Culture

Religion

Orthodox Christian (10-20% Muslim)

Cultural classification

Multi-active, dialogue-oriented

Languages

Serbian. Albanian and Hungarian minorities are mainly bilingual. German is fairly common. English is on the rise.

Values and core beliefs

One of the outstanding characteristics of the Serbs is their sense of superiority and persistent arrogance vis-à-vis other nationalities of former Yugoslavia, especially where Croats and Albanians are concerned. “Greater Serbia” remains a dream for Serbs – one which was rudely shattered in the 1990s. Paradoxically they are traditionally both pro-American (they fought on the side of the Allies in both World Wars) and pro-Russian (being Slavs and Orthodox). Relations with the Americans have deteriorated due to Serb behaviour during the recent civil war and Russia, with political and economic problems of her own, has been less of a paternal (or maternal) figure.

Cultural black holes

They hate the Croats implacably and look down on other Balkan peoples and the Turks. They feel betrayed by the West and historically victimised by Austro-Hungarians, Ottomans, Croats and others.

Concept of space

Serbs stand and sit close to interlocutors. They are tactile and personal. What used to be a big country has now been reduced to a rump state. Many Serbs feel national claustrophobia, especially when losing territory, surrounded by hostile neighbours and with the prospect of soon losing their only outlet to the sea.

Concept of time

Serbs are unpunctual, showing up late for most appointments.


This diagram shows multi-active and reactive concepts of the use of time, which are largely similar. Instead of getting down to immediate action, cultures such as the Japanese or Hispanic prefer to “pool” tasks and issues and “walk around the pool” for some time to contemplate a course of action which will take into account the inter-relating factors between the different elements. Nothing should be decided or determined piecemeal; action should only begin when an all-embracing solution has been constructed. Such an attitude to time leads (in the eyes of linear-actives) to annoying delays, procrastination and mañana behaviour. Linear-active cultures are interested in speed. Multi-active cultures and reactive cultures give priority to getting it right.

Self image

The Serbian male sees himself as a David standing up to a series of Goliaths. Serbian bravery is taken for granted, as is their fortitude in the face of victimisation. “Defenders of the West”, against the Turks particularly, is another description they are fond of. Hungarians and Poles say the same thing about themselves. In 1389 the Serbs suffered a resounding defeat at the hands of the Turks at the battle of Kosovo. This result marked the beginning of nearly half a millennium of Ottoman rule in Europe. Paradoxically the Serbs celebrate the date of the battle (June 28) as a national holiday and refer to Kosovo as the “cradle of the nation”. Hence the Serbian sensitivity and paranoia visible in the more recent conflicts in the region. Kosovo today is inhabited largely by Albanians.

Culture: communication

Communication patterns

Serbs can be charismatic to an extraordinary degree and present themselves well to foreigners. They are renowned for efficient lobbying, especially in the UK and USA.

Social or business discussions are preceded by extensive small talk. Politics is a favourite subject. Serbs are an outspoken people, unafraid to voice their strong opinions in politics or business. In order to support their arguments, it is not unknown for them to exaggerate facts and invent some others. It is advisable to take what they say with a pinch of salt. Boasting is common (Serbs do not see anything wrong with it). However they accompany their boasts with charming anecdotes. They are good at speedy repartee, but often make contradictory statements. When an opponent pounces on these, they invariably have a good excuse. If they haven’t, it is wise to find one for them as they must not lose face.

They are practised complainers and are quick to exploit what they see as weakness in others. Firmness and strict adherence to facts and figures are the only remedies for dealing with them. They can be extremely generous on occasion. It is advisable to ask oneself why. Their loquacity is notorious, their oratorical skills undeniable.


In the diagrams depicting communication patterns, the depth of the initial segment generally gives some indication of the relative verbosity of the speaker.

Barriers to the speech flow or progress of the meeting are shown by orange shaded divisions.

At the end (on the right) there is usually a comment on what the outcome was (e.g. clarity, inconclusive, etc).

