FAQ, Greece Frequently Asked Questions

Why are the tree trunks painted white?
The white paint is there for one of two reasons. It is either an insect repellent or a way to reflect light in the night. Greek roads are often not illuminated, and by painting the trees you can see where you are at night.

What are those little, blue eyes for?
To protect you from the Evil Eye. For more about the Evil Eye, click on the option to the left.

What are the little roadshrines?
There are different kinds of roadshrines. The smaller ones that usually look like little boxes on long legs are often put there in honour of victims of road accidents. Sometimes there is a picture of the victim(s), a few icons and a burning oil lamp.

The bigger ones are either monuments of prominent citizens that lived in the village or town, and their names are inscribed on plaques on the shrine, or belong to a nearby church or monastery.

In the latter case, the shrine is something like a sign telling the traveler that a church is nearby.
Sometimes Greek families also put a shrine outside their houses in order to bless it.
If you look inside these shrines, you will see that they always have some icons inside, a burning oil lamp and Coke-, beer- or water bottles These bottles contain the oil that keeps the lamp burning.

Can Greek priests marry?
Yes, but only if they marry before taking the vows. A married priest can not make a "career" within the church.

Greeks and animals - what's the matter?
Good question! Well, it is a very sad facts that animals in Greece often are badly treated. Everywhere there are dogs locked out on balconies and rooftops in the boiling heat, animals being poisoned, hit by cars and left to die, starving donkeys, stray animals etc. Of course, not all Greeks treat the animals like this, but there is a frightening amount of them that do. There is no real explanation. It is basically a matter of lack of education and respect. Anything else is just a bad excuse. There are several organizations in Greece that do their best to take care of stray animals and improve the situation. You can look some of them up in the Business Index.

What does "yamas" mean?
The well known expression for "cheers" ,"yamas", which you encounter in bars and restaurants consists of two words: "eyeia" (health) and "mas" (our). In other words "Our health". If you say "yasou" it means "your health" since "sou" means "your". More info in The Greek Language.

Why do Greeks sometimes make the cross sign for no apparent reason?
The cross sign is made in church, before meals and sometimes when paying a compliment in order to ward off the Evil Eye (see The Evil Eye).
When Greeks talk about something terrible that has happened, they might also do the sign. If they pass a church they will also do it, regardless if they are walking or traveling by bus or car.

Are there any internationally known Greeks?
Yes, many. Just a few names: Vangelis, composer, Nana Mouskouri, singer, Olympia Dukakis, actress, Melina Mercouri, deceased actress and Minister of Culture, Jennifer Aniston, actress (Greek roots), Eirene Pappa, actress, Demis Roussos, singer.

Is there really animosity between the Greeks and Turks?
Sensitive question!!! On the one hand the Greeks blame the Turks for Greece's situation. 400 years of enslavement has taken its toll. They also feel very strongly about the Turkish government policies of persecuting authors that express criticism, the torture and treatment of the Kurds.
On the other hand, Greeks and Turks often join hands as peoples. The two countries worked hard together after the great earthquakes in Greece and Turkey in 1999. But in general, Greeks are more negative towards the Turkish government than the Turkish people.

How do the Greeks feel about foreigners?
The Greek word for foreigner, xenos, also means guest. Hospitality is very important to the Greeks, and has been since ancient times. On the other hand, the Greeks often feel that their country, especially the summer resorts, are losing their originality because of the tourism. This is a dilemma, tourism brings money but also commercialism. Foreign people that own businesses in Greece are often subject to both envy and boycottage

by the locals, but that often applies to Greeks from other places than the resort as well. It also depends where you come from. Scandinavians are often appreciated but also considered a bit alcoholic and "loose". British people are well liked, but a bit too heavy drinkers as well. Greeks often feel that the British

are a little bit stingy when it comes to tips as well.
Italians are very popular.

What are those dried flower wreaths on the doors?
The wreaths are put on the front door on the 1st of May, and supposedly fall off at the end of the summer when they are all dried up. Thus it is a kind of time measurement. This is believed to be an ancient custom that has survived, and the Orthodox church consider it pagan.

Are Greeks really as macho as their reputation?
Yes and no. The Greek society is still very male orientated, and the attitude that the woman should stay home and that the man can do whatever he likes is still quite dominating. A quite common problem is that foreign women fall in love with and marry Greek men a little bit too fast, only to discover that the liberated summer Adonis really is a total male chauvinist. Nevertheless, younger Greeks are often much more modern, and it is very common today that both the man and woman work.

Many houses have gargoyles in each corner - why?
Many houses with tiled roofs have a little head in each corner. This is supposedly a custom dating back to Mediaeval times when the Venetians ruled in many parts of Greece. They would attach these heads in order to protect the house from evil spirits, and the custom still prevails. Few Greeks actually believe they will protect the house, nowadays it is more an esthetic practice.

Why are there black crosses in the doorways?
On the Easter Sunday the Greeks celebrate the Resurrection. They all gather up in and around the local churches, and at exactly midnight the priest comes out with a lit candle with the Holy Fire from Bethlehem. He then lets the surrounding people light their own candles, and they in turn pass it on, until everybody has a lit candle. While doing this, the exclamation CHRISTOS ANESTI (Christ has resurrected) is made. Then everybody goes home, and they try to keep the candle lit all they way back. If they make it, they make a cross of soot in the doorway, to protect the house until next Easter.

Which are the major political parties?
NEA DEMOCRATIA is the leading party, and it's leader Kostas Karamanlis is the Prime Minister of Greece. It is a liberal party. Second largest is PASOK which is a socialist party. All other political parties, KKE, SYNASPISMOS etc. are much smaller. For more info, have a look at Facts about Greece.