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If you plan on spending some time in Serbia, you’re surely excited about all the ćevapi, rakija, and wild nightlife. You’re probably also curious about what the neighbors in Serbia are like.
With that in mind, this article is your cheat sheet for understanding Serbian neighbors and getting along with them, helping you avoid any unnecessary drama. Let’s begin
You may have heard both good and bad things about Serbs, and most of it is likely true. After all, people everywhere come in all shapes and sizes, with incredibly diverse characters. But if you’re about to move to Serbia, it’s best to come prepared.
With that in mind, you’ll want more info on neighbors in Serbia, their mentality, and how to avoid getting into trouble with them.
Of course, it’s impossible to tell the story of Serbian neighbors without generalizing. So, remember that our description won’t apply to each Serb you meet in your neighborhood. Instead, it’s a general guide on what you’re likely to encounter while living in Serbia.
As you might expect, your experience with neighbors will vary depending on where you live. In big cities, people tend to be less interested in those around them and usually mind their own business.
So, if you live in an apartment in Belgrade or another city, it’s perfectly normal not to know the name of your first neighbor. Typically, simple greetings are the only interaction that you can expect.
In contrast, countryside folks tend to be much more involved in their neighbors’ lives. Basically, everyone knows everyone, and keeping a low profile is next to impossible. In other words, your private life is fair game.
As for suburbs, they fall somewhere in between. People likely know their neighbors’ names and sometimes chat with each other. Still, they maintain a certain distance and generally don’t meddle in each other’s affairs too much.
If we had to describe Serbian neighbors in a word, hospitality definitely fits the bill. Serbs are famous for their welcoming spirit to anyone who enters their home.
So, if you visit your neighbors, chances are they’ll greet you with kindness and, just as importantly, tons of food. In other words, they’ll make sure you’re comfortable (and stuffed like a turkey) as long as you’re their guest.
On top of that, you can expect to be served a shot of rakija with unlimited refills. Plus, you’ll likely leave with a piece of cake, a bottle of homemade juice, or a jar of ajvar — along with regards for your entire family.
Of course, all this incredible hospitality comes at a price. Namely, your neighbor may use your visit to find out as many details about you as possible. So, your host won’t shy away from asking about your work, family, and especially, love life. If you share a juicy gossip, they may never let you go home.
Jokes aside, many people in Serbia don’t hide their curiosity about the lives of others. If you’re not used to it, it may surprise you how quickly any casual chat can turn into full-on prying.
Speaking of prying, the local elderly are the pros. Since they have tons of free time, most grandmas and grandpas will want to know everything about you. Then, they’ll use the acquired info to gossip about you with their friends over coffee. For that reason, the curiosity of the Balkan elderly fuels countless jokes and memes.
Perhaps the best thing about having neighbors is that they are always around. Your friends or family members may be far away, so in case of an emergency, your neighbor is the one to turn to.
If, for instance, you need a ride to the hospital, it’s easier to ask the person who lives across the fence than your mom, who’s currently in another city. Similarly, you can count on your neighbor to alert the firefighters in case of a house fire.
More traditionally, neighbors used to be designated helpers during special events and celebrations. If you have a wedding, slava, or a birthday party to organize, guess who’s the one to help out. Yup, it’s your neighbors.
Since the kindness of neighbors can make a community a safer and happier place, it’s always a good idea to reciprocate and lend a hand yourself when you can.
Another downside to Serbian neighbors? An utter lack of boundaries. Following the principle of sacred hospitality, your next-door acquaintance may visit uninvited and unannounced, expecting you to drop whatever you’re doing to hang out with them.
If this sounds like a nightmare, be ready to set firm boundaries and tell them not to come without giving you the heads-up.
As weird as it may sound, many neighbors in Serbia aren’t on speaking terms. The reasons can be serious, but more often, they’re trivial. In fact, some people don’t even remember what started the dispute.
