I've mentioned a couple of times previously that I have done a great deal of traveling and subsequently know my way around the world better than most people know their way around their home town but it took some time and growing up to understand and appreciate the differences in people and our backgrounds and most importantly our individual differences to discover the common ground we all share sometimes... I have tremendous satisfaction knowing that I can land almost anywhere in the world and find my way even under sometimes difficult circumstances. But bear in mind as you read that these are are impressions I've gained in my travels and may relate to a generation and/or a place in time never to be visited again.
I've never been intimidated by customs and immigration officials or border guards because I've never been a drug dealer or terrorist... I have however taken some liberties with duty fees in terms of what I've bought and/or how much I have spent but I have never and will never transplant a dangerous substance or illegal article (or produce or pets as determined by the country of my destination) on my person or luggage. The thing to keep in mind is that these people are simply doing their jobs and they are taking it seriously.., so be professional, polite and don't make jokes... most of them have absolutely no sense of humor especially when it come to security or possible threats.
What I'm really going to discuss here are some of the varied customs, traditions and outline some common sense and etiquette or standards of behavior if you will when traveling which can sometimes be intimidating . What you may consider good manners and proper behavior at home might not be the accepted norm in another country or culture... for example most asian countries consider it rude if you leave a tip... and in Australia it's offensive if you sit in the backseat of a taxi cab... and the thumbs up sign is considered a horrible insult in much of the mideast and mediterranean. No matter where you are from there are different modes of living in the city and country; as an example the way of everyday life is almost as different as night and day in New York City and Hawaii. If you have read "The Whiteness Of Bones" by Susanna Moore the differences are rather broadly illustrated--- No matter where you go in the world a little pre-trip research will go a long way once you reach your destination.
I've stated in a couple of previous installments that I have been everywhere in the world where Pan American Airlines used to fly and subsequently to a vast number of other destinations... A couple of the best gifts I've ever been given were the Executive Checkup at The Mayo Clinic (I may write about that in the future... all health care would be this spectacular in a perfect world) and... the Pan Am "Round The World Trip" when I graduated from college... Pan Am started these flights in the 40's and ended them in the 80's but they had two flights appropriately named Flight 1 which went westbound from Los Angeles and Flight 2 that flew eastbound from New York.... My traveling companion and our crew departed on flight 1 from Los Angeles and continued to Honolulu, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Bombay, Istanbul, Frankfurt, London, New York and then back to LA (and then back to Honolulu for the summer). A few of us and our crew spent the entire itinerary flying, sight seeing, and exploring together for a month.. It's one of the best trips I've ever taken in my life because I learned so much about myself by learning from other people from their experiences and subsequently what I can offer others as a result... I'm still in touch with a few of those on that trip... As I said I've been on many other holidays and business trips around the world but this one was the winner by a head next to being stranded with a Pan Am crew in Fiji for a week on the way to Australia.
Over the years on all of these trips I've learned how navigate the cultures and sometimes differences in outlooks and experiences and make as few social gaffes as possible... here is the (abbreviated) list of some of what I've discovered while visiting some of my favorite places. I've taken a cross section of the world and written about it from different angles and perspectives... but always bear in mind the social, religious and economic climate you are visiting and please remember you are a guest when traveling and should conduct yourself in a manner that you will be welcomed back with open arms at some point in the future.
Chinese Take Away
First of all no matter where you go.. buy a book on some key phrases and learn to speak at least a rudimentary sample of the language of the country you are visiting (don't expect everyone in the world to speak english... how is your Chinese?) You would be surprised at how many people do actually speak english but it's nice to show people that you actually have enough respect for them to try to communicate to them in their first language instead of screaming at them in broken english... Also with technology the apps available to translate for you on your phone or tablet are amazing... Using some common sense and being polite will take you only so far but I can't stress the importance of researching the culture and traditions of a country before you travel... For example...
In China customs and acceptable behavior vary by geography and ethnicity and background.
The Lands Down Under
Australians are very down to earth and very mindful of not appearing snobbish or elitist and that is why they don't like it if you sit in the back seat of a cab. They really value authenticity and honestly and loathe pretentiousness. As a rule they are very modest with a tremendous sense of humor. and value these qualities in others. They never draw attention to themselves or their achievements. They value relationships whether as friends or in romance... I think a credo might be... "It's important to get along with everyone because you never know when your paths might cross again".
