CULTURAL TABOOS IN GREECE. COMMUNICATION STYLE Greeks tend to speak quite loudly and with a lot of...
-
Upload
ginger-mcdaniel -
Category
Documents
-
view
217 -
download
1
Transcript of CULTURAL TABOOS IN GREECE. COMMUNICATION STYLE Greeks tend to speak quite loudly and with a lot of...
CULTURAL TABOOS IN GREECE
COMMUNICATION STYLE
• Greeks tend to speak quite loudly and with a lot of emotions.
• Greeks live their lives with an exclamation point.
GESTURES
• Thumbs down is usually considered rude.
• The open hand facing outward is also considered offensive.
• This hand sign (three fingers up, index and thumb touching) is obscene.
WELCOME TOPICS OF CONVERSATION
• Passing along a compliment or showing interest in learning more about the impact of Greece in the world
• Anything related to Greece’s history
• The great people and philosophers from Greece
• The distinct Greek Cuisine and drink
• Architecture, the progressive Greek cities, scenery and nature
• Mentioning Manchester or Liverpool is a great ice-breaker.
CONVERSATION TO AVOID
• Let Greeks bring up the conversation about politics.
• Cyprus and Turkey are touchy subjects as well.
• They do not appreciate the criticisms about their society or daily life by outsiders.
• Anything negative about their food or coffee
DAILY LIFE
• Be prepared for changes and delays.
• Drink ouzo in small doses
HOMOSEXUALITY
• The acceptance of homosexuality is making its way Eastward very slowly.
MARRIAGE WITH AN OLDER WOMAN
• Disapproval of a young man falling in love with an older woman
MARRIAGE WITH A NON-GREEK
• You must marry a fellow Hellene in order to keep the culture and bloodline going.
THE STAY-AT-HOME DAD
• According to many Greeks, it’s considered taboo for the husband to stay at home and watch the kids while his wife works.
CALLING F.Y.R.O.M “MACEDONIA”
• You will never hear somebody utter the word “Macedonia” when referring to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
SEEING BOYS WITH EARRINGS
• Older people don’t tolerate a Greek guy wearing an earring.
GOSSIP
• Believe everything you hear
REFERENCES
• http://www.greekgateway.com/news/greek-taboos• http
://greece-and-i.blogspot.com/2007/06/dos-and-donts-in-greece-part-1.html
• http://www.culturecrossing.net/basics_business_student_details.php?Id=22&CID=82
• http://www.circlesofexcellence.com/blog/2011/05/the-latest-cultural-clues-dos-taboos-a-series-of-cultural-tips-for-countries-from-a-to-z-communication-guidelines-for-greece/