Serbia

Greetings

Man greeting Man - Men shake hands when greeting one another and maintain direct eye contact. A relatively firm handshake is the way to go. Light hugs are common between good friends and family.

Woman greeting Woman - A kiss on each cheek is common if two women know each other. A light handshake is the norm if they are meeting for the first time.

Greeting between Men & Women - At a first meeting a handshake will do. A kiss on each cheek is common between good friends.

Communication Style

• People tend to be very direct in their communication style.

Personal Space & Touch

• Usually, personal space isn’t highly regarded. People often hug and tap each other on the shoulder or touch lightly while conversing.

Eye Contact

• Direct eye contact tends to be preferred in most every situation, regardless of age and gender.

Views of Time

• Punctuality is a desirable trait, although people are often late.

Taboos

• It’s considered impolite to point at someone with one finger.

Law & Order

• The legal age for drinking is non-existent, and you have to be at least 18 to by cigarettes.

In the Classroom

• The school year at most institutions begins in September and ends in June.
• There is no dress codes at most schools. Dress tends to be casual to upscale casual.
• Grades are usually given on a scale of 5-10, where 5 is the failing grade.
• The most common form of teaching is the mass lectures, followed by group work and workshop style classes with smaller groups.