12 Things you should not DO or SAY when you are in Slovakia as a foreigner | Cultural Taboos

Hi Guys! In this video, I am sharing with you guys some of the Cultural Taboos in Slovakia that I have learned after living here for more than a year.
As usual guys, these are all based on my experiences as a foreigner, you may or may not agree with me and I will totally respect that.
12 Things you should not DO or SAY when you are in Slovakia as a foreigner | Cultural Taboos
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[@stanleyyyyyyyyyyy]

We have split in 1993 and not 2003 and velvet revolution was in 1989 ;) otherwise the video was quite accurate and cute as always

[@ChasingKimberly]

hahaha Thanks you Stanley! Yes, I made a mistake on that one, ooops! 🤭

[@daveurbex]

Jj, Klaus s Mečiarem dali kafe v Brně a bylo vymalováno. A Bye Bye ČSFR... Ach jo.

[@spinner_4791]

@@daveurbex ČSSR

[@radovanhuba2508]

@@spinner_4791 ČSSR bola socialistická republika. Po revolúcii sa premenovala na federativnu a nepísalo sa Československo ale Česko-Slovensko :) Čize ČSFR po revolúcii.

[@spinner_4791]

@@radovanhuba2508 aha prepáč nevedel som

[@bunkerasciriklas8288]

Konečne sa niekto zaujíma aj o náš jazyk🤣. Ide ti to super👍

[@ChasingKimberly]

Ďakujem pekne 😊🙋🏽‍♀️

[@miriamvetrichova7034]

No ako úprimne keby ku mne príde návšteva a zamieri si to k chladničke a niečo odtiaľ vyberie tak ich v momente vyhodim z domu 😂 príde mi to maximálne neslušné 🙈

[@sidynqa]

Ja by som na nich kukala ako puk 😂 že wtf ???

[@ChasingKimberly]

😂

[@robertmorosko3591]

Ani moj vlastny brat mi nelezie do chladnicky 😀

[@blackandrej]

K tomu Rusku. Rusi nás oslobodili. Nebyť Rusov ani ja tu nie som.

[@spinner_4791]

@@blackandrej toto je pravda tak 50/50

[@KristianCross]

Giving even number of flowers is offensive because we are putting even number of flowers on graves! 🤭

[@jurajmaslej172]

Btw... We are not just central europe but heart of europe... :)

[@simtadtvd1598]

Mi Slováci nemáme radi keď si cudzí človek ktorý prišiel na návštevu pozerá izby alebo súkromné veci.

[@0AdrIn0]

Pravda

[@marcelpb7288]

mi = (to) me my = we (are) So, right is: My, Slováci, nemáme ... 😉

[@daveurbex]

Tak to si myslím nemá rád asi nikdo 👍😂

[@kudLo6]

Ako kto ja byvam v pomerne novom dome a skoro každy ked pride si chce popozerať izby... podla mna to je normalna vec

[@simtadtvd1598]

@@kudLo6 Tak ale nikdo sa ti nebude môcť pozerať vaše súkromné veci

[@justjess5891]

My dad unexpectedly died this week, but he really enjoyed watching your videos and your positive personality. So thank you for entertaining him his last few weeks on Earth and keep doing what you were doing :)

[@ChasingKimberly]

Jess, my heart felt condolences goes to you and your family. I am glad I brought smile to your dad. Now he does not need to suffer here on earth, I am hoping wherever he is now, he is in a better place 💚

[@corgon-uf7zq]

Nikdy nehovorte Slovákom, že Matovič je normálny🤣

[@NewStreamLine]

Pred týždňom som telefónoval s mojim dávnym kamarátom zo Slovenska. Matoviča ani on nemá príliš rád, ale je to Matovičova vláda a Matovičova zásluha, že slovenskej mafiánskej chobotnici začali usekávať chápadlá. V tomto som so svojim kamarátom zajedno. Počiatky slovenskej mafie? Mečiar & his company. Možno tnem do živého, ale ja to takto vidím.

[@supertypek7108]

Ne matokokovic ne je to najblbsi človek na svete nechapem preco ho este nezrutili

[@0AdrIn0]

Pravda😅

[@lukaspasko1785]

@@NewStreamLine to sa len nova mafia derie na miesto starej. 😉

[@roman45678]

@@NewStreamLine likviduju iba malu cast starej mafie. Niektori si myslia ze koncia zle casy. Ibaze korupcia bude horsia. Podsvetie bude iba pod ochranou inych politikov. Mafiani meciarovych cias si z velkej casti uz davno pod zemou alebo uz roky rokuce v base. Ak by bola tato vlada uprimna, gorila by bola davno vysetrena, dokazov maju megavela. Nedeje sa nic. Lebo to je spina najma na dzurindu a radicku a krajniaka atd atd. Nevysetrovala to ani ficova vlada lebo by sa vytiahla ina spina na nich. Tato vlada caka s gorilou uplne rovnako do uplneho premlcania. Dosadenie za specialneho prokuratora cloveka vo vykone trestu, bez praxe a patricneho vzdelania a este kvoli nemu ucelovo menili zakon, aky lepsi dokaz by si chcel na klientelizmus? Tato vlada tym co pacha na vsetkych frontoch je tou najhorsou v nasej historii snad okrem 40tych a 50tych rokov 20storocia. Robia par divadelnych zatknuti, zopar politickych vrazd a najdu sa ludia co im este tlieskaju.

