Epiphany

📣 Traveler notes

Romania offers rich cultural and natural diversity, featuring historic cities and scenic mountain landscapes, with multiple UNESCO World Heritage sites. Visitors should note that, while undergoing development since joining the EU in 2007, some differences may be observed compared to Western European norms.

• Understand that polite insistence is common in social interactions, even after initial refusals.
• Observe local customs, such as handshakes and cheek kisses, when greeting people.
• Remove shoes when entering private residences.
• Be mindful of politically sensitive topics, including the Russian Empire, the Soviet Union, or ethnic tensions.
• Avoid making assumptions about the language or ethnicity of the local population.
• Be aware of differing local historical viewpoints.
• Courtesy is highly valued. Standard greetings include handshakes and cheek kisses. Remove shoes before entering private homes. Offering assistance or yielding seats on public transport is appreciated. When given items, politely declining should be done with courtesy.