Greek Etiquette Tips
Expect
to eat a lot in Greece! Not only will you
be expected to eat everything off your plate,
but you should also compliment the chef by
asking for seconds - even if you're stuffed!
You will find that Greece is a friendly place,
very hospitable to guests, but it is still important
to learn about their traditions and customs
in order to blend in and respect Greece's heritage.
Below are some more etiquette tips for your
trip to Greece.
1. What to Wear
- DO dress
conservatively for business functions. Men may wear a nice, dark-colored
suit, while women may wear a dark-colored dress or suit.
2. Food/Drinks
- DON'T sit down until
told where to sit before eating.
- DON'T begin eating
until the host starts.
- DON'T put your elbows
on the table, but do keep your hands above
the table.
- DO compliment the chef
by asking for seconds.
- DO finish everything
on your plate.
- DO give a toast if
you are the host or the guest of honor.
The host gives the first toast, and the
guest of honor returns the toast later.
- DO put your fork and
knife parallel on your plate with the
handles facing to the right to indicate
that you are done eating.
- DO share your food
with your dining partners. They will likely
do the same.
- DO keep
your wine glass at least half full when you no longer want anymore wine.
3. Tipping
- DO check the bill to
see if the tip is included at a restaurant.
Usually there is a 15% gratuity included.
You may also wish to leave an additional
tip on the table for those who bus the
tables.
4. Gift Giving and Accepting Gifts
- DON'T spend a lot of
money on a gift, because then the recipient
might feel the need to spend a lot of
money on you in return.
- DO wrap the present
nicely.
- DO open your gift immediately.
- DON'T
give knives as a gift.
5. Body Language and Gestures
- DON'T make the "OK"
sign with your hand. It's a vulgar gesture
in Greece.
- DO be aware of how
to indicate "yes" or "no"
with body language, as it's different
in Greece than in the U.S. "Yes"
is a slight downward nod of the head,
and "No" is a slight upward
nod of the head.
6. Greeting
- DO shake
hands upon meeting someone. Shake hands with children, too!
- DO exchange hugs and
kisses with women you are familiar with.
Men will usually pat each other on the
back or shoulder.
7. Visiting Someone's Home
- DO bring a gift for
your host. A nice host gift would be brandy,
flowers, cakes, fruit, etc. If you want
to give flowers, you may also have them
sent in advance.
- DO take
your shoes off upon entering a home.
8. Business
- DO understand that
nepotism is acceptable and common in Greek
business. You may do business with many
different members of the same family.
- DO try to schedule
a meeting 1 to 2 weeks in advance, and
confirm the meeting by phone the day before.
- DON'T expect business
to be conducted immediately. Sometimes
it takes several meetings before any business
is conducted at all. Your Greek business
associates will want to get to know you
first.
- DO have your information
and business cards printed in Greek, and
consider hiring an interpreter.
- DON'T be aloof, irritable,
or angry at meetings.
- DO be
patient. Business happens at a much slower pace in Greece.
9. Greek Dance Etiquette
- DO join in with Greek dances!
There are over a thousand types of folk dances in
Greece, and many times at tourist restaurants and
festivals people may invite you to join in. Many
Greek dances are line dances.
- DO join at the back of the
line, not the front, if you are a
beginner.
- DO go behind the leader to
learn the steps before joining the line if you're having trouble grasping the steps.
- DON'T worry about dance steps
if you're doing the Zembekiko, which is "The Drunkard's Dance" or the
Tsifteteli, which is a belly dance. Those aren't line dances, like many
Greek dances are, so just hop on the dance floor and boogie!
Greeks tends to be very accommodating to
visitors, but definitely keep in mind the above etiquette to respect your
hosts. Have a safe and happy trip to
Greece!
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