[@Tomas_Stec]

Just a few history facts: - Slovakia was part of Hungarian empire between the 10th century and 1918. During this period, Slovak language and national identity was somewhere between "ignored" and "actively oppressed". - Between 1918 and 1939, Slovakia was part of the first Czechoslovak Republic, which also included Zakarpattia, now part of Ukraine. - In 1939, Slovakia split from Czechoslovakia and formed nazi Slovak state (it was either that or direct occupation by Germany). - In 1945, democratic Czechoslovakia was reformed, but without the Zakarpattia region, which was taken by Soviet Union. Most of the Czechoslovakia was liberated by Soviet Red army, only regions of western Bohemia (including Plzeň city) were liberated by western allies (US Army), but were quickly abandoned by western allies to comply with spheres of influence agreed on before (on Yalta conference and others). - In 1946 elections, Comunist party of Czechoslovakia got over 30 % and was the most powerful party. However, it formed a coalition government with other parties. The country was under direct Soviet influence and *I think* the Red army was still present in Czechoslovakia during this time. - In February 1948, communists overthrew the coalition government and the comunist Czechoslovakia was formed under direct Soviet influence, other political parties were either banned, or incorporated into the Comunist party of Czechoslovakia. - In November 1989, the so-called "velvet revolution" began in Praha culminating in Václav Havel (formerly persecuted dissident) becoming the president of Czechoslovakia on 29th of December 1989 and in democratic elections in June 1990. - In summer 1992, the representatives of Czech (Václav Klaus) and Slovak (Vladimír Mečiar) government agreed on splitting Czechoslovakia to two independent states on 31st of December 1992. I would say that support for the split by the general public was 50/50. The pro-split propaganda was based on stereotypes: Czechs claiming that they have to support less developed, less industrialized and more agricultural Slovakia and Slovaks claiming that they don't receive enough recognition and independence by Praha based government. - On 1st of January 1993, the Czech republic and the Slovak republic were formed. This was the most peaceful split following the end of comunist regime (especially compared to Yugoslavia wars between 1991 and 2001).

[@ChasingKimberly]

Tomas! Thank you so much for a short history lesson for me and for all those who will be able to read your comments! I appreciate that a lot! :)

[@lenkarindosova9081]

Hej no..párny počet kvetov sa dáva len na pohreb😂😂

[@ChasingKimberly]

😄👍🏽

[@ninapet3499]

Uprimne o tomto som este nikdy nepocula ale dakujem budem si musiet do buducnosti na toto davat pozor. 👍😁

[@monikakrskova4428]

Do chladničky hostiteľa sa NELEZIE!A skús poprosiť manžela,aby ti vysvetlil význam slova "humus" na Slovensku:)Som vegetariánka,hummus jem bežne,ale samej mi ten názov asociuje niečo iné:)

[@ChasingKimberly]

Áno vysvetlil mi už 😂

[@breznik1197]

In English, "hummus" and "humus" are also a bit similar. But the first word has its roots in Arabic culture, and the second word in Latin culture. www.askdifference.com/humus-vs-hummus/

[@pokusbilder651]

Jo ale myslím že československem se nikdo neurazí, často se bereme jako jedni 😁a ještě je sportu bych řekl že dokud nehrajeme ve sportu proti sobě tak fandíme tomu ,, našemu "

[@tarinsvet6277]

I am from slovakia and i want you warm that we didn't split in 2003 but in 1992 on december 31. In 2003 we brcame part of NATO. Sorry if i have in my coment gramer mistake.

[@firstname2657]

Does Health insurance covers cancer treatment in Slovakia? Please I need answers.

[@v.k.6359]

Of course. @@firstname2657

[@Doctor011]

I think that taking shoes off is fine and logical. Just imagine when someone visits you on a rainy day and he/she bring water and mud to your house. My father never takes his shoes off. Even when it's a rainy day. Cleaning mud from a carpet is not that funny. In my opinion not taking shoes off is rude if the host does not ask you to keep them.

[@kazacokova]

Don't you have a doormat? It's not pretty to look at somebody's bunions and cracked heels. It ruins also female's look, if she's forced to take off high heels, that complement and complete her clothes.

[@Doctor011]

@@kazacokova yes we have. But not everyone uses it. We often ask visitors not to take their shoes off. It's not a big deal. Don't know if it's a village mindset or something...

[@kombasanpracka]

@@kazacokova Female's perfect look in her high heel is relevant only outside - at a restaurant, theatre, job etc. When we invite someone into our house it's usually already not a total stranger who needs to impress us. Wearing the same shoes indoors and outdoors is just nasty and makes no sense (unless you live somwhere in the woods in your wooden hut with soil floor). I can't even imagine the smell and discomfort after 18 hrs of wearing the same shoes. Why woud I do that when I can take the shoes off at home and relax?

[@icedcat4021]

@@kazacokova The doormat doesn’t really clean your shoes that well... Also women’s feet would look far better if they didn’t destroy their feet with high heels lmao

[@angelikaforroova4124]

Polka týchto faktov bola vlastne o tom, že cudzinci ani nevedia kde sa Slovensko nachádza 😂😂

[@ChasingKimberly]

Je to pravda veľa ich ani netuší 😄✌🏽

[@martacizmarik6270]

A preto si to milia so Sloveniou.

[@milansadovsky3064]

In Slovakia, we consider it rude to give someone a pair number of flowers. Because in Slovakia, a pair number of flowers is given only on graves, and if you gave someon a pair number of flowers, they could be offended, because it would mean that you consider him dead or near death. But beware! This rule does not apply to roses. Roses are the only flowers you can donate in a pair. Because they are considered romantic and are usually donated in the number of 12 pieces.

