Folklore Tourism report: Fifteen interesting facts about Greece
You could use Google or read a tourist guidebook to learn many things about Greece, greekreporter.com notes in a recent article but adds that there is much more to this country than meets the eye and offers 15 wacky and fascinating facts about Greece that you won’t learn in school or any text book:
- 1. Greeks are superstitious. Very superstitious. One superstition shared by all Greeks is the evil eye, or “Mati.” The belief is that someone can cast the evil eye onto another person out of envy and jealousy. Once you have the evil eye, you must find someone to perform a ceremony to destroy the evil energy!
- 2. Spitting is encouraged in Greece and you will see old yiayia’s (grandmothers) spitting on their grandchildren all the time! Since time immemorial, Greeks have believed that spitting on someone is a way of combatting any form of evil energy or presence. It’s actually more like a ceremonial “FTOO, FTOO, FTOO”; just be aware!
- 3. Greeks steal plants from one another… and admit to it, and encourage it! You probably won’t find in your Fodor’s guidebook the fun fact that Greeks believe that plants and flowers will only root if they are stolen! They will actually tell you to come back later to steal from them if you would like some cuttings from their plants (which are also from stolen cuttings).
- 4. Greeks believe in “magical bread”. You see, Greeks believe that bread is a gift from God with roots from the Bible story of the Sermon on the Mount. This leads to many villagers never throwing away any bread, because it is considered bad luck, using leftovers to feed to the animals. Also, many Greeks are superstitious about who eats the heel of the loaf. It is believed that young single women should eat it and then their future mother-in-laws will like them. This tradition begins when girls are as young as 5 years of age!
- 5. Waving hello = BAD! The common “palm facing out” gesture, known as the “moutza” in Greece, is a normal form of greeting for most people worldwide … but if you see Greeks doing this, they’re not waving hello, they are basically flipping you the bird! Greeks wave either with their palms to the side or facing them. To be on the safe side, just greet people the good old-fashioned way in Greece — with a kiss on each cheek.
- 6. Symbolism in passing someone a knife. Beware! Never, under ANY circumstances, should you hand someone a knife in Greece. The proper way to give someone a knife is to set it down on a table and let the other person pick it up. It is believed that if you hand the person the knife that you want to fight with them!
- 7. Salt is powerful stuff, according to Greeks. In fact, according to Greek Folklore, salt can even be used to get rid of an unwanted guest! The process is so simple, you should try it out next time you want someone to leave your house. Just sprinkle a little bit of salt behind them — it is thought that the salt has powers that will drive them to leave your house.
- 8. When you think of Greece, you think of Feta cheese, ouzo, and many other typical items associated with the country and culture. But did you know that Greece is the world’s largest producer of sea sponges? The island of Kalymnos is famous for their beautiful natural sponges that people dive for and then sell. Next time you are using a natural sponge, think Greece!
- 9. Easter time in Greece is magical, and the biggest holiday celebrated in the country. However, Greeks believe in some pretty weird things in regard to Easter (Pascha). One of the weirdest is that salt, eggs and bread are forbidden to leave your home after sundown, under penalty of bringing bad luck to the house! So, if someone comes knocking at your door after sundown asking for salt, eggs or bread you shouldn’t give these things to them. If someone wants an egg, invite them in and cook it for them; never give it to them to take out of your house. Also, in an even stranger twist on this belief, if you want to give a guest a doggie bag that has bread of any kind in it and you know that they will be leaving your house after dark, you must leave the bag with the bread outside of the front door before the sun goes down. Only then may they take it with them.
- 10. All Greeks over the age of 18 are required to vote by law. There is no opt-out option when it comes to voting, yet a lot of Greeks don’t vote. Ponder that for a while…
- 11. Blue roof tops are more than aesthetic… according to Greek folk tradition, rooftops are painted blue in order to ward off evil!
