Things Slovaks Do That Shock Brits (And Vice Versa)

Added: 2026-05-07

[00:00:00]When I first found out that Slovaks keep a live car in their bathtub at Christmas, I generally thought someone was winding me up. But they weren't. And that was just the beginning. 3 years here and I'm still finding things that make me stop and think, wait, is that not normal? But it goes both ways because Slovaks look at British people and think exactly the same thing. Turns out neither of us is as normal as we thought. So let's first touch on what Brits find insane about Slovax. So first off the some the adaption here that the one thing that I noticed right away is the directness. So I I have mentioned this in uh in other videos how direct Slovaks are. They don't beat around the bush. They don't waste time. They go straight in which is completely different to how it is in the UK. We beat around the bush. And Brits find this Slovak directness sometimes rude.

[00:00:58]But to Slovak, this directness is all about alignment and smooth communication. Also, Sundays are incredibly Sundays are pretty sacred in Slovakia, meaning a lot of places are closed on Sundays. The SVAC really appreciate their rest time over the weekend, especially on Sundays. And that's something that's very different to the UK. We're It's all about convenience in the UK. Everything has to be open and as long as possible. So, it is definitely something to get used to.

[00:01:30]The fact that you can't just nip to the shops on a Sunday. It's not you can't quite get everything sorted as you would like. Also, homemade food in Slovakia is a massive thing. You'll often find if you're going to a garden party, a house party, anything like this, Slovax will prepare home-cooked meals. And in general is a lot of home-cooked meals.

[00:01:54]You'll find people baking cakes, everything like this. Whereas in the UK, there's a big reliance on takeout, takeaways, and not necessarily having everything home-cooked, especially if you're looking at baked goods. You're probably going to pick it up from the supermarket rather than bake it yourself. Also, public on public holidays in Slovakia, most things, if not everything, is closed. Now, this is definitely not a thing in the UK. Things there'll be things close for sure, but maybe more less operating hours. So, it normally a place might be open from 9 till 5. Instead, it will be maybe 9 till 2 or something like this for instance.

[00:02:39]But Slovakia public holidays are more respected. Most things will be closed.

[00:02:44]This is just shows how much slowbacks uh appreciate and want some rest time and and I really think that's a good thing.

[00:02:53]Although it was hard to get used to this sometimes because you'd forget, oh, it's a public holiday in Slovakia today. Damn it, I really needed to go to the shop.

[00:03:02]Never mind, I'm going to have to wait.

[00:03:03]Now, Brits also find it insane about the Slovak Christmas carp, which I have touched on more in my traditions video.

[00:03:11]So, if you want to see more about the Slovakia traditions, that's quite shocking as a Brit, then you can check that video out. I'll link it below.

[00:03:20]Also, in Slovakia, um, they tend to have the hot meal, the big meal is lunch, whereas in the UK, we tend to have dinner as our big hot meal. And often we'll just go to a Tesco or something and have a meal deal for lunch. Yeah, quite basic, I know, but that's just how it is. These are the main things that I think of that um Brits find insane about Slovak or Slovakia. Are you an expat in Slovakia? Do you agree with the things that I mentioned? Let me know down below.

[00:03:56]Let's talk about what Slovaks find insane about Brits. So, the first one is around Q obsession. To a Brit, the Q is a sacred social contract, and cutting in line is essentially a declaration of war. The Slovaks find the invisible cue of standing 2 m apart at a bus stop, but somehow knowing who arrived first, which is always the case in the UK, to be somewhat confusing and an inefficient mystery. In Slovakia, the rule is often if there is a gap, you fill it.

[00:04:33]Next is all about apologizing all the time. And this is definitely one of the British habits I had to stop doing when I moved here, which I've covered in a another video and I can link that below. But basically, in the UK, we apologize a hell of a lot. Uh, I'm definitely one of those people apologizing to inanimate objects and all of that jazz. I can't help it. But I have definitely cooled it down quite a bit since moving to Slovakia. But it is something that Slovaks do find strange because they're literally looking at you like why are you saying sorry? Like okay dude, strange strange man. Another big thing is talking about the weather.

[00:05:14]Yeah, this seems to be always happening in the UK. If someone if you've just met someone and you you're you're complete strangers and you haven't mentioned the weather, I don't think you're in the UK.

[00:05:28]It's just no. There's just no way. Or you're a Brit on holiday and you definitely still should have me mentioned the weather. Like what are you doing? Whereas here in Slovakia, people don't do that kind of level of chitchat. It's just not a thing. The next one, and I think this is probably one of the bigger ones, night out clothing. So, if you're from the UK or if you've been on nights out in the UK, you know how the clothing is. Doesn't leave much to the imagination. Let's just put it like that. Modesty is not the key here. But in Slovakia, it's a lot more presentable. People wear things that they're comfortable in. People wear things that they enjoy. And it's not about revealing outfits. Let's put it like this. Slovakia is much more of a modest uh let's say conservative traditional country with those sort of values whereas the UK nights out is where hell all hell breaks loose. So nights out definitely do vary and I would recommend experiencing nights out in both places. So then you get to see the real full picture here. Also calling strangers pet names. This is a big thing in the UK. You'll say, "All right, love.

[00:06:44]Hello, dear. All right, darling." Uh, lad, mate, all of that jazz. Love. You hear love quite a bit to be fair.

[00:06:53]Especially further up north, you you'll go you'll hear love, dear, pet, stuff like this. But Slovakia, you don't really use pet names unless you know the person well. You're not going to casually say thanks, love, to someone who's serving you, for instance. that they're they're serving you at the supermarket. You would get some seriously strange looks. Yeah. Really strange looks. I wouldn't recommend it.

[00:07:20]I would not recommend trying that, but it's not a it's not a thing in in Slovakia.

[00:07:26]You when you get to know people, when when you become on a friendship level, then you will get pet names. In Slovakia, it tends to be adding a ka or a ko at the end of your name. For instance, for me, I'm Ricardo, but people have called me Richko. And this is like an endearing pet name, cute name to give to people you're fond of, to give to your friends. Um, but this is only when you have developed a strong connection with a Slovak will they call you this. They're not on a first meeting just suddenly going to call you Tomaso if your name's Thomas. They're not suddenly going to do that. It takes time. Which brings me to how um the difference is between Slovak and Brits.

[00:08:11]Brits are more peaches. Softer softer on the outside but harder on the inside.

[00:08:16]Harder to get to that deep level of connection. Whereas Slovak is the opposite. Coconuts. It's hard to break in but they're softer on the inside.

[00:08:25]Meaning once you break through that shell, that hard exterior, Slovak are really warm, loyal people.

[00:08:33]And that's what I've noticed from spending time here in Slovakia. So, are you a Slovak and you've met Brits before? Is there anything that I've missed that you find insane about Brits?

[00:08:43]Or if you're a British person and you've spent time with Slovaks or spent time in Slovakia, is there anything that I've missed from your side? With that said, let me know your thoughts on this video down below. I'd love to know what you think about this topic. And if you've enjoyed it, please do leave a like. That being said, thank you so much for watching and I'll see you on the next one. Take care. Bye-bye.