Creating this guide needed to be done as throughout my studies in America I have been asked many questions (often foolish) about what Greeks are like. Having created this guide, one will find answers to all the stereotypical questions people often ask Greeks about their culture. This is not meant to critisize those who do not understand the Greeks, but rather provide them with accurate information on primarily our religious, social, and economical values many foreigners have inaccurate information on. Let’s begin.
We do not smash plates. If practiced, one would find it at a marriage, and even then it is hardly done. Smashing plates was originally done at weddings which represented the “throwing away” of their old lives, and beginning of a new one. Being a superstitous culture as well, smashing plates meant keeping the evil spirits away. But, this practice was in fact outlawed in public by the government due to safety concerns back in 1969. Aside from legal reprecussions, Greeks do not act trashy and disrespectful. Breaking objects in general for entertainment is behavior that is directly related to trashy, innapropriate, and malevolent behavior and Greeks are not that. Whatever is portrayed of Greeks in pop culture is often exagerated, and mostly false to begin with.
As silly as this sounds, I have had many people legiteamitely ask if I, and Greeks in general, still worship Zeus and believe in mythology. There are many who say this as a joke, but to those who are being serious, the answer is no. In Greece we practice the Greek Orthodox faith and follow our calendar very seriosuly. That means every Greek Orthodox Holiday is celebrated here from Easter, Christmas, Saint Days (“Name Days”), Epiphany, Pentecost, and many more days not listed. So in short, Greeks are Christian and have their own sect of Christianity called Greek Orthodox.
Lazy. To whoever classifies the Greeks as lazy in general, I would like to point out the following. Aristotle Onassis, Konstantinos “Dean” Metropolous, Philip Niarchos, and many more names originate from Greece. Besides holding a high percentage of billionares and millionares, many Greeks have dominated the shipping industry, work their own medical practices, and even found their way to Hollywood as common jobs. We are a culture that has earned these positions, no one on the list given inherited their wealth, and in fact, there is no nationality with as small of a population as the Greeks that has left such a big mark in society. The most sought after medical doctors in the United States and UK are either from Greece or Greek heritage, most successful shipping tyrant (Onassis) is Greek, and many Greeks run their own businesses. We are not a culture that likes to talk more than we do, we earn everything that is given to us. Actions speak louder than words, and that phrase speaks to the Greeks and their work ethic. Holding the most hours worked during the week in Europe, Greece is actually at first place in the entire EU. So yes, we are far from Lazy, especially when working abroad.
OPA! – a word used for surprise, that really, no one uses anymore. Many find it funny to say, specifically the Americans, but really, I find it a random word to be attached too. If one wants to gain respect and talk to a Greek, learn the Greek language and common Greek words, Opa is not one of them. Saying this to a Greek is a dead giveaway that you are trying to be foolish with them about our culture or say something along the lines of a stereotype. Refrain from using this word, as well as the “M” word. If you know anything, even if its little, about Greece, you know which “M” word I am referring to.
We are not as loud and obnoxious as you think. Sometimes speaking loud is often correlated with being violent, rude, and angry, here in Greece it is called being passionate and happy. We love to see each other on a daily basis and talk about life, so when you hear a Greek being “loud” its always in a good way. Compared to other cultures we are not all loud (literally) as the stereotype goes. I would personally say we are slightly above average, but the reputation Greeks have of being obnoxiously loud 24/7 is not true. We know how to behave, and speaking in a room voice and appropriate tone is widely practiced.
There are a few stereotypes I know I am missing, but that is on purpose. I wanted to highlight the most widely heard stereotypes that exist about the Greeks. As a short list, I covered a lot of material that I hope you will take with you.
SKG.7 