Monday 31 December 2012

How to keep your New Year's Resolutions... Greek Style.

A new year is coming again! A time for reminiscing, reflecting, and looking forward to a fresh new start, and of course with that comes... new year's resolutions!
How many times have you made new year's resolutions to just have broken them weeks later or even on the same day? Statistics show that most new year's resolutions are broken after 6 weeks actually. And do you know what the top 5 new year's resolutions usually are?
5) Stay fit and healthy
4) Enjoy life to the fullest
3) Spend less, save more
2) Get organised
1) Lose weight
 
Well if you wanted some tips on how to keep your resolutions - Greek Style, then I am here to help! Keep reading for more...


* So to lose weight... first of all, if you are living with your mother - move out. That's right, and not down the road so she can still bring you food every day, I mean out... way out! This way you can then refuse the delicious fried, juicy meat and yummy sweets that are always on tap in a Greek house, and try and cook your own things and actually be able to stop eating when you are full - this is possible despite what yiayia thinks, honest! Also, keep moving! You don't need to cruise at 10mph in your Mercedes just to visit the shops, walk re.
 

* Wanna get organised? Contradictorary to the previous resolution, get your mama/yiayia to help you. Ever notice how chores are just always miraculously 'done' in a Greek house? This is not the gift of a magic Greek woman, even though that's what they like you to believe... it's down to sheer organisation. This has been honed after years of torture from the mother in law. Break them down and get them to feed you their pearls of wisdom! I suggest making the most of the mornings - when the world is asleep you can get your stuff done and then have the rest of the day to do your thang!


 * Need motivation to work out? Go to a gym where other fit Greeks are notorious for attending. You will look forward to your trips to check out the local talent and when you see that the girl next to you has better guns than you do, you will be inclined to pump that iron even harder.
 
* Need to save that cash? A tough one if you're Greek. You can't be a tsinkounis (stingy git) or you'll never live that title down... the only option is to work even harder and earn more money - whilst not spending more than usual, though! Also, maybe think twice before forking out hundreds on that basket of flower heads just to throw them whilst at the bouzoukia... #JustSaying


 * Want ideas for enjoying life to the fullest? That one should be easy to keep if you are surrounded by like minded, fun Greeks! No one can party and enjoy life like a Greek!


What are some of your new year's resolutions? Any tips for keeping them? Happy 2013 my Typical Greeks and hope all your dreams come true!

Tuesday 25 December 2012

Merry Greek Christmas 2012!

Merry Greek Christmas everyone!

I hope you are all having an amazing day! No doubt you are stuffing your bellies full of all the recent animals that the men in the family have spent weeks hunting in preparation for the feast,as well as all the Greek treats that the women have spent hours working on too!


If you want more Greek Christmas light reading, then check out the post from last year HERE!

Looking forward to a few days of leftovers (if that's even possible in your household!) Hopefully you managed to dodge the kids table or any 'pressure talks' like getting asked by the skinniest person on the table if you are sure you have eaten enough... eh skase re kai fae!

Then of course, we have the new years events next week which I'm looking forward to; I want that coin this year...!

Hope you all are having a fantastic day, Καλά Χριστούγεννα!

Wednesday 12 December 2012

Last Minute Christmas Shopping for Greeks!

I've said it before and I'll say it again; Greeks are late. So if you haven't organised your Christmas shopping by now, then why not get something now for those special Greeks (and honorary Greeks!) in your life?

Here are some suggestions in case you need some 'Greek-spiration'. (Click on the pictures to take you to where you can get them!):




Do you know of any Greeks in your life who are sick of having to be told to be quiet when they're on the phone? Save them the trouble with this cool phone case (comes in different models too!)
Loud Greek - iPhone 5 Case

How about a way of explaining to the '3eni' that you're not actually late, you're just running on "Greek Time" (comes in lots of different products too!):
greek time.png Wall Clock

Does your little doggie get picked on for being so chubby? Maybe this will help? 
Im not greedy... Bone Pet Tag

Or what about for the souvla maker of the house? Or the baby of the house? (Same thing lol)
Im not greedy... Apron  Im not greedy... Bib

What about for someone doing their thing to expand the Greek community?Big Fat Greek Baby Maternity T-Shirt

Or how about a nice tree ornament or keyring for yiayia and pappou?

