What do you think about Greece?

Question

What comes in your mind every time you hear the word "Greece" or "Greeks"? What do you like and what you dislike? What are the commons and where you find differences btwn the two people (Greeks - Turks)??

Answer 1

We have a very bloody history. But we must look to the future. Have nice day.

Answer 2

Apart from some extreme nationalists (and they are all over the world, in every country), I think Greeks are very nice people. Very warm hearted, just like Turks. If it wasn't was religions, and the past unfortunate tragic events, we could have been the best friends with them. And I believe in the near future we will be. We have so many things in common: our languages contain many words and expressions from each other, our cuisine is almost identical, we have similar likes and dislikes. For example, when we meet in another country we come together and start talking about how 'better' we are from the others :)))))
I am seriously thinking of visiting Greece/Greek islands next year.
By the way, I am a Turkish Cypriot and have also seen those mass graves. They were not done by Greeks but by some Greek Cypriots (EOKA members). I don't want to talk about the ones done by our side. No need to scratch old wounds.

Answer 3

Greece- first I think about a great and interesting culture, seeing some Greek temples and statues in my mind. What I like about Greeks, is their friendliness, ultra-relaxed way of life, their philosophies and their sense of humour! What I don't like is that I often have to wait a long time to get things done and their not treating some foreigners well. As long as you are a tourist, you will be treated like a God! Some commons between Turks and Greeks would be food and music, the main difference would be that everything is very well organized inTurkey and maybe the way of thinking and behaving is tends to go into the Asian direction which means showing more concern and respect!

Answer 4

There's a very strong connection between Greeks and Turks through the centuries maybe even millenniums.

The first conflict was between ancient Greek kingdoms and Trojans whom are claimed to be Turkish.Beginning with this event. Greek-Turkish conflicts symbolized the West-East match.They fought many wars, for various reasons.Land,power and even love as the legend tells.

During all those years they lived together,effected each other.Eventually they are just like the other.Traditions, language, food even people's appearances.

But after the latest wars,during WW1 and after that, politicians planted hate between two nations, beginning fm the school kids.Writing all bad things in history books.

Of course unfortunate events took place, but taking these to the future and not moving on is not good for neither of them.

I have two greek colleagues whom born in Istanbul and lived their whole life here.We have no bad thoughts to eachother. We are just as the others.

For sure there are extremists and there always will be.We should just try to eliminate them and build a peacefull future.Teach the good things and realities only to the young generations.

Answer 5

OK I am Greek. So my answer might not add much to your question. But I want to stress that a big chunk of Greek "heart" lies in Turkey. And the Greeks try to forget, stay apart, move away and gradually re-invent themselves from their ashes...But then East calls them back here and then. And its painful. And its confusing.

So does in Turkey. Once Turks will be able to travel freely without passports in Greece (as Greeks do in EU today) and be able to live, work and stay anywhere in Greece and for as long as they want, then they will be shocked to see a piece of themselves that largely hibernates right now: that piece that unites them with the West and its values and makes Turkey so different form any other Asian country that surrounds them today. And will be also painful. And very confusing too.

Answer 6

Greek are very nice helpful people, good food and fantastic country.
I was thinking to immigrate to over there but it's not all that easy.I like a lot of ground round the house and what I see the most is that the patches they sell are ratter small.
Yes there is a difference between the Greeks and Turks, here in Belgium you see that very well.

Answer 7

For many centuries both countries lived together, sharing many things together.
There are some events in the past like the ottoman empire, but people are uneducated and they dont read to see some facts such as the religion which had never been forbiden to the greeks(i am greek and i always fight for my country).The Big school of Greeks(Megali tou Genous sholi)was inn Istanbul during the otthoman empire without any problem, also the Patriarcate..
The islands og Dodecanese, had an order firman called from Suleyman the Great which was giving freedoms to the people, since they were dealing with the sea, and they were contributing positively at the economy of the state.
Some negative events maybe begun in the modern history of both countries.Be sure, they have always been provocked by Big Powers, which had the purpose to extend their borderes, and to act as the ones who had solution to the problem9in reality to control areas and petrolium seas)...
I know, many compatriots of mine will be against me, they know very well that in our section how many times i have been reported not by turks, but by other countries before i defended Greece.Because the actual problem of Greece is not Turkey, but other..
If some greeks juge me bad, they have to read story,and to see some trues.I, dont be angry with me, there are just some real facts.I dont say that the relations between bothe countries have always been good, but there are also points that nobody knows, and only those who searched it they can confirm..
We are both humans, and we live under the same sun...

Answer 8

The major difference is that Turks speak Turkish while in Greece they speak Greek.

Answer 9

I'm Greek - Italian, feel both Greek and Italian, and lately after getting to know better Turks and knowing the history of our territory, I may feel Turk too...
That fulfills my instictive tension to be a citizen of the three peninsulas of grate culture, which has been meterialized by my having created an enormous collection of old and historical articrafts and items from Italy, Greece and Turkey.

Answer 10

I've met nice Greek guys and I have discussed with bigots. Just like Turks. So, I think Greeks are a normal people. They are like anybody else. I can be friends with anyone of them.

Answer 11

Greeks and turks are natural friends and allies turned against each other by imperialist forces. Very similar people. I hope one day we can reach the mindset to unite turkey and greece to form a greco-turkish federation.