nanCULTURAL INFORMATION

(GREEKS)

Question:

I am meeting someone for the first time and I want to make a good impression. What would be good discussion topics?

CANADIAN PERSPECTIVE

If you are meeting someone for the first time, good discussion topics are his/her job and family. Consider the place you are meeting at and what kind of other conversation can be fostered by the environment (if you meet in a gallery, you can talk about art etc). Let them talk first and get the information you need in order to understand their perspective in life. Discussion on personal relationships should be avoided; your curiosity may offend people. Greeks love to laugh and a good joke is a good way to break the ice.

Good topics of conversation include: a brief description of your family, an overview of your background. It is important to clearly define yourself as a Canadian,

as Greeks tend to clump together in their mind a concept of North America as “America”.

Greek attitudes towards Canada and the U.S are:

mainly friendly, although many Greeks disagree with some U.S foreign policy. Greeks are very politically polarized and have strong views. The country is practically equally divided between the Right Wing New Democracy Party, and the more Left Wing PASOK Party. It is advisable to use caution when talking about political issues; it is best to avoid talking about issues regarding other Balkan countries (the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and Albania) and Turkey. Greeks are generally warm and receiving people, they do not smile and laugh very often during conversations. Early on when first meeting someone, in Canada it would be natural to joke, add smiles and some chuckles to lighten the mood. This would be perceived a little odd in Greece, as people are initially firmer.

However as they become more familiar with someone, Greeks are very easy to get along with and very laid-back in general.

CANADIAN PERSPECTIVE

Cultural Information –Communication Styles

Question:

What do I need to know about verbal and non-verbal communications?

Greeks are people that hug and kiss and stay close together. I do not think that there is an acceptable distance that separates two people when talking to each other; you have to set your own distance between you and the other person.

Touching is also acceptable in a conversation. Eye contact is important in the Greek culture.

An old saying says that “the eyes mirror our soul” and in that way, they have power. Make eye contact; it is a sign of personal empowerment, but also a sign of seeking communication contact with other people.

As long as the tone of the voice has a “friendly” colour, there are no instructions for how to tone your voice and how direct your speech can be.

Expressing one’s emotions and feelings in your gestures and behaviours are an acceptable thing in Greece.

LOCAL PERSPECTIVE

When it comes to touching someone, Greeks are much more active than Canadians. Firm handshakes are frequent between co-workers, and a lot of times patting of the shoulder or back is also frequent even among people who are relatively unfamiliar with each other. As a formal gesture (for example when greeting co-workers at a function outside the work environment), males and females will greet each other with a kiss on both cheeks. Females and females may also do this, but males and males usually just shake hands.In general, physical contact is probably more important than eye contact in establishing a rapport. When it comes to hand gestures, it is best to avoid an open palm directed at someone’s face, as this is an insult. Having your back turned to someone is also not a good gesture. It’s important to note that winking at someone is probably used more often in Greece and is often a simply friendly gesture.

CANADIAN PERSPECTIVE

REFERNCEIntecultural discourse book