Australia is very relaxed so social occasions and business meetings are a bit more informal... but keep in mind that while you may hear "G'day or G'day mate it sounds a bit patronizing coming from a visitor... a simple "Hello... how are you"? will suffice. If you are invited to a house party bring a box of candy or flowers and they will be opened upon presentation. If you are invited to a 'barbie' (BBQ) you should also bring wine or beer for you own personal consumption. Arrive on time and never more than 15 minutes late. Always offer to bring a dish when you are invited and also offer to help with the preparations and cleanup.
Socially and especially in business avoid hype or exaggerated claims... if you are giving a business presentation skip the bells and whistles and stick to the facts and figures and be prepared to back them up. Emotions and feelings are not part of any business transaction or meeting in Australia.
France and it's people have as many subtle and varied differences as almost everyone and every other place in the world so I'll just limit my discussion here to Paris and Parisians.
La Dolce Vita... Italian Style...
There is no other way to put this but to say... Appearances Matter In Italy ... The way you dress indicates to them your social status, family background and education. First impressions are lasting impressions in Italy. This is called 'Bella Figura' or good image... a good image is very important in Italy... Italians will access your age and social standing in the first few seconds of meeting you.
Clothes are important to Italians; they are extremely fashion conscious and judge people by their appearance... you are judged not only by your clothes and shoes and accessories but also your poise and deportment and how you conduct yourself. 'Bella Figura' is more than dressing--- it's the image you present in terms of confidence, style and demeanor. As I said people in Italy are guided by first impressions and it's equally important to behave with propriety and respect--- but here you can embellish it with some wit, sparkle and enthusiasm.
If you are staying in Italy for an extended period of time it's important to have some calling cards printed as you never give your business card out in a social situation.
The following guidelines are things that I have adopted worldwide but I learned in Italy...
Esta Muy Romantico a el Hotel Romantic en Sitges
I don't know if the rain in Spain stays mainly in the plane... but I do know in terms of the places I've discussed so far it's a bit formal but more relaxed... by that I mean If you don't know someone you use the more formal greetings and while Spain has become more informal in terms of lifestyles and attire it's important to be respectful if you are visiting churches and museums... casual elegant is acceptable almost everywhere.
Most misunderstandings in Spain are related to meals... Spanish people eat lunch no earlier than 1:30 but prefer 2:00, and dinner is not before 9:00 at night but on the weekends or on holiday can be as late as10:00 PM... I always have to learn to adjust my eating schedule here... and remember most shops close from 2:00 until 5:00 in the afternoon when the shopkeepers go home to have their main meal of the day and perhaps take a short siesta... if you are invited to a business or social event you are expected to show up on time. I love Spain and the people and two of my most memorable travel adventures were visits to Mallorca and Sitges.
Greece Is The Word
It's really easy to accidently give offense when visiting the Greek Islands but just as easy to avoid it if you do a little research before you arrive. Remember that the outer islands or The Dodecanese are a bit more rural and provincial than the inner islands or The Cyclades. Greeks for the most part are extremely friendly and physical and some can misconstrue their attitudes and behavior as intrusive... certainly by a conservative visitor from London. Your own personal physical space means nothing in Greece and after a few days you get used to it. What has always amazed me on my trips were being invited to family celebrations as a relative stranger.... and their families are often large and extended (remember the party scene in 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding'?)... should you become a recipient of such an invitation punctuality is not an issue... you can be up to a half hour late and nobody notices or cares.... but always bring a small gift of flowers or cakes from a local bakery. If you are invited out to eat a meal your guest will pay and you can make an offer to pay but don't push the issue too far and insist as it will be considered rude.
Attire is extremely informal in Greece but the further inland you get from seaside towns people tend to be a bit more formal and dress up when they go out... especially to church and most monasteries and churches will enforce a stricter respectful dress code.
Two forms of body language can cause tremendous offense so don't do either one... EVER...
Don't hold your hand up palm out... ie "Talk To The Hand" to anybody and don't do the OK sign by forming a circle with your thumb and forefinger... Also nodding and shaking your head for yes and no is likely not to be understood... in Greece use a slight forward nod for yes and a slightly more vigorous backward nod for no.
