. We’re constantly searching for the dream life and we won’t stop until we find it.
5. Romanians have a good sense of humor
Romanians love a good laugh. We find humor in any situation. I think this is our way of overcoming our struggles. We make jokes about everything but we never mean to upset anyone.
If a Romanian jokes about you, don’t take it personally. Respond with another joke instead and you’ll become a part of the gang!
6. Romanians love to gossip
Gossip is a part of every Romanian’s daily life. Romanians don’t only gossip about their families or work colleagues but also about close friends. We are not direct people so we prefer to share our frustrations in the shape of gossip.
7. Romanians are kind and generous
Sharing is in our culture. If you get the chance to visit a local’s home, you will be welcomed with the best food, drinks and atmosphere. We expect you to indulge in everything and appreciate our effort.
You can’t leave a Romanian’s house without eating all the food served. Moreover, sometimes you might even get some takeaway. Don’t refuse it! We love sharing.
Also, Romanians love offering and receiving gifts. It doesn’t matter how big or small the gift is.
8. Romanians speak many languages
Almost every Romanian speaks English (especially the younger generations). However, Romanians also learn in school a second language. Usually they can choose between German and French.
If you need help or you’re just looking for directions, do not hesitate to ask in English. Most probably, there will be someone who can understand and help you.
-> Are you planning to backpack Romania? Read this guide!
9. Romanians don’t like to be criticized
We like to complain about other people or situations but this doesn’t mean that we like to be criticized. Romanians don’t react well to direct criticism. If you have something to say, make sure to do it in a non-intrusive, indirect manner.
10. Romanians are punctual
Let’s put it this way – most Romanians are punctual. Punctuality in Romania is considered to be a virtue. People expect you to be punctual for business meeting and when meeting with friends.
There is only one exception to the rule – parties. When a Romanian invites you to a party at 7 pm, what they actually mean is 7.30 pm. Romanians also feel embarrassed if they are the first ones at a party. This is why they always arrive a little bit later than the set hour.
11. Romanians love traditional food
We love to eat steaks, soups and cakes. Every religious celebration is a good reason for Romanians to cook unreasonable amounts of food. Also, no meal is complete without a little dessert.
We take pride in our traditional food and honestly, it’s quite delicious! If you want to try some, make sure to eat sarmale, mamaliga cu branza, and papanasi. You’ll thank me later!
12. Romanians love to party
Yes, we do! Every weekend is an opportunity to go out with our friends and have a good time. Even at work, every team building includes partying.
In every big city, there are designated areas with lots of pubs and clubs where Romanians go to have a drink and dance. This is how we have fun after a long week of work.
13. Romanians are hard working
As much as Romanians love to party, when it comes to work things get serious. Romanians are hard working people and work is a big part of their lives. They focus on their careers because in Romania’s society somebody’s social rank is determined by their profession and career.
Actually, Romania is one of the countries where people spend many hours working overtime. The balance between private life and work life is very thin here.
14. Romanians are highly religious
86% of Romania’s population is Orthodox. Even though it seems that only elderly people go to the church, the young generation is quite religious too.
15. Romanians are proud people
Last but not least, Romanian people are very proud. They are proud of their country (even though they complain about everything), they are proud of their traditions and culture, and they are proud of Romania’s natural beauty.
Final thoughts
Every person is different but I believe that these characteristics apply to almost every Romanian. Visiting Romania is a delight as this beautiful country is still unspoiled by mass tourism.
I hope that you’ve enjoyed this article. What do you think about Romanians? Let me know in the comments section below!
May the travel bug bite you!
Disclosure: Please note that this post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend companies and products that I trust and the income goes to keeping this website running. Thanks!
Aurelia Teslaru
Aurelia Teslaru is a professional travel blogger and the writer behind Daily Travel Pill. With a 4-year experience as a travel writer and photographer, Aurelia only shares travel guides about destinations that she visited.
She has been to more than 40 countries during the past 10 years and aims to explore 50 countries before turning 30 years old. Aurelia is a digital nomad who transformed her passion for travel into a lifestyle. Read more about her here.
To follow her adventures, check out her Instagram and Facebook pages!
FAQs
What personality do Romanians have? ›
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 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.
- Romanian Orthodox Church. The Romanian Orthodox Church is an essential part of Romanian culture. ...
- Martisor in the Spring. Every year, the people of Romania celebrate the beginning of spring. ...
- Folk Costume. ...
- Dracula. ...
- Communism. ...
- Dances. ...
- Brasov. ...
- Bucharest.
- 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.
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 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.
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.
Are Romanians loyal? ›About 80 percent said they are loyal. Discipline is also among the traits underlined in the study – with 77.7 percent of responses, orientation towards the future – 74.6 percent, high personal standards – some 74.4 percent of responses.
