American TikToker shocked by smoking culture at Serbian gyms

American TikToker Christian Grossi has shared his astonishment at a particular sight he encountered during his visit to Serbia: dedicated smoking terraces outside local gyms. His observations, captured in a video that has garnered nearly 150,000 views, highlight a cultural difference that struck him as particularly unique.

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If you've never been to the Balkans, people here smoke more than they eat. They light a cigarette with coffee, during lunch, and I would say that the Balkan breakfast is actually espresso and a cigarette.

Grossi humorously remarked on the prevalence of smoking in Serbian daily life, quipping, "If you've never been to the Balkans, people here smoke more than they eat." He elaborated that cigarettes are a common accompaniment to coffee, meals, and even form part of what he jokingly called the "Balkan breakfast" of espresso and a cigarette.

The most surprising aspect for Grossi was witnessing gym-goers stepping out for a cigarette break between their workout sets. He described seeing individuals complete six kilometers on a treadmill or forty minutes on a Stairmaster, then leave for a cigarette before returning to continue their exercise as if nothing had happened. "This is truly incredible to me," he stated, finding the practice remarkable.

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I saw people who go out for a cigarette between sets and then return and continue training. They do six kilometers on the treadmill or forty minutes on the Stairmaster, go out for a cigarette instead of water, and then continue as if nothing happened. That is truly incredible to me.

Beyond the smoking terraces, Grossi expressed a deep admiration for the Serbian people and their mentality. He noted that Serbia is vastly different from what most Americans perceive, encouraging more people to visit. "People here just make you want to smile," he said, describing them as genuinely friendly, fluent in English, and possessing a unique character that makes Serbia a memorable destination.

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There is nowhere else in the world like Serbia. This country is 100% different than what you may think it is. As an American I can tell you that most of us could never find Serbia on a map. But I hope more people start coming here People are what make Serbia worth visiting. People here just make you want to smile, they are genuinely friendly, they speak perfect English and they are unique. You will see things here in Serbia that u have never seen before