- 12. Greeks are touchy about their coffee. If you ask a Greek for some Turkish coffee, odds are they will give you the evil eye! Truly, do not ever make this request – not in a Greek person’s home nor in a cafeteria. First of all, it is Greek coffee and you will be told its entire back story (so be sure to get comfy first!). Secondly, you’re in Greece, so again, it’s Greek coffee!
- 13. Greeks have a tradition of wearing black after the death of a spouse or loved one. Some people will wear it for the entire year following the death of someone close to them such as a parent, while widows often will wear a black dress every day for the rest of their entire lives!
- 14. Greeks cash in so big on their “nameday” that this day is actually considered of greater importance than their birthday. Most Greek names have saints associated with them, and your nameday is celebrated on the annual feast day of that saint. Every Greek person will have at least one name day to celebrate within the calendar year.
- 15. Annually, Greece holds a special tourist record… as one of the few countries in the world that can claim having two tourists per one Greek. Amazingly, Greece has double the number of tourists than it has in actual population. And that number is growing, as tourism continues to reach new heights each year in the country.
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons Copyright: FocalPoint License: CC-BY-SA
- 1) Four hospitals in Attica Region already organizing afternoon surgical procedures
- 2) PM: More than 80 hospitals and 156 health centres being upgraded in Greece
- 3) First afternoon surgeries in Greece kick off at Papageorgiou Hospital in Thessaloniki
- 4) Prime Minister: Radical change in Greek education and a brave reform for growth
16/03 13:01
Greek Deputy Foreign Μinister meets her Slovenian counterpart in Athens
16/03 12:56
Greek-Canadian Diaspora to welcome Greek Prime Minister to Toronto
16/03 11:28
Greek Migration Minister visits refugee hosting facilities in Kavala, Drama and Serres
15/03 21:50
Greek Minister announces conference on defence ecosystem in Athens from Lithuania
15/03 13:45
PM: More than 80 hospitals and 156 health centres being upgraded in Greece
15/03 12:55
Piraeus Port and Genoa Chambers of Commerce ink memorandum of cooperation
14/03 23:43
President of Hellenic Republic meets Prime Minister of Slovakia in Bratislava
14/03 22:58
American Express report highlights Global Travel Trends during 2024
14/03 22:52
Four hospitals in Attica Region already organizing afternoon surgical procedures
14/03 22:49
US Ambassador to Athens: More flights from the United States to Greece and Thessaloniki
14/03 22:43
Greek archaeologists discover ten ancient shipwrecks off Aegean island of Kasos
14/03 19:32
No new intubations for Covid-19 recorded in Greece for the first time
14/03 18:36
Extra road safety measures adopted for Greek pre-lent carnival and Clean Monday
14/03 14:48
14/03 12:54
Electric buses to be deployed on the streets of Athens and Thessaloniki by May
13/03 22:23
13/03 20:11
Prices of basic lenten products either lower or equal to last year's in Greece
13/03 19:15
US Ambassador to Athens: Greece secures NATO readiness via Alexandroupolis
13/03 17:19
13/03 12:26
Greece shows new costumes for revamped Olympic Flame-lighting ceremony
12/03 22:46
Epirotes Society of Philadelphia ‘Omonia’ organized 16th Annual ‘Tsipourovradia’
12/03 21:38
The President of the Hellenic Republic to visit Slovakia on March 13-15
12/03 20:29
First afternoon surgeries in Greece kick off at Papageorgiou Hospital in Thessaloniki
11/03 23:58
Greek Foreign Minister: We stand behind Montenegro's European perspective
11/03 23:47
Visa Express for Turkish citizens to commence on five Greek islands in March
11/03 19:40
11/03 18:49
Microsoft Data Center construction kicks off in Spata next to Athens Airport
11/03 17:53
Dodecanese Federation marked 76th Anniversary of Unification with Greece