[@ChasingKimberly]

ohhh, I didnt know that about Roses! New information, thank you so much 💚

[@spotleirgh2427]

So long ...

[@slayersk3886]

@@ChasingKimberly but I think most of slovaks will consider 2, 4 or 6 roses as offensive. It is ok when you donate bigger amount of flowers and then you can give any type of flowers and it is ok. But maybe even this could be explained differently from more people :)

[@sedmidivka]

Is it offensive? I think it's more awkward than offensive but I guess it depends :)

[@simonaprivarczak2429]

@@sedmidivka yeah I would also say is more like awkward

[@Julienna]

We split in 1993, not 2003. I like the video.

[@ChasingKimberly]

Yup, got that one wrong. But glad you liked the video :)

[@miroslavaharnuskova3717]

I think we usually bring presents to 1. new friends or acquaintances, etc. 2. someone whom we haven't seen for a long time 3. friends, family, etc. in their new home But if you visit friends/family quite frequently, it's not necesarry. It also depends on the level of your relationship. I think🤔😁 Great video❤👍🏻❤

[@ChasingKimberly]

Thanks Miroslava, totally agree with your points! :)

[@dadasmith7207]

If you ever come to Serbia you have to know that eveything is like in Slovakia, I mean about flower, fridge, home slipers, visits gift.....😊👋🏼

[@ChasingKimberly]

Oh really? I wish to visit Serbia someday too! :)

[@dadasmith7207]

@@ChasingKimberly We are very close, our north borders is about 400km south from Bratislava , our capital city Belgrade is approximately 500km from Bratislava, so you are welcome.😊

[@mayonnaisemaniac6220]

Also in Serbia there are about 50k of Slovaks so you can talk to people in some places in Slovak as well

[@angelika6521]

These are quite common Slavic customs :) Pozdrav

[@vkdrk]

Serbians are our closest friends in southern Europe ☺️ 🇷🇸🇸🇰

[@anitaremenarova6662]

We split up from Czechoslovakia in 1993, not 2003.

[@campagnian]

2:58 I am glad you directly said that our language and culture was actively suppressed by them, which is really true. We cant forget that even today.

[@SuperMsAmelia]

👍👍👍👍👏👏😍😍Je pekné vidieť, ako sa niekto, kto nieje Slovák, vyjadruje pekne o našej krajine, najmä keď my - samotní Slováci už strácame nádej v lepšiu krajinu a vidíme len samé negatívne veci, ktoré sa tu dejú. ❤️😘✌️

[@ChasingKimberly]

💚💚💚

[@katarinask139]

Who the hell opens fridges of other people? And a pair of flowers is given usually on the grave. That's why it is offensive.

[@reart29]

Australians with no problem and they will also walk in your house with shoes on 😂🚶🚶🚶

[@katarinask139]

@@reart29 😂😂😂😂 rather don't try it

[@momosaku16]

2. I think you`re confusing Russia with the Soviet Union and Slovakia, at that time Czechoslovakia, was never a part of the Soviet Union. Czechoslovakia was part of the Eastern block, the same as East Germany and nobody would say that East Germany was part of Russia.

[@ChasingKimberly]

So do you guys agree on my observations? Or maybe you wanna add more? Tell me! 😊 P. S. I was wrong, Czech and Slovakia split on January 1, 1993. Don't know why I added 10 years! Hahaha 😂😂😂

[@rocketremity9571]

in slovakia we put even number of flowers on graves so that´s why it is offensive when you give even number of flowers to a living person

[@ChasingKimberly]

aha! so thats why! 😉😉

[@ta_ly]

Don't worry, my female classmate made the same mistake once 😂

[@rocketremity9571]

happens

[@rocketremity9571]

@@ChasingKimberly but there are some exceptions like if someone is celebrating 50yrs you can give him 50 flower bouquet

[@ernestbodis8960]

yes we are central Europe but why create the western style with west Europeans.i think Slovakia have more liberty culture.When is studied Korean culture i found it really cold and close minded.Filipines have really awesome and friendly culture

[@ChasingKimberly]

Thank you Bodis for sharing your thoughts! glad you think Filipinos are friendly 😊

[@lubovann]

Even number of flowers - on the graves and for funerals Odd number of flowers - birthday, anniversary, date... :)

[@imp3010]

It is the same in Ukraine. When I was in Belgium, people didn't know this, so they gave me an even number of flowers 🙈 Honestly, I was very surprised

[@jarkaef7044]

About flowers- it´s just a fact. Even flowers are given at the funeral. To the birthday or just to make someone happy you have to give 1,3,5,.... flowers.

[@ChasingKimberly]

I didn't know it before! Back in the Philippines I also buy flowers sometimes but never really cared about the number, just if they look nice I buy them haha 😂😂

[@michaelthegreatbird8124]

Úžasné ako sa dá za rok naučiť slovenčina🤗👏👏

[@ChasingKimberly]

Ďakujem pekne , ale je to len začiatok . 😊

[@lukasbacskai3047]

As I read each of your points I totally rolled my eyes😅you are absolutely right in all of them😌

[@slow_nikto]

Someone makes a ,,joke,,: Slovakia? You mean upper Hungary? Me: *holds a knife* What did you just said?

[@tomashulej8421]

@Lívia Glassová Nejde iba o to, nie je to ako s Českom že sme mali spoločný štát ale Maďari nás chceli vyhubiť a potláčali nás.

[@martacizmarik6270]

Madari nas chcu lebo na Slovensku je omnoho krajsia priroda ako v Madarsku - to nam vzdy zavideli.

