Etiquette and non-verbal codes in Greek bouzouki clubs Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bouzouki_001.jpg A tongue-in-cheek guide to Greek folk culture for the British and other aliens Sofia Gkiousou Greek in Residence www.digital-era.org

Why you need to know this People have died ( fact ) You know how you think the French teenage tourists in London are out of order? (that’s why) You WILL be invited to my wedding (as optimistic as that may sound) Source: www.protothema.gr/content.php?id=13941

People have died ( fact )

You know how you think the French teenage tourists in London are out of order? (that’s why)

You WILL be invited to my wedding (as optimistic as that may sound)

3 Rules to avoid annoying the locals Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/32272349@N06/3015130481/

Rule 1: Not your dance Παραγγελιά ( paragelia = ordered/ booked) : A song that has been requested and is being played for someone specific to dance. The singer/ bouzouki player will say “ Παραγγελιά ” before the song. You have been warned. It is insulting to dance someone else’s “ Παραγγελιά ”. Sit, watch, learn.

Παραγγελιά ( paragelia = ordered/ booked) : A song that has been requested and is being played for someone specific to dance.

The singer/ bouzouki player will say “ Παραγγελιά ” before the song. You have been warned.

It is insulting to dance someone else’s “ Παραγγελιά ”.

Sit, watch, learn.

Rule 2: Not your woman Women ( not yours) : By definition any human of the female persuasion that sits in the same table as a man. Even her uncle. Look/ signal/ wink/ flirt with a woman (not yours) and you are looking for trouble (the man will react and even if you get the girl Greek women ARE trouble) If you insist (and that’s really her uncle): ask him if you can dance with her.

Women ( not yours) : By definition any human of the female persuasion that sits in the same table as a man. Even her uncle.

Look/ signal/ wink/ flirt with a woman (not yours) and you are looking for trouble (the man will react and even if you get the girl Greek women ARE trouble)

If you insist (and that’s really her uncle): ask him if you can dance with her.

Rule 3: Not your random body part Plate smashing ( it’s an art) is nowadays rare – we mostly go for flowers In the unlikely event of plate smashing observe and learn before you try it. Source: http://www.protothema.gr/content/data/upimages/image.php?image=karas,4343.jpg&width=450&height=295 Considered extremely impolite if you cut off someone’s artery. The instructor will now show you the right way to smash plates (it’s all in the wrist)

Plate smashing ( it’s an art) is nowadays rare – we mostly go for flowers

In the unlikely event of plate smashing observe and learn before you try it.

Considered extremely impolite if you cut off someone’s artery.

The instructor will now show you the right way to smash plates (it’s all in the wrist)

Thank you – I have been great Source: http://www.nikos-zachariadis.org/?p=192 Sofia Gkiousou Greek in Residence www.digital-era.org