5 Things You Should NEVER Do When Visiting Greece🇬🇷

[@MovingForwardLifestyle]

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[@krisrizakis9989]

I'm Greek. Paying the bill is something i've seen in other cultures as well as in Greek culture. One of my closest friends is Sicilian. When we go out to eat with our families, we strategize on who's going to pay the bill at the end of the meal. It's never the same way. I've called ahead before to make sure they don't take his money. He's done the whole bathroom trick also. In the long run, it evens itself out. But when you pay the bill, you feel good and it tells the person you've broken bread with that you enjoyed your time with them.

[@Pavlos_Charalambous]

@@krisrizakis9989 to be fair southern Italian and Sicilian cultures are very close to the Greek one 😉

[@ninak.5283]

We do split the bill when we are many friends and not a special occasion, but we just divide it to the number of people and round it up, not check who ate what. And when an extra friend shows up at the end and they just nimble a bit, we definitely don't let him/her pay anything. 😄 But... no guest is ever allowed to pay, it's law! If you come from any other place and you are a friend, it's all on us. Our city/town/village, our bill at the taverna! 😉

[@anastasiosgkotzamanis5277]

1.Love that you used footage from old Greek movies. Your moutza is great. Can you do a video about Greek movies and music that you like? 2.About being offered food, there are two Greek sayings: He who hesitates ends up hungry (οποιος ντρεπεται δεν τρωει.) If you hear about eating, sit. If you hear about a beating, run (οταν ακουτε για φαϊ, θα καθεστε. Οταν ακουτε για ξυλο, θα τρεχετε.)

[@marystar6021]

The "Moutza" brings back so many childhood memories living in a predominately Greek neighborhood, often seeing upset adults throwing the moutza and yelling "hasou" (get lost) / "aye to diabolo" "go to the devil" etc.... 😅😂🤣

[@Pavlos_Charalambous]

@@marystar6021 and " Parta na min sta chrostao" take em so I won't own them ( to you) 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@anthonyc.ekonomides115]

"aye Sto' Thiabolo"

[@ch1ckenphat514]

Number 5. I experienced this first hand. I had cousin inlaw take us out for a beautiful dinner and I, like a ninja went and paid the bill instead of "using the bathroom". He was beyond shocked and a little upset that I had done so. I was okay with it since we weren't able to make it to his wedding the year before so I figured, my treat. Great food, great company. Beautiful.

[@ΠΑΝΑΓΙΩΤΗΣ-κ2φ]

CONGRATULATIONS, FOR THE EXPANSIONS, YOU ARE GIVING FOR THE CONTEMPORARY GREEK CULTURE, AND THEIR WAY OF LIVING!!!🥰

[@emmagranados4218]

I still do that, I say that I have to go to the toilet and pay for the bill, makes me happy!🎉😊 I'm originally from Spain living in the UK. I love Greece and I love your videos, so informative and entertaining at the same time! Efharisto

[@maniatisastrong]

Ok: 1. The NAH: U had me ROLLING...‼🤣🤣🤣‼ 2. Eating: My late godmother was famous for this. We used to roll ourselves out the door every time! 💙💙💙

[@nicknick-71]

Haha I've done the bathroom-ninja bill pay so many times! And people don't take offence. In Greece when we invite you to diner or take you out it's because we really care about you.

[@LeniaGlarou]

Μπράβο! Πραγματικά έχεις πιάσει το πνεύμα. Έχεις μάθει πολλά. Συμφωνώ σε όλα.

[@michaeloconnell1977]

It is abundantly obvious that this man has a good hold of the Greek culture. Well played to you Daniel, nice insights here and on your other videos.

[@ΣΤΥΛΙΑΝΟΣ-ζ1φ]

Ουαου τα λες πολύ σωστά φίλε μου. Απλός αν κάτι από αυτά που λες σε κάνουν να νιώθεις άβολα, να μην ξεχνάς να προσέχεις τον εαυτό σου και ας ειναι μέρος της κουλτούρας. Ακόμη και οι Έλληνες πολλές φορές λέμε οχι όταν κάποιος πάει να μας δώσει φαγητό η να μας πληρώσει τον λογαριασμό. Και αυτο είναι okay. Don't worry about it and go with the flow because you also need to feel comfortable where you leave. Thank you for your videos επειδή μπορώ να δω και πως κάποιος από άλλη χώρα βλέπει την Ελλάδα. Καλή συνέχεια μάγκα μου

