Croatian Culture: Top Things You Absolutely Must Know

Croatia is used to visitors. With its stunning Adriatic coast, tiny, romantic towns and historical places, music festivals, wine, beautiful traditions, and beautiful, friendly locals, it is no wonder that about a fifth of the country’s GDP comes from tourism.

And while the Adriatic coast does the heavy lifting, it isn’t the only interesting part. The people are – and their culture. And that’s exactly what I am talking about today – Croatian culture, specifically the top things you should know about this place.

Locals love visitors and their interest in the country, and that’s exactly why it stings more when you get it wrong. Croatian culture forgives almost everything a clueless tourist can throw at it, but there’s one subject where the goodwill disappears fast, and I’m walking you through it, along with everything else worth having in your head before you land.

1. Show respect to the country

In general, travelers and locals alike hate that guy who always complains (‘Nobody speaks English around here’, ‘Ugh, could it get any hotter!’, ‘The Wi-Fi is sooo slow everywhere’). This is especially true in Croatia.

Croats are proud of their country in a way that can catch outsiders off guard, sometimes bordering on prickly, and there’s a real reason for it: this is a nation that spent centuries fighting off one occupier or another before finally getting its own borders.

All that is Croatian is amazing and they will almost expect you to go wow at every single thing they show you.

On the upside, this means they are very eager to show you around (a.k.a. show off) and you should take full advantage of that. Even if you have little to no knowledge of the local language, try chatting up friendly-looking locals.

They always give the best travel advice.

2. Don’t Bring Up the War

The Yugoslav Wars are still fresh in the memory of most Croatians you will meet. Even though the war ended in the mid 90s, this was a country torn by conflict, and you can see the impact to this day.

As already mentioned, Croats are very patriotic, and there is still some hatred toward Serbs (who once occupied the country).

This is further complicated by the presence of a Serb minority in Croatia whose members may or may not have an entirely different perspective toward the war.

For that reason, as well as out of respect for the victims of this fairly recent conflict, avoid discussing it with locals and keep your tone very neutral if they bring up the topic.

3. Use your index, middle and ring finger when buying or ordering three items

This one also has to do with the war. You see, there is a sign known as the three-finger salute, used to express belonging or sympathizing with the Serbian nation.

The three-finger salute is done by extending your thumb, index and middle finder.

The trouble, of course, is that many foreigners are used to doing that gesture when ordering three items in a store or three beers at a bar, for instance.

In Croatia, however, avoid that at all costs. During the Yugoslav wars, it was used by Serb soldiers as a sign of victory and it still has a Serb nationalist connotation.

For that reason, just avoid doing it, because being pro-Serb is a serious offense in the eyes of locals and it might even get you into some dangerous situations.

Bear in mind that Croats hate it so much that in 2015, they removed a mural on a school wall that depicted a hand counting, due to its likeness to the three-finger salute.

Of course, they are not close-minded, so if you do this by mistake they won’t banish you from the country… but you show them more respect by proving that you care about their values and count to three as I told you.

4. Avoid speaking of Serbia (even if it’s next on your travel list)

Of course, it’s a little far-fetched to think that Croats will beat you up at the very mention of Serbia, but you are better off on the safe side.

By now I have hammered into your head that Serbs and Croats are not exactly besties, right?

Well, that is why you should avoid making any comparisons between the two countries and the two people.

Even if you have Serbia next on your list of Balkan destinations (which you totally should, there is plenty of cool things to see and do there), maybe just don’t bring it up.

If they ask you where you’re going to next, try answering with something more neutral: “I’m continuing my trip around the Balkans.”

Speaking of which, why not read more about Romanian culture too? It’s a country you should visit if you’re in the area – or read about Bosnian culture here.

5. Dress to impress

Or, in other words, when in Croatia, do as the Croats do. And Croats tend to place a lot of importance on the way they dress.

Clothes and accessories are very much about asserting social status, as well as expressing respect.

Even if you are sightseeing under the blazing August sun, it is worth spending a few extra minutes on composing a stylish outfit.

This will be especially useful if you plan on visiting churches and other religious places since those usually require you to be covered up and in at least a bit smarter clothes (flip-flops, for instance, are a no-no – as is the case with Thailand’s temples, and basically any similar place on earth).

