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Social Profile
Food & Drink: Traditional Slovak eating and drinking habits date back to the old Slavic period influenced later by Hungarian, Austrian and German cooking. Slovak food is based on many different kinds of soups, gruels, boiled and stewed vegetables, roast and smoked meats and dairy products. The style of cooking varies from region to region. Slovak specialities include both sweet and savoury dishes made with flour, including dumplings. One such dish is the popular bryndzové halušky (small potato dumplings with sheep’s cheese). Popular drinks include Slovak beer, wine and mineral waters. Borovicka (strong gin) and slivovica (plum brandy) are particular specialities, as are wine from the Tokay region and sparkling wine from the Bratislava region.
Restaurants: Restaurants and other catering establishments are many and varied, including cafés, buffets, snack bars, inns, ale houses and wine taverns. All restaurants are graded according to quality. The main meal of the day is usually lunch, comprising soup, a main meal and desert. Tipping: A five to ten per cent tip is usual.
Nightlife: Theatre and opera are of a high standard. Much of the nightlife takes place in hotels, although nightclubs are to be found in major cities.
Shopping: Souvenirs include pottery, porcelain, wooden carvings, hand-embroidered clothing and food items. There are a number of excellent shops specialising in glass and crystal, while various associations of regional artists and artisans run their own retail outlets (pay in local currency). Other special purchases include folk ceramics from all regions of the Slovak Republic and woodcarvings from the eastern and central parts of Slovakia (Spišská Belá, Michalovce and Kyjatice). Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1800, Sat 0900-1200.
Special Events: Most towns have their own folk festivals, with dancing, local costumes and food. These tend to be in the summer months leading up to the harvest festivals in September. For full details, contact the Slovak Tourist Board (see Contact Addresses section). The following is a selection of cultural events which will be celebrated during 2003 in the Slovak Republic:
Apr/May International Festival of Ghosts and Spirits, Bojnice. May Festival of Puppets, Poprad. Jun/Jul Castle Drama and Opera Festival, Zvolen. Jul Eurofolklore (international folklore festival), Banská Bystrica; International Folk Festival, Východná; European Exhibition of Folk Crafts, Kezmarok. Aug International Festival of Historical Fencing, Spiš Castle. Sep Prix Danube – International Festival of TV Programmes for Young Viewers, Bratislava. Sep/Oct Bratislava Music Festival.
Social Conventions: Shaking hands is the customary form of greeting. Punctuality is appreciated on social occasions. The minimum drinking age is 18.
Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.
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