The Greek hospitality – a living legend

I think everybody with some multicultural experience has either heard or witnessed the famous Greek hospitality one time or another. But being in Greece, I can tell you that much, it is as they say: I’ve never in my life witnessed the sheer overwhelming volume of kindness, helpfulness, and hospitality in any other country.

Well, at this point in time some of you might say: But Chris, you haven’t been in every country in the world … blah, blah… Yes, it’s true, I haven’t. But I have been in some of them, and references to compare are plenty. When considering that I’m an Austrian citizen, and Austria itself is kind of famous for hospitality (Tourists are the focus here, for a living and working it is an entirely different matter).
The contacts to locals and the interactions were helpful and pleasant without exception. But I’d like to tell you about some occasions and my current situation to bring the right kind of picture to you guys.

Shops, bakeries, cafes and so on…
I’d like to state at first that I try to get into small local businesses before getting into a supermarket of some sort. It’s just the thing that I try to buy local, which is not always possible but quite rewarding.
When getting into a bakery, which happened on multiple occasions, asking the staff about the products and getting some treats and fresh bread we got gifted something sweet almost all of the time. I’d like to add that we bought stuff for three/four persons (all of them greedy buggers when it comes to food, myself included). I cannot recall the names of the sweets but just try to get into bakeries in Austria or Germany and check at which point you get something for free – unasked. Yes, I’ve sent you off on a long journey. Well, there might be exceptions but for an unbiased comparison get to a bakery where you have never been before, not the one where you are three times a week.
And don’t get the impression that you will get gifted every time in Greece as well. That’s not the case either, but my wild guess would be one out of three times. Well, that’s also depending on which mood you set the personnel in the shop. Top – Tip: Smiling matters!!

Trying to give something in return – and failing most of the time
When the random guy who drove next to the place you camp the third time hands you a bag full of Oranges, he just picked from the trees in his garden – what do you do? Seriously, sometimes you try to get them something in return, other times you just can’t. Like when you get into a small fruit and vegetable shop, get a bill for let’s say 6,80 Euros, and you are like: “Make it seven,” I’ve seen loads of Greeks refusing to get tipped. That’s a new thing for me since I am the kind of guy who gives tips when I get excellent and friendly service. Depending on the business so generally a smile at a supermarket does not get the same kind of tip a perfect service on a restaurant receives. Simple matter of effort, to describe it really dull.
So I started the habit just to leave money on the counter or desk, stand up and leave. No discussion and it gives you nice moments as well. I’d like to Describe one visit in short, so you know what I’m talking about.

The family-run fish tavern
Basic summary: A small but cozy fish tavern and a friendly family running it as well as fishing their dishes themselves. We were there and had a fantastic meal and the owner, as well as his son, serviced us.
I’d like to mention that the son was underaged to work officially so I will not say the name of the tavern here since I don’t want to set someone up.
Long story short, the boy serviced us with a sweet smile and good English all of the time, so we left the money with a good tip on the table when going. Looking back through the window front of the tavern I could see the happiness on his face when he checked on the table after us.

The hospitality that never ends
Right now I’m already living with a friend and his family in Greece, who was a workmate in Ireland for quite a time. His mother told me previously that I have a second mother now, and everybody is literally like: Stay as long as you want.
To be completely honest with you while it feels really great there are moments I do not feel perfect about this, and occasionally I try to pay some groceries at the supermarket or coffees when we’re out and such. Although saying thank you, my 2nd mother states that she has problems with thanking me for actions like this. Quite a complicated scenario for the decent human beings we are.
Luckily, these are the worst kind of problems I have these days since I am getting cared for by a whole family. The stories I could tell you about this topic would fill far more articles and might come up one time or another in the reports to follow, but I think I might have given all of you a short overview about the hospitality and the fact that it is indeed a living legend nonetheless.