My Experience And Observations After Living 1 1/2 Year In Sofia, Bulgaria

Здравейте хора!

I’m a Korean born Norwegian citizen. For the last 1 1/2 year, I have been living in Sofia while visiting other parts of Bulgaria. I also visited. Bulgaria 3 times in the past. I want to share my experience and observations, and I’d be happy if some Bulgarians can confirm if my observations are true. I’d also like other foreigners to share their experience.

So, one thing I hear ALL the time: ‘Bulgarians are rude’, ‘Bulgarians are this and that’ - mostly negative. From what I heard, learned and observed, Bulgarians don’t like to sugarcoat like us Westerns do a lot. In Norway, I can’t really be sure who likes me or not. No, I don’t care if people like me or not, but it’s easier to know here who is worth having communication with and not. If Bulgarians smile, it’s genuine. And if you smile to strangers for no reason, it’s seen as fake nice, or even that you are insane or suspicious, and there’s different reasons why..

Quite many foreigners are saying that Bulgarians are rude in stores for example. My observation (which is true) is that many, if not most people don’t get paid enough, and they have to deal with customers from hell every day. Considering the situation with low salaries and other stuff, I totally understand. You are not being paid enough, especially not to pretend to be happy.

Personally, I prefer this way of thinking. That doesn’t mean that I’m rude to anyone, but not having to force a smile makes me calm to, as this is a huge thing in Norway. I go to the shop, I say ‘Здравейте’, ‘Да’ or ‘Не’ if they ask ‘Торбичка’ and finish off with ‘Благодаря’, ‘Довиждане’ and ‘Лека ден/вечер’, and go on with my day/evening. Pretty straight forward and efficient communication if you ask me.

Many people ask me if I experienced racism in this country. I haven’t really. Yes, sometimes some very young boys have said “Konichiwa” or “Ching Chang” to me on the streets, but I just respond ‘Ей брате, Български в България’, or I say something like ‘Good job, but your accent needs a bit work. I prefer just to laugh it off and respond with humor. To be honest, I have experienced way more racism in Norway, believe it or not.

About the language, I get a bit frustrated when people don’t even lift a finger to learn the language. Even if you only are staying for 1-2 years, at least try and learn the basics. Bulgarians appreciate it a lot, even they don’t always show it. At least I notice that they appreciate it. It’s not an easy language and I’m not fluent, but my level is well enough so I can respond to and understand easy topics and I’m able to get the product or service I need in most places.

I think that you will find polite and less polite people in every country, and I think some of us Norwegians tend to be quite fake, rude and delusional too.

Us foreigners are the guests here. Who are we to say how Bulgarians should act and behave? They have their reasons just like we have reasons behind our behavior and way of living. I’m not saying all foreigners are this close minded either, but when we make a decision to move here, we are the ones that should be humble, open minded and willing to learn about the language, history, culture and its our job to fit in. And if you don’t like it, there’s like 195(?) other countries to choose from..

I’m just afraid I will take my resting bitch face and Bulgarian behavior back to Norway when I go for Christmas vacation, hehe!

No, but I enjoy my life here. Their behavior aligns a bit more with how I am. It’s not the perfect country, but is there such country? I have learned so much about my self and about life here. Nobody has taught me how to make so delicious home cooked food and how to save money and find good deals as the Bulgarians.

Again, I wish that other foreigners would try understand the cultural differences more, try to learn the language and also see more of Bulgaria than just the sea side and Sofia.