Paying and Tipping
Soums are the sole legal currency in Uzbekistan. However, foreigners are obliged to pay hard currency for rooms in hotels, air tickets and railway tickets. Yet restaurants in the hotels accept Uzbek soums as well.
Though in some large shops prices are given in US Dollars, all cash payments must be in soums. Uzbekistan is a country where cash transfers dominate. National Bank of Uzbekistan NBU has introduced soum cards which are taken in some large shops and air ticketing agencies. In restaurants cash is prevalent.
Tipping is a matter of your choice. Local guides and drivers, especially those who accompany you through your journey in Uzbekistan would expect tip upon completion of your itinerary.
Usually, porters at hotels and airports are tipped as well. Unless you believe you are asked exorbitant sums, you can pay as you think fit; one to three dollars would be sufficient.
Television and Radio
Uzbek TV is represented by five channels. Also, Russian TV channels are available through satellite dishes and local TV networks. A state-run KAMALAK TV Company broadcasts about 25 channels in Tashkent including CNN, BBC, Sports, Music, etc.
The number of radio stations is rapidly increasing, with about ten local and at least two Russian (Europa Plus and Mayak).
Newspapers and Magazines
There is a number of English-language newspapers published in the country, one of which is Central Asian Times available through retail services and in major hotels.
Also, foreign newspapers and magazines can be bought at slightly inflated prices from the major hotels.
Food
In Uzbekistan, cold tap water can be safely used for drinking. However, it is a good tradition to boil cold tap water for making tea (green of black) and drink it during meals. Hot tap water CANNOT be used as drinking water.
In some regions of Uzbekistan, such as Khorezm (Urgench, Khiva), Karakalpakstan (Nukus) and Bukhara, cold water, even though safe, is not normally used as drinking water because of too much salt in it.
It is strongly recommended to rinse fruit and vegetables before eating. Some prefer to use boiling water for this purpose, though local people always get away with regular tap water.
A wide range of bottled mineral water brands (both sparkling and natural) is available throughout Uzbekistan and it is recommended to have a good stock of bottles at hand, especially, in summer.
Delicious locally made natural juices are available on the market and they may serve as a very nice addition to your ration in the country.
Alcohol Drinks
Uzbekistan is abundant in fruit and grapes. A great variety of red wines, vodka and beer brands are offered to travelers, including local red wine and beer. Also, foreign-made wine and beer (mainly, Russian and European) are available.
Though most of Uzbekistan’s population are Muslims, drinking alcohol is not regarded as something unusual. In summer, people usually drink alcohol after the heat abates. Heavy drinking and debauches are condemned by the public opinion.
Eating Hints
Foreign food often unsettles the stomach, but Uzbek dishes are unlikely to do any serious harm provided that some rules that Uzbeks keep to for centuries are followed.
Uzbeks are used to oily dishes. They eat fried meat (mainly mutton) in big quantities in the composition of traditional dishes, such as pilav, lagman, etc. The abundance of meat and oil in the daily ration is set off by certain habits of Uzbeks which are often neglected by visitors.
First off, never drink cold water together with the main course with meat or fat. Instead drink a lot of hot green tea. Second, the locals eat much salads made of tomatoes and other vegetables along with the main course. Third and the last is the timing. Light dishes, containing sour milk and yogurts, and soups are served during breakfast and lunch, and heavy meals are left for dinner when it is cooler.
Dress Code
There is no special dress code for everyday use, especially in Tashkent and other major cities where people, particularly, the youth, enjoy full liberty with clothing. You can frequently encounter young ladies wearing traditional Islamic covers, but this is a personal preference rather than a must.
In some provinces, however, such as Ferghana Valley, it would be better to avoid wearing shorts. Same rule is applied when visiting religious places, mosques, mausoleums, etc. Also, ladies should cover their shoulders and chest and preferably wear a hat or a headscarf.
In summer time it would be advisable to follow the above recommendation to protect yourself from the sun. Also, sun protection lotions can be used.