Body language and non-verbal communication

Explicit, demonstrative, often fiery. Eye contact is among the strongest in Europe. Gestures with hands and shoulders typically Slav. Mobile facial expressions.

Listening habits

They are not the world’s best listeners, inasmuch as they are suspicious and lapse into cynicism easily. They are, however, swayed by sophisticated and rational discourse, especially from a Western source. They may interrupt interlocutors, but generally do so in a courteous manner. Their quick minds cause them to evaluate speakers and formulate their reply while listening.


In the diagrams depicting listening habits, the orange zones indicates the areas of receptive, uncomplicated listening.

The yellow zones indicate the areas of complication or conlflict.

Audience expectations at presentations

• Sympathy for Serb cause
• Help in difficulties
• Opinions to be expressed clearly
• Word-deed correlation
• Some charisma
• Liveliness and rhetoric
• Interruptors acceptable
• Audience will want to speak soon
• Wary of being cornered

Culture: interaction

Concept of status

People are admired for their intelligence, dexterity and ability to come out on top. Status is achieved through success in politics, especially when this serves Serb nationalism. Wealth also confers status.

Gender issues

Serbia is a male-dominated society. There is little sexual equality, though some women achieve a measure of authority. Women will be charmed and flattered, but the macho psyche dominates. Serbian women are generally attractive and are unafraid of approaching foreign males. They are less daring with Serbian men, though in rural areas, their industriousness gives them more equality than in the cities. Many women travel abroad at the first opportunity. Feminism is hardly evident.

Leadership style

The Serb aristocracy and nobility was more or less eradicated by the Ottomans and Turkish dominance over Serbian peasants ensued for the next 500 years. Leadership concepts between the World Wars leant heavily on nationalistic issues and the Second World War left Tito in sole charge. He was a Croat, but represented all Yugoslavs and maintained authority in the fragmented nation successfully until his death. Leadership then was dictated by the needs and demands of each region. Serbian leaders were dictatorial – Milosevic being the prime example. In Serbia, the man in power can get away with a lot.

Since Milosevic’s removal, different figures have assumed authority and although in theory the democratic process functions, power brokers are the reality. In business Serbian managers reflect the national autocratic style of leadership. There is little consensual governance or participative management. Whoever has the power makes virtually all decisions. Ex-communist leaders still wield power behind the scenes.



Language of management

The rhetorical use of Serbo-Croat is the vital tool whereby managers mould staff behaviour. Words count more than deeds – the language itself possesses Slavic richness and vitality. In spirit it is persuasive, manipulative and, with the right speaker, effectively coercive.



Motivation factors

Basically Serbs are motivated by appeals to their national pride and by rallying them round their flag and aspirations. Other ways of motivating them include the following:

Compare them favourably with Croatians and Slovenes
Admire their vitality
Give them credit for their outspoken style and frankness
Share their enthusiasms
Go along with their ideas, though with some caution
Show them how to make money
Discuss their culture, folk arts, etc
Be generous
Socialise (drink their drinks, if you can)
Accept that coffee house networking and gossip is part of their culture

AVOID

Attacking their contradictory statements
Too much discussion of the Civil War
Praising Turks or Croats
Calling them Russianised
Discussing the parlous state of their economy

General behaviour at meetings

Serbs turn up late for meetings and wish to carry on small talk for some time (30-60 mins) before getting down to business. During this preamble they are getting to know you and assess your strengths and weaknesses. Their initial proposals will be reasonable, optimistic and hint at expansiveness and generosity. On meeting resistance, they exhibit less cordiality and will continue to press their proposals until they see an impasse. When finally blocked they will seek the other side’s opinions and listen carefully to them. Haggling is part of the process. They will also throw in new ideas which are not part of the original agenda. These ideas have been planned in advance, but they may present them as spontaneous. They are mainly proud, but are not averse to asking for sympathy and help (especially from Westerners) if their resources appear inadequate for them to carry out their side of the bargain. Considerable formality is exercised at the outset of meetings, but they become more informal when heated or upset. They often feign righteous indignation. One has to be patient with them and resist many of their ploys. If you show that they cannot pull wool over your eyes, they descend into reality and in the process become friendly, even generous.


