Interesting Facts In Greece people celebrate the

Interesting Facts • In Greece, people celebrate the “name day” of the saint that bears their name rather than their own birthday. • Greece has the lowest crime rate in Europe, and second in the world. • Greece is currently the most sexually active country in the world. (Durex Global Sex Survey) • Greece has the highest smoking rates in Europe • • Greece came third in Europe, when asking "Do you believe in God" -- 83% said yes. Greek men and women have the highest incidence of obesity in Europe. • 80% of Greece is mountainous and 50% is covered by forests. • • Athens is the oldest city in Europe, and the birthplace of democracy. Greece is considered 'the cradle of Western Civilization • Greece has more goats than any other country in Europe. (Ever wonder why we always eat lambs at Easter? ) • Greece is the only country in the world that is officially Orthodox (Christian) Greece is the only country in Europe where state and religion is united. • Greece has about 3, 000 islands. (227 are inhibited) • Santa Claus is Greek. (St Nicholas was a rich Greek that used to donate his money to the poor) • 13% of the English Dictionary is derived from Greek words. • Famous ancient Greeks are: Homer, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Alexander the Great, Cleopatra. • Greece is home to the Olympic Games, and the Highest mountain in Greece is Olympus, in which the Greek Gods were supposed to live at.

Way of life and traditions Greeks are religious, majority of population of Greece is jealous orthodoxy, and here a greek coast is occupied by the first place in the world on the amount of nude beachs, and the island of Mikonos is considered as the European place of rest of sexual minorities, such a greek Ibica. Quiet and valid attitude is here accepted toward a church, but not moreover. Thus any type of disrespect to the greek state system or church, and also to their office workers, can make off deplorably.

Greeks are very superstitious, ancient heathen traditions are brightly traced thus. Someone is not accepted to praise, especially from the family members. Almost all carry original amulets - each it, but it is more frequent than all possible to see a simple turquoise bead (especially for children), sometimes with the eye drawn on it is a popular tourist souvenir. At any "danger" a greek necessarily three times will spit out through the left shoulder and will knock on a tree. On Saturday before Easter "in a promiscuous manner" a dish (it symbolizes tearing away of death) will be broken necessarily, a that ceremony will be accomplished on wedding.

Family • Greeks consider the members of the family not only a mother, father and children but also all grandmothers, grand -dads, aunts, uncles and other cousins. • Characteristically, that parents usually build or finish building a house not for sons, but for daughters - exactly they here are the informal heirs of the parents, although by law all children have equal rights. • However respect to the elders allembracing - they are included the first in a room, it is sat down the first for a table, manage all ceremonies and are main advisers in all aspects of life of family.

Tradition compels more young women in public to submit men and not conflict with them, however much senior women can interrupt the talk of men without fear. And on the whole greek women will not especially stand upon ceremony in this question, but - only "in a circle it". A scream and bad language is in public considered the sign of lack of ability to decide the businesses independently and quietly, and that is why not welcomed frankly. Otherwise so obvious humiliation of man in the eyes of circumferential simply impermissible. But also man to elevate voice on a woman practically has no authority to do it, it quickly “give" him the label of weak man, that in local terms to correct is very unsimply.

Hospitality Guests for a greek is something sainted. In guests in Greece walk much and often, thus unlike many nearby countries it is here accepted to host in the own house, but not in a cafe or restaurant, though last not rareness. A guest is required only to observe a few simple rules - to cross the threshold of house from a right foot, to wish on an entrance something good to all house and his owners, to bring with itself a small gift, well and, certainly, ability deserves to behave at the table. As a present flowers, sweetnesses or wine, befit perfectly, it is necessary to give something more serious only in the special cases. Characteristically, that here it is not accepted to expose gifts in presence guests.

Laziness In everyday life greeks are the real hedonists. They nowhere and never take it easy, does not become taut at work, does not try "jump' higher than head", try in every way to avoid optional in their opinion "duties" and in general live by today. But do it with some special grace, not crossing the line of frank laziness and idleness. Many mark that the spirit of competition is alien greeks.

Thus traditional "Mediterranean temperament" is here traced very brightly. Greeks are cheerful, possess wonderful sense of humour and all, that likes them, do with shocking passion - make merry and sad, talk and dance, argue and pray even. If to attach well-known musicality of this people and his ancient dancings traditions to it, easily to understand, what "caldron" boils on any local holiday or sorrowful event.

