Travel tips for Bosnia & Herzegovina - what to prepare in advance and what to obey

1. Although Bosnians are not very punctual, they respect punctual foreigners. Therefore, it's advisable to arrive at meetings on time or with a little delay - this will impress your Bosnian partner.

2. Walking on the streets barefoot is unacceptable, even if the weather is suitable. This is considered a sign of bad manners or extreme poverty.

3. Screaming in the streets also seem uncivilized to locals.

4. It is not polite to ask Bosnians about their professional activities. The country has a high unemployment rate, and this kind of question may be regarded as a faux pas.

5. Most cars in Bosnia and Herzegovina are old, roads cannot be called ideal, and drivers are not very attentive. Therefore, in large cities, one needs to be especially careful when crossing the road.

6. Do not approach homeless animals, nor pet them - there are a lot of them in Bosnia. They can be aggressive or sick with some kind of infection.

7. For visiting picturesque places, such as forests or hills, it is best to hire a guide. The fact that there are still mines left over from the war in the country. And going for a walk without a guide, you need to follow one simple rule: go only on trampled paths - if people have repeatedly walked here, there are definitely no mines. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

8. Bosnia and Herzegovina has a lot of abandoned buildings - a real paradise for industrial tourists who like to explore old sites. However, this is strictly prohibited since buildings may contain bombs or traps carefully left by fleeing owners for uninvited guests.

9. When visiting a Bosnian home, shoes should be removed in the doorway. Sometimes guests are offered slippers, often you can just walk around the house in your socks.

10. All bouquets presented as a gift must have an odd number of flowers. Even-numbered bouquets are only good for cemeteries.

11. When visiting Catholic churches, one needs to cover the shoulders, while in Orthodox temples, the head should be covered too.

12. Try to avoid discussing the war with Bosnians - it's kind of a sore subject.

13. If you do happen to have a conversation about the war, do not take any sides. Remain neutral and listen carefully - yes-saying and off-topic questions may offend the interlocutor who tells about the hard fate of his/her native country.

14. During a conversation, you shouldn't move away from the interlocutor, even if it seems that he or she is too close - this may be regarded as ignorance or unwillingness to communicate.

15. Keep in mind that smoking in public places is allowed and perfectly normal.