Greeks are warm and hospitable. When meeting someone for the first time, they shake hands firmly, smile, and maintain direct eye contact. Good friends often embrace; they may also kiss each other on each cheek. Male friends often slap each other's arm at the shoulder.
How do you become a polite tourist in Greece?
How do you become a polite tourist in Greece? Always offer a greeting when you encounter another such as in a store, being seated in a cafe or when you are browsing the local markets. Be sure to use good manners and say “please”, “thank you”, “excuse me” and so on. You could even learn these phrases in Greek.
What is good manners in Greece?
It can't be overstated; The Greek people are a warm, welcoming and friendly lot. Always offer a greeting when you encounter another such as in a store, being seated in a cafe or when you are browsing the local markets. Be sure to use good manners and say “please”, “thank you”, “excuse me” and so on.
How do Greeks greet you?
The common verbal greeting in Greece is “Yassas” (Hello) or the more informal “Yiasoo”. Address people by their appropriate title, e.g. 'Keerios' (Mr) for men and 'Keeria' (Mrs) for women.
What is Greek guest etiquette?
Hosts must be hospitable to guests and provide them with a bath, food, drink, gifts, and safe escort to their next destination. It is considered rude to ask guests questions, or even to ask who they are, before they have finished the meal provided to them. The respect from guests to hosts.
How to be polite in Greece?
What is considered rude in Greece for tourists?
Two pieces of body language that can cause unintentional offence are hand gestures; don't hold your hand up, palm out, to anybody, and don't make an OK sign by forming a circle with your thumb and forefinger – both are extremely rude.
What is a rude gesture in Greece?
The worst gesture you can make in Greece is the 'moutza' which is holding up your hand like a 'stop' sign and showing the full open palm of your hand with your fingers spread out. It's the equivalent of giving two fingers in Ireland or the UK or one finger in the United States.
How do Greeks greet people?
The common verbal greeting in Greece is “Yassas” (Hello) or the more informal “Yiasoo”. Address people by their appropriate title, e.g. 'Keerios' (Mr) for men and 'Keeria' (Mrs) for women.
How do Greeks show affection?
It is not unusual to have one's belongings or body touching the stranger next to them when queuing, sitting/standing on public transport or in a crowd. Physical Contact: Greeks are generally very tactile people, comfortable with open affection. Hugging and kissing is common in public spaces.
Should you carry your passport with you in Greece?
Carry your passport or some form of photo identification at all times. Police may detain you for questioning if you do not have proper identification with you.
Is Athens Greece safe for Americans?
The United States travel advice service has Greece in general very low down at Level One recommending visitors merely “Exercise Normal Precautions” and according to the website, Travel Safe, “Athens is considered a very safe city.” On Numbeo which rates cities on safety from 1 to 100, Athens comes out at 43.96, which …