09/03 22:23
08/03 14:27
Prime Minister: Radical change in Greek education and a brave reform for growth
08/03 14:24
Traffic restrictions expected in Athens mid-morning to evening on Friday due to protests
08/03 14:24
Applications to out-of-court settlement more than doubled in Greece in February
08/03 13:18
Metro station 'Maniatika' near Piraeus Port to be closed on Saturday and Sunday
07/03 14:12
Athens wins World Travel Award 2024 as the top city-break destination in Europe
06/03 22:51
WTTC data show Greece and Portugal lead league for growth in tourist arrivals
06/03 20:28
Greek Tourism Minister at ITB: 2024 will be another excellent year for sector
06/03 19:47
Greek Foreign Minister to meet UAE Minister of Industry and Technology on Friday
06/03 18:43
European Union actions of 274m euros to support cultural heritage in Greece
06/03 16:37
'Odontotos' rack railway temporarily stopped until landslides issue is resolved
06/03 14:40
Minister: Bringing about the return of Greeks abroad 'a moral duty'
05/03 14:28
Archdiocese of America Eparchial Synod to meet on March 14-17 in Florida
05/03 14:21
05/03 14:11
ITB BERLIN 2024 opens with excellent bookings after global rise in travel in 2023
05/03 12:24
Greek PM at Athens supermarket: Consumers 'can already see lower prices on the shelf'
04/03 22:02
Greek Health Minister: Afternoon surgeries at state hospitals to begin shortly
04/03 21:47
Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Whitestone Community marks 49th Anniversary
04/03 20:27
Labor chief: Greece to train 500,000 workers in digital, green skills by 2025
04/03 19:44
Foreign Ministry to organize event on 'Women, Peace, and Security' on Friday
04/03 15:12
Athens Riviera | The summer experience with Athens as a background
29/02 22:54
Consumers to see price cuts up to 18.1% in 3,000 Greek supermarket products as of Friday
29/02 21:44
Greece and Germany set up Working Group on shipping cooperation
29/02 21:30
Wyndham Rewards’ Member Month offers 5 weeks of deals, discounts, and bonus points
29/02 21:03
Temple of Poseidon at Sounion near Athens to get new lighting system
29/02 21:02
29/02 20:47
Greece is represented by 60 firms at GULFOOD 2024 exhibition
29/02 19:58
Greek government gives 1+1 month extension for cash register-integrated POS terminals
29/02 19:49
Archangel Michael Church Dance Program shines at Folk Dance Festival in SF
29/02 15:39
'Renovate-rent' programme to be launched, Minister tells Greek Parliament
29/02 12:39
Rio-Antirrio ferry line in central Greece closed due to strong winds
28/02 21:34
Weather with heavy rain and storms in Greece as of Sunday night
28/02 17:31
CEO: The goal is for PPC to become a leading player in Southeast Europe
28/02 17:04
New Wyndham Hotels Market Managing Director of Central and Eastern Europe
28/02 12:21
Minister: Transactions with the Greek State will be further simplified in 2024
28/02 11:57
27/02 17:25
UN Tourism hails Saudi Arabia's historic milestone of 100 million tourists
27/02 15:00
Greek Prime Minister: Relations with Armenia can become even more productive
27/02 14:26
Wyndham: New growth cycle in Greece for the largest hotel chain franchise in the world
27/02 13:15
Price cuts of up to 15% in important product categories in Greece after March 1
27/02 12:46
Athens taxi drivers' protest rally in progress from Athinon avenue to Messogion
26/02 18:30
Annual Summit of Women Political Leaders (WPL) to be held in Athens in April
26/02 18:27
Culture Ministry: Schwartz Mansion in Ampelakia near Larisa to get new lighting
26/02 17:25
Greek president organizes reception for diplomats at Presidential Mansion
26/02 16:33
Trapped rack-railway passengers returned safely to Diakopto in Peloponnese
26/02 16:21
Public transport, ferry and taxi strikes in Athens on Wednesday
25/02 12:30
Greek island of Ikaria among the Blue Zones for Health Eating and Longevity
24/02 20:39
Greek PM meets Qatar Emir: Focus on bilateral cooperation and investments