Most shops have fixed prices so bargaining is not the norm but if you go off season you can usually negotiate a much better rate at many hotels... Tipping is not required as it's built into food and drink prices at restaurants and bars but taxi drivers seem to expect it from visitors, and I generally no matter where I'm traveling keep in mind that maids and other service people are generally not paid a decent wage so I almost always give a little something extra for good service or an outstanding friendly attitude.
When I smoked I loved Greece even more because it was the smoking capital of the world in my opinion... almost everyone smoked and even though smoking is illegal indoors... it's almost never enforced and no smoking areas are almost nonexistent ... so keep that in mind if smoke bothers you.
One final thing if you are traveling alone... be mindful of being invited into bars in large mainland towns or near island ports as they are often staffed with a hostess who is a prostitute who will try to part you with some of your money that sometimes can result in physical threats if you refuse. I don't want to end Greece on a down note because it's one of my favorite places so... a little research of where to go and what to do before you arrive or a recommendation from your hotel should insure your trip is safe and fun.
OK I'm sure you noticed the photos I've included... almost every country on the planet has a coastal community and that is something I look for in my travels or a great place to ski during the winter months. When you are planning a trip simply explore what you love the most and you will automatically find some common ground with the people there and others visiting from around the world... the rest is up to you to build and discover in your explorations....All of this brings me back to Hawaii as did the actual final leg of my round the world adventure on Pan Am... what I always try to do wherever I go is share Aloha Spirit that is the coordination of your heart and mind that you think and emote good feelings towards others and if you are uncertain about the lay of the land where you are visiting a little Aloha Spirit will go a long way.
"Akahai" kindness to be expressed with tenderness
"Lokahi" unity expressed with harmony
"Olu' olo" agreeable expressed with pleasantness
"Ha ' aha' a" humility expressed with modesty
"Ahonui" patience expressed with perseverance
So maybe if you incorporate Aloha Spirit into your travels and everyday activities you might see a difference in the world and how you see it and how others see you... and if you are ever in doubt about what to do in a different culture... simply ask politely what is the norm... and if you make a faux pas apologize sincerely.
One thing that always springs to mind when I travel is a poem that was written by Betty Bartlett about Waikiki and published in 1927 by The Honolulu Star-Bulletin; It is very important to remember the people and the land were there long before your visit and both should be respected because you are visiting a place where the locals and their own time honored memories and traditions were born.
I've discovered so much about the world in my travels and have incorporated some of the customs and traditions into my own life... but perhaps most importantly I have found some of the personality characteristics and varied qualities of the many people I have met in myself and perhaps that is the basis of establishing the common ground with others.
See you next week.
What I'm really going to discuss here are some of the varied customs, traditions and outline some common sense and etiquette or standards of behavior if you will when traveling which can sometimes be intimidating . What you may consider good manners and proper behavior at home might not be the accepted norm in another country or culture... for example most asian countries consider it rude if you leave a tip... and in Australia it's offensive if you sit in the backseat of a taxi cab... and the thumbs up sign is considered a horrible insult in much of the mideast and mediterranean. No matter where you are from there are different modes of living in the city and country; as an example the way of everyday life is almost as different as night and day in New York City and Hawaii. If you have read "The Whiteness Of Bones" by Susanna Moore the differences are rather broadly illustrated--- No matter where you go in the world a little pre-trip research will go a long way once you reach your destination.
I've stated in a couple of previous installments that I have been everywhere in the world where Pan American Airlines used to fly and subsequently to a vast number of other destinations... A couple of the best gifts I've ever been given were the Executive Checkup at The Mayo Clinic (I may write about that in the future... all health care would be this spectacular in a perfect world) and... the Pan Am "Round The World Trip" when I graduated from college... Pan Am started these flights in the 40's and ended them in the 80's but they had two flights appropriately named Flight 1 which went westbound from Los Angeles and Flight 2 that flew eastbound from New York.... My traveling companion and our crew departed on flight 1 from Los Angeles and continued to Honolulu, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Bombay, Istanbul, Frankfurt, London, New York and then back to LA (and then back to Honolulu for the summer). A few of us and our crew spent the entire itinerary flying, sight seeing, and exploring together for a month.. It's one of the best trips I've ever taken in my life because I learned so much about myself by learning from other people from their experiences and subsequently what I can offer others as a result... I'm still in touch with a few of those on that trip... As I said I've been on many other holidays and business trips around the world but this one was the winner by a head next to being stranded with a Pan Am crew in Fiji for a week on the way to Australia.
