recluse
Well-known member
The general Balkan area is a pretty macho culture from what I've seen. I used to know a guy from Macedonia who would always brag about beating up policemen. I'd be like "wtf are you talking about?" but I guess down there that's quite normal.
Anyway, I think a relationship can sometimes help with social anxiety in that it can mask the problem somewhat when you have someone to share life's ups and downs with. Of course, that's not really a solution, it just gives you more to hide behind. But it is comforting having someone by your side.
I used to work with a guy from Lithuania and he would be always bragging and acting macho. All he would talk about was pumping iron in the gym, picking up girls, doing drugs, about the time he worked as a bouncer etc.
He claimed that he had never cried in his life ''because men aren't supposed to cry'' and he would generally act like a douche walking around with his arms out to make himself appear bigger.
I've noticed that when i've been in Poland and Slovenia men seem to carry this type of caveman mentality, not to say that all of them do though.