What I Discovered This Week, Vol. 5

1.  Why the resistance to asking questions?

I started noticing little by little that it seems like Serbs (I am grossly generalizing here) are resistant to asking questions.  For example, employees here seem afraid to ask their employers questions.  And perhaps that’s because the employers aren’t establishing environments where the thoughts and ideas of their employees are respected.  But I’ve always been a believer that “no question is a stupid question”.  I think it’s better to ask the question and get an answer than to assume you know, or assume that something “can’t be done”.  Asking questions can make way for things to be done better and can be beneficial to employers and their business.

I also noticed it the other day with my dad (who’s visiting me from the States).  He had to deal with the municipality to get his ID card and they requested a piece of documentation from him.  I told him to ask if it can be done this other way, and he was extremely resistant to just asking them.  I just didn’t get it.  As a friend of mine always says, “the worst that can happen is they say “no”.  He eventually gave into my persuasion and asked them….and yep, they said “no”…lol.    

2.  Belgrade:  part metropolis, part primitive town

I was walking down a pretty popular street in the center of Belgrade, when gypsies drove by in their man-made vehicle.  I don’t even know what to call it but I think you know what I’m talking about.  It just cracked me up.  I thought to myself, you would never see this in Chicago.  It just adds to the charm and intrigue of this city. 

3.  Serbs “have a guy” for everything

I notice myself doing this now.  If’ I’m talking to someone, and recognize that I know someone who can be of help to them, I’ll say, “I have this guy…”.  LOL!

4.  I love Somersby!

I actually first discovered this tasty beverage back in May at the Supernatural Fest, but I’ve noticed recently how much I love it.  Have you tried it yet?  It is a delicious and refreshing cider drink perfect for the summer produced by Carlsberg!  I think it tastes best over ice in a tall glass and not straight out of the bottle.  And for men out there who think it might be a sissy drink, it contains just as much alcohol as most beers.  The ABV of Somersby is 4.7% and, in my opinion, it’s much yummier than a beer!

5.  Serbs do festivals right

With Exit, Guca and the Beer Fest, going on right now, Serbia provides us with some great festival options.  All 3 of them attract hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world.  Last year’s Beer Fest had approximately 900,000 visitors over its 5 days; Exit and Beer Fest have both won awards.  Then again, no one has ever faulted Serbs for knowing how to have fun!

Sidenote:  Did you know that the Beer Fest was held at Kalemegdan until 2007 when a young man died after falling into the bear cage?  Yikes, how tragic!