How would you describe the mentality/culture of your ethnicity and influences?

[TheMaestro]

Some things from Slovakia.


Don't expect smiles on the streets, in winter it looks like depression clinic.
Beer/Alcohol is tied with culture here and believe me Slovaks can drink alot without getting drunk that fast.
Racist jokes are a norm here, you can literally joke about everything and noone will give a shit, that's actually not that bad thing cause that's real freedom of speech.
Slovaks can turn from pessimists to optimists in just matter of seconds. The best example is hockey world championships IIHF. Slovaks always have shit start and there the shit talk starts and how useless they are, but when they get through by a luck, suddenly they are the best players ever.
Slovaks like to have their opinions, if they read something whether its wrong or right they will stick to it and it will be hard to convince them that it's not true.
People from eastern Slovakia are much more friendlier and talkative than those from western Slovakia.
Don't complain about the country if you're a foreigner, people would crucify you.
Gossip talk in work scene is a national sport also.

Those are few things I could think of.

[Sheva]

@TheBlade Thanks for the elaborate reply, some interesting insight right there. Sounds pretty fair all points. And it's a good thing You pressure people with the language. In some countries they are more likely to just speak in English which in turn makes it hard to learn the language. I do not like coffee, though. That may be one drink I'll have to abstain from that I have heard much praises about in Your region. There is a strong affinity for that? The only times I drink it it is black, without sugar or anything else added. But I appreciate, tea, beer, wine and a zip of raki. I can hold my drink pretty well.

Draug ... would you say that Norwegians are mentally very different than Danes?

When it comes to Poles, idk how to describe our mentality - I am pretty poor about deciphering people in general.

They have a more continental influence, richer history and also more self-confidence. They are known for being more outgoing, and Denmark has become a very popular holiday destination for Norwegians. A little more outspoken in general, and to a greater extent dare to stand for their opinions. That's the impression I have.
While they possess some of the same traits, they are not as afflicted by inferiority complexes and are more confident in general in social contexts.

[The Blade]

@TheBlade Thanks for the elaborate reply, some interesting insight right there. Sounds pretty fair all points. And it's a good thing You pressure people with the language. In some countries they are more likely to just speak in English which in turn makes it hard to learn the language. I do not like coffee, though. That may be one drink I'll have to abstain from that I have heard much praises about in Your region. There is a strong affinity for that? The only times I drink it it is black, without sugar or anything else added. But I appreciate, tea, beer, wine and a zip of raki. I can hold my drink pretty well.



They have a more continental influence, richer history and also more self-confidence. They are known for being more outgoing, and Denmark has become a very popular holiday destination for Norwegians. A little more outspoken in general, and to a greater extent dare to stand for their opinions. That's the impression I have.
While they possess some of the same traits, they are not as afflicted by inferiority complexes and are more confident in general in social contexts.

You welcome! Glad to give a useful response. I like coffee but always drink it without sugar. But you're right - it really is like a tradition to us. It's so popular that it has become the first drink you associate with asking a woman out. We also offer Greek and Turkish coffee at some places. I like vodka, beer, raki (both in pure form and mixed with something as it is often the case with shots you get at bars). Sometimes I drink cocktails and ''Long Island'' is among my favourites. Some people here drink tea but I guess I'm not able to appreciate it as a drink.

I'll also add one more observation dealing with food and guests:
- If you are organizing a children' party (whether someone has a birthday or not it doesn't matter) there is always various stuff prepared for this by the host (and other kids' parents don't need to pay for anything). Sandwiches are pretty popular. If you are all grown-ups gathering at someone's house or flat the host will usually ask what do you want to have for this meeting (both food and drinks), he/she will buy it and then each of you will pay for what you have consumed. Sometimes you may already be at the host's house and get something delivered after calling a pizzeria or a restaurant. It's unusual if your entertainer doesn't ask you to pay for what you have consumed but can happen sometimes (if you insist to pay and he/she still says ''No.", don't ask again - the person is being sincere and has no problem with it). When celebrating your birthday, however, you pay the entire bill. It's almost a rule.

[El_Abominacion]

Will only mention where I live considering my background is mixed

London:

- People are dry, cold and boring generally.

- You can enter a corner shop and make a transaction without a single word being spoken to you by the cashier. They'll either talk to their colleagues in their own language or be on the phone the whole time or just be silent.

