Meeting and Greeting

All the European customs apply which means respect and courtesy for the elders and women, following the rules of the house, and behaving in a calm and civilized way in public. And Bulgaria is not exceptional. Bulgaria is still a fairly formal society, therefore initial greetings are more formal and reserved than North Americans are typically accustomed to. Bulgarian greetings consist of a firm handshake, direct eye contact, and the appropriate verbal greeting for the time of day. Greet each person in a group individually, starting with women and elderly persons.

Address people by their titles (if you know them), or with Mr. (GospaDIN), or Mrs. (GospaZHA) followed by surname. Only friends and family address each other with first names and with a hug or kiss. One should always wait for Bulgarian counterparts to determine when it’s appropriate to go on a first-name basis. Bulgarians are likely to raise their voices and be very animated during conversation; this is standard and not a sign of displeasure.