Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about what NOT to do on a trip to Lithuania. While many travel blogs will tell you what to do in Lithuania, we want to be sure you know about these Lithuania tourism mistakes to avoid.
Don’t Question Lithuanian-isms
There are lots of interesting old Lithuanian traditions. A few of the funnier ones include:
- Do not shake hands over a threshold
- Do not directly hand someone scissors or a knife; set it down
- Do not walk on opposite sides of an obstacle, when walking with someone else. (In the US, we say “bread and butter” to avoid the bad luck)
- Don’t wear your shoes inside someone’s home
- If bringing flowers to someone, don’t bring even numbers. Even numbers are for funerals.
Unique European Christmas Traditions
Don’t Forget to Make Eye Contact When Toasting
If you are enjoying a beer or something a little stronger, you have to make sure you are making eye contact when you “cheers” with your fellow drinking buddies. It’s considered rude to not make eye contact, and it’s also considered rude to turn down a drink.
Don’t Be Afraid to Try a Few Lithuanian Words
Nobody expects you to be fluent in Lithuanian on your trip, but it really means a lot to them if you can learn just a few basic words and show that effort on your part. Simple words like hello, please, and thank you will go so far in gaining the locals’ trust and admiration.
Don’t Be Afraid to Meet Locals and Learn the Culture
Lithuanians are incredibly proud of their heritage and culture, so I recommend meeting as many locals as you can and really getting to know them. Once you get them talking about Lithuanian culture and cuisine, they’ll never stop! If you’re not sure how to meet locals, you can always sign up for a tour led by locals, or something like an Airbnb experience.
Don’t Call Them Russians
Lithuania was part of the Soviet Union from 1940 until 1990, but they were never part of Russia.
If you’re not well-versed in politics from that era, it may seem like a small distinction, but it is not
small to the Lithuanians. Estonia and Latvia had much higher populations of Russians at the
time, while Lithuania was always a bit more independent. They are quite proud of that and were
the first of the Baltics to break away from the Soviet Republic.
Don’t Miss Out on Nature
The landscape of Lithuania is incredibly diverse. You can visit the Curonian Spit, with giant sand dunes. There are beautiful beaches and lakes all over Lithuania. Druskininkai is known as a spa town, thanks to nearby mineral springs. Even the capital city, Vilnius, is full of natural beauty and outdoor activities. Just Don’t Forget the Bug Spray!
Don’t Miss Out on Lithuania Food
Lithuania food is really fantastic. A lot of the food is potato-based and may look odd, but don’t be afraid to try new things. There’s a cold beet soup that is pink just like Pepto-Bismol, but it’s really tasty. The portions are usually big enough to share, too, so don’t over-order.
What to Know Before You Visit Lithuania
Don’t Trash Talk the Lithuanian National Basketball Team
They are all about basketball in Lithuania. It seems like everyone in Lithuania lives and breathes basketball, so don’t trash talk their teams. If you get the chance to attend a professional game, go for it!
Don’t Be An Ugly Tourist!
Sometimes when traveling, especially abroad, it’s easy to accidentally upset the locals without
even realizing you are doing it. Certainly, it’s no one’s intention to be an ugly tourist, but it can
happen. That’s why we want to share our tips on how to be a “good tourist” in Lithuania.
Don’t Mess with Their Cars
Lithuanian guys are really into their cars, so don’t mess with them. Don’t even pretend like
you’re going to mess with them. It won’t go over well!
Don’t Offer Processed Food
Many travelers like to bring gifts from their home country when visiting a foreign country, which
is a nice gesture. But Lithuanians really don’t like processed food. They maintain a pretty clean
diet with natural and organic food. So, if you want to bring a gift from your home country, avoid
processed snacks or heavily colored treats.
Don’t Think It’s Weird to Have Tea
If you have Lithuanian friends, or make some while traveling, they may invite you to “arbata”
which just means tea. Don’t read too much into this, it’s just an invitation to chat or catch up. It’s
totally normal for a group of guys to go have tea in the afternoon.
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Don’t let these “don’ts” keep you from becoming a Lithuania tourist. I lived here for 3 ½ years, so Lithuania always has a special place in my heart. It’s a great country and the people are fantastic! Just don’t stare at the beautiful women! Want more of our Baltic travel tips? Check out some of our other blog posts: