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/2011/0
5/the-latest-cultural-clues-dos-taboos-a-seriesof-cultural-tips-for-countries-from-a-to-zcommunication-guidelines-for-greece/