Etiquette
Uzbek society is a fanciful blend of religious and cultural norms, traditions and codes, some of which root in the Soviet past, whereas others come with growing Western influence of the present.
Uzbek people are known for their hospitality. They are happy to have guests in their homes. Such an invitation will be followed by generous feast and drinks. Local people always serve as many dishes as they have in stock. What is often seen by visitors as an unreasonable waste of food, is in reality the sign of respect for the valuable guest. It does not matter whether you eat it all or not, the rule is that plates should never be empty and guests should feel not in the least embarrassed by possible shortage of food.
Unlike some countries, it is not accepted to drink beer or other alcohol drinks on the street, though foreign guests can get away with it. Smoking in public places or on public transport is not prohibited, but a woman with a lit cigarette on the street may provoke an unwanted reaction.
Women generally enjoy equal rights and are free to behave same way as men. But it is a national tradition that girls are brought up in the spirit of modesty and conservatism so they choose an appropriate behavior for themselves.
Language
The Uzbek language belongs to the family of Turkic languages and during the 20th century a series of linguistic reforms was carried out to replace the initial Arabian alphabet by the Latin script, then by Cyrillic during the Soviet time. After independence in 1991 Latin letters were re-introduced and are in effect now.
Russian is used almost everywhere too, in some regions Tajik is prevalent.
These days many people, especially the youth, speak some English and the passers-by on the street will do their best to show direction if asked. Knowledge of a few Uzbek words will be appreciated and taken as a sign of respect.
Disabled Travelers
Uzbekistan has few facilities for the disabled. Transport is difficult to access, entrances have steps and narrow doors. There are rarely public lifts. Metro entrances and underpasses in Tashkent, as well as some of office main entrances are equipped with rails for wheel-chairs, but they only represent an intention, rather than a working facility. It takes real determination for disabled travelers to get around.
Student Travelers
Students and youth in general enjoy certain privileges on public transport and museums. Also, Uzbek Airways (Uzbekistan Havo Yullary) offers rebates for young people under 28.
International students cards of all kinds are usually not accepted for discounts.
Traveling with Children
In Uzbek families children are seen as the gift of God, therefore travelers in the company of under-teens are likely to attract a good deal of attention and many compliments. Children are usually treated with special care and in big cities, e.g. Tashkent, there is a number of play parks, the Aqua Park, Tashkent Land, etc.
In museums and public transport under-fives are not charged. Schoolchildren pay the full price on transport but pay a reduced price at museums.
Electrical Appliances
The current is 220V, 50 Hz, AC two pin plugs. Sockets in some of the old buildings do not take modern European plugs which have slightly thicker pins. To deal with this, adaptors are widely available locally.
With American appliances you will need a 220:110 current adaptor which is a little more difficult to find.
Public Toilets
Many cafes and bars have no toilet facilities and in general the rather unhygienic public toilets are best avoided. It would be much better to go to the nearest hotel, or, if there is no alternative, to use pay toilets.
It should be noted that toilet facilities are scarce even in Tashkent, not to mention provincial capitals or the areas along the motorways. In this context, the WC facilities in on-the-way choy-khonas (tea cafes) and petrol stations should be made use of. Or, if you drive in a coach and totally lack an alternative, you may use what the locals call five-star toilets, i.e. bushes along the road.
Transportation
Taxi and bus services operate between the airport and the city center.
Buses, trams and trolley buses are the cheapest modes of transportation with the fare 90 uzbek soums. There are also commercial mini buses so named "marshrutnoe taxi" following practically every public transportation route for 150 Uzbek soums day time and 200 Uzbek sums night time; in addition to regular stops they make stops upon requests. The taxis are also available in the city and depending on the distance and time of day the charge is usually about 50-60 Uzbek soums per one km. In the evening time and during the night the charge will double. Placing a call for a taxi is now of usual practice, given the big number of companies such as "Taxi voyage" (telephone: +998 (71) 132-2222) providing this service for 24 hours a day. |
