Hospitable People
Most countries around the world have a reputation for being welcoming to foreigners, particularly in less-visited places like Laos and Azerbaijan. Bosnia and Herzegovina is no different. People in Bosnia and Herzegovina are generally friendly and welcoming, so don't be surprised if someone strikes up a conversation with you once they learn you're a tourist.
If you are invited to someone's home, remove your shoes before entering. Typically, the host will serve Turkish coffee or rakija (a local spirit). Rakija is traditionally made from plums (ljivovica) or grapes (loza). It's very strong, so don't drink too many of these if you don't want to get drunk quickly! It is also not uncommon for locals to offer you a piece of cheese, fruit, or cake. When such offers are made, "No" is usually not accepted as an answer.
Because recent history (the war) is still a sensitive issue for some, avoid discussing the war and politics unless you know your conversation partner and want to learn more about what happened without taking sides. Bosnia and Herzegovina people typically use English as their primary language of communication with foreigners. You can easily find someone in the cities to assist you with something you don't understand. If you're going to be traveling in the countryside, it's a good idea to learn or, better yet, write down a few words and phrases that will come in handy.