Made in Greece Round Ornament  Made in Cyprus Aluminum Photo Keychain

Who in the office is Greek and proud that would like one of these?
Made in Cyprus Mug  Made in Greece Mousepad


I hope you like these! This is only just a selection of what is available! I also hope some of these have given you some inspiration of gifts or stocking fillers to get the Greeks/Greek wannabe's in your life! 

Click HERE to see even more!



Have a really happy Christmas!!!!!!

Sunday 9 December 2012

How to survive a Greek Christmas

Christmas is such a fun time of year: imagine a sparkling Christmas tree with the family around the table calmly eating and enjoying the nice food whilst wearing cracker party hats... Well, except if you're at a Greek Christmas party that is! (You probably know by now that the words "family" and "calm" don't belong in the same sentence).


If you're having a Greek Christmas this year, I'm going to offer you some tips to surviving it and what to be prepared for!

1) Arrive a few hours late. The food won't be ready when they say it will be and the hosts may still be cleaning as well as cooking and you can't come before the house has been vacuumed; that will cause great shame upon them!

2) Take your shoes off. Don't you dare get mud on their freshly cleaned carpet or polished floor...

3) Compliment how amazing the house is looking and how delicious the food smells.

4) Greet everyone excitedly while all talking at each other at the same time loudly and of course, kissing everyone's cheeks. If a thea (aunt) wants to squeeze your cheeks as well, just let her... it brings her joy and hopefully she might slip you some cash later for being her favourite! (Yes, Greeks have favourites, shhh).

5) If you're a woman, offer to help the hostess. Your offer will be rejected as the hosts don't want to appear they can't handle it, so you have to be just as stubborn and help anyway. A good 'nikokira' (housewife) will help around the house, and any woman who is lazing around will be noticed.

6) If you're under the age of 21, single, or are a mother with a baby, you may well get placed on the "kiddie table"... The family will then expect the older "kids" to babysit for the rest of the night while they get hammered.


7) Be prepared for what I like to call "pressure talks". This is where your family will proceed to make things really awkward for you asking you when you are going to get married, or when are you going to make another baby. Just tell them "soon" then fire a question back at them which will likely send them off on a rant. Good questions are anything that involve them being able to gossip for a while! "So I hear Eleni from the supermarket was seen with Alex the barber the other day...."

8) The food is going to be phenomenal; no doubt about it, so enjoy it. Greeks are pushy though and will have made enough food for 10 servings each just so they can keep forcing food down your neck for hours on end. Yes it's going to hurt but I don't care how full you get, you don't ever reject food when it is offered to you, it is just not worth the argument and the anorexic comments that will proceed. Just eat. Alternatively, eat really slowly so your plate is always full and you may get left alone for a while!

9) The predictability of gifts yet still managing to act surprised and overjoyed is an art that takes years to master, but try getting good at it. Yiayia loves to hear how you adore those knitted booties she made you, again, even though they are normally made for newborn babies...


10) The goodbye... It's late, everyone's drunk and have been dancing the Vareto until the small hours of the morning. You're exhausted and looking forward to getting into bed with your full belly. You're excited to see that people are getting up and putting their coats on! You're at the front door kissing everyone and saying goodbye, then a small conversation starts and before you know it, it has taken an hour to stop?! To save standing around in your coat and scarf by the front door for an hour, I suggest just lighting up a cigar and dealing another round of 'kounka' and make some money gambling while everyone does their goodbyes!


So there you have it, 10 top tips to surviving a Greek Christmas! What are some of your top tips? Καλά Χριστούγεννα everyone!

Sunday 28 October 2012

Oxi Day!

This time last year I wrote a post about "Oxi Day" and the history behind it. If you would like to read more about it or just refresh your history, then click below!



It is about a brave move by the Greek president, Metaxas, to defend our country in 1940 and thank goodness he did too or the outcome of WW2 would have been very different, what a ledge!

To show our remembrance, support and appreciation of this day, we should be stomping around and yelling "oxi" at anything we don't want to do today! (Disclaimer: try not to be too obnoxious with it and if any of these actions result in you getting chased by a pandofla then I am in no way being held accountable...!)

