Xenia is the ancient Greek concept of hospitality where guests were shown the utmost respect. The two basic rules of hospitality were respect from host to guest and respect from guest to host. When travelers arrived, they would be provided food, lodging, company and inclusion in daily activities regardless of social class. Common Cretan hospitality traditions include offering guests water as a sign of respect, sharing a welcome drink and food, and reciting musical poetry. Handshakes, embraces and kisses on the cheeks are also customary greetings.

1. WELCOME TO CRETE - GREECE
Hospitality Customs

2. Xenia = Hospitality
Xenia is the ancient Greek concept
of hospitality. The Greek god
Zeus is also called “Zeus Xenios”.
He is the protector of travelers.
Xenia consists of two basic rules:
1) The respect from host to guest.
2) The respect from guest to host.

3. Greek Hospitality Customs
• Ancient greeks treated travellers with respect
and hospitality.
• Guests were provided with food, comfortable
place to stay, good company, and inclusion as
to the day's activities.
• Good manners and hospitality were exhibited
to all classes from beggar to rich.
• Greeks could have seen hospitality as a way to
honor the Gods.

4. A very common tradition: the host invites the
guest to sit around a table and offers a glass of
water as a sign of respect!
Ya mas, "a wish upon good health" is
something you will get acquainted with really
quickly if you hang out with locals!

5. When meeting someone for
the first time, shaking
hands firmly is the most
appropriate greeting.
Good friends and people
who have known each
other for a very long time
may also embrace and kiss
each other on both cheeks.
Shaking someone’s hands
while also tapping their
shoulder is also quite
common amongst male
friends.

8. “kerasma” = welcome drink and food“kerasma” = welcome drink and food
raki

9. SUGAR - MADINADES
Wikipedia: “Mantinades is the art of musical declamation (recitative) in
form of a narrative or dialogue, sung in the rhythm of accompanying
music…”
Sugar – madinades is a traditional “kerasma”
welcome trite to guests in Crete.

12. Mizithropita (cheese pie)