Clothes

Šta nosiš?: What Are You Wearing?

Goal: I can name the everyday clothes, pants, shirts, dresses, and say what I'm wearing.

Bosnians dress up to take out the trash. Sweatpants outside the house tell the whole mahala you've given up, and someone will inform your nana by noon. Iron the košulja, it's just easier.

Obuća i dodaci: Shoes & Accessories

Goal: I can name shoes, socks, hats, scarves, and the sacred house slippers.

Papuče are not optional. You take your shoes off at every Bosnian door, and a pair of guest papuče will be pressed on you before your second foot crosses the threshold. Walking barefoot on a cold floor is, medically speaking per nana, how every illness in history began.

Probam ovo: Trying It On

Goal: I can shop for clothes: ask to try something on, talk sizes, and judge the fit like a local.

Shopping with Bosnian family is a team sport. You model outside the kabina, the panel votes, and tetka's 'stoji ti lijepo' seals it. The highest verdict is taman, the fit so perfect no further discussion is allowed.

Sniženje!: The Sale!

Goal: I can shop like a local: hunt the sniženje, question the kvalitet, haggle at the pijaca, and escape with 'samo gledam'.

At the pijaca, the price is an opening offer and doubting the kvalitet out loud is step one of the dance. But know the arena: in a mall boutique the price is the price. Misreading which game you're in is the fastest way to out yourself as diaspora.

Next unit: When It's Not Nana.