[@odysseasntalias5950]

Your MUTZA seminary will be an emblematic description, worthy of being demonstrated in greek learning classes globally.... About the yayas and papous staring at you the next thing happening is them asking you : ,TINOS ISAI ?? =whose child are you??. The funny is trick is the following: the moment they open their mouth and before they say it you ask them first TINOS ISAI and you see them being totally confused and at the brink of having a brain stroke...😊😊😊😊🇬🇷🇬🇷☺️🇬🇷🇬🇷☺️☺️☺️

[@anthonyc.ekonomides115]

I very much enjoy your videos, particularly as the son of Greek immigrants, (was born and raised in Toronto and have lived my adult life in Tampa); you honor the country, hertitage, ethnic culture and habits of a small but extraordinary country and people. I personally thank you. Keep doing your thing. P.S. your pronunciation is constantly improving. Νάσαι πάντα καλά φιλέ - καλή συνέχεια.

[@jsjs627]

Great Videos !!! Nafplio is a beautiful place to live !!!

[@sofiabarkho7932]

0mg that's so true, 😅 about the food, miss those days ❤

[@thomasdenney4931]

One of the most difficult things I had to get used to when visiting Crete 5 years ago, was not getting the bill and leaving right after I finish eating.

[@ΑπόλλωνΘηρευτής]

In Byzantine times, thieves, rapists and generally those who committed serious illegalities, it was an unwritten law for them to be ridiculed in the market / square by the population before going to prison. The most common insult from the citizens to them, was to take dirt or mud from the ground and spread it on the face of the illegal person. This movement - with the hand open - was called "μουτζούρεμα / moutzourema / smudge" and later "μούτζωμα / moutzoma". The criminal himself was called "moutzouremenos or moutzomenos / blurry". This movement, that is, showing the other your open palm, has exactly the same meaning today - without the mud. It was and remains a serious insult to the Greeks, but among friends it is considered a joke. For this, when we show the number 5 we use the back of the palm. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Στα χρόνια του Βυζαντίου, οι κλέφτες οι βιαστές και γενικά αυτοί που έκαναν βαριές παρανομίες, ήταν άγραφος νόμος αυτοί να γελοιοποιούνται στην αγορά/πλατεία από τον πληθυσμό πριν μπούν στην φυλακή. Η πιο συνηθισμένη ύβρις από τους πολίτες προς αυτούς, ήταν να παίρνουν από το έδαφος χώμα ή λάσπη και να το απλώνουν στο πρόσωπο του παράνομου προσώπου. Αυτή η κίνηση - με το χέρι ανοιχτό - λεγόταν "μουτζούρεμα" και αργότερα "μούτζωμα". Ο ίδιος ο εγκληματίας λεγόταν "μουτζουρωμένος / μουτζομένος". Αυτή η κίνηση , δηλαδή το να δείχνεις στον άλλον την ανοιχτή παλάμη σου, έχει σήμερα ακριβώς την ίδια έννοια - χωρίς την λάσπη. Ήταν και παραμένει σοβαρή βρισιά για τους Έλληνες, όμως μεταξύ φίλων γίνεται για αστείο. Για αυτό, όταν δείχνουμε τον αριθμό 5 χρησιμοποιούμε το πίσω μέρος της παλάμης.

[@Pavlos_Charalambous]

@@ΑπόλλωνΘηρευτής public humiliation and was a very written law in late Roman era ( byzantium never existed, that's a latter German term) As well as Torture and mutilation even for minor things like adultery or eating meat during fasting days Edit: it wasn't dirt that they used It was coal dust

[@TheGlitterGlobe]

Thank you, great tips! Never refusing food is my own private nightmare. I have severe food allergies (I carry an epipen). My friends on the island know this, but it happens again and again!

[@lznclsn]

In all my years visiting Greece I've only seen the moutza done once! And boy did he mean it! A driver was coming out of his driveway when another driver nearly went into him and just carried on! Having attended Greek language classes I knew exactly what I was witnessing!

