Ancient Greeks were the first to practice democracy as a form of government. Although this democracy might not be exactly the democracy we know today, as women were not allowed to vote and other restrictions were put in place, it was still a great step in the development of some of today’s political systems.
Greek people have the tendency to not concern themselves too much about money. They will be glad to help out someone in need even if they are not in an ideal economic position themselves. I never realized this was not as common around the world as it is in my native country until the day I bought coffee to my English friends and classmates without asking for the money back and they thought I was either insane or intoxicated.
Greek food can vary from deliciously seasoned meat to our exceptional Greek salad, χωριάτικη σαλάτα. If you visit Greece during Easter, you will need to embrace the festivities of a meat-eating culture, and try our delicious seasoned lamb (and lamb intestines for the braver travelers) slowly cooked over a fire. When in Greek taverns, never pass the opportunity to try delicious seafood like καλαμαράκι (squid) or οχταπωδάκι (grilled octopus). The one Greek food I recommend everyone should try at least once in their lifetime is the σουβλάκι (souvlaki), often referred to as “gyros”. And it would be a mistake not to mention φέτα, more famously known around the world as feta cheese.
Young Greeks know how to party. It is customary to not return home until the sun is up since venues stay open until morning. I first discovered that this was typically Greek when my English family yelled at me for spending the whole night out without telling them beforehand. Oops!
Some of the greatest philosophers came from Ancient Greece, and are quoted even now: Aristotle, Plato, Sophocles, and many more. These philosophers did not only concern themselves with life questions, but also with scientific questions and discoveries. Aristotle declared that the earth was a sphere about 2,000 years ago.
The Greek language is filled with words that have no direct translation in other languages. For example, the word καψούρα (kapsoura) is an uncontrollable desire for someone, but is not to be mistaken with the word “love”. Another great example is the word μεράκι (meraki); it is used when someone puts great effort and care into making something. 