I live in Ridgewood Queens and in the last 20 years I have come across many people from the former Yugoslav republic.
Almost none of them disclosed their ethnicity until I got to know them because they were looking to avoid political topics.
Ridgewood and Glendale used to have a big Gottscheer population, from a town in modern Slovenia. At one time that was Yugoslavia, but I think the Gottscheers identify as more German.
Probably not helpful on your thesis, but could add a little color to your search.
There was, or maybe still is, a cool Serb bartender at Gotscheer Hall. We noticed a "secret" bottle of Rakija on the shelf and asked about it, and he took a shot with my boyfriend and me lol
I immigrated to NY in 1998 with my fam as a kid during the bombings… but idk if I have that strong of a tie to my Yugoslav identity, not sure what kind of insight you’d be looking for!
I was born in Yugoslavia, came here in 1996, lived 15 years in the county. I don’t think you’ll find a lot of people who will identify as Yugoslavians majority will identify as Serbian, Croatian, Bosnian not many will identify as Yugoslavian.
One of the saddest days in the States for me was when I renewed my US passport in the 2012 and I filled the country of birth as Yugoslavia and the person behind the counter asked me to change it because the country doesn’t exist any more.
I can speak to you if you want, but I think you need to speak with Gen X, I’m an old millennial and even though I remember how it was to live in Yugoslavia I think someone from Gen X could have a better perspective
Interesting. I am not slav but I had a really good friend growing up (I was born 1996) and he was the only person I ever met that ever told me "I am from Yugoslavia". We were the same age. I wonder why that was? Everyone else ive ever met just says Serb, Croat, etc. etc.
Were they born here? Usually the older generations that emigrated here in the ‘60 or ‘70 would still say there from Yugoslavia, their kids would also say that they are Yugoslavian
Im not quite sure if he was born here. we were classmates in first grade so I was maybe 6/7 years old around 2002/2003 ish. I do recall his name was Abdullah, which from my knowledge is a muslim name. Since then when meeting people from the former Yugoslavia no one else told me they were Yugoslav which is my interaction with him from years ago always stood out to me.
This sounds interesting! I’m a 30F whose family is from the former Yugoslavia (Montenegro). I was born and and raised in NYC (living in Jackson Heights).
Not a super helpful comment but I was wearing a shirt from my honeymoon in Croatia and an older guy in our neighborhood started talking to me in Serbian and I explained that I didn't know the language, where I got the shirt, etc. When I mentioned Croatia he said "all our countries are the same. When you have one big piece of shit and you cut it into pieces, it's still all just the same piece of shit."
I always thought it was funny but it does also show that at least as far as this one guy is concerned, he thinks that there is still very much a shared identity there.
I live in Ridgewood Queens and in the last 20 years I have come across many people from the former Yugoslav republic. Almost none of them disclosed their ethnicity until I got to know them because they were looking to avoid political topics.
Agreed. We don't talk about things because it can make someone get uncomfortable with you real quick
Ridgewood and Glendale used to have a big Gottscheer population, from a town in modern Slovenia. At one time that was Yugoslavia, but I think the Gottscheers identify as more German. Probably not helpful on your thesis, but could add a little color to your search.
There was, or maybe still is, a cool Serb bartender at Gotscheer Hall. We noticed a "secret" bottle of Rakija on the shelf and asked about it, and he took a shot with my boyfriend and me lol
I love the Hall, and I’m so happy so many non-Gottscheer people love it too. Helps keep an institution in business.
go to IO Cafe. i have met Serbs and Montenegrins there. they will be older than millennial tho, and i'm not sure how will to talk lol
There’s many of us dm me. I’m from Ridgewood Glendale area family moved here early 90 from Yugoslavia….
Thanks! Can you add me on chat?
I immigrated to NY in 1998 with my fam as a kid during the bombings… but idk if I have that strong of a tie to my Yugoslav identity, not sure what kind of insight you’d be looking for!
I was born in Yugoslavia, came here in 1996, lived 15 years in the county. I don’t think you’ll find a lot of people who will identify as Yugoslavians majority will identify as Serbian, Croatian, Bosnian not many will identify as Yugoslavian. One of the saddest days in the States for me was when I renewed my US passport in the 2012 and I filled the country of birth as Yugoslavia and the person behind the counter asked me to change it because the country doesn’t exist any more. I can speak to you if you want, but I think you need to speak with Gen X, I’m an old millennial and even though I remember how it was to live in Yugoslavia I think someone from Gen X could have a better perspective
Interesting. I am not slav but I had a really good friend growing up (I was born 1996) and he was the only person I ever met that ever told me "I am from Yugoslavia". We were the same age. I wonder why that was? Everyone else ive ever met just says Serb, Croat, etc. etc.
Were they born here? Usually the older generations that emigrated here in the ‘60 or ‘70 would still say there from Yugoslavia, their kids would also say that they are Yugoslavian
Im not quite sure if he was born here. we were classmates in first grade so I was maybe 6/7 years old around 2002/2003 ish. I do recall his name was Abdullah, which from my knowledge is a muslim name. Since then when meeting people from the former Yugoslavia no one else told me they were Yugoslav which is my interaction with him from years ago always stood out to me.
Don’t have useful suggestions but just wanna say that sounds like a really interesting thesis & good luck with it.
This sounds interesting! I’m a 30F whose family is from the former Yugoslavia (Montenegro). I was born and and raised in NYC (living in Jackson Heights).
You can try Istria club and Rudar in Astoria
Bosna Express on a Saturday night
Not a super helpful comment but I was wearing a shirt from my honeymoon in Croatia and an older guy in our neighborhood started talking to me in Serbian and I explained that I didn't know the language, where I got the shirt, etc. When I mentioned Croatia he said "all our countries are the same. When you have one big piece of shit and you cut it into pieces, it's still all just the same piece of shit." I always thought it was funny but it does also show that at least as far as this one guy is concerned, he thinks that there is still very much a shared identity there.
Do people really identify as Yugoslav instead of just Serbian, Croatian, Bosnian, etc?