I'm looking for some facts on serbian dating customs.

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Request for Question Clarification by blader-ga on 17 Feb 2003 04:03 PST

Dear blkhkav8r:

Couldn't find any dating traditions, but here's some Serbian wedding
traditions which you might find interesting. Hope another researcher
has better luck with this one,

"During the cocktail hour, the bride, groom and bridal party
disappeared into a small room where they did circle dances around the
bride and groom, singing loud joyful songs in their native tongue.

Toward the end of the reception Tina wore a "kroj" - a traditional
embroidered wedding dress, that her grandmother in Slovakia made by
hand.

The bridesmaids' were dressed in Serbian dress...

...and danced traditional dances as well.

In a symbolic tradition using a kerchief on the bride's head...

... the groomsmen (and other men) try to "steal" the kerchief off of
the bride's head (the kerchief symbolizes her matrimonial status, thus
they are competing with her groom for her chastity or hand in
marriage). The "village" women' s job and groom's job is to protect
her from the other "suitor" or the other men trying to rip the
kerchief off her head."
Source and pictures:
http://www.urbanmozaik.com/2001.may1_htmls/may01_fea_weddings.html

Traditional Serbian Attire:
http://www.suc.org/culture/history/Hist_Serb_Culture/Traditional_Attire.html

Serbian Customs and Traditions:
http://www.suc.org/culture/library/religious/Lord_Teach_Us_To_Pray/lord_customs.html?Suc_Session=3d60023e196f51f485afcc24d112ac15

Sky Hook - A Serbian Film about Courtship
http://adfilmworks.com/siff2001/skyhook.html

I hope this helps. Sorry I couldn't find more information. Hope
another research has better luck with this one.

Best Regards,
blader-ga

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Clarification of Question by blkhkav8r-ga on 17 Feb 2003 08:33 PST

Well, I have a date with her tonight and I just would like to know if
her parents expect flowers ,Vodka, ect. Single or double or a group
date. Or some of the little things not to do so as I don't start an
international incident.

A friend of mine happens to be Serbian and she gave the following
tips, mentioning that dating customs are not that different from here.

>flowers are nice for the mother
>alchohol drink for the father
She also says that the local ladies from her region are generally not
as modest as one might expect; you might want to keep that in mind.
>Casual wardrobe is widely accepted for dinner dates in Serbia
>As for presents, something expensive and elaborate is not expected;
something that was traditionally yours will do well (something small,
perhaps a nice book)
>Start with small talk and then talk about yourself; most importantly
break the ice on early stages of relationship
>group dinners are always considered nice in early relationship; its
easier for both parties
>do not talk about war in Yugoslavia, especially about NATO bombing,
regardless of what perspective
Other than that, she says that everything else is quite the same and
relaxed.

She gave an excellent suggestion for future questions.  You can visit
one of the Serbian chat rooms and ask for someone who speaks English. 
A few that do will be glad to speak to you about whats on your mind
regarding Serbia.
http://www.serb.org/chat/index.php
http://www4.serbiancafe.com/chat/javachat/

Hope this has helped,
Regards,
Tox-ga

When I lived in Yugoslavia, flowers were always appreciated.