National dishes, culture of feed Greeks have coffee always and everywhere, even the drivers of busses sip frappe «frope» from the special mugs-thermoses. The special phenomenon in the greek mode is taverns. A typical tavern is a small restaurant with a national kitchen. In every respecting itself tavern is the sort of green red wine which gets into straight from a barrel in with a capacity of one the liter or half-litre jugs. As chance offers taste kokorecci is an unmatched cannelon, prepared on a grill. It is enough difficult to prepare this dish, therefore even in Greece of kokorecci prepare not everywhere and not every day. Brizols are good - pork chops from pair meat, most tender lettuce from greenery with yorurtom, which is named dzadzyki, fried octopus, shrimps in a mustard sauce.

Attitude toward a money Greeks sufficiently original behave to the money. A greek never will become taut beyond measure, to begin to work, but will undertake million devices, that to do it without superfluous efforts. And here fully able to down an enormous on local measurements money on a festive supper with friends or gifts native. In general there is the impression, that here much more important to rotin the fact of presence of money, what to have them in actual fact. And here scarcely it will be succeeded to reproach greeks in tight-fistedness - the wide soul and healthy sense of humour of locals does not allow them to put itself on service a money, rather vice versa.

Time Well and attitude of greeks toward time and their unpunctuality a long ago already became a parable. Many guests of country banter even, that here is only concept "Approximate time", about exact locals do not guess simply. Curriculum of motion of most facilities of transport here - a concept is so conditional, that mark "12. 00" probably will mean "somewhere from 11. 00 to 13. 00", and "after 15. 00" and quite "whether will arrive, whether it is not". Even concept of daypart for greeks it is a morning here all, that to 12. 00 "after dinner" comes not earlier than 17. 00 -18. 00, although really greeks have dinner considerably before! In Greece a supper begins not ranee 21. 00, but a "evening" stretches far for midnight.

Clothes The Greek people pride themselves on being well-dressed, so international colleagues should keep this in mind when selecting attire. Men should opt for dark blue or black business suits with white shirts and stylish ties. Women can also wear business suits in skirt or pants form, and should incorporate accessories into the work outfit. Women's makeup is noticeable, and it is even appropriate for women to wear clothes that are a little form-fitting in the workplace. Casual clothing is generally not appropriate, so jeans should not be worn in the office by men or women. In hot time of year it is accepted not to put on a coat and tie. A bank or postal office worker in shorts and shirt is the phenomenon unheard of. In everyday life greeks are democratic in clothes, in crowd of tourists it is not always possible to define an aboriginal.

Greetings It is customary for businessmen to greet each other with a firm handshake. Men who are more familiar with one another may include a light pat on the shoulder. Women who are meeting for the first time shake hands with one another; those who have met before exchange a kiss on the cheek. Businessmen and women will shake hands at an initial meeting, and it is common to touch arms or elbows during the handshake.

Personal space • • Greeks generally prefer standing close to one another while talking. A little less than an arm’s length is normal. This distance becomes greater when interacting with strangers and less when interacting with friends and family. It can be considered rude to back up or away from someone while they are speaking. There is a fair amount of touching between men and men, and women and women while conversing. Public displays of affection are quite common between genders.

Communication style • Greeks tend to speak quite loudly and with a lot of emotion. At times it may appear as if they are yelling and annoyed but it is most likely a normal tone of voice.

Taboos • The American “OK” sign is usually considered an obscene gesture. • The "moutza", consists of extending all five fingers, palm out, towards a person in a forward motion. The closer the hand is to the other person's face the more offensive it's considered. Similar to the American "talk to hand" gesture. • DO be aware of how to indicate "yes" or "no" with body language, as it's different in Greece than in the U. S. "Yes" is a slight downward nod of the head, and "No" is a slight upward nod of the head.

Titles and business cards • Titles are very important and it is best to address people directly by using their professional title or Mr. , Mrs. , or Miss, followed by the surname. • Sometimes people will use a title like, Mrs. , or Miss, followed by a person’s first name. • You should always wait to be invited to use first names before doing so yourself. • There is no specific ritual surrounding the giving of business cards although it is advisable to treat the card with respect.