Who are Romanians most similar to? ›Relationship to other ethnic groups
The Istro-Romanians are the closest ethnic group to the Romanians, and it is believed they left Maramureș, Transylvania about a thousand years ago and settled in Istria, Croatia.
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.
How to impress a Romanian man? ›
- Learn some basic words to impress your Romanian date.
- Don't talk about sensitive topics in the early dating period.
- Be respectful and polite.
- Share your culture.
- Be a good listener.
- Don't underestimate the role of the family in a Romanian's life.
- If you visit their family, never say no to food.
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.
Is Romanian rich or poor? ›...
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| Rank | Country | GDP-PPP ($) |
|---|---|---|
| 49 | Guyana | 38,258 |
| 50 | Turkey | 37,488 |
| 51 | Latvia | 37,330 |
| 52 | Romania | 36,622 |
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.
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.
Communication Style: Romanians often express themselves with emotion and passion. This can be paired with lively, animated tones and the use of body language.
Is Romania friendly to Americans? ›In addition to close historical and cultural ties, Romania is one of the most consistently pro-American nations in Europe and in the world.
How tall are Romanians? ›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.
How can I make my Romanian happy? ›The main thing that makes the Romanians happy is their relation with close relatives and friends. Married people primarily value family, children and parents.
What culture is Romanian similar to? ›
Romanian blends elements of several cultures. These include Turkish, Balkan, German, Serbian, & Hungarian.
What do Romanians look like? ›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 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.
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.
| Characteristic | Share of respondents |
|---|---|
| Brave | 27% |
| Funny | 27% |
| Righteous | 27% |
| Financially independent | 26% |
Gender Roles
Romanian families are traditionally patriarchal , with lineage being passed through the male line of the family. Men are usually the main income earners, while women assume most of the responsibilities within the household (caregiving and domestic work).
The Romanian gene pool is mainly composed of West Eurasian lineages H (31.7%), U (12.8%), J (10.8%), R (10.1%), T (9.1%), N (8.1%), HV (5.4%),K (3.7%), HV0 (4.2%), with exceptions of East Asian haplogroup M (3.4%) and African haplogroup L (0.7%).
What are Romanians a mix of? ›By the time of the Roman withdrawal under the emperor Aurelian in 271, the Roman settlers and the Dacians had intermarried, resulting in a new nation. Both the Latin roots of the Romanian language and the Eastern Orthodox faith to which most Romanians adhere emerged from the mixture of these two cultures.
What DNA do Romanians have? ›According to iGENEA, the structure of the ancient peoples in Romania, based on Y-DNA test results, is the following: 29% Slavic. 21% Finno-Ugric. 20% Teutonic (Germanic)
What is the most Romanian name? ›The most common Romanian given name is Maria. Other common names includeAndrei, David, Alexandru, Gabriel (male) and Elena, Ioana, Andreea, Sofia (female).
What is the best Romanian name? ›
The Most Common Names in Romanian
It may be surprising, but the most famous name in Romanian is Maria, with over 1.38 million Romanian females having Maria as one of their names. Another popular name is Ion or Ioana, which means God is Gracious, and 1.37million people bear that name. Yes, I know…
The Most Common Romanian Last Names
Andrei - This is the Romanian form of “Andrew” and it means “brave” or “manly.” Bucur - This name of Romanian origin means “happiness.” Cazacu - This is a topographic surname for someone who lives along the Cazacu River. Cel Tradat - This Romanian surname means “the betrayed one.”
By 2020, men would marry at around 31 years old, while women would marry at 28 years old.
Is Romanian a romantic? ›Romanian is a Romance language, belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European language family, having much in common with languages such as Italian, Spanish, French and Portuguese.
What happens if I marry a Romanian citizen? ›Under the new law, people with or without citizenship who are married to Romanian citizens are eligible for Romanian passport grants 10 years after their marriage date, despite being resided in another country.
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.
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.
- Learn some basic words to impress your Romanian date.
- Don't talk about sensitive topics in the early dating period.
- Be respectful and polite.
- Share your culture.
- Be a good listener.
- Don't underestimate the role of the family in a Romanian's life.
- If you visit their family, never say no to food.
One's family is the most important aspect of life for Romanians. Relatives provide emotional and financial support to one another and generally spend much of their free time socialising together.
What is the average age of marriage in Romania? ›Are Romanians friendly to Americans? ›
In addition to close historical and cultural ties, Romania is one of the most consistently pro-American nations in Europe and in the world.
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.
How many Romanian marriages end in divorce? ›...
The general divorce rate in Romania.
| Ukraine | 67.4 per 100 marriages in 2018 | TransMonEE |
|---|---|---|
| Czech Republic | 44.64 per 100 marriages in 2018 | TransMonEE |
| Lithuania | 43.78 per 100 marriages in 2018 | TransMonEE |