[@lilla_on_a_mission]

As a Hungarian, I completely agree with that. I've had a history teacher in high school, a strict and serious woman. When we were discussing the post WW2-era in class, she suddenly said: "you all are older than Slovakia" Of course, general laughter and agreement followed. I was just shocked, she never went "political" before... Why, just why? Hate won't take us anywhere. We are different nations with a terrible past but not without future. Sadly, both of our countries keep electing populists that keep hate against each other alive. 😔

[@lilla_on_a_mission]

@NT The Trianon treaty in 1920 (yeah, almost 101 years ago), after WW1, defined the borders of Hungary, just like they are today. However, between the two world wars, there were the so-called Vienna decisions which "gave us back" some of Slovakia and Romania. A lot of Hungarians used to live in those areas - but just as many Slovaks and Romanians, if not more. After WW2, Hungary was losing again, along with the Germans, and the Trianon borders were restored, and soon after that, communist Russians came in and made Germans get out. I think it's because the Vienna decisions that some very "patriotic" Hungarian people still think we're going to "get back" our "old country", along with the seashore, etc. (Which is the Croatian seashore - well, there are hardly any Hungarians living in Croatia). Last year, on the centenary of Trianon, some conspiracy theory emerged that the treaty is going to "expire" and everything will be like it used to be... >.< The problem with patriotism is that it makes people think that their nation is better that other nations... I've never voted for these alt-right assholes still generating hate, but 2/3 of my fellow Hungarians did.... :(

[@Sikinka33]

When you were talking about giving flowers in the end, you shouldn't give even number of flowers, because even number is given while being at funeral, so it might feel to him/her that you are burying them😂 so odd number when you love/like someone and even number ONLY at funeral

[@MartiNReacTs]

never heard of this 😅

[@ChasingKimberly]

Thank you Tomas! :)

[@peervermeiren8902]

Thanks Tomas, lived here for a while and did not know the details till now.

[@cwoto]

Worst would be probably to give two white flowers to girl :) Colour also has something to do with it. White is fór funerals.

[@sapphire_blue_ocean]

@@MartiNReacTs are you from Slovakia?

[@_mirka_3501]

All of these are 100% true 🤣 About the flowers.. An even number of flowers is given on the funerals or on somebody's grave, so to the living person we always use odd number of flowers 😀

[@ChasingKimberly]

Hello Mirka! That is noted, thanks so much :)

[@richardsingh5827]

I never refused food and drink in Slovakia, and had many good times 😂😂😂

[@ratinhat3574]

1. Velvet revolution happened in 1989. It was peacefull uprising agains communism and Russian occupation. But we remained Czechoslovakia. Then "dash war" happened. It wasnt a real war, czech and slovak politicians were arguing if we should have one central government, or we should be federation...and if we will remain federation, if we should be called Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia or Czech and Slovak federation republic. Then Mečiar (slovak) and Klaus (czech) decided to split Czechoslovakia into 2 independent countries. It was political decision, majority of Slovaks and Czechs were agains it during that time. Slovak republic was formed on 1st of january 1993. Czechs are our closest allies, slovak students can study for free on czech universities and vice versa. The base of grammar and vocabucaly is the same in slovak and czech language, so we can understand each other when we are speaking in our native languages. 2. If you want to know more about our complicated relationship with Russia, google "Prague spring", Alexander Dubček and 21. august 1968. Czechoslovakia was attacked by our allies from so called "Warsaw pact" on the command from Moscow. It was biggest military operation in Europe since WW2. While other countries officially apologized for this military agression, Russia never apologized. Czechoslovaks lived under russian occupation 23 years, red army left during summer 1991. Slovakia is member of NATO since 2004, so Russia sees us as the enemy and we are target of their hybrid war and espionage. 3. We also have long history with Hungarians. As you know, it was illegal to speak slovak on slovak schools during late 19th century. Slovaks were forced to learn and speak hungarian. Then WW1 happened and first Czechoslovak republic was formed in 1918 thx to our allies - France, Britain and thx to our czechoslovak legions. Its actually quite interesting how czechoslovak legions had fight their way to Vladivostok (East Russia), czechoslovak legions were in France and Italy too. After WW1 they went back to protect new republic. Hungarians did not agree with the "Treaty of Versailles" and attacked Czechoslovakia and Romania in 1919. They lost, romanian army was in Budapest and they signed "Treaty of Trianon" in 1920. They attacked Slovakia in 1939 again, when Hitler destroyed first Czechoslovak republic. After WW2 president of republic signed so called "Beneš decrees" and all citizens of german nationality were forced to go to Germany. Sudeted Germans lived in czech part of Czechoslovakia, "Karpated Deutscher" are german minority who lives in Slovakia. Slovakia did not agree with "Beneš decrees" and we refused to deport Germans and Hungarians from slovak territory. Hungarians are biggest minority in Slovakia, they have rights to have their own elementary and high schools and hungarian politicians were members of slovak parliament since 1993 until last parliament elections in 2020. Hungarian politicians had fights with each other, they split into like 5 parties and they didnt have enough votes to be members of parliament. On the other hand, slovak minority in Hungary was mostly assimilated. 4. It rude to give even number of flowers to living person because its basically a death wish. We give even number of flowers to dead people during funeral or on their graves. So a basic tip for foreigners is to not speak about politics with Slovaks, especially if you have no idea about history and current problems of the country. :-)

[@ChasingKimberly]

wow you are good! Thanks for sharing some of thr most important events in Slovak history, learned a lot! 👍🏼👍🏼

[@janpf0624]

...maybe this comment has to be pinned up...

