A proud member of the Balkan cuisine family, bulgarian dishes can be quite spicy and flavorful. While a lot of the food is similar to that of the rest of Europe, there are also many unique Bulgarian foods to try.
In Bulgaria the family is the fundamental social unit. Families often include several generations and are a strong support system for each other. The church is also very important, especially after the fall of communism when religious holidays and baptisms were reintroduced.
Most Bulgarians are Christian, mostly Eastern Orthodox. It is not uncommon for people to be members of multiple churches, but there are a lot of atheists as well. In fact, the number of atheists in the country has tripled since 1989.
The Bulgarian language is a member of the Slavic branch of the Central European languages. It is derived from the merging of Bulgars (a Turkic people) with Slavs (Central Europeans) starting in the seventh century C.E. There are a lot of differences between the two languages, but many words have similar root origins. It is also worth noting that while the bulk of the population in Bulgaria is Christian, there is a growing number of Muslims in the country.
Compared to most of the European Union, there is still a high unemployment rate in Bulgaria and the economy has been struggling since the global financial crisis. However, this is slowly changing as the country recovers and more investments are made in infrastructure, energy, and tourism.
For those looking for a career in Bulgaria, it is a good idea to have a solid business plan and make sure to speak clear English. It is also a good idea to learn some basic Bulgarian to build connections with locals. While this is not a requirement, it will help in getting ahead in the job market.
Bulgarians are very warm and friendly with visitors. They love to talk about their country and its history, but they also want to know what kind of person you are. Make an effort to show interest in others and avoid rudeness at all times. If you are invited to a Bulgarian’s home, it is polite to bring a bottle of wine or flowers for the hostess. When giving flowers, avoid chrysanthemums, lilies, and gladiolas as they are traditionally used for funerals in Bulgaria.
When doing business in Bulgaria, it is important to be punctual and to dress professionally. It is also a good idea to have your business card translated into Bulgarian and to include any academic qualifications you may have. It is also a good idea to maintain eye contact when speaking to Bulgarians as this conveys trust and sincerity.
Boiled beans are one of the staples in Bulgarian cuisine, as is tarator, a tomato-based soup that has become popular worldwide. Another favorite is lyutenitsa, a red-colored relish that can contain peppers, tomatoes, or eggplants along with garlic and spices. It can be eaten as a meal on its own, spread onto a slice of bread for breakfast, or used as a garnish for meat dishes.