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Social Profile
Food & Drink: Cuisine varies greatly from one region to another. On the whole, the meat specialities are better than the fish dishes. National favourites include pihtije (jellied pork or duck), prsut (smoked ham), cevapcici (charcoal-grilled minced meat), raznjici (skewered meat), and sarma or japrak (vine or cabbage leaves stuffed with meat and rice). Desserts are heavy and sweet including strukli (nuts and plums stuffed into cheese balls and then boiled), lokum (Turkish Delight) and alva (nuts crushed in honey). Table service is usual in hotel restaurants.
Wine is widely available and cheap. Ljutomer, Traminer and Riesling wines from Montenegro are the best known. Varieties include Dingac, Postup, Krstac and Vranac. The white Vugava produced in Vis is excellent. Popular national spirits are slivovica (a potent plum brandy), loza and maraskino (made of morello cherries). Bars and cafes have counter and table service. Most places serving alcohol close by 2200.
Nightlife: Cinemas stay open until 2300, nightclubs to 0300 and restaurants until 2400.
Shopping: Special purchases include embroidery, lace, leatherwork, Pec filigree work, metalwork and Turkish coffee sets. Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1200 and 1700-2000, Sat 0800-1500 (many shops are open all day Sat).
Special Events: The following is a selection of the major festivals and other special events celebrated in Serbia and Montenegro in 2003:
28 Feb-9 Mar Film Festival, Belgrade. Apr Herceg Novi Theatre Festival; Belgrade Marathon. Jun Medieval Music Festival, Budva. Jul-Aug Festival of Arts, Budva; Book Fair, Herceg Novi; Summer Festival, Belgrade. Aug Film Festival, Herceg Novi. Sep Belgrade International Film Festival.
Note: Many major cities throughout the country hold theatre festivals in October.
Social Conventions: Hitherto a relatively open, informal and secure society, Serbia and Montenegro is now changing for the worse following the impact of war. Once virtually non-existent, violent crime is now relatively common in the big cities. There are some restrictions on photography. Tipping: Ten per cent is expected by hotels, restaurants and taxis.
Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.
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