(Ok, really trying not to sound like I have ethnic prejudices, this is meant more of a heads up, what should I know type of thing. Like don’t offer someone who is Jewish a double bacon cheeseburger, or don’t accidentally call someone from X country a citizen of Y country. I realize of course this is painting with a broad brush and the best way to know someone is to ask…that will come. I am asking for just a few pointers to be the best host I can be.)
My “Air B&B” place is getting off the ground with our first longer stay visitors. We will be hosting a couple from Macedonia, who are studying English and working part time in Vancouver for three months. The wife speaks English very well, and they are happy to find a reasonably priced place in our neighbourhood. We have exchanged information, booking and payment is all arranged, room is furnished! The couple is in their late twenties and sound fine.
Are their any faux-pas I should avoid? i don’t know much about Macedonia except recent history (Former Yogoslavian Republic of Macedonia controversy, etc) and whatever I have found in tourist sites. I know even less about the people/culture. Their names are ethnically Russian-sounding to me, and her accent sounds similar to Russian/Ukranian/ accents I have known from immigrants in the past.
Obviously I am not going to discuss Balkan politics right away, or at all unless they bring it up, but help a clueless north american out, a bit.
The Macedonian language is highly intelligible with Bulgarian, and many consider it pretty much the same language continuum. It may or may not be PC to imply that their language is just a dialect of Bulgarian. The language is in a different subfamily than Russian and Ukranian (Eastern branch of South Slavic vs. East Slavic).
Don’t talk about Alexander the Great. Or rather it’s worse the other way: the part of Greece called Macedonia wants the name for themselves.
Culturally? Probably lots of similarities to their neighbors, but someone might know better. Some here have lived in that area.
Balkan politics are probably the biggest area where a North American could make a faux pas with a Macedonian. If you avoid bringing up the topic, and are cautious when/if they do, you should be fine.
Some Greek and Bulgarian historians and linguists have questioned whether Macedonians are a distinct ethnic group with a distinct language. This is also an area better avoided.
Otherwise, a few basic facts: Macedonian is a South Slavic language written with the Cyrillic alphabet. Bulgarian is at least a close relative, regardless of where one stands on the language issue.
The Macedonian Orthodox Church is the predominant religion among ethnic Macedonians, although some are Muslim and there is a small community of Byzantine-rite Catholics. Islam is also prevalent among the large Albanian minority in the country.
Macedonia is not yet a member of the European Union, but it has been an official candidate since 2005. The name of the country remains a thorny question in re: its EU membership.
Came in to say that they are probably (but don’t assume) Orthodox. Will you be sharing/providing meals in some fashion regularly? Many Orthodox observe the fasting laws which can rival that of keeping kosher. 
They *may *also want to use candles or incense periodically.
Cite: Am Orthodox, though a rather lousy one.
I would add to the others’ thoughts: don’t bring up Greece. 
Do ask about ethnic/folk music. It’s a lot of fun! Also barbecue.
I am a political person, but I generally don’t bring up politics with strangers unless I am reasonably sure we are on the same page, (I know them from a message board, a friend of a friend, he or she is wearing a badge or tshirt or something that gives me an idea of a cause with which I agree.) As a host /proprietor I see no need to discuss politics. The history of that region is too rife with various conflicts that I could not even assume to understand on a cursorary reading of websites and Wikipaedia. The couple are mid/late 20s (26 and 28 I believe) and they have grown up in troubling times in a changing region. All I want to do is promote “Canadians are good people” in general and “Mona Lisa Simpson and family are good people” in particular.
It is going to be a “do your own cooking” arrangement, although I will be providing fresh fruit and baking /cereal on week days and a cooked breakfast on the weekend, of which they are welcome to partake.Obviously any dietary restrictions/observances will be discussed on Saturday when we meet. I intend to invite them to my Canadian Thanksgiving Dinner on Monday, October 13th, if they are able to attend with their schedules.
I am very interested in folk music, so if they have any musical talents they wish to share I would love to hear them.
Don’t stab them. I hear Macedonians don’t like to be stabbed