Dubrovnik Explained - Cultural Dos & Don'ts

All visitors have an effect not just on the place they're visiting but on its people too. There are numerous arguments for and against this which don't need to be enumerated here - suffice it to say that it's worth considering both the environmental and social effects of your visit.

Environment
Dubrovnik's environment is in good shape, so don't spoil it - preserving it is in everyone's interest.
The biggest impact you personally can have on the environment is to start a fire on one of the islands. There's almost nothing that can be done once a fire's out of control, as the forests tend to be tinder-dry in summer. Indeed, unless there's a plentiful supply of water close by, it's advisable to avoid fires (or even naked flames) altogether.
Litter by comparison, is a simple question of ugliness. Dubrovnik's old town is cleaned every day, but that's no excuse for not finding a bin to put your litter in. Out of town, where stuff won't necessarily be picked up by the authorities, the issue is even more important. Paper tissues take months to deteriorate, orange peel positively glows, and tin cans always look horrible. So take your litter with you - and if you collect any you find along the way you can feel suitably saintly about yourself. If you're in the wilds, and you can't find a toilet, do at least bury your doings - there are few sights (or sensations) more unpleasant than coming across someone else's.

Dress/Naturism
In summer you won't look out of place in shorts and T-Shirt, but you won't be welcome in churches if you're too skimpily dressed. Seaside topless sunbathing won't usually offend, but you shouldn't really be anywhere off the beach in your swimsuit (or indeed out of it).
Since Croatia is the main homing ground for the great European naturist - and hundreds of thousands come every year just to get their kit off here - you're never that far from a naturist beach. The island of Lokrum, all of 15 minutes away, is the nearest to Dubrovnik. Naturist beaches are usually marked by 'FKK' signs.
Croatia's also the only country I've ever been to where you can go on a naturist sailing holiday. If that’s your predilection, mind your tackle!

Gay/Lesbian
Homosexuality may have been legalised a generation ago in Croatia, but you won't find people particularly tolerant or open about it. The country's first-ever gay parade wasn't held until June 2002, in Zagreb, and only a few hundred people took part - heavily protected from hecklers by a slew of riot police.
Most activity is still very much underground, and there isn't any kind of gay/lesbian scene in Dubrovnik, one of Croatia's most tolerant and liberal cities. Same-sex couples (men in particular) can still raise eyebrows (or even hackles) when checking into hotels. How you handle this will of course be up to you - some may be happy with a plausible cover story; others may find this stance too hypocritical. As everywhere, younger people tend to be more tolerant than their elders.

Drugs
Illegal drugs are best avoided. They're available, but the penalties are stiff, and harsher still for smuggling - and don't for heaven's sake be tempted or tricked into carrying anything illegal across borders.

Tipping
A service charge isn't included in your restaurant bill, so - assuming the service has been good - it's appropriate to round up to the nearest, 10 kuna or so. Don't be afraid not to tip if you think the service has been terrible, but equally don't be stingy - waiting staff in Dubrovnik aren't as well off as you are. Taxi drivers the world over expect fares to be rounded up, and those in Dubrovnik are no exception.

(Article written courtesy of the book 'Dubrovnik - The Bradt City Guide', by Piers Letcher). Many thanks for that!