[@jerseyforhawks]

Your commitment and attitude is admirable.

[@simona8158]

Samozrejme, že Slovensko patrí do strednej Európy, nachádza sa tu jeden z ôsmych geografických stredov Európy. :)

[@potzysk2]

Nice video! Czechoslovakia split up in 1993, not in 2003 as said in the video! The Velvet Revolution was the end of communism (Slovaks say socializmus) in 1989 and the Velvet Divorce was in 1993.

[@esteranoemilorencova5589]

Veľmi dobre, je to pravda!

[@sholthi]

Velvet revolution was in 1989 and Czechoslovakia split 1. 1. 1993

[@ChasingKimberly]

Yup! got that one wrong 🤭

[@simtadtvd1598]

Super video 🤗 moc sa mi páčilo.

[@ChasingKimberly]

Ďakujem 😊🙋🏽‍♀️

[@cimbalok2972]

I never broke any of those faux pas when I was in Slovakia and I am a low-class American from the Midwest! I love Slovakia.

[@losapagos2843]

You are pretty much spot on. Big thumbs up. Keep up posting, its nice to see us through different point of view. And don't be afraid to be critical. Very best.....

[@ChasingKimberly]

Thank you so much!

[@meme148]

I didn't know, that it's a thing other people should not open my fridge, but now you mentioned that, it's true. I would never do that while visiting other people, it's strange even if they give their permission. I even feel weird when my own mother opens my fridge! The only people I am fine with are my husband and kids. 😂 It's maybe that we like to serve our visitors ourselves. You would never hear me saying "The beer is in the fridge, help yourself!", I would always offer the beer and give it to a person, if they want to drink it.

[@akosfellner5061]

Okay. Let's talk. I am Hungarian but I had a Hungarian-Slovakian girlfriend and I am a liberal thinking man. The "Upper Hungary" is a stupid thing from the perspective of a Slovakian but this comes from the time of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire. The word is not interpreted correctly in English "Felvidèk". The mirror translation is "Upper/High Land" but not "Upper Hungary". Another important thing that a lot of Slovakian cities had a Hungarian name as well. Bratislava/Pozsony, Zilina/Zsolna, Kosice/Kassa, Bánska Bystrica/Besztercebánya etc. I care when I speak or write whit a Slovakian I don't use Hungarian city names. But I experienced that intelligent Slovakians don't bother if I use sometimes the Hungarian names. 😊

[@vensakarakorwien5768]

Some of those city names were from the time of strong Hungarisation of Slovaks. So it might not be the best reminder for some and of course others that do not speak Hungarian, and majority of Slovaks do not; just do not know them (maybe except of Bratislava). Interestingly enough Bratislava also has a German version - Pressburg; that is commonly used in German speaking countries. To add to that, several Hungarian cities have also Slovak versions of their names (many times it was just simplification of a pronounciation - for example Debrecen / Debrecin with long i. As for Felvidek, albeit it does have a very neutral (historical geographical) official translation, that word is not taken kindly. It is seen more of something of a bad word (just like "Eastern Europe" is understood, as those red commies that are ages behind any decent country).

[@veronikasemanova1374]

You are very positive and joyfull person, enjoy here!

[@ChasingKimberly]

Thank you Veronika :)

[@vitacit]

Regarding the opening of fridge it´s very true))))

[@danielabrokesova4670]

Dobrý postreh👍

[@viliamdrahovsky4734]

Si super čo robíš dobre robíš!

[@ChasingKimberly]

Ďakujem 😎

[@JaneSpenou]

podlaha sa udrzuje cista, a treba mat upratane, ked navsteva pride. na vyzutie sluzi "predsieň", kde sa vesaju kabaty, odlozia sa kabelky, ruksaky.. vzdy sa ponuka pitie a aspon nieco male na jedenie. nielen otvaranie chladnicky sa povazuje za prekrocenie hranic, otvaranie v podstate akychkolvek skrin, ci volny pohyb po pribytku. Mozno su pravidla prisne, no je to aj ucta k navsteve. Hostitel vzdy velmi rad obsluzi svojho hosta.😊

[@jozefkostelansky]

As for the shoes, it s a relatively new habit established in 1960-s. In this period people started to build new, big family houses and standard equipment were carpits. Carpits were quite expensive and it was not easy to take them outside to clean them. Because all furniture laid on the carpits. My both grand parents had family houses built in 1950-s and we never have changed our shoes while visiting them. But they did not have carpits. Or just very small.

[@waterfordMARTIN]

As a slovak living in Ireland I kind of understand why western ppl call us eastern europeaners.. as decades ago europe was basicaly split to west and east(comunist vise) slovakia was part of comunist area..and thats why we are still considered as eastern europe..and honestly..ive heard this so many times I dong give a F anymore lol

[@emilvisk]

. .honestly ... if you were to assess the mindset of an average Slovak person .... what wuold you have to willy-nilly admit? ..... far far away from any western european standards ...

[@itspronouncednikolaj333]

Nah man, that started way earlier than 20th century.

[@kpitonak]

1993, instead of 2003:)

[@bia5141]

Fun fact: all of my three friends that I met at university actually became vegans so now I am only not vegan friend among them. I think that veganism is starting to become popular among young people so that mindset is bound to change in few years

[@ChasingKimberly]

yea, it's here and it's growing I believe 😅 maybe soon you will be vegan too!

