Just like with any destination, Greece has its own set of rules and etiquette that need to be followed for you to fit in fine and dandy. In this article, we’ll be going through the do’s and don’ts while staying in Greece. To help you paint a better picture of Greece’s do’s and don’ts, we list here some details about clothing, food, beverages, and transportation.
Also Read: Philippine Embassy in Athens, Greece
So, if you are soon moving to Greece for a vacation or for work, this list will help you think about the things you need to adjust. Whether it’s the dress code or the food, you can get ideas on how you can behave while with the locals or while exploring the country.
How to Behave in Greece
Greece sounds like a sophisticated country and truly, it is. Although Greece is a friendly country to expats, you still need to manage your behavior when you go there. To properly behave in the country, you need the dos and don’ts. The reason for this is that you need the dos and don’ts basically showcase the behavior that is acceptable and not acceptable to the locals of Greece. So, you need to get familiar with these things.
Let’s start with dos.
Do’s in Greece
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Do wear clothing that will cover your shoulders and legs.
Greece is rich with the influence of its predominant religion and church, the Greek Orthodox. It’s not rare to pass by several churches around the country and see its lovely members. Because of that, Greek is relatively a conservative country that would rather see tourists and locals alike in clothing that is not revealing. If you are fond of visiting monasteries and churches, then you’ll have to especially take note of these. To pay respect to this etiquette, it’s advisable that you wear something that will cover your shoulders and legs well. If you are not the type who would wear jeans, then it’s also okay to just bring a shawl or scarf to cover them up.
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Do try local food for a Greek experience.
Greece and its people love it when tourists and even residents alike display even a slight hint of decency and decorum. This also extends to how you should drink and eat food. One thing to mention about Greek’s food and beverage culture is that they are all about coffee. For coffee lovers here, you won’t find a shortage of it in Greece, along with people just chilling and sipping cups of it for hours on end. But one thing you should know is to not rush it. You should take all the time in the world to enjoy your beverage.
- Do try to keep your voice down as some people are on their way home after a long day at work
- Do learn to fall in line and follow each Metro’s respective rules accordingly.
- Do accept two kisses on the cheek as a form of greetings.
- Do accept an invitation for a meal, whether it’s lunch or dinner at someone’s house. This is one way Greeks welcome their visitors to the country. So, as much as possible, don’t reject their hospitality.
After these dos, we also have the don’ts that you should not forget. These are the things that should be avoided.
Don’ts in Greece
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Don’t wear revealing clothes.
Not everyone will be in favor of this don’t, but visiting a country also means you have to respect their culture and views. This does not only apply to women, but to men as well. Greece and its people love a display of decorum, and it all starts with how you dress yourself up – be it a tourist or a resident.
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Don’t binge on your food and drink.
Binging your drink will seem disrespectful to the locals since it’s an important part of their food culture. When you are out and about to get lunch, refrain from rushing and take all the time you need to appreciate its taste. Lastly, the worst offender for Greeks is when people start drinking before the clock hits 11. Greeks usually go out and start partying at around 11, so if you’re a tourist who is not willing to abide by their rules, then you will seem distasteful, especially when you go thrashing around their streets and vomit after getting drunk. So my tip is for you to take your time with everything you do in Greece! They are calm and reserved with everything they do, and they would love it if you do the same.
- Don’t litter. They are doing their best to keep it clean and presentable, so don’t add to their problems.
- Don’t speak loudly, especially at the metro.
- Don’t be uncomfortable when you see someone smokes indoors. This is normal in Greece since there is a big portion of its population that smoke.
Tips when going to Greece
When going to Greece, one of the useful things to do is to learn—learn about the culture of the country, the tradition of the locals, the norms in the society, the laws of the nation, the basic rules and regulations, and so on. This information will help you prepare for your new life as an expat in Greece. Whenever you are moving from one country to another, you should be willing to learn no matter what. If you move to Greece without knowing a single thing about it, you might end up isolating yourself without experiencing socializing with the locals.
Of course, it’s safe to assume that changes will be big. If you are coming from the Philippines or another part of Asia for example, Greece will be significantly different. However, the most important deal here is that you can experience a different environment, whether you are in the country for a vacation only or you are going to be working here for a while.
Greece is home to many expats. If you want to be on good terms with the locals, remember to learn the dos and don’ts above. Share this with your friends and family who are going to Greece soon.