Almost every day of the year is devoted to a Christian saint or martyr, according to Greek Orthodox tradition. When a Greek is named after one of these saints, the saint’s feast day becomes their “name day,” which is celebrated in the same way as a birthday, but even BIGGER in Greece! See Greek Orthodox Name Day Calendar by Greek Boston
2.) YOU WISH EVERYONE A “KALO MINA” (HAPPY MONTH) ON THE FIRST OF EVERY MONTH AND USE THE WORD “KALO” VERY OFTEN.
Greeks love to put the word “kalo” or “kali” (which means good) in front of everything! Like “kali sinehia” which means a good continuation to you, “kalo kalokairi” which means have a good summer, “kales doulies” which means have good jobs, when someone wishes success to someone with their work. Even when it comes to rest, Greeks will say “kali xekouri” which means have a good rest. When someone is travelling, “kalo taxidi” which means have a safe trip. When someone passes, they will even say “kalo paradiso”, which means a good heaven to the person who has past away.
3.) YOU TEACH YOUR KID HOW TO SPEAK GREEK AND DANCE BEFORE THEY CAN EVEN WALK.
Greeks will teach their kids to Greek dance at a very early age. They will also usually teach them to speak Greek first! It’s much easier to learn Greek first, and English later. Not that Greek is easy, just easier to learn first as a child, Most Greek children are taken to Greek school or now in a pandemic world may learn Greek with Greek lessons online from the ‘Online Greek Tutor’
4.) YOU’RE NOT ALLOWED TO MOVE OUT UNTIL YOU’RE MARRIED.
Greeks are very into what people will say or think if you’re moving out and not married. This is VERY taboo in Greek culture as Greek parents want their children leaving the house married.
5.) YOUR DAD USES RUBBING ALCOHOL OR PEROXIDE FOR EVERYTHING!
Greek dads all have their own first aid home remedy. They will turn to rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide to aid everything from cuts to scrapes, to muscle aches. No, Greeks do NOT use Windex! RIP Mr. Gus Portokalos (Michael Constantine). You will be missed. “Ha! There you go!”
6.) YOUR PARENTS WILL OPENLY TELL YOU “PAHINES” (“YOU’VE GOTTEN FAT”) THEN…THEY TELL YOU TO “EAT MORE”!
Greeks don’t need scales when they have a big fat and brutally honest Greek family. Greek parents and relatives will openly tell someone “Pahines?” Did you gain weight? In Greece, your aunts and uncles will openly tell you you have put on a few pounds
7.) YOU CONSUME GREEK COFFEE OR FRAPPE ON A DAILY BASIS.
8.) YOU VISIT GREECE RELIGIOUSLY EVERY SUMMER.
9.) YOU HAVE MORE THAN A FEW ICONS IN YOUR HOME.
Greeks have lots of Orthodox icons throughout their home! Especially in the kitchen, or in a special corner of the home.
10.) YOU’RE LATE FOR EVERYTHING AND RUN ON “GREEK TIME”
Greeks are known for being fashionably late to most things. Whether you’re waiting for the bride to show up at the wedding reception or have a meeting with a fellow Greek, we’re usually late!
