Unveiling the Armenian Spirit

What are Armenians Like? 

Excitedly planning your trip to Armenia? Wondering what Armenians are really like? Well, let us give you a glimpse into our vibrant culture and warm-hearted people.

Our day starts a little later and ends a little later too. Work usually kicks off around 10 am and winds down by 7 pm. During our hot summer months, we cherish our sleep-ins and relish staying out late to dodge the daytime heat. You'll find us out and about, leisurely strolling, indulging in ice cream, or enjoying the city fountains with our kids until the clock strikes midnight.

We Armenians are no strangers to celebrations! From birthdays to weddings, anniversaries to baptisms, any reason is a good reason to throw a party, or as we say, have a "kef"! Our gatherings are filled with music, dance, and heartfelt toasts led by a lively "tamada" or toastmaster.

Now, let's talk about language. Our beautiful alphabet has 39 letters and was developed in 405 AD! It’s probably unlike anything you’ve ever heard, and while our native tongue may sound complicated, you’ll pick up words here and there. Don’t worry – we don’t expect you to master "shnorhakalutyun," our intricate word for “thank you.” Even we use "mersi" as a handy alternative! Simple, right? You'll catch on quickly!

Oh, and don't be surprised if we affectionately shorten your name and add "jan" to it. It's a term of endearment we use freely with family, friends, and anyone we hold dear. By the end of your trip, you might just find yourself using it too!

Ever heard of Armenian idioms? They offer a peek into our culture. Figurative expressions like "Tsavd tanem" (Let me take your pain) and "Mernem janid" (Let me die on your body) speak volumes about our willingness to lend a helping hand to our friends and family whenever needed.

Armenia has a collectivist culture. We cherish relationships and communal bonds. That manifests itself in many ways. For example, we share plates family-style when we go out to eat, we pay for the bus tickets of people we know, we hold bags for strangers on the bus, and we often live in multi-generational households where grandparents and elders are treasured members of the family. And kids? Well, they're the heart and soul of our daily lives! Our moms get very generous maternity leave to ensure their children are well cared for. Especially in the regions, it’s very common to see the neighborhood kids gather to play active, noisy games together in the “bak” or backyard. 

And speaking of care, our grandmothers (“tatiks”) are notorious matchmakers! Don't be surprised if they inquire about your marital status or try to set you up with a local catch! Tatiks love asking questions and hearing the gossip over a cup of strong coffee.

Speaking of which, for us, coffee drinking is practically a national pastime. Served with sweets and shared over gossip, it's a sacred ritual not to be rushed. Make sure to accept an offer if it comes your way.

Passionate? That's an understatement. Our spirited conversations might sound like heated arguments to the untrained ear, but don’t worry – it’s usually not a serious fight. And we’ll admit it; we tend to bend the rules a bit, especially when it comes to driving.

We may not flash smiles at strangers, but once we’ve been introduced, you'll find us warm and welcoming. Being a guest is an honor, and we'll go above and beyond to make sure you feel at home. We’ll make sure you’re never hungry or thirsty, so if you’re finished with your meal, leave a little food on your plate or wine in your glass so we don’t refill it. But everytime we do refill, expect another round of “kenats” or “cheers” dedicated to friendship, peace or unity! 

And let's not forget about "khorovats" – our mouthwatering barbeque! Making khorovats – be it pork, lamb, eggplant or mushrooms – is a job we take seriously. And grilled to perfection, it's a culinary delight best enjoyed with your hands. We love packing up fresh fruits and veggies, meats, “lavash” (our traditional flatbread) and have grill-out picnics in our beautiful nature. 

Oh, and if we insist you eat more, it's just our way of showing love. We take pride in feeding our guests!

Laughter is also a big part of who we are. Visit Gyumri and check out the wall of funny anecdotes translated into three languages for a taste of our humor. We like to poke fun at our fellow countrymen from other regions. 

We are very proud of our ancient nation and our people. We’ll probably tell you about our larger-than-life historical figures like Hayk our founding father, Gregory the Illuminator and Tigran the Great! We’ll also tell you about the devices that our people invented, like the ATM and color television. We’re known for our skills in wrestling, chess-playing, silverwork and carpet-weaving. We’re not shy about our talents.

So, what are Armenians like? Warm, welcoming, and full of life. Come experience it for yourself!