How to Treat Women in Romania

Romania is a nation discovering itself after years in the Soviet Bloc. Even today, it is still growing and finding its identity. Centuries of tradition, however, are still evident in everyday Romania. As in other nations, women expect you to treat them with respect and chivalry. Hold the door, give them gifts and treat them just as you would like to be treated.

Instructions

1. Kiss both cheeks! Romanian custom has friends and family kissing each cheek in both greetings and farewells. When meeting someone for the first time it's a good idea to let them dictate how you greet one another.

2. Hold the door for women when in their company. Just as in other Western nations, women in Romania appreciate when men are attentive and show them respect.

3. Offer modest, respectful gifts whenever you wish to acknowledge a woman's hospitality. Expensive gifts are often frowned upon, and can sometimes be interpreted as a bribe depending on the circumstances. Flowers are appropriate, as are other smaller gifts.

4. Offer to pay when taking a woman out to dinner or whenever you treat her as your guest. If she offers to pay, politely decline her offer.

5. Wear long sleeves and appropriate clothing whenever you're visiting a place of worship with a woman. Eastern Orthodox tradition holds that women wear a covering over their head during worship, and men commonly wear slacks and nice shirts.

6. Head to the Romanian Tourism website for more information about travel in Romania, as well as resources related to the customs and cultures of the country (see Resources below). Whether you need to learn how to behave in public or how to find places to meet women, the Romanian Tourism website is one of the best gateways to get what you need.

Tips & Warnings

• If you visit a beauty salon in Romania you should make it a point to double check the tools used during your appointment. Romanian salons are notorious for using products several times, from client to client. This even includes depilatory wax.

• Understand that, in Romania, "no" means "no." While it is customary for people in Romania to politely decline when they are being modest, if you are told "no" forcefully and with conviction, then do not insist, regardless of the offer.

• Be aware that outside of major cities like Bucharest or Bacau, you're likely to find English to be less prevalent. Knowledge of Italian or Spanish is a plus (Romanian is a romance language).

Resources

• Travel resources from RomanianTourism.com.