- There's a deeply adhered to but unspoken rule that you never ever attempt to converse with a stranger on public transport, especially during rush hour. Jesus the looks you will get if you try that lmao. I saw just how stark the difference was in the states where people are far more open to casual conversation, before I even stepped off the plane for the first time some Americans helped me find where my crossover terminal was because I had no phone data. London is way too introverted and reserved for its own good

- London is very culturally and socially divided and anyone who tells you otherwise is lying. There are areas full of Champagne Socialist whites and areas full of FOB families practicing FGM. There's very little fabric that ties the general populace together because people can just cluster in their own communities, people are naturally tribalistic so I don't know what everyone expected would happen.

- London is entirely different to the rest of England, people in the North and West are much more open and friendly. In fact when people leave London, that's usually where they go from what i've seen.

[Ford]

Show love and friendship and you will recieve ten times more back, show hostility and disrespect and you will recieve ten times back of that too.

I'm willing to say it applies to much of the Balkans, which I guess explains things.

[Sheva]

You welcome! Glad to give a useful response. I like coffee but always drink it without sugar. But you're right - it really is like a tradition to us. It's so popular that it has become the first drink you associate with asking a woman out. We also offer Greek and Turkish coffee at some places. I like vodka, beer, raki (both in pure form and mixed with something as it is often the case with shots you get at bars). Sometimes I drink cocktails and ''Long Island'' is among my favourites. Some people here drink tea but I guess I'm not able to appreciate it as a drink.

I'll also add one more observation dealing with food and guests:
- If you are organizing a children' party (whether someone has a birthday or not it doesn't matter) there is always various stuff prepared for this by the host (and other kids' parents don't need to pay for anything). Sandwiches are pretty popular. If you are all grown-ups gathering at someone's house or flat the host will usually ask what do you want to have for this meeting (both food and drinks), he/she will buy it and then each of you will pay for what you have consumed. Sometimes you may already be at the host's house and get something delivered after calling a pizzeria or a restaurant. It's unusual if your entertainer doesn't ask you to pay for what you have consumed but can happen sometimes (if you insist to pay and he/she still says ''No.", don't ask again - the person is being sincere and has no problem with it). When celebrating your birthday, however, you pay the entire bill. It's almost a rule.

Coffee doesn't have that same tradition here, it's mainly just something people consume at work to keep alert. Tea, however is pretty popular. Much so because England has been a strong cultural influence on Our country. And they like their tea, too. Long Island is a wonderful drink, but a risky one. Especially when I was younger and less disciplined. It is widely known here to be the drink that can tip people over the edge when drinking.

I forgot to add that it's quite hard to make new friends among Norwegians. There have been complaints of this for years, both among people settling here and international students. Many Norwegians forge friendships when growing up during school years and stick to those. Not all, not all but most are very secluded and may have a mentality that they don't need new friends. Most get exhausted much faster when socializing than Southerners, and have a profound need for solitary time.

Sounds that hospitality and covering the expenses. Not that different there. Children's parties the host pays. Seems like You guys are pretty straight-forward about most things, which is good. I've heard how in other cultures it becomes like an act where You insist on paying the host refuses, but You have to insist. And all sort of etiquette.

[Universe]

Prone to corruption,
pessimism, patriotism, nationalism, racism, islamophobia(for good or ill)

besides racism, often hateful towards other euro ethnicities

feel of nostalgia for earlier stages of history when "Hungary was great"

can be cold or warm, depending on the situation

like eating and drinking alcohol a lot.

The country may be conservative in some ways (esp from a Western Euro pov) but sexually it's quite liberal.

Religion isn't very taken seriously by the general population.

[Marmara]

[TheMaestro]

Some things about Kosovar Albanians

One of most family oriented countries in Europe
The oldest male out of family Is supposed to care take of his parents and live with them until end of their lifes, they could also decide to live alone if they want. (This is acutally a beautifull thing)
Oldest male in the family is always head of the family and it's normal to ask for his advice, but you don't neccessary need his permission, it's a sign of respect.
Albanians from Kosovo tend to be very loud and very easy going, they also can go from the most friendly guy to most triggered guy in matter of seconds.
Most of Albanian men tend to watch football and spend their time in coffee shops
Albanians marry their own countrymen and it's uncommon to marry people from different countries.

