A Guide to the Serbian Mentality

When you think of a country in Europe, there is always at least one instantly recognizable thing that will come to your mind, like French wine, Italian coasts, Greek mythology, English tea… Associations are plentiful and differ from person to person – You can truly say that Europe is a great mixture of different cultures, history, sights, dishes, and characters. And not to mention that every one of these beautiful countries has its own rich cuisine, culture, history, and other important things that make them worth visiting.

If you were to start thinking about what the Serbs are well-known for, you will probably come across different answers such as history, sports, scientists, or well-known names like Nikola Tesla or Novak Djoković. But one thing that citizens, foreigners and tourists alike can certainly agree on is Serbian hospitality. No matter whether you look at travel guides, posts on websites such as Quora, or ask someone who is familiar with Serbian culture in one way or another, the first answer would in most cases be the same.

Even the Ancient Greeks had a custom of treating every guest like someone really important with all generosity and kindness – and that is one similarity a fellow Balkan country, Serbia, and its people, share to this day. Chances that you will be accepted into a Serbian home and not be offered a drink or something to eat are non-existent. And it’s not just about piles of different specialties or gallons of rakia or wine, it’s about that special feeling that Serbs create among their guests that cannot be described. And, please, don’t tell them that there is such thing as too much hospitality or generosity!

If you read literary works from some famous or not-so-famous Serbian writers, you may find yourself asking what is so amazingly attractive in these pieces of literature? Even though Serbia is a small country geographically, it’s definitely not small by the capacity of great minds that were born in it, or in the spirit and character of its people. That is something that you can feel while reading Serbian literature. Many Serbian writers, which you can find in any bookstore in the country, (along with the works of literature from other parts of the world, of course) have woven their identity and the thoughts of an ordinary but unusual man into their works. Reading those books can make you feel like you are reading something that had been written by someone you know, even though you don’t know them personally.

One of such writers is Momo Kapor. Among many Serbian writers that touch on the topic of hospitality, this writer and painter is for sure one of the most famous ones. In his opus of 30 books, its place had found and the book called A Guide to the Serbian Mentality. His tone of writing is cordial and honest, and he uses a specific way of illustrating the events as he is writing about them which could be described as you coming to a friend’s home and listening to them tell you about their life events. And if you pick up this book from the YU bookstore you will know exactly what I am talking about. 

A Guide is a collection of many short stories that illustrates Serbia as a country, its local life, and, of course, Serbian mentality and character. These are not just stories about Serbian behavior, these are texts about some traditional marks such as šajkača, dishes like kajmak, and places like Skadarlija, known for its bohemian spirit, and many more. As you can see, some things just cannot be translated, and that is the beauty of the Serbian language. We can go even further and say that this is like some secret world that can be opened and understood only by those who have lived or visited this country.

The main focus is on Belgrade, but don’t let that distract you from this collection of stories, because this book definitely makes an impression on you – it makes you feel at home. Many places in Serbia – villages, towns, and cities, including Belgrade, the capital city, have their own marks and characteristics, but one thing that connects them all (besides all being a part of the same country) is the aforementioned hospitality. 

When you find yourself in Serbia, don’t be surprised if after all the food and drinks you end up in some of the local kafana, or, maybe, a club. Because, there, you will hardly be left without the opportunity to get the most out of the Serbian nightlife (or even afternoon life, occasionally).

Yet in this book, it’s just one of the themes that run through different stories, sometimes with a satirical tone that can’t leave you indifferent. There are still many things to learn about Serbs here, even though you have spent your whole life in this country but some things you have not yet encountered or perhaps forgotten.

A great number of domestic and even foreign writers left words about this country and their opinions. But Momo Kapor, as a man of the people (or, what is the adequate translation for čovek iz naroda?), used sharp humor but also included realism and criticism to describe his countrymen, making that into a charming masterpiece of writing. 

If you find yourself asking “Am I too old to read this book“, or, on the contrary, ’’too young“, I can tell you – There is no such thing as being too old or too young for reading A Guide to the Serbian Mentality. There is something for every reader who finds his path to this literary piece.

For someone who has just heard of Serbia for the first time, this book can bring a smile to their face and teach them that people will always be people and that’s the true beauty of great literature. And if you are already a good connoisseur of Serbian culture and mentality, this book is likely to remind you of your own stories and anecdotes that you will be happy to share with people around you. And if you want to read it in your native language there is Serbian version of the book called Vodic kroz srpski mentalitet. 

And if you are from Serbia and feel nostalgic then you should definitely pick up this book. Even if it causes a mixture of different emotions, the overall impression will certainly not disappoint. You can expect a lot of head-nodding and die-of-laughter moments!