Body Language It is useful to be aware that in Bulgaria, according to local custom, a nod of the head means ‘no’ and a shake of the head means ‘yes’. However, natives usually reverse this when talking to foreigners, so it is probably best not to try to change this body language when conversing with locals. It could all get a little confusing.   Electricity 220 volts AC. Round 2-pin plugs are used. So don’t forget to bring an adapter for your electrical goods.   Laundrettes Laundrettes and Dry cleaners are extremely rare in Bulgaria, with most being situated near housing estates, away from tourist routes. Most 4* and 5* hotels do offer a laundry service but these can be quite costly.     Shopping Hours Big city shops are usually open from 8.30am until 6.30pm, Mondays to Fridays. On Saturdays most shops close by 2pm. In rural areas shops usually take an unofficial siesta between 12pm and 3pm. Superstitions Bulgarians believe that if you put your bag on the floor, you will inevitably lose all your money. Seeing a spider in your home indicates that you will have a visit from a guest. When buying flowers for someone, make sure you by an odd number of blooms, an even number of flowers is only for funerals.   Time Bulgaria is 2 hours ahead of GMT and 7 hours ahead of EST. Water It is safe to drink from all taps and drinking fountains in Bulgaria. Or if you prefer, bottled mineral water is widely available.   Toilets Public toilets can be found in all train stations and most bus and petrol stations. On the whole they are very clean and are of a higher standard than public toilets in the UK.