Hi there ! What kind of gestures or body language will cause offence to Greek people ?

Question

And do the Greeks have any special cultural habits ? I love Greece and hope to visit this beautiful country in the near future !

Answer 1

1-never never show the inner side of your palm with fingers wide open to someone-this is a very offensive gesture and it means something like "you are stupid, you deserve nothing"

2-dont touch people easily, we dont like this from strangers! when you meet a man or woman just shake hand

3-dont sit with your legs wide open if you are in a room with strangers and specially old people, its shows disrespect

4-when you are in a friendly gathering, make sure that when you sit there is noone sitting behind you, facing your back
its very rude thing to do

5-when you are guest to a house for dinner, never start eating before your host-its offensive

these are all i can think about so far...

have a nice time here!

regards from Greece

Answer 2

I am hoping someone who is profoundly deaf can answer this from personal experience. All I can contribute is that there is no reason for deaf people NOT to think in Sign, since it is known to function in the same way as any other language in the sense of creating neural pathways etc (and, like any other language, if learnt young when one is most receptive, it enables the learning of a further language by building on the structural understandings). Oliver Sacks' book "Seeing Voices" goes into this in a very readable way. In a way, I think the title might answer your question...... but it's a very long time since I read it and can't remember anything about the specific issue of thinking in Sign.

Answer 3

1- Don't Point the inner side of your palm with fingers wide open to someone-this is (open hand thrusted towards person) a very offensive gesture and it means something like "you are stupid"

2-dont sit with your legs wide open if you are in a room with strangers and specially old people, its shows disrespect

3-VERY IMPORTANT - when you are in a friendly gathering, make sure that when you sit there is noone sitting behind you, facing your back
its very very very rude thing to do

4-when you are guest to a house for dinner, never start eating before everyone is seated -its offensive

5- don't wear pants to church

6- don't place your thumb between your index and middle finger = giving someone the finger

7 -don't bend your middle finger inwards towards your palm with other fingers pointing out

Answer 4

in regards to the 'spitting' on people to ward off evil spirits. I've lived here for three years and I have never seen that happen. I know of the tradition. But I really dont think people practise it here anymore. Maybe only old grannies up in the villages.
But yes, do not hold up your hand palm outwards. It really does mean sort of like "F you, you F ing Fer" sort of thing.

But basically in any tourist spot in Greece, the people are very knowledgable on the eccentricities of the tourists (eccentric to them I mean). They have seen it all before so if you behave well to your own standards then you shouldnt have a problem.

Answer 5

excellent choice!!!!! well dnt show ur inner hand to anyone by forcing ur arm forward cause it mean f.u. keep ur legs closed in public and dnt be surprised if any old ladies call u fat! my sister is an athlete and this old lady in church called her fat...no idea why! shake hands and if some ppl want to greet u a little more sincerely they will kiss u on both cheeks it's a way of welcome so dnt pull back after the first kiss otherwise they'll think ur rude also when ur at a place for lunch or whatever when everyone is seated but the host is still making sure everything is perfect say the hosts name and tell them to sit down..dnt eat anything until the host starts eating first!!! also dnt sit with ur back facing to older ppl..it very rude for them..well that's about it...oh yeah when ur at a place to eat and the host puts more food in ur dish after u finished ur first serving try to eat all of it even if ur stuffed! if u dnt accept it they will say..that u dnt like their cooking..the second time just say that oh yeah the food is great but i just cant eat anymore..hope it helps!!!

Answer 6

The only thing you must avoid doing is extending your arm towards someone with your palm and fingers wide open. This is insulting. Plus teh international gestures.

Answer 7

Greece is a touristic destination for longer than two centuries (I'm referring to European intellectuals too, who would travel to Greece in the 19th century to admire the ruins of ancient Greek temples and other sites of archaeological interest).
Therefore, Greeks are very tolerant and understanding as to behaviors, gestures etc of foreigners coming to Greece.
Apart from this long tradition, the majority of Greeks have traveled abroad, or keep close and tight contacts with other countries, so they are familiar with the culture and the behavior of people coming to their country.
On the contrary, I believe that sometimes they are excessively tolerant and and cool, because of hospitality traditions, or even because of tourist policy.
So, as long as one does not directly insult verbally Greeks, there is nothing to worry about....

Answer 8

i think u wont have any problems ,they r very friendly and very helpful everywhere...and most speak english ,regarding certain traditions or cultures ,,.u will discover them by yourself ,and there is nothing provocative to them ,,,except i think what would provock anyone anywhere ,,in the world,,u made a great choice ,,u will have a time of your life,,their country is beautiful

Answer 9

Dont show the inner of your hand, and dont show your tongue...
Generally, we are people who laugh and joke, but showing the inside part fo your hand it is an insult, unless someone is your closed ffriend and you joke with him...

Answer 10

I've been there it's really nice. But the do get offened easily and they have short tempers. For one never question their opinions or traditions. Go along with everything they say. And never say anything about their churchs. They believe spitting on a person will keep the devil away.