■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.