Exchange bureaus. These are obliged to show daily exchange rates on boards which are both clearly visible and easily accessible. If a client wishes to reverse a deal, the cashier is obliged to pay back the full amount.
Tip: Before you enter an exchange bureau always make sure that there is a sign saying ‘No commission’ and count carefully the money you give to the classier and again the money you receive. Once you have left the exchange bureau it is assumed that the deal is over and there is no turning back.
Taxis. Always choose a taxi displaying phone numbers and contact details on the side and make sure that the driver turns on his meter at the start of the journey. If traveling a longer distance agree the price in advance.
Tip: When negotiating the price of a long trip remember that taxi drivers will always try to overcharge you, so you would better check the reasonable price in advance and insist on it, you can always choose another taxi (there are numbers of English speaking Taxi drivers on page 17)
Public Transport. In general terms tickets are sold on board buses but conductors and drivers usually do not speak English, so it is very hard for them to help you with the exact location of the bus stop you are looking for and where to get off the bus so you can find a particular place.
Tip: It is not that the staff on board public transport will not be eager to help you but it will make your life easier if you check in advance how to get to where you want to. You can always ask the receptionist in your hotel or a local person to help.
Speed Limits. These differ if you are in or out towns and are as follows: for motor bikes the in town speed limit is 50km/h, the out-of town limit is 80km/h and the high way limit is 100km/h; for cars-50km/h in town speed limit, 90km/h out-of town limit and 130km/h high way limit; for truck and buses-50km/h in town speed limit, 80km/h out-of town limit and 100km/h high way limit; for vehicles with trailers-50km/h in town speed limit, 70km/h out-of town limit and 100km/h high way limit.
Tip: Bulgarian drivers are generally not applying to those speed limits but you should be aware that the police authorities are very strict and can easily fine you for just one kilometer per hour speeding up over the accepted limits for the country.
Smoking. According to the latest changes in Bulgarian law, non-smoking sections should make up 50% of all seating in restaurants, pubs and cafes.
Tip: When entering a cafe or restaurant in Bulgaria first check which tables are for smokers and which are for non-smokers. Although will not be able to read the signs you can be sure that if there is an ash-tray at the table it is a smokers one.
Cinemas. Most cinemas show subtitled films with the original soundtrack, and the same applies to rented videocassettes or DVDs; films for children, however, are usually dubbed.
Tip: A cinema ticket costs between 6 and 10 lev; to rent a DVD or videocassette is about 3 lev. But you should be aware that most premier movies come to Bulgaria as late as 3 or 4 months after they have been shown in UK.
Shopping. Large supermarket chains offer a wide range of local and imported products. In smaller shops you will find very high levels of service and friendliness but it is quite likely that the assistants will not speak much English, although they will probably understand you perfectly well.
Tip: Look carefully around the shop and point out to the assistant the exact location of what you need. It is always helpful to learn some basic names of foodstuffs and grocery products and to be aware of the Bulgarian measurements. Be very careful with clothing as Bulgarian clothing sizes are pretty different:
Nodding. When Bulgarians nod their heads up and down, they mean NO and when they shake their heads from side to side, they mean YES: exactly the opposite to the rest of the world. Also remember that Bulgarians usually answer to a negative question positively and vise versa, applying the pattern from their own language.
Tip: Therefore, it is better to listen to what someone is saying and ignore any movements of his head. And to avoid confusion, do your best to use only simple questions when asking for something a Bulgarian person.
Wedding bands. These in Bulgaria are usually worn on the right hand, not on the left as in Western countries. But it is very common for married women in Bulgaria not to wear their wedding bands or to have a lot of rings on their hands, so it is a bit difficult to distinguish.
Tip: That is why you cannot count on the mere fact that a lady who is not wearing a wedding band is not married.
Registration. If you are going to stay in a resort hotel there is nothing to be worried about as the hotel authorities will automatically register you at the passport department in the nearest city. But if you are about to stay at your own property be sure to register yourself and your family within 48 hours of arrival as you can be subjected to heavy fines if you fail to do so.
Tip: you should be aware that register regulations in Bulgaria change very rapidly and this can vary between two and five days of arrival. Therefore, it is better to check this particular time slot while you are still at the airport it is best to register yourself as soon as possible.
Tipping. Tipping is optional but becoming increasingly standard practice, with 10 to 15 per cent of the bill being customary. It is accepted to tip everyone-hairdresser, taxi driver, waiter, barman-you name it.
Tip: Tipping in Bulgaria provokes the same positive response as everywhere else in the world and is accepted as normal behaviour for visitors.
Credit cards. These are not widely accepted although slowly becoming more so in larger shops. If you are out and about in the pubs, better make sure you carry enough cash.
Tip: It possible to use credit carts in big supermarket chains or in the more fancy shops in the central pedestrian parts of the big cities in Bulgaria but do not expect to be able to use your credit card in villages or tiny towns-it is impossible.
Toasts. When proposing a toast Bulgarians raise their glass and lightly clink it against all the others present whilst looking the person in the eye (not to do so is considered rude) and saying ”nazdrave” (meaning “good health to you”). If there are 10 people at the table you must do this with all 10.
Tip: Do not be surprised if toasts happen periodically through the evening during a meal. A toast is considered as a matter of profound respect to the host or the person who is celebrating.
Having a Meal: The whole process usually takes more than two hours as Bulgarians are accustomed to having long conversations during a meal which will include many toasts, tons of food (usually too much to finish…) and listening to loud music.
Tip: So, do not be in a hurry, nobody will kick you out of restaurants, if you stay longer then you are used to in the UK. Bulgarians find it very strange and even impolite when foreigners finish their meal too quickly.
Toilet facilities: These are much improved compared to 10 years ago and most modern fuel stations, restaurants, hotels and bars have facilities of an acceptable standard; elsewhere, however, you may be faced with nothing more than a hole in the floor, and no toilet paper. Places often charge for the use of toilet facilities, generally around 20 to 50 stotinki.
Tip: Public toilets, the ones you see when walking along the streets, are not the best choice. It is better, if you really need to use a toilet, to go inside a pub or a café, pay the small charge to use there facilities and enjoy.
Name Days are celebrated in addition to birthdays by people whose name is derived from that of a Saint. The person having a Name Day usually brings sweets to the office for colleagues to share, and Bulgarian tradition says that you may call uninvited on a person celebrating a Name Day, to wish them well and take part in the celebratory feast.
Tip: Although you are popping in uninvited to somebody’s celebration it is a good idea to bring him a decent present as Name Days are considered as important to Bulgarians as Birthdays.
Bulgarian National Holidays 31st December and 1st January – New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. 3dr March – Signing of the San Stefano peace treaty (securing the liberation of Bulgaria from the Turks). 23dr to25th April – Orthodox Easter. 1st May – Labour Day. 24th May – Day of the Cyrillic Alphabet and the Saints Cyril and Methodius, who created it. 6th September – Union Day. 22nd September – Bulgarian Independence Day. 24th and 25th December – Christmas Holidays.
Other ‘Strange’ Holidays. There are many Bulgarian holidays that may seem strange to a foreigner, to name but a few: 8th December - the holiday of all present, ex- and future students; 1st March - Baba Marta Day (people give one another special cotton symbols, called ‘martenitsi’, to wear on their clothes and hands for luck and health); 1st April - the day of the lie (on that day you must lie to at least one person); 14th February - the wine holiday (people gather together and drink lots of wine).