Over the years on all of these trips I've learned how navigate the cultures and sometimes differences in outlooks and experiences and make as few social gaffes as possible... here is the (abbreviated) list of some of what I've discovered while visiting some of my favorite places. I've taken a cross section of the world and written about it from different angles and perspectives... but always bear in mind the social, religious and economic climate you are visiting and please remember you are a guest when traveling and should conduct yourself in a manner that you will be welcomed back with open arms at some point in the future.
Chinese Take Away
First of all no matter where you go.. buy a book on some key phrases and learn to speak at least a rudimentary sample of the language of the country you are visiting (don't expect everyone in the world to speak english... how is your Chinese?) You would be surprised at how many people do actually speak english but it's nice to show people that you actually have enough respect for them to try to communicate to them in their first language instead of screaming at them in broken english... Also with technology the apps available to translate for you on your phone or tablet are amazing... Using some common sense and being polite will take you only so far but I can't stress the importance of researching the culture and traditions of a country before you travel... For example...
In China customs and acceptable behavior vary by geography and ethnicity and background.
- The Chinese Communist Party that rule the nation is officially atheist... though they are tolerant of the five other recognized religious--- Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Catholicism and Protestantism; any other religion is illegal even though the Chinese Constitution states that people are allowed to have religious freedom. Things have relaxed and other religions have become more accepted or tolerated in the last few decades.
- There are seven major groups of dialects of the Chinese language each having their own unique variations--- Mandarin, Wu, Yue (Cantonese) Xiang, Min, Hakka and Gan. with all of this information you may be surprised to know that most people in China do know how to speak english.
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| Yalongwan Beach China |
The Lands Down Under
Australians are very down to earth and very mindful of not appearing snobbish or elitist and that is why they don't like it if you sit in the back seat of a cab. They really value authenticity and honestly and loathe pretentiousness. As a rule they are very modest with a tremendous sense of humor. and value these qualities in others. They never draw attention to themselves or their achievements. They value relationships whether as friends or in romance... I think a credo might be... "It's important to get along with everyone because you never know when your paths might cross again".
Australia is very relaxed so social occasions and business meetings are a bit more informal... but keep in mind that while you may hear "G'day or G'day mate it sounds a bit patronizing coming from a visitor... a simple "Hello... how are you"? will suffice. If you are invited to a house party bring a box of candy or flowers and they will be opened upon presentation. If you are invited to a 'barbie' (BBQ) you should also bring wine or beer for you own personal consumption. Arrive on time and never more than 15 minutes late. Always offer to bring a dish when you are invited and also offer to help with the preparations and cleanup.
Socially and especially in business avoid hype or exaggerated claims... if you are giving a business presentation skip the bells and whistles and stick to the facts and figures and be prepared to back them up. Emotions and feelings are not part of any business transaction or meeting in Australia.
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| Bondi Beach Australia |
New Zealand like Australia is a diverse and multi-cultural country and by and far everyone I met was as open and friendly as in Australia but they are often confused as being the same... because of their geographical location to each other. Nothing could be more untrue. Down Under means down home to the people of these two nations. You find a proud heritage of Polynesian seafarers mingled with legacies from Britain... and given enough time in both countries you will come to understand why being Down Under will give you the elated feeling of being on top of the world.
The Maori people of New Zealand define themselves and their culture by their iwi (tribe), hapu (sub-tribe), maunga (mountain),and awa (river). Whanau is the name given to a family that to them embraces immediate family, in-laws and anyone connected by blood ties. Maori culture is kept alive by paying respect to the past in terms of the art, legends and folklore. Being a tribal Polynesian people, Maori have a unique protocol and the best place to observe and learn from it is on a marae (Maori meeting grounds) Many tourist organizations in New Zealand can organize the visits and will outline proper protocol.