[@kourtourafi]

ΟΚ, let's talk about the "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" video. We shouldn't forget that's it's a comedy and certain traits or situations are grossly exaggerated or even distorted. Actually, the most important principle of the traditional Greek diet (the basis of the so-called Mediterranean diet) is the very scarce consumption of meat (especially red meat). Therefore, Greek people perfectly understand or even embrace the concept of not eating meat. P.S. The toilet trick in order to pay the bill is so true; I've done it myself a million times. Also, the fighting over who's gonna pay the bill is very-very true...

[@robertlulk]

I love Greece

[@GeorgeKontogiannis-cu7on]

You’re are class guy …. Great video as always

[@AlexLeonTube]

Check, check, check and check! All correct and όλα super καλά!

[@Anaathens-zx6fn]

Excellent video! So funny when it comes to "Moudza"! Also the meaning of this gesture is accurately defined in a comment. The correct pronunciation is actually MOUDZA. Just spell clearly all the letters and extend your spelling when you pronounce the 'OU', which is actually an extended/stressed "U". All the best!

[@sophiamartinou903]

Even by seeing your hand open to my face in this video,I am shocked !

[@adamv2628]

Nice suggestions 😊

[@51jjm]

Daniel! Nice video today. Bravo sou! I'm a Californian living in Greece/Kefalonia as well. I'm curious if you know the "history"/"evolution" of the moutza? :) It's very dark, fascinating...and! very Greek! :) Let me know if you don't know and I'll fill you in. Hope to share a coffee with you someday. I've been living here 10 years now...keep-up the good work φίλε. 👊

[@odysseasntalias5950]

@@51jjm Check the comments after yours. There's a thorough description of the origin. In summary the original gesture was throwing dirt to criminals while they were being by custom ridiculed in public before being taken to prison. ..

[@Pavlos_Charalambous]

@@odysseasntalias5950 it was coal dust and the crimes could be as silly as adultery or not taking part to religious rites

[@harakoutalou6868]

Paying the bill in Greece is not about money. It means "you are my guest, I will do my best for you to enjoy the dinner, the lunch, the whatever". It is called philoxenia and in ancient times it was under Zeus' responsibility, so it was very important. Once again, its not about money.

[@nfilippis1]

Ωραιο!

[@RavenFCB]

Another one - when you have a meeting with Greek person at 17:00, do NOT expect that he/she will arrive at 17:00 :D :D :D Expect 17:50 at the best scenario

[@Pavlos_Charalambous]

We almost never say 17.00 it's always " about 17.50" 😁😁😁😁 it's also kinda polite when visiting someone's house because you give them time to better prepare themselves 😉 or as a posh Englishman would have said a good etiquette 😁😁😁

[@RavenFCB]

@@Pavlos_Charalambous Its one of the few things I hate at Greece. Because I myself im very punctual person. When I have to be somewhere at 17:00 I'll rather arrive 16:50, just in case :)

[@Pavlos_Charalambous]

@@RavenFCB just like my wife 😁all jokes aside that's usually is been expected if you are working on swifts 15 to 20 minutes earlier so the other person can have time to Update you on whatever you need to know ect 😉

[@GiorgosPlanar]

That's incorrect

[@Pavlos_Charalambous]

Πόσα ξέρεις Ντάνιελ 😄 Indeed, when Invitated to a dinner it's considered polite to bring something with you And indeed Greeks get very upset if you don't at least try some food, while older generations consider almost a sin to throw away food ( due to ww2 famine) as you can tell food is very important It's also considered " cheap" to split the bill, indeed people will often fight over who is paying 😁 As for the stering thing, younger people are often consider it as a polite way to ask for something while moving a little bit the hands or smalling, for example many people call the waiter this way or wait to get noticed and the other person to start the conversation, in Greece Humorously we called " haritomenia" doing the Cute thing 😉

[@emmour9288]

Na na na na na na na na Hahahahaha you got me !!!!! Yes im Greek!!!!

[@ioannischristou2362]

the finger is even ruder!!! regarding your accent, yap, you've got it 🙂

[@Arcadian1821]

I have infamatory arthritis and cannot eat certain foods. How do I respectfully decline the foods and drinks I can't consume? I only speak broken Greek.

[@dimitrioschatzopoulos217]

Don't worry about it, just say it and nobody will have a problem or get offended (unless they are stupid), of course there are exceptions to every "rule". Greeks like to offer food but we are not stupid, what might happen is they will try to accomodate your needs, i.e make something that you can eat.

