What are some acceptable forms of non-verbal communication for an American doing business in Greece?

Answer 1

Indeed do not show your palm to people in Greece (If you do it with fingers closed, like saying "stop" it is OK, but not like saying "five")

Food will get into the picture eventually. Being summer you will go for "ouzo". That means sea food and fish. Try to keep up with the rest, you will impress us. Three months ago I had someone from the States here, but he was such a picky eater that pissed me off big time. His Canadian associate thougth was much more agreeable.

If you go out for drinks get ready for some serious drinking. We usually order bottles....
Getting drunk is not frowned upon, but getting drunk and stupid is...

Do not talk politics and expect some spiteful remarks about your president and American exterior politics. Try to amuse them.

In Greek gestures "no" is denoted by raising eyebrows and slightly tilting your head backwards. "Yes" is like the rest of the world and "maybe" is denoted by tightening the lips and bending the head left and right.

Shake hands firmly, and expect physical touch.

Very important: dress formally at all times unless instructed not to.

If there are women around flirt tastefully and respectfully.

Answer 2

It's pretty much the same as anywhere. The palm thing is very insulting, but it's not a gesture any American would make on a normal basis. It's a very specific gesture, and it is done almost like throwing the open palm at the face of the other person. It's not something you would do mistakenly. You will recognize it as something vulgar when you see it, even though you may not understand it. You will certainly understand that it is an insult.

The important thing is to learn to read Greek body clues. The most confusing thing is the nod for "no". It took me years to understand that first as no, but it is actually quite distinct from yes. If you are confused, just ask for clarification. They are used to foreigners not understanding that.

The other confusing thing is how dramatic their body movements are when they are excited, and they get excited very easily. After two years of me living in Greece, my parents came to visit. One day at lunch, my mother stopped listening to me and her eyes got big as she looked over my shoulder. She said, I think those two waiters are about to get into a fight. Until then, I had forgotten how their body language does look angry to us sometimes when, in fact, the waiters were actually just talking about a good looking woman one of them had seen the night before. They were no where near coming to blows, but it sure looked like they were to my mother.

Have fun. I love Greece and Greek people. You'll love them too. But they are sly, so be on your toes.

I just want to say to cpnatsi, my husband is from some African tribe, and actually, that is where all civilization was born. They are just as human as anyone else. I'm sure you didn't mean to be insulting, but you were.

Answer 3

What Ashley M said. Hold your hand with your palm facing
directly to your face, about 12 inches away. Then wave it
back and forth to your face. This is an acceptable form of
waving good bye. But don't do it until you've seen other Greeks
do it. Very touchy issue with Greeks.
Other than that, I do not recommend any physical gestures
other than hand shaking. And do it lightly. NO strong grip
American hand shakes. That only serves to show how insecure
you are.
I Corinthians 13;8a, Love never fails!!!!!

Answer 4

We are not some african tribe. We belong to the western civilisation (in fact we created it). Act normally like you would anywhere. The thing about the palm, please, guys, you have not even understood how it is. Wave normally, don't worry.Just when you open your fingers wide and stretche your arem out towards someone with the 5 fingers open wide apart it is an insult. Not such a big one though, as the normal insulting gestures with fingers you can think of.

Answer 5

Whatever you do, don't show your palm like you are waving...like no palm facing flat forward. It means you are rubbing crap in their face, and it is one of the most insulting things you can do in Greece.