[@bia5141]

Hehe I doubt it cos I enjoy eating meat too much ^^

[@emilvisk]

.. anything can be OK and acceptable as long as it does not develop into fanatism ... for example progressive young vegan mothers feeding their infants or very small kids with the strictest vegan diet and refusing having them vaccinated and sicerely believing they are doing the best for them are actually and literally committing a crime against their children (out of sheer stupidity and ignorance) ....

[@jerrykrajnak6396]

All animals should eat vegan people ! Who needs vegans ? Not me ! This World is coming to it's END !!! Jerry. 🗽

[@jerrykrajnak6396]

@@ChasingKimberly Dear Kim, just don't grow with those vegans ! Still with Love 💕, Jerry. 🗽

[@isurus8906]

Hi, Kim the thing about shoes is that in Central Europe we have 4 climatic seasons and 3 of them are muddy (spring, autumn and winter) and people, especially in the past, often had carpets in the houses, and you can certainly imagine cleaning muddy carpets is boring. So it became a habit of politeness. Greetings from the Czech Republic.

[@thatanxiousone6792]

I think the one that would trigger me the most is the opening of the fridge or looking into the pantry. like...no! :D When I was younger I was told the even number of flowers is only resereved for when someone dies (when you buy flowers to place on a grave). I learned this the hard way when my mom (who I guess forgot about this) bought me a set of two flowers to give my teacher at the end of the year in cca 4th grade and I was shaaaaamed for it :D Also, when you celebrate name day or birtday it used to be a MUST when I was younger to bring candy to share with your classmates. Guess who learned the hard way in the kindergarden that this was a thing to do XD I got shamed and other kids were asking me why I did not bring any candy when in my mind I was like "but should not I get something? it is MY birthday after all?" lmao. Not sure if this is so common nowadays (I was born in 1988).

[@ChasingKimberly]

Haha you are right! As a kid, I would also expect to get sweets rather than giving them because, hey it's my birthday! but maybe they want to teach us the lesson of sharing :)

[@felixsam839]

The Velvet Divorce didn't happen in 2003, but in 1993. And the reasoning behind why you shouldn't give someone pairing number of flowers is simply that flower pairs symbol loss/death and are used at funerals or during "All Souls Day" to mourn and pay respect to the ones who passed. Thank you for putting our country into the spotlight of the internet tho 😄😄😄

[@katarina7846]

Just to let you know, when you say Slovakia and Czech republic split. We split in 1st January 1993, not 2003. ( There was no war before or after, I know, I was there). I am a Slovakian, living in UK for many years, and the brits also don't take their shoes off when in their home. Thank you for the videos! It's always interesting to see how our culture is different to others! :)

[@timbigger1731]

My Slovak wife freaks out about taking shoes off in the house!

[@justlisa3249]

I love it!❤️

[@ChasingKimberly]

Thank you Lisa! :)

[@Michal2Mimo]

1. geographically central Europe, however, some peoples mindest is still in the east 2. I never get mad when someone associates Slovakia with Russia, it never happened to me :D 3. I would say until 2010ish, the tensions were real, but since we are both in the EU, you can visit Hungary at any time, and when you get to know the people, they are mostly good people. 4. Yeah, this happens from time to time, when I was with my friends from outside Europe, they might get a bit confused :D But it never really bothers me 5. In Denmark, one older guy was talking to me and he mentioned that something was produced in Czechoslovakia, well that might have been true, but it was almost 30 years ago :) 6. Not necessarily to bring a gift, but If you are coming over to enjoy some drinks or snacks, you should bring some of the refreshments with you, a bottle of wine or chips is good enough. 7. Yes this could be a tricky one, especially when you don't drink alcohol or don't eat certain meals, however, it depends from household to household. 8. Yeah, it is not very common, it is probably a cultural thing, from the times when people didn't have much on the plates, so they had to eat everything, vegetarianism wasn't a choice back then :) 9. Yes, it shows that you are not the alfa fe/male, when you don't look into the eyes, always do it :)) 10.Always take off the shoes, unless you are told not to. 11.Well let's be honest here, Czechs are better at sports, but we have some good athletes too like Petra Vlhova, Sagan, or the golden boys from 2002 :D 12. Never realized this is a thing, but yes, that's right :D you don't open someone else's fridge unless you are told to :D

[@ChasingKimberly]

Point 9, I didnt know that it means like that! So cool! Thanks for sharing these with me 😉

[@alexlola4723]

rule 12 surprised me - but I realized it was true! I would never dare myself to open someone's fridge and I would consider it very, very rude if he did it to me ...

[@ChasingKimberly]

I guess it all depends on what kind of relationship you have with the visitor 🤷🏽‍♀️

[@breznik1197]

@@ChasingKimberly Áno, to už je veľmi intímny stupeň priateľstva, keď niekomu poviete: "Správajte sa tu ako doma." Väčšinou ani svokra alebo bratranec nepožívajú takej dôvery.

[@vladimirgaspar9142]

Hehe, it still depends. Im also not used to opening other people's fridges but once I accidentaly opened the fridge at my mother in law's flat. And I got THE look. Since then im aleays asking for permission even though i dont have too 😁 (i found out she got used to it somehow)

[@adammilosdubovsky6607]

4:21 “Sametová revoluce” je český názov. Po slovensky to je nežná revolúcia.

[@quinsquibol8154]

Thank you so much Ms Kim super big help sakin dtu sa Slovakia .. im hoping to see you soon 🥰

[@markcristianespedido1613]

Hi Madam ano pong work mo dyan sa Slovakia?