[@chryloulou]

Πόσο καλά μας ξέρεις..😂😂😂

[@sofiabarkho7932]

😂😂😂 💯 you got it 😅 😁🇬🇷🧿

[@MomoMomoyan]

I am Armenian and we have the same costume, at the end of the meal we always fight for the bill 😂😂😂, “ I will pay, no I got it, no it’s my turn ……” 😂😂😂

[@esioanniannaho5939]

Excellent. I experienced this. But cause I also invited two Iberian friends some looked agahested I made that excuse and paid the bill surreptitiously. However there was at the end not thank you but silence ? I still have Not fathomed this out. As a Celt I have Had 2 different experiences. Still feel the Externico very different from Celts. More Anglo ??

[@esioanniannaho5939]

Definitely 💯 Not Mess !

[@kyriakos_ioannou]

As far as number 3 is concerned the locals aren't checking you out, it's considered bad character if you don't greet so they are watching you and expecting a greeting, we have a saying «Εκείνος που περνάει και δεν λέει ούτε γειά ούτε καλως τον, στο πανηγύρι έπαρτον και όσα σου δώσουν δωσ' τον».

[@xandrios]

Another important one. Weddings. When invited to a wedding you gift cash. Depending on your relationship with the couple that may be from 50-250 euro per person attending. If invited but not attending - when family - you MUST invite the couple for lunch, dinner or at the very least coffee and give them their enveloppe then.

[@MinestroneOfSound]

I remember, years back in Corfu, seeing an old guy arguing with someone. It ended with him waving his hand forward in a sort-of chopping motion, and saying a handful of what I think were profanities. Saw it happen a few times back then. But not when travelling to Greece in later years, and was wondering if that hand signal had a name and whether modern Greeks still use it?

[@ninak.5283]

If it is what I think, fingers expanded but united, wrist bent outwards and chopping motion... then it means "I will spank you" 😂

[@ARISKORAKIDIS]

😂👍

[@flavios0101]

Brazilians also fight for the bill

[@josefmills]

My mum used to give me the nah as a kid

[@b.anoniem9007]

Okay; I'm a also a vegetarian like the man in my big fat Greek wedding. What do I have to do when visiting Greece and someone wants to feed me meat? Just accept, but don't eat?

[@nickdsp8089]

You don't have to eat meat. But you HAVE TO eat something. So ask for a salad instead or pasta. They will be happy and not offended.

[@panteleon1]

if you get the evil eye on you and you feel heavy headed dizzy and goofy get a moutza from a first born to get it resolved and don't forget to carry your blue eye keepsake

[@Panos-Veria]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@eyeballbilly]

As a guest don’t talk politics about Greece if you haven’t lived there. Don’t tell them what they’re doing wrong. If they ask then offer outsiders perspective otherwise just listen and empathise

[@hariszark7396]

Correct pronunciation is MOO-DZA.

[@vassilisvouris6269]

Moutza is dirt. It is like throwing dirt or stones at someone, like a curse. Geia, is wishing someone good health, in ancient Greek Έρρωσο (Erroso).

[@sputnikone6281]

In Greece never order a Turkish coffee at a restaurant!

[@7n8th]

Well as many other things that we use in common... like malakas ( the actual translation is jurk.. someone that is so pathetic who can't find a girl so he masturbates) and ... is used a lot so no one actually take offence of it the same is moutza. Moutza is a very old and really brutal curse.. is a curse that someone wish for you to lose all your 5 senses... but nowadays no one even remember the actual meaning... you can even give a moutza to a friend that did a bad or spicy joke by laughing the same time ... orrr ofcourse if you are really angry to someone... To be ownest many many many things we do sums up on a..... go figure comment 😂

[@100mexk]

Forget declining food, we'll simply force feed you

[@cristinag.7420]

Its just common sense...

