In general, Greeks are exceptionally friendly and curious, to an extent that can seem intrusive, certainly to a reserved Brit. Don't be surprised at being asked personal questions, even on short acquaintance, or having your personal space invaded.
Why Greeks are so friendly? Greece's friendly reputation amongst expats and tourists likely stems from the longstanding Greek value of hospitality, or “philoxenia.” Philoxenia, which literally means “friend of a stranger” in Ancient Greek, is an ancient concept that is still very prominent in modern Greece.
Greeks are warm and hospitable. When meeting someone for the first time, they shake hands firmly, smile, and maintain direct eye contact. Good friends often embrace; they may also kiss each other on each cheek. Male friends often slap each other's arm at the shoulder.
Greek physician Hippocrates believed that humans could be divided into four temperaments—distinct yet overlapping personality types. These temperaments—Sanguine, Phlegmatic, Choleric, and Melancholic—are based on "humors," bodily fluids within the microcosm of the body that cause illness if imbalanced.
Nodding your head "yes" is not polite; say "yes" instead. "Yes" is signified by a slight downward nod of the head; “no" is a slight upward nod of the head. The “O.K.” sign is a rude gesture; "thumbs up" means O.K.
Akrasia (/əˈkreɪziə/; Greek ἀκρασία, "lacking command" or "weakness", occasionally transliterated as acrasia or Anglicised as acrasy or acracy) is a lack of self-control, or acting against one's better judgment.
Greek values that are present in The Odyssey are loyalty, hospitality, self-control, and family. Detailed answer: Homer's poem tells the story of Odysseus – the king of Ithaca.
Ancient Greek females also had body ideals to follow, softly shapen with rounded buttocks, long, wavy hair and a gentle face. In a time where many lived in poverty, to be larger and to carry extra fat on your body showed that you had wealth and could afford to eat to your satisfaction.
As a Mediterranean people, Greeks love passion and are not afraid to say what they think and feel. So, they won't be afraid to express their feelings, often with big, dramatic words and gestures (after all, they invented drama), or even dedicate songs to you. The same can be said for arguments.
A philosophical ideal of ancient Greeks who believed that each person should have a harmonious blend (sometimes called balance) of physical, mental, and spiritual aspects. From: Greek ideal in The Oxford Dictionary of Sports Science & Medicine »
Physical Contact: Greeks are generally very tactile people, comfortable with open affection. Hugging and kissing is common in public spaces.
Common stereotypes surrounding Greek life members is that they are dumb, rich, clones of each other, who only like to party and do not get along with other chapters. These stereotypes are portrayed in movies like Neighbors (2014) and Animal House (1978).
Homer's Odyssey shows many of the traits that the Greeks have valued. Probably, the most important of these values are hospitality, loyalty and obedience.
It's a core value that Greeks live by, which makes them “stand out” from the rest of the world as far as culture and hospitality go. Filotimo encompasses dignity, pride, and honor as well as the ideal actions and behaviors, hospitality, trust, and bonds between each other.
Greek is considered a hard language for native English speakers to learn. This is because there are significant linguistic differences between the two languages, including the alphabet used. But with dedication and persistence, you should be able to learn conversational Greek.
The reason many English speakers find Greek to be so difficult is that it's not closely related to the English language. Greek grammar has unusual features, a foreign alphabet, and sometimes tricky pronunciation.
The Greek diet is regarded as one of the healthiest in the world because it's based largely on fruit and vegetables, whole grains, fish, and a small amount of cheese and yogurt.
The average Greek man may be looking for a companion, but he is certainly not looking for an equal partner. He wants a woman to support his image, make his coffee, cook his dinner, wash and iron his clothes, raise his children, and when necessary, massage his ego so that he still feels like a man.
The common verbal greeting in Greece is “Yassas” (Hello) or the more informal “Yiasoo”. Address people by their appropriate title, e.g. 'Keerios' (Mr) for men and 'Keeria' (Mrs) for women.