Travel to Athens has never been easier. Athens tours and Greece cruises and vacation packages from Central Holidays will guarantee exposure to a Greece that is revered for its contribution to world history and culture.
To give you a head start on your Athens vacation, here are some tips to handle yourself properly and accordingly in Athens.
When dining in Greece, don't be greedy!! Sharing food is a common practice.
Dos and Don’ts
Time Difference. Don’t fret if someone shows up late for a date. “To enjoy Athens, you must follow the pace of life. Stay up late. Forget lunch at noon and dinner at 6 p.m.—you’ll miss all the action.”—Diane Shugart, author, Athens by Neighborhood.
Address Code. Greeks use the formal plural pronoun (sas) when addressing older people or strangers.
Talk to the Hand. Avoid raising an outstretched palm to a person; this is an offensive gesture known as the moutza.
Eating Etiquette. Greeks are not sticklers for table manners. At home and especially at tavernas, everyone at the table shares foods, with diners dipping bread into dishes to soak up olive oil or sauce.
Siesta Time. Many Greeks still take a midday siesta, so don’t phone friends or play loud music between 2-5 p.m.
Personal Space. Greeks are very tactile. Greeks greet people they know with a kiss on both cheeks and frequently make physical contact.
Smoke Signals. A nonsmoker’s nightmare. Despite smoking bans in stores, restaurants, public buildings, and banks, smokers puff away at will and bristle if asked to stop.
Phrase Book
Ge?a s?? Yia sou!: Hello/goodbye. The formal or plural version is Ge?? sa? Yia sas. Pronounced yee-a-SOO.
?a?a?a?? Parakaló: Please/You’re welcome. Pronounced pa-rah-ka-LO.
???a??st? Efharistó: Thank you. Pronounced ef-harry-STOW.
?a? Néh: Yes. Pronounced Neh.
??? Óxi: No. Pronounced O-hee.
??µe Páme: Let’s go! Pronounced PA-meh.
??a Éla: Come here, come on. Pronounced Eh-la.
S????µ? Sygnómi: Sorry/excuse me. Pronounced see-GNO-mee.
??s? ???e? a?t? Póso kánei aftó?: How much is this? Pronounced PO-sa KA-nee af-TOW?
?? ???e?? Ti káneis?: How are you? Pronounced TEE KA-knees. Plural, TEE KA-nete?
???? ?a?? Poli kalá: Very well. Pronounced po-LEE ka-LA.
??t??e? Entáxi: OK. Pronounced En-TAX-ee.
?e? µ???? e??????? Den miláo elliniká: I don’t speak Greek. Pronounced DHEN mee-LA-ow ell-ee-ni-KA.
