Why Does an American Love Serbia? Because Serbia Is Like a Child of Russia and Spain!
Imagine a guy who lived in Thailand, Costa Rica, Slovakia, and then decided Serbia is home. Roli, an American living in Serbia for ten years, is no ordinary foreigner. He’s an English teacher, pub tour guide, country blues musician, and runs a YouTube channel called “Attic Life” where he shares his impressions of Serbia and Serbs.
First Night in Serbia: Rakija, Ćevapi, and Welcome
Roli recalls his first or second night in Belgrade, when he entered a café in Skadarlija and a guy asked, “Are you American?” He told him about NATO bombing, and the guy, though worried, invited Roli to try Serbian hamburger and ćevapi, paid for his dinner, and treated him to rakija. “Welcome to Serbia!” he said. That moment left a deep impression on Roli.
Serbian Cases – A Nightmare for an American
Roli tried to master Serbian language, but seven cases drove him crazy. “English has only one declension, Serbian has seven!” he says. After two months, he gave up perfect grammar and now uses simplified speech. “I sound like a foreigner, but I can manage.”
Serbs Are Like a Child of Russia and Spain? Yes, Really!
Roli has a funny joke: “Imagine Russia and Spain had a child – that would be Serbia!” He notices a mix of Slavic and Mediterranean culture in Serbia. Cyrillic, Orthodoxy, rakija, but also the warmth of the Mediterranean with Italian and Spanish vibes.
Three Things Roli Loves About Serbia
- Hospitality – Serbs are known for warmth and welcome.
- Barbecue – there’s no better place to enjoy food.
- Relaxed atmosphere – life pace is slower, people are less stressed than in America.
Roli says Serbia changed his habits. Now he’s more relaxed and direct. His favorite Serbian word is “Jei ga!” meaning “Let’s go!” or “Come on!”
Small Towns Are the Heart of Serbia and America
Roli notices people in small towns in Serbia and America are similar – more relaxed, sometimes conservative, but kind. He enjoys moving around smaller Serbian towns where life is slower and people are friendlier.
Engaged to a Serbian Woman and Planning Citizenship
Roli got engaged to a Serbian woman and hopes to get Serbian citizenship soon. He says it makes communication easier and people often say, “Bravo, you won a Serbian woman!” which makes the situation easier and makes him laugh.
Why Is Serbia His Home?
For Roli, Serbia is where he found friendship, good food, and a more relaxed life. He proves that even an American can fall in love with Serbia and become part of it.
Conclusion
If you ever thought Serbs are just stubborn and complicated, Roli will prove you wrong. They are warm, hospitable, and have a soul that’s a mix of Russia and Spain. And if Serbian cases ever get you down, remember Roli – he gave up, and still managed!
So, what do you think? Is Serbia really such a cultural mix? Or is Roli just a fan of barbecue and rakija? Drop a comment, let’s see who’s right!