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| Ninety Mile Beach, New Zealand |
Flying Down To Rio
OK now let's fly across the ocean to Latin America... I could probably write a whole book or a series of articles about South America or any of the places I've already mentioned or will be discussing but I want to make sure you understand that there are always exceptions especially when it come to people and behavior... and again your experiences may be different from mine so I will just say briefly that things are more relaxed in Brazil and the other countires on the continent than many are used to in North America and especially Europe. but hand gestures and body language are something to really pay attention to... The OK gesture in Brazil is the same as flipping someone off in almost every other part of the world and a hand swipe to the chin in Argentina means 'I don't know' but usually means 'get lost' everywhere else; and if you feel compelled to point at something or someone use your thumb and not your index finger. The poll data from the 2014 Gallup show the top 10 countries listed in 'Positive Experiences' Index are all in Latin America as well as five of the happiest countries in the world. I have very limited experiences of traveling to South America but I've enjoyed parties, the beaches, snow skiing and dancing the tango under moonlit skies and look forward to revisiting sometime. One of the major impressions I have from my visits and a few of the people I know there is that time is more elastic and rushing and being in a hurry or meeting deadlines is not a priority.
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| Recife Brazil |
Keep Calm And Let's Carry On At Harvey Nichols
I do however have a bit more experience and knowledge from my visits to Britain and Western Europe so here goes....
I grew up visiting England and the surrounding countries that make up Great Britain and each country and region has significant customs and traditions and I shall limit my discussion here to my experiences in London...
I found most people in London to be a bit more reserved and private than almost anywhere else in my travels. Privacy is extremely important. When you visit someone's home you rarely get a tour of the house and often many doors are closed and perhaps locked and they expect you to respect this and not intrude on the private areas of their home--- This also extends to not asking very personal or pointed questions... "Where are you from?" can be construed as an attempt to place a person in a social class; even close friends do not pry into the personal financial or romantic transactions of their peers. The British are generally more distant and reserved than the people of North and South America and Southern Europe and while they may not appear open and friendly at first the friendships that they take time in building once established will last through time and distance.
Unlike many other European cultures the British like to entertain people in their homes--- Please arrive on time and never more than 10 minutes late. If you are invited to dine in a restaurant be right on time. While the person who invites you to a restaurant will pay the tab it is common when with a group in a pub that each person buy a round of drinks for the group.
Most people use the courtesy titles of Mr, Mrs, or Miss and their surname... only until you are invited to address someone by their first name should you do so. In business small talk is brief. Always be prepared to back up your claims with facts and figures. Like in Australia the British rely on facts rather than emotions when makiing business decisions. Always maintain respectful eye contact and allow a few feet of personal space between you and others. After your meeting always send a letter (people use e-mail now mostly) to summarize what was discussed and outline the next steps to be taken.
With all this being said I love London and the people I know there and I've also spent wonderful childhood weekends and summer holidays at some of the seaside towns of England ...
I grew up visiting England and the surrounding countries that make up Great Britain and each country and region has significant customs and traditions and I shall limit my discussion here to my experiences in London...
I found most people in London to be a bit more reserved and private than almost anywhere else in my travels. Privacy is extremely important. When you visit someone's home you rarely get a tour of the house and often many doors are closed and perhaps locked and they expect you to respect this and not intrude on the private areas of their home--- This also extends to not asking very personal or pointed questions... "Where are you from?" can be construed as an attempt to place a person in a social class; even close friends do not pry into the personal financial or romantic transactions of their peers. The British are generally more distant and reserved than the people of North and South America and Southern Europe and while they may not appear open and friendly at first the friendships that they take time in building once established will last through time and distance.
Unlike many other European cultures the British like to entertain people in their homes--- Please arrive on time and never more than 10 minutes late. If you are invited to dine in a restaurant be right on time. While the person who invites you to a restaurant will pay the tab it is common when with a group in a pub that each person buy a round of drinks for the group.
Most people use the courtesy titles of Mr, Mrs, or Miss and their surname... only until you are invited to address someone by their first name should you do so. In business small talk is brief. Always be prepared to back up your claims with facts and figures. Like in Australia the British rely on facts rather than emotions when makiing business decisions. Always maintain respectful eye contact and allow a few feet of personal space between you and others. After your meeting always send a letter (people use e-mail now mostly) to summarize what was discussed and outline the next steps to be taken.
The City Of Lights
France and it's people have as many subtle and varied differences as almost everyone and every other place in the world so I'll just limit my discussion here to Paris and Parisians.
