Belonogoff - Lithuania--Culture Smart!

eISBN: 978-1-85733-612-2

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A CIP catalogue entry for this book is available from the British Library

Copyright 2007 Kuperard
Second printing 2010

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reprinted or reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior permission in writing from the publishers.

Culture Smart! is a registered trademark of Bravo Ltd

First published in Great Britain 2007
by Kuperard, an imprint of Bravo Ltd
59 Hutton Grove, London N12 8DS
Tel: +44 (0) 20 8446 2440 Fax: +44 (0) 20 8446 2441
www.culturesmart.co.uk
Inquiries:

Series Editor Geoffrey Chesler

Cover image: White clock tower, Cathedral Square, Vilnius.
Travel Ink/Jeremy Phillips

Images reproduced by permission of the Lithuanian Tourist Board: Mantas Indrasius

v3.1

Lithuania has been one of Europes best-kept secrets. Trapped inside the Soviet Union for fifty years until proclaiming its renewed independence in 1990, this historic Baltic nation has lost no time rejoining the rest of the world. A certain resolve can be seen in Lithuanian faces. The people have endured the hardships of a harsh political and physical climate. Throughout its history names were changed as the state was constantly under attack or subjugation. And yet Lithuanians have managed to keep a fairly sunny outlook, despite the long years of adversity.

The Lithuanians as a whole are welcoming, and happy to show visitors their countrys many charms. On getting to know them better, you will discover deeper qualities such as resilience, loyalty, and resourcefulness; Lithuanians are usually good at solving problems and always willing to help a friend in need. Ambition and modesty work in tandem to keep people moving forward but never putting on airs. Lithuanian city dwellers tend to be both highly educated and well-rounded; they can name species of trees and mushrooms with surprising familiarity. The love of nature is very much a part of the Lithuanian soul. They have a profound romantic streak, often offset by humor. These qualities on an individual scale can lead to thought-provoking conversations over a cup of coffee that can last for hours, and in the grander scheme of things are what propel the nation forward.

Today Lithuania is flourishing as one of the newer EU member states. The economy is growing steadily. The tourism industry has opened up to allow vacationers a chance to discover its beautiful old towns and pristine countryside. However, a great deal of the countrys charm is best viewed by going off the beaten path, or putting ones head into courtyards to see what the locals are doing. Visitors staying for prolonged periods often leave the country with the sense that they have found a second home in the friends they have made.

Culture Smart! Lithuania sets out to explain the nuances and protocols of Lithuanian society so that you can avoid social faux pas and get closer to the people. It offers key insights into the cultural and historical background, and advice to guide you through different types of business and social occasionsbut reading this book is just the beginning of a journey. The true adventure starts in Lithuania, sitting in a Vilnius caf on a breezy summers day, talking philosophy late at night over a pint of the delicious domestic beer, or spending a Saturday by a lake cooking shashlik. It is only in conversations with people and exploration of the country that any true understanding of the Lithuanians can be reached.