The article discusses the special or even emotional attitude of anthropologists and ethnologists in direct contacts with informants during field work, which they can hardly avoid in spite of their endeavours to remain as objective as possible. It sheds light on the reflections and dilemmas of researchers - anthropologists and ethnologists - during field work and in their interaction with the local inhabitants, as well as on the reflections and experiences of the author during her research work in the village of Sv. Peter in Istria.