Courtesy and being polite are probably one of the most important things I can tell you about getting by in Paris... Parisians are also somewhat reserved and their aloofness can be construed as being snobish and stand-off-ish but if truth be told most are a bit shy and uncomfortable with people who do not share this reserved quality and are very put off by loud and boisterous behavior. Parisians tend to dress up a bit more when they go out and about even to do errands in at least business casual; athletic sportswear (which I love to wear around town because it's comfortable and easy to move in ) is frowned upon and looked down on unless you are actually doing a sporting event.
If you go into a shop and don't greet the staff or sales people you are considered rude and you are in essence telling them that they are not important enough or worthy of your attention... so then in turn when you do need assistance they are going to be somewhat cold and indifferent to you as a result... as in England use Monsieur, Madame, or Mademoiselle until you are invited to be on a first name basis. Paris is another place where you are amazed at how many speak beautiful fluent english but please at least try to speak french.
Don't yell at someone from across the room or street wait to speak to someone until you are close enough to converse in a normal tone because yelling in France is mostly reserved for anger.... "Li Bise" is how Parisians who know each other greet one another (it's spread to most of the people I know around the world) It's the "Air Kiss" of brushing cheeks and making kissing sounds.... some people do two but I'm acquainted with people who want four; or left,right ... repeat. French people really are uncomfortable with hugs... I don't even know if there is a word in the language for 'hug'. I know many people who have had difficulties with Parisians and although I was not present I have a distinct feeling it's because they behaved like entitled american twats from Kansas City.
La Dolce Vita... Italian Style...
There is no other way to put this but to say... Appearances Matter In Italy ... The way you dress indicates to them your social status, family background and education. First impressions are lasting impressions in Italy. This is called 'Bella Figura' or good image... a good image is very important in Italy... Italians will access your age and social standing in the first few seconds of meeting you.
Clothes are important to Italians; they are extremely fashion conscious and judge people by their appearance... you are judged not only by your clothes and shoes and accessories but also your poise and deportment and how you conduct yourself. 'Bella Figura' is more than dressing--- it's the image you present in terms of confidence, style and demeanor. As I said people in Italy are guided by first impressions and it's equally important to behave with propriety and respect--- but here you can embellish it with some wit, sparkle and enthusiasm.
If you are staying in Italy for an extended period of time it's important to have some calling cards printed as you never give your business card out in a social situation.
The following guidelines are things that I have adopted worldwide but I learned in Italy...
- If you give flowers as a gift never use Chrysanthemums as they are associated with funerals or red flowers as they are associated with secrecy and yellow flowers are indicative of jealousy.
- If you give wine as a gift make sure it's an excellent vintage.
- Do not wrap gifts in black as it is associated with mourning and purple is a symbol of bad luck.
- If you are invited to someone's home for the first time and the invitation says informal... wear a jacket and a tie (a lady in an elegant dress) as social engagements especially at a private home tend to be on the more formal side.
Quality over quantity is very important in Italian culture and you can (if you wish) arrive 15-30 minutes late... punctuality is not an issue in Italy.
Esta Muy Romantico a el Hotel Romantic en Sitges
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| Mallorca Spain |
Most misunderstandings in Spain are related to meals... Spanish people eat lunch no earlier than 1:30 but prefer 2:00, and dinner is not before 9:00 at night but on the weekends or on holiday can be as late as10:00 PM... I always have to learn to adjust my eating schedule here... and remember most shops close from 2:00 until 5:00 in the afternoon when the shopkeepers go home to have their main meal of the day and perhaps take a short siesta... if you are invited to a business or social event you are expected to show up on time. I love Spain and the people and two of my most memorable travel adventures were visits to Mallorca and Sitges.
Greece Is The Word
It's really easy to accidently give offense when visiting the Greek Islands but just as easy to avoid it if you do a little research before you arrive. Remember that the outer islands or The Dodecanese are a bit more rural and provincial than the inner islands or The Cyclades. Greeks for the most part are extremely friendly and physical and some can misconstrue their attitudes and behavior as intrusive... certainly by a conservative visitor from London. Your own personal physical space means nothing in Greece and after a few days you get used to it. What has always amazed me on my trips were being invited to family celebrations as a relative stranger.... and their families are often large and extended (remember the party scene in 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding'?)... should you become a recipient of such an invitation punctuality is not an issue... you can be up to a half hour late and nobody notices or cares.... but always bring a small gift of flowers or cakes from a local bakery. If you are invited out to eat a meal your guest will pay and you can make an offer to pay but don't push the issue too far and insist as it will be considered rude.