Multi-active people are not happy with the bullet point approach, which they see as premature conclusions reached by their linear colleagues. They prefer to take points in random order (or in order of importance) and discuss them for hours before listing bullet points as conclusions. When they see them at the beginning they feel they have been manipulated.

Negotiating characteristics

Alternately warmth and “anger”
Manipulating of the issues
Digressing from the agenda and discussing at length their “sticking points”
Reluctant concessions
Exaggeration of facts and attitudes
Scooping up peripheral business
Taking refuge in occasional ambiguities
Using charm and charisma
Using righteousness as a tactic
Long-windedness
Creative imagination
Questions are often replied to by questions
Dry or black humour
Reluctance to admit failure of talks
Try to leave doors open for future negotiations

Contracts and commitments

Not a Serbian strong point, though the dire state of their economy obliges them to comply with most agreements made. They themselves admire people who “do what they say they will do”. Their residual resentment of the West (and others) causes them, however, to seek advantage where they are able to.

Manners and taboos

Serbia is rich in folk lore and rural traditions. Here the country and people are seen at their best. Although traditionally a male-dominated society, Serbs still occasionally observe old-fashioned gallantry towards the gentler sex. As in Hungary and Poland (though less frequently), women’s hands may be kissed and niceties of seating and paying attentions are often seen.

Drinking is common (slivovits) and often to excess. Men often drink hard liquor with black Turkish coffee first thing in the morning. It is not easy for many Westerners to join them in this habit, especially when it is accompanied by large sweet cakes. Serbian cuisine does not enjoy a great reputation, though rural cooking can be very tasty. The coffee house culture is prevalent in the cities. Many hours are spent in cafes and restaurants. Serb are traditionally interested in music, history and politics. Taboos include criticising their political record, especially such subjects as alleged atrocities and “ethnic cleansing”.

How to empathize with them

Foreign males gain points by behaving in a macho and rather boisterous manner. Sympathise with their aspirations where you can. Hold your tongue where you cannot. Socialising, eating and drinking are useful (and non-controversial) pastimes with them. Speak out for what you believe in, loud and clear with strong eye contact. They like firmness, as long as it is not too strongly directed against Serbs. Scenery, folklore and the arts are non-controversial subjects. Praise their football skills. Don’t mention friendships you may have with Croats or Slovenes. Flatter them regularly; they usually don’t see through it. Be broad-minded.

Imas li ti to za druge narode, Nijemce, Spanjolce, Britance itd.?

Religion
Orthodox Christian (10-20% Muslim)

Avoid discussing the parlous state of their economy

Zbog cega neugodno, ima neke drustvene pojave koje su toliko ocigledne da ih strpamo u kos stereotip, a na kraju ima dosta istine u njima.
Za pocetak bi moga postaviti Slovence, sigurno zanimljivo.

Malo mi je nejasno ovo.



Neka detalji su možda blago precenjeni ili potcenjeni, ali uglavnom poprilično tačno i precizno napisano.

A jel ima ovakvo uputstvo o BiH,to bi bilo interesasntno procitati. Uglavnom za Srbiju je dobro odradio,ko je god radio!

Basically Serbs are motivated by appeals to their national pride and by rallying them round their flag and aspirations. Other ways of motivating them include the following:

Compare them favourably with Croatians and Slovenes
Admire their vitality
Give them credit for their outspoken style and frankness
Share their enthusiasms
Go along with their ideas, though with some caution
Show them how to make money
Discuss their culture, folk arts, etc
Be generous
Socialise (drink their drinks, if you can)
Accept that coffee house networking and gossip is part of their culture

Pff, za samosvjesne osobe sklone introspekciji ovo nije ništa novo...

samosvjesne osobe sklone introspekciji

Depressive much? (zajebavam se, ne uzimati k srcu )

Introspekcija je znanstveni metod.

Bar ne veliš da bi me ubio