When you enter into someones house as a guest expect standing up for you shaking your hand and getting anything you want (drink, food) - This is also great thing, I remember my friend who went to work for 4 months into Norway, he lived in a house with Norwegian family, he said it was wierd as hell. He came into their house and it was funny when he was talking about it. He said they said from a distance just hi, didn't even shake hands and they were basically ignoring him most of the time. The only thing he heard is good morning or good night, but he had some nice times when they went outside, but still he says they were too cold. This is something in Kosovo wouldn't happen, the people who would share home with you would want to get to know you and know everything about you. You would also literally be forced to eat food and drink, they would most of the time ask you want do you want to drink and eat every hour, just so you feel comfortable.

Another point is that there is rubbish everywhere, "Southern Italy style" if you imagine. They just don't care, I hate this so much that I have to pick the rubbish many times. But this is something that is more prone for younger generation 30-, the elders will most probably shout on you. But it's still uncomparable in Slovakia, which this doesn't happen.

When you go into the restaurant with your friend expect fights of who pays the bill and this is really genuine.

If you have a birthday, you are supposed to pay for a coffee or something small like that for your friends to celebrate it.

If you are about to have a child it's also normal to call your best friends to a restaurant to pay them a nice dinner to celebrate it.

It's not good to involve into a conflict with Albanian, they are really unreadable and they have insane level of anger in those kind of situations, their pro in fight is not the strenght but actually such a high adrenaline level that fear is literally absent. I've seen a guy jumping into 15 guy group because of his brother having problem with one of the guy.

When you get stopped by the police, you always find someone related to the guy.

It's not normal to talk about someones wife and asking how she is, Albanians are pretty jealous.

When you ask for a help of someone you know you will most likely get it with enthusiasm, this is something that is unreal in Slovakia, where people would say I dont know man, without even trying.

When you make a handshake with someone it's like doing a deal with all paperwork.

You don't actually have to greet your neighbours it's not that common if it's not your friend. The thing is Albanians in Kosovo mostly greet people they know and believe me it's almost every second person in your district.
So if you actually go out of your house you wave literally every 15 seconds.

If you are a bad person or you are sketchy believe me most of the people will already know, so they wont deal with you, that's why people try to always be as friendly and reliable.

Last point I could think of is that people are never on time, don't expect to meet with your friends at the time you've said so. If you say to your friend hey let's go out and he says ye I'm comming means, It will probably take me another hour and a half to go out. But I have to admit if there is something serious, people literally come even a half hour before.

If someone dies from your family, you most probably burry him on another day, most of people around your area will know it and will most probably come on the funreal to show you the respect. I think this is also very nice, you don't even need to know the person. This is something that wouldn't work in western countries including NA where people live great distances between each other, but in Kosovo everything is pretty close.

Those are some points I could think of, sorry for the mistakes I wrote it very fast watching two and half men.

[itilvolga]

A quote from Quora, which is fairly accurate in my view:

1) Turks have joie de vivre. They love to live. Places are open, streets are full all the time. I don’t think this changes along the secular/religious divide either. Even in the most conservative villages, people will spend hours in a local coffeeshop; women will host daily afternoon tea with their girlfriends etc. Sipping tea with a good friend is our national stress-reliever. This aspect is by far what I love the most about Turks.
2) Very friendly and outgoing
3) Helpful and caring
4) Extremely family-oriented. Even a second cousin could be as close to you as your brother/sister in some instances. You’ll feel really loved by your Turkish family.
5) Passionate (about soccer, politics, history, whatever it may be).
6) Amazing cooks - although it is mostly women that cook.
7) Fascinating, diverse history that is influenced by many cultures (Greeks, Armenians, Kurds, Arabs, Tatars, former Yugoslavs) etc. that manifests in daily expressions, literature, dances or customs.

Continuing with the hate:

1) Turks will never admit to not knowing something. They will have an opinion on everything even when they are clearly not informed on the subject. Whenever there is a news of a plane crash somewhere in the world, I see Turkish people commenting on it on Eksisozluk (an online Turkish forum) as if they all have a PhD in aerospace engineering from Harvard.
Kind of related to the first point, there is a lack of respect for private life. Friends and family, and sometimes even strangers, will voice their opinions on your private life. Gossiping is huge.
2) There is an “I am better than you”/show-off attitude. People will do things to show off to other people, or because of how it’s perceived by the society. Again, a behavior that is not affected by socio-economic lines.
3) Disrespectful towards strangers, whether it’s in lines, in the traffic or in public life (I disagree)
4) Lack of long-term/strategic planning

We are so diverse that it is hard to generalize things (even the above!). Things will differ greatly on where the person is from (the Aegean, Eastern Black Sea, inner Anatolia and the south east are vastly different); whether they are secular or religious; their socio-economic status; what political ideology they subscribe to.