  • Being yelled at to do a menial chore around the house? "OXI!"
  • Being told to walk the dog in the rain? "OXI!"
  • Being told to peel 468 potatoes for lunch? "OXI!"
  • Being forced to eat lamb eyeballs? "OXI!"
But seriously though...

Winston hit the nail on the head when he said "heroes fight like Greeks". So stand up and defend what is right and make a point of yelling "OXI" today!


Saturday 6 October 2012

How To Cheer Yourself Up... Greek Style!

We all have our down days, though if you're Greek they're probably more 'raging mad' days but whatever! Here is a list of things I came up with to help cheer yourself up, Greek style!

1) Eat something. Preferably Greek food. Fried greasy meat of some kind tends to do the trick.

2) Go visit yiayia. Not only will she cook for you if you're too lazy or unable to, but her classic one liners will have you in stitches in no time! 

3) Read TypicalGreek twitter. You know you will find something there that will make you laugh!

4) Put on some Greek music and dance. The vareto is a good one as you can release all that Greek passion! Eh, seeing as you're meant to look drunk anyway when dancing, have a few whiskies as well.

5) If you're a woman, frantically clean and vacuum the entire house with the rage of a Spartan and then yell at anyone who dares try to use your clean toilet. You'll feel better after screaming for a while.

6) Go for a nice drive, and yes you can yell at people for being "poushties" and "malakes" if they get in your way.

7) Watch "My Big Fat Greek Wedding".

8) Buy a new Mercedes or BMW. Or at least rent one for the day and drive around like a poser... make sure you have Greek tunes blaring out too.

9) If you're a guy, go Gini (hunting) for some male bonding and drool over the fases (wood pigeon).

10) Sing your heart out while imagining you are at the bouzoukia with people throwing flowers at you.

11) Go to the bouzoukia! But stick to drinking and dancing, or your attempt to steal the microphone may get you kicked out, #JustSaying.

12) Meet up with that 3eni friend you have called Vilos, just so you can laugh to yourself every time you say his name.

13) Meet up with your Greek friends and go to a really 3eni area and bitch about everyone really loudly in Greek.

14) Teach your 3eni friends Greek swear words.

15) Teach your 3eni friends the incorrect meaning of swear words and insist that "Eisai vilomatos" really does mean "I'd like some more bread please".

16) If you don't live in Greece or Cyprus, spend hours looking at photos of the motherland and dream about being there.

17) Eat something else. Try something sweet this time like loukoumades...

18) Ask papou about his stories from the village. With any luck they should get you snoring away in no time.

19) Hide your sister's facial bleach then sit back and enjoy the drama.

20) Watch some really bad Greek T.V. The acting is so horrendous that whatever problems you have will seem so small in comparison! 

I hope these gave you some 'Greekspiration' of ways to cheer yourself up! Don't forget, no matter how bad you think things are, some people have it worse; some people aren't lucky enough to be Greek after all! 

Sunday 16 September 2012

Greeks off to University!

It's that time when all the students are off to University. For most it's a simple process but for the Greeks, it's a fussy, controlling, argumentative, emotional and chaotic experience.

The 3eni parents wipe away a little tear when they see their little darlings off to University, but later go home and decide what to do with the spare room! The Greeks? Hell no. That room is going to be kept as a shrine...

First of all, the morning of the big move expect lots of screaming and shouting (nothing new there then). The big Mercedes gets stuffed full of luggage and Greek food that you can't get anywhere else, apparently.
After emptying the car, most would let their kids unpack and the parents can get on their merry way. The Greeks? No. Not even close. Firstly before anything else, mother storms in the room and gets out all the cleaning equipment and the entire room is given a scrub down from top to bottom. She then moves onto the kitchen and bathroom where she continues to clean. She meets the housemates who immediately love her for cleaning everything and want her to visit you often. Great, just what you wanted...

The father helps moves things around, checks everything is working and that your door locks... Then up go the religious icones and perhaps a bit of the old holy water splashing to bless the room. As you do.



