The Georgians are among the most hospitable people on earth, with strong traditions of chivalry and codes of personal honor. They believe that guests come from God. Friendship is prized highest among all the virtues and is celebrated in the greatest national epic "The Knight in the Panther's Skin" by Rustaveli. This national treasure provides insight into daily life, in which a person's worth is judged not by how much money he has in the bank, but by how many friends he has. The Georgians are proud, passionate and fiercely individualistic, yet deeply connected to each other through a shared sense of belonging to the greater Georgian family. The statue of Mother Georgia (Kartlis Deda) that stands on the mountains above Tbilisi perhaps best symbolizes the national character; in her left hand she holds a bowl of wine with which she greets her guests and in her right hand is a drawn sword with which she defends against her enemies.
Kartlis Deda (Mother Georgia)
The family is one of the cornerstones of the Georgian life style. Families are usually extended, i.e. often three generations of parents and children living together.
An unusual phenomenon for foreign visitors is the Georgian table, which has a deeper implication than an ordinary meal. Complicated ritual relationships are manifested in it. The table is led by a "tamada" who proposes traditional toasts. Each toast is interpreted by table members before drinking it. Georgian toasts are numerous but the most important and popular are the toasts to the guests, friends, ladies, family members, relatives (living and dead,) mother land and peace. You may be invited to extend this list but are never forced to do so. In Georgia one never drinks their wine without toasting, however, this in not expected of their guests. Custom would have guests (especially men) who want or need to leave the table to ask the "tamada" for permission to propose a toast for the host family for their hospitality after which he would leave the table. However, like most of their traditions, Georgians do not expect their foreign guests to know or understand such practices.
In restaurants and other places the bill is never split and is paid by one person. Normally, men pay for the women. Guests are not expected to pay for meals when offered by Georgians, therefore, guests must be conscious of their hosts possibly feeling insulted if they offer to pay. Likewise, when visiting in a Georgian home, one should be careful when admiring works of art, trinkets, or possessions of the family. Being seen as a "gift from God" may cause them to offer you what-ever you admire and feel disappointed if you refuse to accept their gift.
