Greece🕣
State in southern Europe. Official name - Hellenic Republic. Population - 10.3 million (as of April 2021). Capital - Athens. Official language – Greek. Government type – parliamentary republic. Main religion – Orthodox Christianity.
Greece
Greeting
Handshake is a traditional form of greeting in Greek culture. During this greeting ritual, people usually exchange welcoming smiles and maintain direct eye contact with their partner.
Both men and women shake hands when meeting each other. Men's handshake should be firm.
Adhere to a rather formal line of communication in the initial stages of the relationship. To do this, address your partner giving their last name (rather than first name) and respective regalia (job title, academic titles/ranks, professional qualifications, etc.).
As you become more familiar with your Greek partner, the relationship may be closer. In this case, a greeting between men may include, in addition to a handshake, a light hug and a pat on the shoulder or back.
Very close friends and relatives hug each other when they meet (they may pat each other on the back or arm), and also exchange kisses on each cheek.
Common forms of greeting are: "Yassas!" or "Yiasoo!" (Hello!).
Introduction
According to Greek traditions, a person at birth is given a first name, a patronymic and a surname, for example, Vassilis Georgiou Avramopoulos. The patronymic is derived from the father's name, to which the suffix "-ou" is added. In the above example Georgiou means the son of Georgios.
In some cases, you may see two names or two patronymics (the patronymic is sometimes called the middl...
Exchange of Business Cards
In Greece, a person's status and position are taken into account, so the business card should better contain this info. So, not only the name of the company and general contact data, but also the various insignia of the holder, such as academic degrees and titles, professional qualifications, job positions, additional significant diplomas or certificates. All these things are treated with great...
Small Talk: Overview
Greeks willingly engage in conversation and participate in discussions with pleasure, especially if the topic concerns them personally. They may be quite expressive, responding emotionally to this or that statement of the interlocutor, passionately defending their opinion.
Active gesticulation and body language, changing voice intonation, expressive facial expressions are welcomed in ...
Preferred Topics
Sports, and soccer in particular, is a a good topic to speak about. However, try to refrain from supporting or criticizing a particular team without first exploring your partner's preferences.
Greek contribution to the world culture, such as ancient Greek philosophy, ancient theater, the Olympic Games, Renaissance, etc. Greeks are justifiably proud of their rich history. Show your inte...
Taboo Topics
All religious topics are generally taboo subjects, especially the activities of the Greek Orthodox Church and its relations with government circles.
Do not bring up topics related to corruption.
Avoid topics related in any way to sexual preferences, relations between the sexes etc.
Avoid criticizing the culture, people, different aspects of life in Greece. Greeks are ver...
Personal Space
When talking, Greeks stand quite close to each other - closer than other Europeans or North Americans. This distance can also be observed in conversations between people who do not know each other or do not know each other very well. In such situations, it is important not to take a step back, as this can be seen as rather unfriendly and impolite behavior.
When communicating, Greeks beh...
Communication Specifics
In Greece, it is customary to observe subordination in relations between people who occupy different positions in the hierarchy. Depending on this, the manner in which people speak may also vary. It is important to find out your negotiating partner's position in the company beforehand.
A more respectful tone may be necessary if your partner is, for example, not only a director but also...
Any questions? Contact us.
Ask a Question