All done? Nope. Off to the supermarket as you need a year's worth of food and supplies now. So cue an hour or 2 food shopping: enough canned goods to feed the street for a year, enough toilet roll to wrap around the building twice and enough cleaning products that you probably won't be reaching for much; they're more for your mother to use when she visits...

That has to be it now? Er not quite. Greek parents tend to want to stay over with you on your first night, then take you out for lunch the next day. They want to squeeze out every last opportunity with you before an emotional and melodramatic goodbye, followed by a phone call shortly after asking you where you are and what you're doing. Just don't tell them you're back in the supermarket that evening picking up the alcohol that they forbade you from buying earlier...!

Saturday 25 August 2012

Visiting Greece/Cyprus for a "holiday"...

So it's the summer. Almost the end now, but no doubt all you Greekies not currently living in the motherland will be off in Greece or Cyprus on your holidays!


Let's explain what a Greek holiday is really like. For the 3eni, it's lovely being on a gorgeous Greek island, sunning themselves on the beach, drowning themselves in beers and cocktails while they slap on their factor 50. But, for the Greeks, it's not so glamorous...

As a kid, the thought of going away over the summer did not conjure up thoughts such as "yayyy I get to play on the beeeeeach!" or "woohoo I can't wait to lay on the sun lounger all day and tan up!" No, no, no, no, no... A kid going to Greece or Cyprus for their holiday meant bracing themselves for weeks on end of being dragged to relatives homes during the best part of the day in the blazing heat, being force fed food for hours on end and being compelled to engage with some random 'cousins' whom you hardly knew while they laughed at your funny Greek accent.

If you did manage to find any down time by yourself, it would be something authentic like playing with yiayia and pappous little cute bunny rabbits that they were breeding, to only later find them slaughtering them to eat for dinner later that night... cue mortified child, scarred for life.



Finally, just when you had spent the whole week seeing every relative in the country and thought you were done, it was time to do the goodbye visits which took up the whole of the final week of your holiday.

And before you ask why we let ourselves be pulled back and forth by our family whilst we are meant to be on "holiday", let me just warn you that every Greek knows of the unwritten rule that states "sheer hell will be unleashed upon any family that visits the country and does not go and eat with them". 

Yes, our countries are gorgeous; we know this! If only we got to actually see and appreciate some of it once in a while...!? Having said that, once the sun goes down, night life is brilliant and you're often out with your cousins late at night, just don't let the family see you have been drinking...!

Most of you will be coming back from your trips soon, and no doubt you will be in need of another holiday to recover from the exhaustion! I'm sure there will be an army of Greeks waiting for you at 'Gadwig' airport and a nice hot bowl of augolemoni/augolemono (depending on where you come from!) to settle you back in.


What did you get up to in Greece or Cyprus this summer?

Tuesday 3 July 2012

Typical Greek "ProsoboVivlio"?

Ela paidia! We have officially set up a "ProsoboVivlio" page (or as it is more commonly known, "FaceBook"...) 


Check it out, 'like it' if you like it, and contribute your funny Typical Greek moments as and when they happen and share with like minded Greeks! 

You never know, you may make a new friend, find long lost family or maybe meet the love of your life..? If not, you can just laugh along at our Greek silliness! 




Sunday 17 June 2012

EuroCup 2012 update: wait have Greece won already?

So yesterday Greece played their crucial match against Russia, and in order to stay in the competition they HAD to win this game!

Well the good news is that Greece won, yeahhhh!!! Again, the second half was the strongest (I'm telling you, during half time they get a whipping from their mothers and yiayias in the changing rooms...) and we got a goal in 2 mins after the second half - yehhh Karagounis!

My favourite part was watching them celebrating at the end! It was amazing to see everyone so proud and happy, but I did have to laugh that they were celebrating as if they had won the whole competition! I love that though, and can only look forward to what it is going to be like if we win the whole contest!!!!



Even though our supporter section in the crowd was small, it still dominated! Come on boys, take it to the next round and show Europe how amazing Greeks really are!

P.S. I bet this perked up all the Greek dads today, happy fathers day papakia!

Wednesday 13 June 2012

Euro Cup 2012.. Greek style.