For instance, disagreeing about where the borders between their yards should be is a common cause for quarrels between people who share a fence.
Regardless of the reason, these grudges can go on for years. Sometimes, they are even passed down through generations.
To help you understand Serbian neighbors even better, we’ll share common types of people you might encounter while staying in Serbia.
If you buy a new car or land a fine job, this type of neighbor will congratulate you profusely. Secretly, though, they’ll hope your car breaks down and you lose your job. Why? They are jealous of anyone who has nicer things than them.
Fittingly, the following proverb illustrates this mentality: Da komšiji crkne krava. Loosely translated, it means — let the neighbor’s cow die.
Whenever you’re doing home renovations, moving furniture, or your car breaks down, this neighbor won’t offer help — they’ll roll up their sleeves and jump in right away.
Similarly, when you’re traveling, you can always ask them to water your plants or feed your cat.
If you’re lucky enough to have such a gem living next door, treat them nicely and try to return the favor whenever you can. After all, having a neighbor like that is worth their weight in gold.
Your dog is barking too much, your music disturbs their afternoon nap, or you’re breathing too loud — the quarrelsome neighbor always finds something to complain about. No matter how considerate you are, they’ll find a way to create drama.
The best way to deal with such folks is to ignore them. This is not to say that you should be overly noisy or let your dog wake up the entire neighborhood. But as long as you’re reasonably quiet and don’t disturb anyone, there’s no reason to get into confrontations.
Although not your typical Serb, this neighbor prefers to keep to themselves. They’ll greet you if they see you in the street or open the elevator door for you, but that’s it. They are simply not interested in shooting the breeze or hanging out with neighbors.
This type of neighbor is a prime source of juicy rumors and fresh gossip. That’s why you can count on getting the latest scoop on the entire neighborhood whenever you bump into them.
On the downside, though, they’ll also gossip about you. But, as long as you’re careful what you share with such neighbors, you’ll be fine.
Finally, let’s see what you can do to maintain healthy neighborly relations.
First of all, ignoring your neighbors in Serbia is a nope. Still, you don’t need to engage in a full-on banter every time — simple greetings will do.
Zdravo, komšija!
(Hello, neighbor [masculine].)
Ćao, komšinice.
(Hey there, neighbor. [feminine])
Or if they’re busy with cleaning, gardening, or other chores, you can say:
Srećan rad!
(Happy work!)
Hospitality and friendliness are amazing, but not everyone enjoys being chummy with neighbors. So, if you prefer to keep to yourself, that’s fine.
If your neighbors drop by unannounced or talk your ear off whenever they see you, it’s best to be direct. In other words, tell them politely but firmly that you’re not interested. Caving in may be easier, but protecting your boundaries from the get-go will save your energy in the long run.
In a nutshell, Serbia is not Switzerland. What we mean is you don’t need to be absolutely silent all the time; it’s perfectly fine to listen to music in your home and vacuum your floor — even on Sundays.
Still, being considerate goes a long way. That means keeping the music down at night. If you live in an apartment building and are planning a home renovation, house party, or any other noisy activity, give your neighbors a heads-up. This way, you’ll avoid complaints, and your neighbors will be able to brace for the inevitable noise.
Last but not least, steer clear of polarizing topics. Specifically, Serbs are often overly invested in all things politics. So, if your opinions don’t sit right with them, your neighbor will talk your ear off, trying to change your mind. So, unless you’re into lengthy debates, stick to more casual subjects.
So, what’s the verdict? Are neighbors in Serbia simply the best, or are they sent from hell to ruin your life? Of course, they are neither — and a bit of both. Luckily, you now know how to deal with Serbian neighbors, nice or otherwise.
And since clear communication is key to maintaining healthy neighborly relationships, speaking the local language is a lifesaver. Want to work on your Serbian skills? Sign up for our newsletter today and get free Serbian practice worksheets twice a month. Happy studying!
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