[@RK-vr6xu]

Dobre video zo všetkým súhlasím 😁

[@ChasingKimberly]

Ďakujem 💚💚💚

[@BronkaKollarova]

Even numbers for the dead, uneven for the living. It's an unwritten rule from the time of communism, but the origin comes drom the Japan where the kanji for the number 4 is very similar to the kanji of "death". The tradition is probably slowly dying since young people don't mind this rule that much, but older generation sticks to it. Bouquets of flowers in even numbers are placed only on graves. The number of flowers can also represent your intention with the person you are giving the flowers to, like one flower means you are interested in the person, 3 represents respect, 11 loyality, etc. It's also a fun fact to notice how Slovaks and some other non western counties carry the flowers, always facing head-down, so it won't wilt as fast.

[@ChasingKimberly]

Oh yes, now that you mentioned it, I realized how Slovaks carrying their flowers everytime. I didnt know it mean something, until now! Thanks! :)

[@veronikapolakova3477]

Tvoja slovenčina je veľký pekná 😍

[@anakniinay273]

Salamat po Ma'am...soon Makapunta na po kami jan...

[@zuzanapasztor3899]

wow, velmi dobry vyber pravidiel :-)

[@ChasingKimberly]

Ďakujem 😎💚

[@dominikuhlir2347]

Honestly - I have never even thought of opening someone else's fridge xd That just seems rude and is definitelly a taboo :D

[@milanbelej4055]

hi, we give even number of flowers only at funeral. and czechoslovakia split in 1993 :-)

[@janalipocka5105]

Czechoslovakia was divided in the year 1993!!!!!!!!!!!

[@annfokker]

and it was not the velvet revolution... the velvet rev was back in the 1989... this is pretty much interesting topic, very important for the whole region and the controversies up in the video- like slovaks do not like to be reffered as the eastern europeans or russians... slovakia and other countries were never part of the soviet union, for them we were the "west", they couldn't even travel here... though we were part of the eastern block- behind iron courtain- v4 countries poland, hungary, czechoslovakia

[@jarabkovaelena1841]

I am Slovak (24yo) and I absolutely agree with every point! :) Nice video :)

[@ChasingKimberly]

💚💚💚

[@petrakredatus2957]

Ahoj Kim. You are so cute! I am Slovak-Canadian living in Canada and I follow and love your videos. Czechoslovakia split happened in Jan 1993 not 2003. That was a year when I got married and my oldest child was born so I remember exactly 😀 Everything else you said is very true 😍 good luck exploring! We love you Kim.

[@ChasingKimberly]

Thank you Petra, yea, I got that year wrong! Haha I dont know what I was thinking, I meant to say 1993 but then ooops 🤭 But I've learned now how passionate Slovaks about their history because of the amount of people that corrected me :D

[@petrakredatus2957]

@@ChasingKimberly ❤❤❤

[@naviryb]

To,že sa u mňa musí návšteva vyzuť,je správne,lebo chodiť po byte v zablatených topánkach,by mi poriadne vadilo a najmä,aby si hosť vyložil nohy,na stôl.PS : Nadávať na poslancov,vládu a na políciu,je dovolené,ba aj na všetkých štátnych zamestnancov. 👌👍✌️😂

[@igloo-gy1no]

Great video! :)

[@martinpatalas5158]

Hi Kim, uneven number of flowers is usually as a present for alive person, and even number of flowers we bring to a tomb on cementery

[@nAAtaLQa12]

4:19 - Česko a Slovensko sa rozdelilo 01.01.1993, nežná revolúcia bola v roku 1989. 9:51 - párny počet kvetov sa dáva len pri pohreboch na hroby

[@ChasingKimberly]

Ďakujem

[@VladimirKurian]

I am slovak but I was living in South America for a quite long time. When I came back, I realised many things that I wasn't aware when I was living here. Interesting how you see those things from your perspective. I completely agree with you in so many cases. And I am also vegan and its hard to explain it to people who live here :) Btw in South America they dont put their shoes off when entering their house.

[@ChasingKimberly]

Hi Vladimir, thanks a lot for watching my video. and you are right, we only realized things that we are doing from one country once we moved to a different one. I, also, had a lot of realizations when I moved here :)

[@mayakakos2142]

U are great right on point.

[@ChasingKimberly]

Thank you Maya 💚

[@mayakakos2142]

@@ChasingKimberly Ur really funny I love Ur videos and I forwarded them to my friend in America to learn how Slovaks are.Lol wish u all the best

[@Pyterdca]

as always great and interesting !!! I like your work! the roots of some unwritten customs go deep into our past and are connected especially with our understanding of faith ... gifts, hospitality (guest to the house god to the house), an even number of flowers = for the funeral ... I can vividly imagine your husband in a situation where someone "stranger" opened the refrigerator =D. In the future, you could definitely do part2, I think you will still find a lot of difference between our cultures.

[@ChasingKimberly]

Yea, you can imagine his reaction! But it was funny, I just laugh in this small differences we have in terms of our culture! :) and you bet, I will keep making videos about things I discover about Slovakia :)

[@G4nymedes]

Nice video, about that flowers - even numbers of flowers is using at funerals or at grave. So using even number as gift is meaning u want him dead. Or somethink like that.