[@garmy441]

From my experience newest generations specially bellow 25 don't follow lots of these don'ts anymore

[@Pavlos_Charalambous]

@@garmy441 although some norms naturally changed over time I would say it's more like a situation thing, are you like taking food on hand to eat it at street or you going to Sit on a table? Are you with your girlfriend or some relatives? Or co workers? Or very close friends? For example if someone has made a dinner for you invated you at home ect, and you don't touch it, let's say the Evening won't go well On the other hand if it's about chilling out watching TV and ordering some pizza it's fine The same for example if you go out for a date and spilt the bill at a restaurant - big no no While splitting the bill for souvlaki and beer at a bench it's fine Meeting your future in laws empty handed - not a good impression Going to a marriage, or baptism without at least a symbolic gift, again won't give a great impression Going for drinks with friends - will often mean making " sirmagia" as older people used to say that means that everyone is going to add to a common " stash" so you can order bottles instead of glasses of drinks Going for a drink with a girl " you have" to ask her first if she is OK with you paying the entire bill and if she's not you respect that and split the bill ( yes Greek women might decline the offer so you won't get any wrong messages) Very situational

[@kimon114]

Even though I know that you do the moutza for illustration purposes, I still flinch.. Even through the screen, I take offence!!! It’s so ingrained in me that I can’t stand it even if obviously its not meant for me…

[@Stilvotidis]

Moutza comes from ancient Greece when people were fighting and the streets always had horses waist they would throw the poops to the other. "Eat that". Nowadays we don't throw sh... one another, we just moutza them the movement and the most of the Greeks getting angry without knowing the meaning. Isn't that ridiculous? This moutza went through turkish occupation, Byzantium and Romans and more than 2500 years... We have a lot of this things from the ancients I must tell you...

[@Jerry_Bean15]

Am greek💀

[@sarausage]

This sounds like middle eastern culture

[@sarausage]

Did he just say watermelon in middle eastern langauge

[@artadrians]

Yes the Greeks have it RIGHT about the bill paying...here in Australia THEY like to split the bill..which i HATE...because i DONT DRINK and am a light eater generally a Salad and when the bill comes...THEY say oh the bill is $400 there's 4 of us so $100 each...so UNFAIR.. SO .. i avoid going to diner with AUSTRALIANS unless i make it CLEAR we are each paying for OURSELVES...😊

[@Giannispri]

mate, in this situation, in Greece, if you one the guests or one of the homies, then your salad is on us. the whole idea behind the "your money ain't good enough here" ritual, is to show our guest we want to honour them by treating them to the meal. Of course it's not a habit that only Greeks have. I'd say,if among friends, its global.

[@sarausage]

Who are u with that is splitting the bill I’m Aussie aswell but no one splits bills it’s the person that invites u that pays for it unless it’s a excursion if u both planned it and u guys want to save money then sure split pay for urs and they pay for there’s.

[@artadrians]

@sarausage oh COME ON let's face it Australians lack ETIQUETTE AND PHILOTIMO..

[@orfe4s]

MouNtza pronunciation: I wound totally understand your pronunciation. But there is a problem and two minor issues. 1) TZ pronunciation. -1. welcome to the " δίψηφα σύμφωνα" (two-digit consonants/ two-letter consonants) pronunciation. -2. the correct sound of this combination of letters is ALMOST( and no exactly) like the english j ( like in word just) . BUT the sound of ΤΖ can better be described as dz but in the length of ΟΝΕ consonant : d͡z. ( by the way that is way it is written as T-Z, because the Τ and D, are Dental/Alveolar consonants. -3. you pronounced it as TS, ΤΣ. Which by the way is a logical mistake , they are very close sounds even linguists have trouble with (and disagreements) : check the relevant part here.( CTRL+F d͡z ) : en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_Greek_phonology. -4 don't treat TZ ans ΤΣ as allophones. they are different. ( but some times they are allophones) 2) The dot in your pronunciation. -1. maybe you did it you clarify the sounds for someone that never heard the word before. -2. don't stop after the u . Say it all together. 3) Also it is NOT MUTZA. -1. It is ΜΟΥΝΤΖΑ!. (ΜΟΥΝ-ΤΖΑ) ( pronunciation hyphen) -2. It comes from the word ΜΟΥΝΤΖ-ΟΥΡ-Α., ΜΟΥΝΤΖ-ΟΥΡ-ΩΝΩ ( grammar hyphen) -3. The verb is Μουντζώνω -4. ! BUT as usually happens with the N sound, we tend to omit it for various reasons. -5. so again you are kinda right for not pronouncing the N ( lots of Greeks usually do it) -6. read the interesting history of the word : el.wikipedia.org/wiki/%CE%9C%CE%BF%CF%8D%CE%BD%CF%84%CE%B6%CE%B1 also about the TZ : forum.language-learners.org/viewtopic.php?t=19691 Disclaimer: i am not a teacher or linguist or anything relevant. Have a nice day! I wish you the best!