4. Values & Beliefs
Values:
Ypohreosi is one’s sense of
obligation or duty to another person
for a special favour or service received
Masculinity. The Greek culture is
very competitive and assertive
Time. It is very important not
to make elderly members of the
community wait.
7. Values & Beliefs
Greek customs and practices:
Tihi (Tyche) = ‘luck’ or ‘fate’.
Mira (Moira) = ‘portion’ and refers to one’s
destiny in life.
Mira (Moira) = ‘portion’ and refers to one’s
destiny in life.
Matiasma = "the evil eye“
Katara = ‘curse’.
8. Values & Beliefs
Superstition:
Handing a knife to someone
Crows
Tuesday the 13th day of the month
Shoes turned with the soles facing up
Touching a red-coloured item
Using the same door
Placing money in something new
9. Tradition & Gestures
Tradition - Festival:
January 1st, the New
Year's Day
celebrated with church
services
cut the vassilopitavassilopita, a
sweat bread with a coin
inside which brings good
luck for the year to come
to its finder.
10. Tradition & Gestures
Tradition - Festival:
THE POTHARIKO
Pay particular mind to the good/bad omen
regarding who will first enter their home in
the new year ( pothariko).
11. Tradition & Gestures
Tradition - Festival:
THE POTHARIKO
Ask a close friend or relative, whom they
consider lucky, to be the first to come into
their house the following day.
innocent
malice-envy
12. Tradition & Gestures
THE KALI HERA
THE SQUILL (SEA-ONION) FOR
LUCK
Its long surviving power can be
transmitted to humans and inanimate
objects
=> hung in the home at the New Year.
It is an ancient good luck custom which
has been around since
the 6 th century B.C., but it has more
or less been abandoned today.
13. Tradition & Gestures
Tradition - Festival:
January 6th, the Epiphany
celebrated with church services
A priest throws a cross into the water, thus
blessing the waters.
The younger people of the village - jump in
the usually icy water and compete in
retrieving the cross. The one who brings the
cross up to the surface will enjoy good luck
and health for the entire year.
24. Gestures
“No”
This is done by raising the entire head in a
backwards movement and clicking the
tongue.
“Yes”
A slow down movement of the head to one
side, slightly closing the eyes as the
head is lowered.
25. Gestures
“I want to tell you
something”
Touching or patting
the lower lip with the
index finger, and can
easily be
misunderstood, as it
looks as if you are
being told to be quiet.
26. Gestures
"What do you want / what do you
mean?“
With a quizzical expression in his/her
eyes, the Greek will shake his/her head
from side to side a few times.
"Thank you very much my friend“
The "Yes" gesture is followed by putting
the right hand to the heart.
28. Rituals & Practices
Greek welcome their
guests with warm
hugs and kisses on
both cheeks.
They are dead
absorbed in
arguments.
Body Language
29. Rituals & Practices
What some gestures in Greece mean
Body Language
a
romance
excellence insult/
doubt
NoYes
30. Rituals & Practices
What some gestures of Greek mean
Body Language
rudeness
(called as
moutza)how
Greek
wave
an obscene
insult
31. Rituals & Practices
Meeting and Greeting
Shake hands with everyone present--men,
women and children--at a business or social
meeting. Shake hands again when leaving.
Good friends are most likely to embrace and
kiss.
Daily Communication Etiquette
32. Rituals & Practices
Gifts
Always bring the hostess a gift when
invited to someone's home.
Give: expensive wines, brandy, pastries,
whiskey, cut flowers.
Do not give: inexpensive wines, knives,
sharp objects.
Daily Communication Etiquette
33. Rituals & Practices
Gifts
Business gifts are commonly exchanged
among business colleagues.
Give: expensive wines, something for
the home, Greek handicrafts, gifts with
company logo.
Do not give: inexpensive wines, sharp
objects.
Daily Communication Etiquette
34. Rituals & Practices
Dining and Entertainment
30 minutes late = punctual.
Greeks are extremely generous hosts.
Greeks may share the bill with the host,
but a foreigner should not try to do so.
The person who extends the invitation
pays.
Daily Communication Etiquette
35. Rituals & Practices
Dining and Entertainment
Eat everything on your plate.
Eat more, stay longer or do whatever a
host insists upon. The offer will be very
sincere.
Daily Communication Etiquette
36. Rituals & Practices
Dining and Entertainment
Try to join in Greek dances. It is greatly
appreciated.
Business dinners are social occasions.
Follow your host's lead as to whether or
not business is discussed at dinner.
Be extremely careful of your wine
intake.
Daily Communication Etiquette
37. Rituals & Practices
Dress Attire
Dress conservatively for business functions.
Men may wear a nice, dark-colored suit, while
women may wear a dark-colored dress or
suit.
Business Communication Etiquette
38. Rituals & Practices
During the business meeting
Understand that nepotism is acceptable and
common in Greek business.
Try to schedule a meeting 1 to 2 weeks in
advance, and confirm the meeting by phone
the day before.
Don’t expect business to be conducted
immediately.
Business Communication Etiquette
39. Rituals & Practices
During the business meeting
Have your information and business cards
printed in Greek, and consider hiring an
interpreter.
Don't be aloof, irritable, or angry at
meetings.
Be patient. Business happens at a much
slower pace in Greece.
Business Communication Etiquette
