■Greek Society and Culture

◆ An Ancient Heritage

◇Greeks take great pride in their cultural heritage and their contribution to world civilization. A recent study discovered that Greeks’ pride in being Greek went beyond the ethnic contentment of every other European nation.

◇Plays continue to be put on the stage in the theatres where they were originally performed.

◇Greek literature consists of poetry, drama, philosophy, history, as well as travelogues.

◆ Religion in Greece

◇The national religion is the Greek Orthodox Church, which is practiced by the majority of the population.

◇Religion is essential to life in Greece and is demonstrated in the respect for hierarchy and view of the family as a single unit of strength.

◇Most holidays and festivals are essentially religious.

◇Younger people are not as pious church-goers as their parents and grandparents, yet most will still go to the church to celebrate such important rituals as weddings and funerals.

◇The major religious holiday is Easter and the celebration is more important to most Greeks than Christmas.

◇The Church plays a more important part in political, civic, and governmental affairs than in more secular countries.

◆ Greek Family Values

◇The family is the basic unit of the society.

◇The family supplies both financial and emotional support to its members.

◇The extended family is expected to help relatives in needy circumstances, even to the point of helping them to find jobs.

◇Family relationships also exist in business. Nepotism is accepted.

◇The wrongful conduct of one family member damages the good reputation of the entire family.

■General Etiquette and Customs in Greece

◆ Meeting Etiquette

◇Greeks are friendly and enthusiastic.

◇If it is the first time to meet, they shake hands firmly, smile, and maintain direct eye contact.

◇Good friends often hug each other; they may also kiss each other on each cheek. Male friends often hit each other’s arm at the shoulder in a friendly manner.

◆ Gift Giving Etiquette

◇Generally Greeks exchange gifts with family and friends for “name-days” (birth date of the saint after whom they are named) and Christmas.

◇Some Greeks celebrate birthdays, but in general, it is more likely to celebrate name-days.

◇Gifts need not be costly. Since gifts are generally exchanged, giving something valuable could impose a burden on the receiver since they would feel bound to return something of equivalent value.

◇When invited to have a dinner at a Greek home, take something small.

◇A floral arrangement may be given ahead of the actual event.

◇Remember to wrap gifts.

◇Gifts are usually opened when received.

◆ Dining Etiquette

If you are invited to a Greek home:

◇It is considered punctual to arrive 30 minutes late!

◇Dress well, which displays respect for your hosts.

◇Help the hostess to prepare a meal or clear up after a meal is served. Your offer may be refused, but it will be appreciated.

◇Expect to be dealt with like royalty!

◇Praise the house.

◆ Table Manners

◇Don’t sit down until invited. You may be guided to a particular seat.

◇Table manners are Continental—hold the fork in the left hand and the knife in the right hand while eating.

◇The most senior person is usually served first.

◇Begin eating after the hostess starts.

◇Keep your elbows away from the table and your hands above the table when dining.

◇Accepting a second helping praises the host.

◇A great deal of discussion is expected. Meals are a time for social intercourse.

◇It is regarded polite to use a piece of bread to soak up gravy or sauce.

◇People often share food from their plate.

◇Eat up everything on your plate.

◇Place your napkin beside your plate when you have finished eating.

◇Signal you have finished eating by placing your knife and fork parallel on your plate with the handles facing to the right.

◇The host makes the first toast.

◇An honored guest should give the toast in return later in the meal.

◇The most common toast is “to your health”, which is “stinygiasou” in informal situations and “eis igían sas” at formal occasions.

■Business Etiquette and Protocol in Greece

◆ Relationships & Communication

◇Relationships are the keystone of business dealings because Greeks prefer to conduct business with those they know and trust.

◇They maintain a complex network of family and friends to call on for business support since they feel sure about their reliability.

◇Nepotism is accepted and it is very usual for relatives to work for the same company.

◇Greeks prefer face-to-face meetings rather than conducting business by telephone or in writing, which are viewed as too impersonal.

◇It takes time to establish relationships, which can be achieved in the office, over extended lunches, dinners, and social excursions.

◇Never say or do anything that can be interpreted as defying the honor or sincerity of a business colleague.

◇In no case should you publicly challenge someone’s statements.

◇Greeks do not like people who are ostentatious or unfriendly.

◇Although business is relaxed, it is also serious. Behaving informal before a relationship has been established is considered impolite.

◇If your Greek business colleagues become silent and withdrawn, you may have said or done something to offend them.

◆ Business Meeting Etiquette

◇Appointments are mandatory and should be made 1 to 2 weeks ahead, although it is often acceptable to make them on short notice.

◇Confirm meetings one day ahead by telephone.

◇Many businesspeople have lunch between 1 and 3 p.m., so this is not the best time for a meeting.

◇Quite often business isn’t actually conducted until the third meeting. During the first meeting your Greek business colleagues will want to get to know something about you as a person. The second meeting is intended to develop trust and mutual respect. By the third meeting, business may commence.

◇Provide printed material in both your mother tongue and Greek.

◇Meetings are often disrupted. Several people may speak at the same time.

◇Greeks will diverge from schedules. They regard schedules as starting points for discussions and will then follow the discussion to the next stage.

◇Although some businesspeople speak your mother tongue, it is advisable to employ an interpreter.

◆ Business Negotiation

◇Establishing a personal relationship is very important for developing a successful business relationship.

◇Companies are hierarchical. Greeks revere age and position.

◇Business is done slowly. You should have patience and not appear upset.

◇Display how your product or service improves your colleague’s reputation.

◇Do not get angry or get annoyed during business discussions.

◇Greeks are good at negotiating. They quite enjoy bargaining.

◇Decisions are usually made at the top of the company.

◇Setting a deadline for decision-making may end the negotiations.

◇Contracts are often quite simple since the personal relationship demands that adaptations will be made on either side should the need come into existence.

◆ Business Dress

◇Business dress is as in most of Europe, which is conservative and formal.

◇Men are expected to wear dark colored, conservative business suits.

◇It is best for women to wear either business suits or elegant dresses, preferably in dark or delicate colors.

◆ Business Cards

◇Exchange business cards without following formal ritual.

◇Make sure that one side of your business card is translated into Greek.

◇Present your card with the Greek side facing the receiver.