[@ChasingKimberly]

Haha yes! I know that now. It's very interesting concept that I didnt know before! Thanks for sharing it with me :)

[@mariankoncek4354]

Just some correction. We didn't split with Czechs in Jan 2003, it was precisely 10 years earlier in 93. It also didn't come as direct consequence of velvet revolution (17. nov 1989 - relatively peaceful owerthrow of former regime by people, or so is the official version of it). It was due to mutual agreement of prime political figures of both Czech and Slovak side. There was also a time in between 1989 and 1993 when we were part of CSFR instead of CSSR (czechoslovak federated republic instead of former czechoslovak socialistic republic)

[@breznik1197]

But formally, Czechoslovakia was federative since 1969. Factually, Slovakia has its autonomy since the WWII (Slovenská národná rada and Zbor poverenikov), unlike Czechia. Before WWII, Czechoslovakia consisted of 4 self-governing lands. Changes of the abbreviations or formal names of Czechoslovakia (ČSR, ČSSR since 1960, ČSFR since 1990) were not so relevant.

[@noblehobo7493]

The thing about flowers is that even numbers are given on funerals or visiting a grave.Thats why odd numbers should be for celebration.

[@i_put_tomo_in_the_tomorrow]

Giving even number of flowers in the bouquet is rude because we give even number of flowers to the dead people on their graves. Don't ask why, it's some kind of unwritten law

[@ChasingKimberly]

Yup! I know that now 🤭

[@evamacova4085]

They split 1.1. 1993!!! Even number of flowers is only for funerals. It is why it is unlucky/stasteless/rude.

[@ChasingKimberly]

yup! I know that now. thanks Eva 😉

[@Igorko_l]

4:18 it was in 1.1.1993 and 9:49 steam number of flowers are for graves and also taking off shoes when you visit someone is not just rule in Slovakia, but for Europe

[@ChasingKimberly]

Thanks Igor for correcting the year! Made a mistake on that one :)

[@filipinaczechrepubliccoupl4294]

I was also in Czech and my boyfriend mother is from slovakia we used to go there to visit her❤

[@SodaKatana]

Hi Kim...you are very right...I used to live in UK for 5 years and they were always joking about me that I am coming from Eastern block of countries...but that is even in Austria, Germany etc...thank you for your effort and keep well :-)

[@vladyslavkhromykh5028]

Ukrainians also have these rules about the shoes, the fridge and the number of flowers :) And of course about the neighbouring countries (especially russia). And we also like if a guest brings something tasty (but it's not obligatory) :)

[@annamariapavolkova984]

Even number of flowers is usually put on graves and at funerals and uneven number of flowers in a boquet is usually given as a gift. It is an unwritten rule here in Slovakia😅

[@NewStreamLine]

Welcome to Slovakia, Kim. Great video once again. 👍🇵🇭🇸🇰🇨🇿♥️ I'm very glad that you also deal with local realities. P.S. Czechs are better in hockey today, Slovaks are better in hockey tomorrow.

[@ChasingKimberly]

Thank you so much! :) Glad you are liking my videos, and yes, I am interested about life in Slovakia as a whole so I try to learn as much as I can :)

[@reart29]

Ahahaha I love this :) 100% true :)

[@lubomirvyvlek1542]

Great video! About gifts for friends visited, well, yes. I realize that now. I would never go to visit anybody without a little gift. Wine for adults, chocolate or sweets for kids. About opening cooler when visiting someone. Never. Never ever. I would never think of that until someone says: "Could you pass me butter? It's in the frige..." So, true...

[@ChasingKimberly]

Yes, some things I realized after moving here in Slovakia. Such a difference in culture 😀

[@strawberry-ot7he]

I think you meant Czechoslovakia split on 1st Jan 1993, not 2003 :)

[@andrejbohynik3255]

Jes true

[@leqo3301]

Slovakia is sometimes referred to as Eastern Europe as a relic of the past. During the cold war, there was no center...just west and east with a big fence in between. An unfortunately for Slovakia, it was on the east side of that fence. As for the even flowers, it is allowed on big occasions - anniversaries etc. But any other time - even flowers are not given, because they are given next to cascets or into the graves at funerals. So giving someone an even number of flowers could have someone think, you wish they were dead. Quite drastic, I know. And I am not saying, everyone would interpret it like this...but it is possible.

[@vlastamagocova8405]

hiiii i love your video!! just wanted to say that czechoslovakia split up on the 1st of january 1993 not 2003. thank youuu

[@ChasingKimberly]

right, I got the year wrong 🤭 thanks for liking my videos 💚

[@adamminar7471]

Even number of flowers in the bouquet is linked with funerals.

[@katarinabrutovsky584]

Odporúčam knihu Slovensko čo ti v škole nepovedia 💞💞

[@em-ers.r.o.1244]

Slovensko je stredna Európa. Stred kontinentálnej Európy sa nachádza blízko kremnických baní na Slovensku. Boli sme súčasťou východného bloku ale tým sa naša poloha nezmenila😉 O tom že aj vo svete domáci aj návšteva chodia do obydlia obutí som už počul. Na Slovensku neexistuje aby niekto vošiel do obydlia obutý, no pokiaľ nejde do chlieva. Nechcem tým uraziť iné kultúry ale u nás je to veľmi neslušné keď niekto cudzí vojde do obydlia návštevy obutý. A niečo podobné je to aj s otváraním chladničky návštevou. Rodinní príslušníci môžu otvárať chladničku ale to je tak všetko, ani sused nemôže ísť do chladničky na návšteve pokiaľ mu to hostiteľ nepovolí lebo ináč je to veľmi nezdvorilé.

[@potzysk2]

I'm American, and it would be very strange if a visitor opened my refrigerator without me telling him to. I think this is everywhere in the world.

[@em-ers.r.o.1244]

@@potzysk2 However, there are cultures where it is common.

[@vanesabihariova.3901]

Dobre videjko

[@ChasingKimberly]

💚💚💚