24/02 18:25
Prescription cannabis for medicinal use legally available in Greece for the first time
24/02 17:19
MInister: The aim is to make fishing and fish-farming a key pillar of the economy
23/02 23:36
Greek Prime Minister arrives in Doha to be received by Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi
23/02 23:26
The Festival of Greek Dances takes place in the Metropolis of San Francisco
23/02 21:32
Revealing "70 Years of Friendship: Greece's photo journey through the Korean War"
23/02 17:15
16 Greek firms showcase at international fashion exhibitions in London
23/02 14:09
Flights to and from Heraklion airport in Crete resume on Saturday
22/02 18:15
Bill for non-state, non-profit universities being tabled in Greek Parliament on Thursday
22/02 18:13
Temporary residence for displaced Ukrainians extended in Greece to March 2025
22/02 18:10
American Hellenic Institute Golden Jubilee celebration Includes concert on April 12
22/02 18:09
Tourism Minister stresses importance of strong relationship of Greece with Serbia
22/02 17:58
Education protest rally ends and traffic resumes in Athens city center
21/02 19:47
Twistic and WeavAIR startups clinch the UN Tourism Hospitality Challenge
21/02 18:34
21/02 18:13
Traffic in Athens returning to normal after tractors depart from the Greek capital
21/02 13:01
Greek Tourism Minister in Belgrade for International Exhibition
21/02 00:55
Resilience through diversity and investments the aim of UN Tourism visit to Jamaica
20/02 23:38
Rally concludes with farmer tractors leaving Athens on Wednesday morning
20/02 20:43
Greek Prime Minister on official visit to India as of Wednesday
20/02 16:51
Minister: Greece wants to become India's gateway to the European Union
19/02 21:19
DEFEA Conference to be held at Stavros Niarchos Foundation in Athens on May 15
19/02 19:06
Traffic restrictions for farmers' rally in central Athens on Tuesday
19/02 18:11
Greece wins top tourist destination award at Grand Travel Awards in Sweden
19/02 14:23
Health Minister: Option of afternoon surgeries at public hospitals start in Greece
Greek-Canadian Diaspora to welcome Greek Prime Minister to Toronto
Greek Migration Minister visits refugee hosting facilities in Kavala, Drama and Serres
Greek Deputy Foreign Μinister meets her Slovenian counterpart in Athens
American Express report highlights Global Travel Trends during 2024
PM: More than 80 hospitals and 156 health centres being upgraded in Greece
Greek Minister announces conference on defence ecosystem in Athens from Lithuania
US Ambassador to Athens: More flights from the United States to Greece and Thessaloniki
President of Hellenic Republic meets Prime Minister of Slovakia in Bratislava
Four hospitals in Attica Region already organizing afternoon surgical procedures
Piraeus Port and Genoa Chambers of Commerce ink memorandum of cooperation
Epirotes Society of Philadelphia ‘Omonia’ organized 16th Annual ‘Tsipourovradia’
Greek Prime Minister to meet Bulgarian counterpart at Maximos Mansion
IOBE forecasts 2.4% growth and 10.5% unemployment in Greece during 2024
Greek retail sector turnover exceeds last year's figures with €4 billion in December
3-year stay and work permits approved for 30,000 undocumented migrants in Greece
Impressive statue of Hercules unearthed in Philippi of Northern Greece
Education protest rally ends and traffic resumes in Athens city center
Development Minister: Supermarket food prices will start dropping in Greece in March
Saint Thomas Hellenic School organizes Parent Teacher Organization Fundraiser
Golden Visa bonus for foreigners buying luxury homes at Ellinikon in Athens
Athens International Airport makes spectacular debut on Athens Stock Exchange
Greek tax service AADE launches updated website new section on expatriates
CEO: The goal is for PPC to become a leading player in Southeast Europe
Construction of Greece-Cyprus-Israel interconnection cable commences