Why I Always Finish My Plate

4 things that you must do if you travel to Montenegro.

Montenegro’s culture is fascinating, diverse and unique as the state itself. From unusual beliefs to distinctive behaviors and a whole heap of national pride, the culture is one of the country’s most charming characteristics.

If you ever find yourself in Montenegro there are certain things that you should be aware of, as it’s unlikely you will learn of them in your tour guide.

1. Drive Very, Very Safe…or Don’t Drive At All

Montenegro has a unique road system comprised of mountain spiral roads. Thanks to its gorgeous views, driving there turns into unforgettable and fantastic experience. Stunning scenery is what always follows you through the whole trip.

However, it’s not all that great.

If you are a driving in Montenegro you must exercise cautiousness, as the drivers in Montenegro don’t follow the traffic rules.

They pass the traffic lights on red, park the car wherever the want and even race with other cars. Many of them smoke a cigarette and talk on the phone on the same time — hands off the wheel.

The residents have their own driving style, the so-called “polako” — very slow and careful . However, it’s ignored. Instead they tend not to yield the way to pedestrians and they cross even a solid double line.

Moving into the oncoming traffic lane is not considered to be a violation at all.

Moreover, quite often drivers may suddenly stop in the middle of the road to greet each other or simply make small talk. Montenegrin never get penalty tickets for that.

If you end up renting a car in Montenegro, then I hope you are an experienced driver. If you are rule-breaker, then Montenegro is your safe haven. I had a once in the life-time experience — to be driven by a rally racer.

Until this day, the memory thrills and scares me, but if I had a chance — I would repeat it again.

2. Always Finish Your Meals

Everything evolves around food in Montenegro. Dinners are the most important part of the day for the locals, as it brings families and friends together.

If your a resident of Montenegro invites you for a meal, expect them to feed you until you are so full that you can drop. You will be always encouraged to finish your meal or even have a re-fill. Declining a refill can be viewed as disrespectful.

When visiting always bring chocolate, bottle of wine or flowers. But always buy an odd number of flowers, because an even number is bought only for funerals.

In restaurants, if you haven’t finished your meal — you will be asked if you wish to have it packed for take-away. Declining will indicate that you weren’t satisfied with your meal. Double checking the bill in restaurant, cafe or pub is a a sign that you don’t trust the waiter, therefore they may be offended because of that.

Don’t be surprised if the waiter doesn’t smile at you — that doesn’t mean that he is rude and has negative emotions, Montenegrin’s simply don’t like formal smiles.

3. Don’t Work — Don’t Even Talk About Work

People from Montenegro are proud and confident, hospitable and very generous. But many of them are lazy. They enjoy doing nothing, sitting in a cafes with friends and discussing all possible topics.

The Montenegrin’s have a very relaxed attitude towards life, choosing to relax first and deal with whatever needs to be done at a later date. Similar to famous Spanish ‘mañana’, only with a Balkan twist.

Laziness in Montenegro is indeed so famous that the country now holds its own World Championships. The town of Brezna holds a competition to find the laziest person in the country. The rules?

You simply have to lie down, and the last person to get up is the winner. The current record stands at 37 hours.

People in Montenegro simply do not have an inner impulse to work. Family and friends are the center of Montenegrin culture and that they occupy the most important place in their thoughts. Life begins and ends at home in Montenegro.

Ancestry is extremely important in Montenegro and no word is as iron as that of the oldest living member of the brood.

4. Open up to possibilities

When in Montenegro, you are likely to hear the phrase “sve mozhe”, translating “everything is possible”. The phrase works in two ways. First, it is a confidence that the individual can deliver.

Locals joke that though they have never flown an airplane it couldn’t be too hard. Sure they could do it. This willingness and confidence fosters an openness to a request or an idea.

This second aspect of “sve može” leads to a pre-disposed “yes”. The answer is yes, now what’s your question. Sure we can make that happen.

Because in the fairy tale lands of Montenegro it seems that everything is possible.

The phrase sums up the classic Montenegrin approach to life. Also, it hints at the attitude they take toward guests. It is part of a deep hospitality that compels them because they genuinely care and want to protect the family name.

There is always willingness to do their best and in most cases action is inevitable.

In Montenegro be certain that your wishes can become a reality.

And that is enough of a reason for one to go to Montenegro.

Thank you for reading.