Attire is extremely informal in Greece but the further inland you get from seaside towns people tend to be a bit more formal and dress up when they go out... especially to church and most monasteries and churches will enforce a stricter respectful dress code.
Two forms of body language can cause tremendous offense so don't do either one... EVER...
Don't hold your hand up palm out... ie "Talk To The Hand" to anybody and don't do the OK sign by forming a circle with your thumb and forefinger... Also nodding and shaking your head for yes and no is likely not to be understood... in Greece use a slight forward nod for yes and a slightly more vigorous backward nod for no.
Most shops have fixed prices so bargaining is not the norm but if you go off season you can usually negotiate a much better rate at many hotels... Tipping is not required as it's built into food and drink prices at restaurants and bars but taxi drivers seem to expect it from visitors, and I generally no matter where I'm traveling keep in mind that maids and other service people are generally not paid a decent wage so I almost always give a little something extra for good service or an outstanding friendly attitude.
When I smoked I loved Greece even more because it was the smoking capital of the world in my opinion... almost everyone smoked and even though smoking is illegal indoors... it's almost never enforced and no smoking areas are almost nonexistent ... so keep that in mind if smoke bothers you.
One final thing if you are traveling alone... be mindful of being invited into bars in large mainland towns or near island ports as they are often staffed with a hostess who is a prostitute who will try to part you with some of your money that sometimes can result in physical threats if you refuse. I don't want to end Greece on a down note because it's one of my favorite places so... a little research of where to go and what to do before you arrive or a recommendation from your hotel should insure your trip is safe and fun.
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| Koukounaries, Skiathos |
OK I'm sure you noticed the photos I've included... almost every country on the planet has a coastal community and that is something I look for in my travels or a great place to ski during the winter months. When you are planning a trip simply explore what you love the most and you will automatically find some common ground with the people there and others visiting from around the world... the rest is up to you to build and discover in your explorations....All of this brings me back to Hawaii as did the actual final leg of my round the world adventure on Pan Am... what I always try to do wherever I go is share Aloha Spirit that is the coordination of your heart and mind that you think and emote good feelings towards others and if you are uncertain about the lay of the land where you are visiting a little Aloha Spirit will go a long way.
"Akahai" kindness to be expressed with tenderness
"Lokahi" unity expressed with harmony
"Olu' olo" agreeable expressed with pleasantness
"Ha ' aha' a" humility expressed with modesty
"Ahonui" patience expressed with perseverance
So maybe if you incorporate Aloha Spirit into your travels and everyday activities you might see a difference in the world and how you see it and how others see you... and if you are ever in doubt about what to do in a different culture... simply ask politely what is the norm... and if you make a faux pas apologize sincerely.
One thing that always springs to mind when I travel is a poem that was written by Betty Bartlett about Waikiki and published in 1927 by The Honolulu Star-Bulletin; It is very important to remember the people and the land were there long before your visit and both should be respected because you are visiting a place where the locals and their own time honored memories and traditions were born.
Waikiki
Down where the horizon meant utter sea and sky,
Down where the surf sang the Reef a lullaby,
Where as the moon rose I'd hear the palm trees sigh
To the breeze as he wandered carelessly by-
Down to where Hibiscus flowers flamed each day,
Where hundred other flowers hedged a scented way,
Where the dawn crept, shy in warning o'er the bay,
And Sunset splet a riot of colors gay-
Down where at night time the stars dropp'd one by one, Dropp'd like flowers in the sea, following the sun,
Down where the "Cross" wink'd, tipp'd awry in fun,
Down where Peace was born when dreaming time was done-
Hidden in this beauty there used once to be
A shabby little house, belonging just to me,
I liv'd there, loved there, and dream'd beside the the Sea,
Long before they built Hotels at Waikiki!
I've discovered so much about the world in my travels and have incorporated some of the customs and traditions into my own life... but perhaps most importantly I have found some of the personality characteristics and varied qualities of the many people I have met in myself and perhaps that is the basis of establishing the common ground with others.
See you next week.
