Belarus - Culture

If meeting a stranger, shaking hands is the usual form of greeting. Hospitality is part of the tradition and people are welcoming and friendly, although Belarusians are also known for their brusqueness. If you are invited to someone's house, be sure to bring a small token as a gift. The same goes for power lunches - company gifts are well-received. Avoid taking photographs of military or government installations. Belarus is quite a conservative society, and homosexuality and homosexual activity was only decriminalised in 1994 - while not illegal, it is kept very low-key so as not to invite unwanted attention.