Mousakas!
I don’t know if it was luck, personal choice or something in between, but it happens the majority of my dating background has been with non-greek people.
One can’t help to make comparisons!
You would think, dating is an international language. “It’s all the same”. “Body language” and the like.
Guess again! The differences in habits, daily life, views and mentalities can range from big to really big ones, always depending on the country of origin of the persons involved. This can lead to major headaches and problems. I’ll try to give you some hints about the “Greek way” of doing things in relationships, just in case you were wondering, or you find yourselves into a Greek bf/gf:
1. “I was worried sick!”
Even busy (aka popular ) Greek people consider sms replying should be immediate. And when I say immediate I mean immediate. Replying 1 (one) hour after the message has been sent, always is followed by a good excuse. (you can imagine what this means for 10 hour later replies which are pretty standard in most other Europeans) Remember that Greece is a mobile-phone-phenomenon with one of the biggest number of mobile phone contracts and devices in Europe. If you don’t want your bf/gf calling hospitals and prisons looking out for you, try to send this damn reply on time.
2. “It was nice meeting you! We’ll talk soon?”
Hooking up and meeting someone is a lot different back in Sunny Greece. You can forget one-night-stands all at once, since by recent Durex statistics, Greece is maybe the last country in the frequency people have casual one-nighters. This is because both males and females, even if they don’t want to get seriously involved, always prefer to create small relationships and love-stories.
3. “Who is he/she?”
Alongside with passion, comes jealousy. Greeks tend to be rather “strict” when it comes to ex-boyfriends, text messages arriving at night, friends they haven’t yet met personally, friends of the opposite sex, etc.
4. “Honey, have you met…?”
Ex boyfriends/girlfriends is a taboo. Greeks are pretty clear about that: No you can’t keep talking to your ex bf/gf on a regular basis. No you can’t live at his/her place just because “it’s over now” and “you’re just friends”. And “was he/she better than me?” is a pretty common thought/question.
5. “Are you ready to go again?”
The lack of one-night-stands is compensated with extra long nights (or mornings, afternoons) in bed (or kitchen, living room, you get the picture). Again according to recent Durex statistics, Greeks have one of the highest indicators of satisfaction with their sexual life.
6. “I love you, do you love me?”
People tend to be extremely verbal. They talk a lot. Love talk is most common and kicks in relatively early in the game. This is maybe one of the biggest differences from other cultures.
7. “You’re an asshole. I don’t want to see you again!”
Breakups follow the previous relationship pattern, being usually intense, followed by many phone calls, text-messaging, emails, discussion, analyzing with friends, crying, drinking etc.
To Sum Up
Of course, as everywhere, Greece and the Greeks are moving towards the “Western” lifestyle. Don’t be surprised to see people behaving differently. There are quite some exceptions. People travel, mix, learn and refresh their mindset quite often. But always have in mind, that no matter what, these are the “defaults” followed by the majority.
I guess also that by choosing to be with someone from another country, you choose at the same time to experience this other point of view in things. This is what makes it more interesting, and, unfortunately, difficult at times.
So go ahead and tells us some of the differences you noticed when dating foreigners! : Comment on!
MOUSAKA!
September 6th, 2009 at 9:43 pm
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