Few weeks ago I participated in an international exchange between Slovenian grammar school from Ljubljana and Spanish grammar school from Alicante (east coast). I worked as a Spanish speaking guide on one of their excursions. After spending whole day together, conversing about all kinds of different things, they told me that if they did not know I was Slovenian they would never guess. They described me as an open minded, talkative young woman with cheerful disposition. They described my character as a Mediterranean type as opposed to what they imagined a real Slovene was; someone who is holding back, is closed and keeps to themselves. I believe they perceived me the way I wanted to be.
I think a lot of Slovenians are more closed and keep to themselves but I would not say that this are qualities that define you as a "real" Slovene. What is even more, I do not believe something like "real" Slovene, or any other nationality for that matter, is even possible. Of course there are people who are described as "real" and fit the stereotype but as we all know stereotypes are just generalizations.
I think a lot of Slovenians are more closed and keep to themselves but I would not say that this are qualities that define you as a "real" Slovene. What is even more, I do not believe something like "real" Slovene, or any other nationality for that matter, is even possible. Of course there are people who are described as "real" and fit the stereotype but as we all know stereotypes are just generalizations.
