11 Habits You'll Only Understand If You're Georgian

If you’ve ever spent time in Georgia, you’ll have noticed a number of bizarre quirks that are unique to the nation. However, if you don’t know anyone from Georgia and haven’t yet visited, check out these habits that only Georgians will understand.

Everything revolves around food

Georgians love to eat! Every occasion, be it a birthday, anniversary, wedding, or even a funeral, is based around food. Supra, as Georgians call the table setting, is an integral part of every celebration. Food is laid out in the middle, with plates around the edge of the table. There are at least ten different meals spread out, and each food is served on multiple plates depending on the number of people sitting on the table. This way food is within reach for everyone, and each person eats whatever they desire.

‘Not being hungry’ is unacceptable in Georgian families

Public holidays are the norm

Georgians love to celebrate everything, and every significant day seems to be a public holiday. Thus, there are more than 15 public holidays in Georgia, most of them are related to Christianity and the saints. Sometimes, those holidays are within days of each other, so many people take additional days off and enjoy a mini ‘annual leave.’

There are special meals on special holidays

Georgians make special meals for individual holidays. For instance, on St. Barabara’s Day on December, 17, it is a rule to bake lobiani, a black bean pie, while Christmas on January, 7 calls for guruli gvezeli – a variety of khachapuri but with boiled eggs.

Everyone is named Giorgi, Mariam, or Nino

These are the most common names in Georgia, after the main saints of the country. Thus, everyone knows at least 50 Giorgis, 30 Ninos and 20 Mariams.

Newlyweds live with the groom’s family

Georgia is a patriarchal country where it is common for a family of four or five to leave together in a two or three-room apartment. Once a couple are married, it is a common custom that they begin their married life living with the husband’s parents. Though there are now a number of youngsters preferring to rent their own apartment and live alone, it’s not common practice quite yet.

People ask really personal questions

Oh boy! Many Georgians like to know everything, and ask too many personal questions that are none of their business. The questions can encompass anything from how much you paid for a particular thing, what your total income is, or why you’re not having a baby after being married for a month!

Never sitting with your back to someone

Never sit with your back to someone without apologizing – it’s an unwritten rule of being rude if you do so.

Namtsetsoba, or ‘leftovers day’

The ‘leftovers day’ in Georgia is the second day of a wedding, and takes place in the house of either the bride’s or the groom’s parents (more often the latter). The supra is laid out from the leftover meals from the previous day’s wedding celebrations, hence the name.

Fate is something to be celebrated

Georgians are a firm believer in fate. Therefore, they have bedoba, a day dedicated to it marked on January, 2. It’s believed that however a person spends this day, is reflected in the day as a whole. Thus, everyone tries to make a special day out of it, giving work a wide berth and instead taking part in fun activities and just enjoying spending time with friends, families and loved ones.

Mineral water cures everything

Georgia is a country full of natural springs. Most of these mineral waters are believed to have curing effects. For instance, the number one hangover cure is to drink Borjomi mineral water. Some even drink it to cure nausea or food poisoning.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.