Postcard from Europe

For about 20 years, I've been producing radio programming dealing with Bulgaria's image abroad. And the conclusion I've come to is that this image is usually rather blurred and not very precise. So let me sum up how the average Bulgarian is perceived by the foreign media.

A Bulgarian is usually from Sofia. Well, sometimes he might be from Bucharest - many foreigners still seem to confuse Romania and Bulgaria. He is poor - but possesses plenty of criminal energy. He's also friendly and loves Europe - although he's often seen as a threat to European jobs.

He's well-educated and well-versed in foreign languages, but nonetheless somewhat provincial. The average Bulgarian likes company, food, and drink, but has problems with the EU's regulations concerning diet. And he's good at soccer, although a bit unreliable. In short, he's an interesting fellow that you'd want to know more about.

So why don't you go to Bulgaria to meet him? If you do, here's my list of things to keep in mind if you decide to visit my country.

Keep your travel plans flexible, and don't expect your schedule to be written in stone.

Have a glass of schnapps or grappa with your starters.

Pat your friends on the shoulder rather than shaking their hands.

When you cross a street, keep your eyes open and don't rely on traffic lights.

Don't forget that there's a different alphabet: Cyrillic.

And avoid misunderstandings by internalizing Bulgarian body language. If someone shakes their head, it means "yes" while a nod means "no."

Author: Alexander Andreev (dc)
Editor: Sabina Casagrande