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12 July 2007

Would you like to marry me? Did you murder the child? Would you like an enema?


I got this pal who'll be travelling to Bulgaria for the first time this summer. I only know one thing about Bulgaria, and it might be a useful thing to know.
In Bulgaria, to signal YES, you move your head Left Right Left.

To signal NO, you move your head Up Down Up.

In other words, exactly the opposite of the way people signal YES and NO everywhere else in the world.

(But if a Bulgarian knows she's/he's gesturing to a non-Bulgarian, it gets even more complicated -- see below.)

I'd practice in the mirror a few times before you get there. Or maybe make a wallet card out of this picture.

Have fun in Kafe Internet Sofia!

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Yes and No in Bulgaria

From Kerry Kubilius,
Your Guide to Eastern Europe for Visitors.

Be careful when nodding to mean "yes" and shaking your head when you mean "no" in Bulgaria--Bulgarians do it the opposite way! However, if they know they are speaking with a foreigner, they may accomodate by reversing the motions. Just be sure that it's clear what set of standards they are using (and which they think you are using!) when conducting everyday transactions. You don't want to agree to something you would rather refuse.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Yep, that is true. here is an interesting clip I found (not on youtube, mind you)

http://avva.livejournal.com/1687598.html

Someone also told me that making the o gesture with thumb and index finger is seen as offensive in Brazil, in other parts of south America it is considered as a positive gesture. More weird signs and gestures as I can find them, no anomalies in CH that I can think of at the moment (apart from grunting mh and mhmh for yes and no at times)