Museums and other public spaces are usually not that strict about dress code, but you will be perceived better if you dress better.

6. PDA is ok, but still be moderate

Croatians are relaxed about public affection. Couples kiss, hug, hold hands without drawing stares, and older generations mostly shrug it off.

Keep it at that level, though. Anything beyond casual affection starts reading as a spectacle rather than a norm, the same way it would across most of Europe. Read the room the way you would anywhere else and you’ll be fine.

7. Personal space is probably not what you are used to

Call it a consequence of Croatia’s proximity to Italy or say that it’s because those are people in the south, but personal space might not be as big as you are used to.

People like to hug upon meeting, they use a lot of hand gestures, they would often touch lightly or even put their arms around each other when speaking.

Of course, at first they will observe an arm’s length of personal space, but they might start invading that sooner than you’re ready.

Elderly people, especially, have even less regard for that and you might be surprised to see that old man you chatted up has put his arm on your shoulder while giving you directions. This is simply a friendly gesture, try not to be too uncomfortable about it.

As mentioned, hugs are common as a greeting, especially among females. Between two guys, it’s usually a handshake, a smile and plenty of eye-contact.

Make your handshake strong (of course not to the point of squishing the other person’s hand) and a tad longer if you are greeting somebody you have met before.

8. Speak up

Croats sometimes come across as arrogant and even somewhat aggressive, because they are very straightforward and they speak quite loudly.

During a conversation, even if there is no discussion or conflict taking place, they would raise their voices quite a lot.

That group of youngsters that seem to be shouting at each other in the middle of the street? They might also be having a simple friendly chat.

You should also try to speak in a loud and clear voice. Your waiter/ the sales lady/ the girl you are trying to impress are used to people speaking like that and also, they might not have an awesome English level, so if they can’t hear you well it will become annoying.

What’s more, soft-spoken people are often seen as too shy and sometimes even made fun of.

So speak up!

9. Know what topics are safe

OK, so you followed all the advice up to here, you might have even learned some Croatian language for your trip and you’re ready to make local friends.

Or you are off to a business trip and wonder how to build relationships with your Croat colleagues.

There are a few topics Croats love to discuss. One is family, but only the good stuff. Discussing personal issues makes them uneasy and it’s rarely done, even among close friends.

Telling others about your family and friends and asking them about theirs is a great conversation starter.

However, be prepared to sit through a few stories of the school successes of your Croat friend’s son.

For younger people, sports are a big thing. Especially men are almost expected to be knowledgeable about soccer, tennis, basketball, etc. Dining, cuisine and good wine are two other much-loved topics.

Speaking of which, I have a full guide to Croatian wine, because it truly deserves a separate spot on this website.

Some other safe topics would be celebrities, music, movies, and recent political affairs (but be careful not to offend their patriotic sense).

10. Religion Runs Deeper Than Church Attendance Suggests

Croatia is overwhelmingly Catholic, north of 80% of the population by most counts, and even for Croats who don’t attend Mass regularly, Catholic identity shapes the calendar, the values, and a fair amount of unspoken social expectation.

Expect shops closed on major religious holidays, expect Sunday to still mean something even in bigger cities, and expect that when locals talk about who they are as a country, faith comes up more than you’d guess from a place that otherwise feels thoroughly modern and European.

11. Zagreb, Dalmatia, and Slavonia Aren’t the Same Country

Treating Croatia as one cultural block is a mistake and you might be taxed on that if you do.

The coast (Split, Dubrovnik, Hvar) runs on Mediterranean time with heavy Italian influence in food and pace, and it’s used to tourists.

Zagreb, inland and the capital, feels more Central European, closer in rhythm to Vienna or Budapest than to the coast a few hours south. Slavonia, in the east, is quieter, more agricultural, more traditional, and sees a fraction of the coast’s tourist traffic.

If your only experience of Croatia is Dubrovnik’s Old Town in August, you’ve seen just a slice of the country. A very nice one, that’s true, but still just a slice.

Wrapping up

Get the big things right: respect the pride, skip the war talk, get your fingers straight, dress with intent, and Croatia is about as forgiving a country as exists in Europe for a tourist trying, even imperfectly. So go out there and enjoy it!