Special Sub-Topic: What Can You Expect in Belgrade? Click Here To Play: What Can You Expect in Belgrade?

What word would you use for 'beer' in Serbian?

Pivo. This is one of the first words that foreigners learn in Belgrade. In Serbian "sok" is juice, "voda" is water and "nes" is colloquial name for instant coffee.

When you meet someone for the first time, are you supposed to kiss them on the cheek?

No, you shake hands.. When you meet someone for the first time, you don't kiss them on the cheek. But after the first meeting, if you want to greet someone with a kiss (it is left to your own choice; mostly you kiss with people if you're especially glad to meet them) you’re suppose to kiss three times on the cheek. It is polite to kiss three times if you are congratulating for a wedding, birthday, or other special occasion.

If a trumpet orchestra comes to a celebration, anniversary, or a wedding reception and starts to play, what is most likely to happen?

People will dance on top of tables.. They will dance on chairs if it's not possible do go on the table. The dance is similar to Oriental belly dancing, but women shake their hips. Men will often kneel in front of women dancing. Many people will offer money to musicians and ask them for a specific song. Some people might break glasses, but that is extreme, and not so welcomed.

Serbian "slava" is a traditional celebration among Christian Orthodox Serbs of a Saint who is the protector of a family. If you have the honor to be invited to such a celebration, what is the first thing that your host will offer you?

Traditionally prepared sweet wheat dish.. Traditionally prepared sweet wheat is called "zito" in Serbian (pronounced as "zhito"). It is followed by a glass of red wine (you're supposed to take three sips). After that, you are served with enormous amount of food. This form of celebrating the saint-protector of the family comes from ancient South Slavs' religion (celebrating different deities as protectors of home and family) which was modified when they became Christians.

You're sitting at the slava table: what is placed in the middle of the table?

A large candle with a small picture of the celebrated saint.. It is right next to "slavski kolach" (Serbian name for traditionally prepared bread for slava). The candle has to burn until the end of the day. It represents the Light against Dark, love etc. Hosts have to be extra careful about keeping it in good condition (you will see them cutting the wick with scissors very often) during that day. The icon is placed in its usual spot, but during slava the cresset is alight.

If a person's nickname is "Jonny", what is his name? (only in Belgrade!)

Nikola. It is Nikola (Nicolas), believe it or not. This nickname has derived from a "regular" nickname (pronounced as "Nijo"), changed in Belgrade slang manner - to reverse syllables order.

If your Belgrade friends want to show you "The Silicone Valley", where are they taking you?

To the downtown area with lots of cafes.. Many girls sporting obvious plastic-surgery-made body parts are known to frequent that area. It is a popular destination for young (and not-so-young) males.

Maybe you already know that Belgrade has its own little forest, but do you know after which forest animal it's named?

doe. Name Kosutnjak (pronounced as 'Koshutnyak') refers to a place where does live -- but you won't find any of them. You can find squirrels, hedgehogs, stray dogs and cats and even some rabbits, ducks, swans and peacocks who have escaped from a mini-zoo of the nearby restaurant.

What is the meaning of name Belgrade (in Serbian Beograd)?

White city. In Serbian "beo" means "white" and "grad" means "city".

When you visit someone's home in Belgrade, what is most likely the first thing they will offer you, after you sit down, of course?

A cup of coffee.. And it is almost impolite to refuse it, unless you have a very good excuse. Note: if you're about to ask for cup of tea - think twice! Most Serbs drink tea "only when ill", so usually they only have chamomile, hip, minth or Indian black tea (if they have any), which are not so tasty...