So Euro Cup 2012 kicked off last week with Greece playing the first match against Poland! It was an eventful match, as you would expect with the Greeks... there were some yellows cards, red cards and 2 goals! That was pretty split amongst both teams though! 



We evened out at 1:1 with both teams losing a player. Unfortunately we missed a major penalty right after Poland's goalie got sent off which was a bit of a shame as we could have creamed them, but never mind eh.


On the plus side, the 'twitterakia' had a little giggle over the Greeks' surnames and how they were giving the 3eni commentators a hard time trying to pronounce them! 


Their second game was against Czech Republic.. This one did not go so well! It was so frustrating to watch the Greeks being so laid back they may as well have laid down on the grass and had a nap. 2 goals were snuck in within the first 6 minutes of the game, "oh shid"! But that's ok, the Greek supporters stayed strong!

   

I decided that this was a simple strategy of giving the Czech a false sense of security... you know, the old wooden horse tactic? Pretend you are giving them a great gift (2 goals) when really you are using that as a way in to hit them when they least expect it! Yeh, the rest of the first half that did not happen. Not to worry though, during half time clearly their mothers came down and pulled their ears and whipped them into shape as the second half they made their come back almost immediately!

Yes a goal was stolen from us by the poushto referee as being "offside" mish, but we did get another one in there! The Czech goalie with his wanna be Greek helmet headpiece, was not pleased..muahaha!


Also, what the hell is going on here? Bit of a back massage? Strange... 


I also quite enjoyed the Greek aggression in the second half! Anyone else spot it when one of our players got knocked over and he jumped up and almost thumped the Czech? Haha pretty funny, don't mess with the Greeks once they're in fighting spirit! The Czech went from being cocky in the first half over their success, to suddenly crapping themselves; you could see it! 

Finally, in order for Greece to really stay in the competition they have to beat Russia in the next match on Sunday 17th June 2012 (and vice versa really, so it should be a tense but exciting match!)

Come on Greece, give us something to shout about! We don't need an excuse, but it would be nice to have one! 

Sunday 27 May 2012

Greek-o-vision 2012!

So last night was the Eurovision for 2012, and this year we were lucky enough to have both Greece and Cyprus representing the Greeks!
First up was Ivi Adamou with her "La La Love" performance, and all the 'Twitterakia' agreed she did an amazing performance! Her song was catchy, bubbly and fun to watch. See it here:


And then we had Eleftheria Eleftheriou performing "Aphrodisiac". It was great to hear the Greek beat and see the Greek dancing in her performance as well. Another fun, bubbly performance agreed by all!


Both girls did an amazing job and should be proud of themselves. They were definitely the winners in the looks department of the competition, that's for sure! On Twitter last night, we were all outraged at the voting and there was a real sense of conspiracy...  At least both Cyprus and Greece gave one another 12 points though, can always count on that loyalty!

Hopefully next year we will both be in the competition again and do some more amazing performances and one day bring the show back to Greece (well, maybe not in this current financial climate lol) or to Cyprus (for the first time ever!). Although I think it would be nice to have some more native instruments, dances or lyrics in our performances in the future though! 

So what are your comments on the Eurovision last night and how do you think our girls did? 


Sunday 15 April 2012

Xristos Anesti!

Xristos Anesti everyone! Christ has risen! Yep, Greek Easter is 'different' this year - we run on our own schedule! Yesterday I informed you of the Epitafio and what that entailed on Friday night, well now I will lead you through Saturday and Sunday's events!


So Saturday morning, most Greeks are up at the crack of dawn for 2 reasons. One is to get to the butchers at stupid o'clock to get the best meat for the feast on Sunday (and there will forever be queues outside until the last scrap of meat is sold)
 
and the second reason is to go to Church again. What we do this time, is get cleansed by the blood and body of Christ. So before even eating or drinking anything that morning, we all queue up, kiss the Epitafio (maybe steal a flower or two from it!)
 
and then meet the Baba (the Priest) who will feed us a spoonful of sweet red wine and give us a blessing. Yep, all of God's (Greek) children share off the same spoon - we make a joke about getting ill haha but of course it's nothing to worry about really! After that, there is a basket of chopped up bits of bread which symbolise Jesus' body, which we are then to eat. Then we are free to go home and eat our breakfast. Many stay for the entire time to hear the service but often Churches cannot accommodate all the people that come by!


