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Culturally correct: How to behave like a local in Greece
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To say my friend Costas has an exuberant nature is an understatement.
Take the way he talks.
This Greek friend says more with his hands than he does with his mouth. He is apt to gesture with every sentence, making pictures with his hands that silently tell the story.
Actually, even when this brainy fellow is not talking at all, his hands are busy fingering a bunch of beads. This seems to calm Costas's nervous nature.
The first time I saw my friend fiddling with a string of beads, I thought he was handling a rosary. Knowing Costas is not religious, I asked him about the habit.
"These are my worry beads," he told me, clearing up the mystery with that simple sentence.
Some Greek ways are often easy to understand, although some are not. That said, following are some cultural practices you may encounter during a visit to the ancient country of Greece:
+ If you ask a question and your Greek companion nods in response, this does not designate the affirmative. In fact, a slight upward nod means no, not yes. However, a tilt of the head to either the left or the right means yes, not no.
+ Expect to eat a sumptuous meal in the middle of the day in Greece where the main meal is commonly lunch, not dinner.
+ Looking for your dessert spoon? It's usually found at the top of your place setting when dining in Greece.
+ Don't be alarmed if, instead of a hearty handshake, your Greek colleague hugs you instead. In this European nation, meeting and greeting can take many forms, even in business circles. You may even meet a cohort who gives you a kiss on the cheek or a friendly slap on the back.
+ It is always good to be on time to a meeting, but do not be surprised if your Greek counterpart runs late instead. Being punctual in this part of the world is not as important as it is in, say, Switzerland.
+ In situations where a line might be formed--say at a bus stop--don't be put off if there is no line to be found. Forming a queue in Greece is not necessarily the way things are done and if they are, the queue is not necessarily orderly so don't be surprised (and don't get mad) if a whole bunch of people cut in front of you.
+ When you ask for directions, say to a museum or to a particular restaurant, make sure you ask someone who actually knows the answer. Asking any person on the street may get you an answer, just not necessarily the right one. This is not because that person wants to steer you in the wrong direction but merely because the answer is funded by a memory of where the landmark you seek is located. So, to be sure you eventually get where you are going, ask for help from a colleague or from your hotel concierge before you venture out on your own.
+ If someone smiles at you, don’t think that necessarily means he or she is happy. In Greece, a grin can mean a person is upbeat and it can also mean a person is upset, or worse, downright angry.
+ If you happen to be dining out with your Greek colleagues and all of them suddenly get up to dance, don't be shy even if you have two left feet. Joining in not only shows you to be a good sport but also that you are a friendly person who is interested in taking part in a very popular Greek custom.
Please note: This is by now means an exhaustive list on how to be culturally correct in Greece. If you have more tips, please add a comment with that information. Thank you!
For further information, go to http://www.visitgreece.gr/
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