• The official language is Bulgarian and the alphabet is Cyrillic.
  • Bulgarians generally respect those who are open, strong, capable, good humored, loyal to family and friends, and forthright. 
  • Clothing is neatly dressed, wrinkled items are rarely seen in public.
  • Bring an odd number of flowers as a present, unless going to a funeral.
  • When you want to try a friend's food, eye it up.
  • Do not shake hands or kiss over threshold.
  • Breaking something unintentionally is for good luck.
  • "Splling water" is a very old but still widely practiced tradition. Spilled water brings you luck. At new beginning and at the beginning of a trip or journey, water is spilled in front of the person and they walk over it and the symbol is that their way shall run smoothly as the water in the river does. Spilling water is practiced not only at home by families but as such events as official inaugurations, opening of a new building, or on the first day of school.
  • Nodding head means "No" and shaking head means "yes".
  • Anyone waving at you is rather signaling “come here” or “step inside”, than “good-bye”.
  • Tobacco is a major crop in Bulgaria, so smoking is almost a patriotic duty .
  • Electricity is 220 volts AC and round two-pin plugs are used, so bring an adaptor.
  • Bulgarians regard putting your handbag on the floor as a sure sign that you will lose all your money.
  • Seeing a spider in the house or laying out extra cutlery by mistake means that you will have a guest.
  • Time – two hours ahead of GMT, seven hours ahead of EST. Bulgarian summer Time lasts from the beginning of April to the end of September