Romania is in Southeastern Europe. The country shares borders with Bulgaria, Hungary, Moldova, Serbia and Montenegro, and Ukraine. The capital of Romania is Bucharest. And the population, going by a 2014 estimate is 21.78 million. Of this, Romanian ethic group makes up to 89.5%! Here are ten amazing other facts about Romania that you would love to read. Enjoy!
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Population: 21.78 Million (2014)
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Capital: Bucharest
Currency: Romanian leu
President: Klaus Iohannis
Prime Minister: Dacian Cioloș
Continent: Europe
Government: Unitary Semi-Presidential Republic
Official Language: Romanian
10 Amazing Facts About Romania
1. AGE AND POSITION MATTER
Romania is basically a hierarchical society. Age and position are highly respected. Older people are viewed as wise, and their opinions are highly revered. This is because old people are seen as having earned life experience, and can therefore use their wealth of experience to make the best decisions.
2. FORMAL AND RESERVED
Romanian people are formal and reserved. They feel a strong need for privacy, most do not easily trust strangers readily. They are generally shy and quiet when you first meet. The Romanian society generally admires modesty and humility in themselves and others.
3. GREETING RITUAL
Romanians greet well. In this regard, close friends may kiss and hug each other when they meet. When kissing, expect to kiss twice, once on each cheek starting with the left cheek. It is important to know that…start kissing with the left cheek first.
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4. KEEP HANDS VISIBLE
When being hosted to a meal, make sure to keep your hands visible when eating. Keep your wrists resting on the edge on the table. Expect to be offered second and even third helpings. You will have to insist that you cannot eat any more. Otherwise, refusals are seen as just politeness and are not taken seriously.
5. SCRUPULOUS TABLE MANNERS
In case you need to get up or need to finish a statement while eating, there is away to show you have not finished eating. To indicate you have not finished eating, cross your knife and fork on your plate. When you have finished eating, place your knife and fork across your plate with the prongs facing down and the handles facing to the right.
6. REVERED FORMALITIES
For Romanians, changing times don’t mean the wiping off of old and revered formalities. Formality matters a lot to Romanians, especially the highly educated. They pride themselves on using proper etiquette in all situations. They expect the same of others.
7. WHEN/HOW TO MAKE APPOINTMENTS
Appointments are necessary and should be scheduled in good time. For better results, make appointments 2 to 3 weeks in advance, preferably by letter. Scheduling appointments in July and August is hardly advised. It is often difficult to get any meetings through in July and August. The two months fall into a common vacation time.
8. ARRANGED SEATING
Meetings are generally formal and follow old-world rules of courtesy. It is not usually a free-for-all seating where one sits where one wishes, as long as it is not at the chairman’s reserved seat. Wait to be told where to sit. This is often a strict protocol that must be followed.
9. AVOIDING BEING CHEATED
Romanians can be tough negotiators; they drive a hard bargain! It may take several visits to accomplish a simple task. This is due to the fact that they are concerned about being taken advantage of by foreigners. And decisions are very easily reversed.
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10. INSIDER/OUTSIDER VIEWS
Romanians view every strange person as an outsider. However, once your Romanian colleagues get to know you, they will think of you as an insider. And this new status lets them treat you more informally. This is not a process that can be rushed.
Hope you enjoy the ten facts about Romania?
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