When you enter Greece's mountainous peninsula, with its long coastline and unique archipelago, you are returning to the cradle of Western civilization. And while the ancient Greeks fashioned our political, ethical, aesthetic, and scientific values, their descendants down the ages have continued to set trends and shape world events. The Greek character is a product of the landscape. Surrounded by sea on three sides, the physical features of the land forged the pronounced individuality and strong local patriotism of the warring city-states of antiquity. Their shared history and language formed the basis of a powerful world culture. Today it is coming to terms with its recent economic and political upheavals. The Greeks have repeatedly proved they can adjust and shift their expectations—the new generation knows the old ways have gone and is bracing itself for unpredictable challenges. Culture Smart! Greece will equip you with essential information about the background, values, and attitudes of the people you will meet and give practical advice on how to deal with unfamiliar situations. Life in Greece operates on many criss-crossing levels, offering plenty of possibilities and a variety of lifestyles. Visitors emerge from their Greek experience enriched for life, with an enduring affection for this beautiful land and its gifted people.
Author(s): Constantine Buhayer
Series: Culture Smart!
Edition: 2
Publisher: Kuperard
Year: 2018
Language: English
Pages: 169
Front Cover......Page 1
Title Page......Page 2
Copyright......Page 3
About the Author......Page 4
Contents......Page 5
Map of Greece......Page 8
Introduction......Page 9
Key Facts......Page 11
• Contradictions, Continuities, and Contributions......Page 13
• Geographical Overview......Page 15
• Hellenic Republic or Greece?......Page 18
• More Than Just a Language......Page 20
• A Brief History......Page 22
• Government and Politics......Page 49
• Romios´yni Intertwined with Hellenism......Page 59
• Family First......Page 60
• Hierarchy......Page 63
• Generosity......Page 64
• Attitudes Toward Foreigners......Page 66
• Conspiracy Theories......Page 67
• Wealth, Money, and the Voleménos......Page 70
• Patriotism......Page 71
• The High Wire of Deadlines......Page 72
• Women......Page 73
• Nostalgia: A Very Greek Condition......Page 75
• Holidays and Festivals......Page 77
• To Remember: Saints’ Days......Page 78
• The Greek Year......Page 80
• The Greek Orthodox Church......Page 84
• Other Religions......Page 88
• Openness......Page 89
• Distinguish Your Orders from Your Requests......Page 90
• Whispering......Page 91
• Hospitality......Page 92
• Who Pays?......Page 93
• Gift Giving......Page 94
• Visiting......Page 95
• Verbal Greetings: A Wish for Life......Page 96
• Alcohol......Page 97
• Philótimo......Page 98
• Town and Country......Page 99
• The (Un)Civil Servant Mentality......Page 101
• Growing Up in Greece......Page 103
• Education......Page 104
• The Daily Round......Page 105
• Economic Priorities......Page 108
• Banking and Payments......Page 109
• Shipping......Page 110
• Standards of Living......Page 112
• For Richer, For Poorer......Page 114
• Paréa: A Fraternity of Friendships......Page 115
• Greek Cuisine......Page 116
• Tavernas, Restaurants, and Coffeehouses......Page 117
• Smoking......Page 121
• Shopping for Pleasure......Page 122
• Theater and Cinema......Page 123
• Museums......Page 124
• The Parthenon......Page 127
• Churches and Monasteries......Page 128
• Open Markets......Page 130
• Sports......Page 131
• The Olympic Games......Page 132
• Buses......Page 135
• Trains—A Secret World......Page 136
• Boats......Page 138
• Cars: A Health Warning......Page 139
• Health......Page 141
• Security......Page 142
• The Greek Economy......Page 143
• Teamwork......Page 145
• Presentation and Listening Styles......Page 147
• Meetings and Negotiations......Page 148
• Leadership and Decision Making......Page 150
• Punctuality......Page 151
• Contracts and Fulfillment......Page 152
• Managing Disagreement......Page 153
• Women In Business......Page 154
• Language......Page 155
• The Media......Page 157
• Telephone......Page 160
• Conclusion......Page 161
Appendix 1: Key Comparative Values......Page 163
Appendix 2: The Greek Alphabet......Page 165
Further Reading......Page 166
Index......Page 167
Acknowledgments......Page 169
