CULTURAL TABOOS IN GREECE COMMUNICATION STYLE Greeks tend

CULTURAL TABOOS IN GREECE

COMMUNICATION STYLE • Greeks tend to speak quite loudly and with a lot of emotions.

• Greeks live their lives with an exclamation point.

GESTURES • Thumbs down is usually considered rude.

• The open hand facing outward is also considered offensive.

• This hand sign (three fingers up, index and thumb touching) is obscene.

WELCOME TOPICS OF CONVERSATION • Passing along a compliment or showing interest in learning more about the impact of Greece in the world

• Anything related to Greece’s history

• The great people and philosophers from Greece

• The distinct Greek Cuisine and drink

• Architecture, the progressive Greek cities, scenery and nature

• Mentioning Manchester or Liverpool is a great ice-breaker.

CONVERSATION TO AVOID • Let Greeks bring up the conversation about politics.

• Cyprus and Turkey are touchy subjects as well.

• They do not appreciate the criticisms about their society or daily life by outsiders.

• Anything negative about their food or coffee

DAILY LIFE • Be prepared for changes and delays.

• Drink ouzo in small doses

HOMOSEXUALITY • The acceptance of homosexuality is making its way Eastward very slowly.

MARRIAGE WITH AN OLDER WOMAN • Disapproval of a young man falling in love with an older woman

MARRIAGE WITH A NON-GREEK • You must marry a fellow Hellene in order to keep the culture and bloodline going.

THE STAY-AT-HOME DAD • According to many Greeks, it’s considered taboo for the husband to stay at home and watch the kids while his wife works.

CALLING F. Y. R. O. M “MACEDONIA” • You will never hear somebody utter the word “Macedonia” when referring to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

SEEING BOYS WITH EARRINGS • Older people don’t tolerate a Greek guy wearing an earring.

GOSSIP • Believe everything you hear

REFERENCES • http: //www. greekgateway. com/news/greektaboos • http: //greece-and-i. blogspot. com/2007/06/dosand-donts-in-greece-part-1. html • http: //www. culturecrossing. net/basics_business _student_details. php? Id=22&CID=82 • http: //www. circlesofexcellence. com/blog/2011/ 05/the-latest-cultural-clues-dos-taboos-a-seriesof-cultural-tips-for-countries-from-a-to-zcommunication-guidelines-for-greece/