There is often some flaouna eating at this point mmm... tasty pastries that only appear this time of the year and all the women of the family will make them by the case load - often running out of oven/storage space in their homes! They then force feed them to family members and demand you tell them whose tastes the best...!

Saturday night - midnight mass. It's time for Church again! Everyone gathers to their church for the moment when Christ rises again. At midnight, all the lights in the church go off and at the stroke of midnight the holy candle is lit. This flame is then passed around until everyone has a candle lit from this holy light.
 
The challenge is to preserve this flame and take it back to your home without it being blown out, for a special blessing! Of course there is danger of hair being set on fire and wax dripping all over your clothes, shoes and carpet again; health and safety eat your heart out! On the drive home, you can spot the Greeks a mile away with their glowing cars! 


After midnight, we are free to eat whatever we want again, and many take this opportunity to go to the nearest place to find meat! Some have a special feast all ready for when they get home too!


All day Sunday is a day of eating, really! In the morning there is the good old 'egg war' whereby there is a competition to have the winning egg to withstand all the others - there's good luck in it for the winner! Typical Greeks always have a trick up their sleeve to make sure they win though...!
Then there is the big Sunday feast of lamb and anything else you can get your hands on, eating so much that you fall into a meat coma! Easter really is such a great day for us, and the Greek restaurants are happy as well as everyone is eating meat again, opa! Hope you all had a great weekend and Xristos Anesti! 

Saturday 14 April 2012

Epitafio Problems!


So last night was the very important "Epitafio" at Church whereby Jesus' "tomb" is decorated with flowers in each Greek Orthodox Church around the world and then carried out into the streets while all the Greeks walk behind it holding candles. This is the night when Jesus died on the cross and is a serious time of mourning and should be respected.

Of course I did take it seriously in my heart, however there are comical moments in our culture that no matter how serious it is, you gotta just laugh and I like to share those moments, so sorry if you got offended! 


On Twitter last night we had an 'epidafio update' while everyone was sharing their funny stories and pictures of their night and 'problems'. I think this is so important, not only for comedy factors but also to help those who couldn't make it to a Church, really feel like they were a part of it.


First of all, good luck finding a parking space within walking distance to your Church. You will likely see cars littered all over the place in places I'm sure they shouldn't be. "Ah, I won't get a ticket, I'm going to Church ene" OK dad...
Second of all, good luck getting a seat in Church. Unless you have been there all day (unlikely unless you are over the age of 80) then you will be standing in every floor space available, (if you're lucky), if not you will be standing outside...


Inside the Church is the beautiful Epitafio, decorated with white flowers. This is then carried outside, really slowly and then all the people follow behind it. The walk is about 15-20mins long depending on your area, but my oh my what an experience it is! First of all, get ready to see lots of people you know. You may leap and hug a few, but then duck and run from some others!

pic.twitter.com/h88W8AnH
(Image courtesy of a #typicalgreek follower)

You will also get stared at by every non-Greek civilian. I saw people taking pictures of us from the street, people stopping us asking what we are doing etc. We like to cause a commotion. It's also really empowering when we stop traffic. Yes you 3eni, you will respect the PROPER Good Friday whether you want to or not! Cars were stuck as we marched through the middle of the main road and they could do nothing but sit and watch!


As I mentioned before, most people would be carrying candles.. cue drippy wax and flamed hair! It can get very messy... 


Ladies, please control your hair from flying in the wind because no one is accountable for it being set alight, but you! You will just get dirty looks for causing a drama over your hair. Also while I'm at it, don't cause a scene when you slip because of those high heels you have chosen to wear either, this isn't a fashion show! I know you want to find a husband... but I don't think you'll impress anyone while you run around screaming with your hair on fire and trip over your broken heel...? And guys, I don't think that girl you're winking at is really going to appreciate you choking her with your heavy cologne either...


Finally, although there are funny things about what we do, let's remember the real meaning behind this special time of year. I did light a candle for all you @TypicalGreek followers and readers of this blog, and I pray you have a safe and happy Easter! Kali Anastasi!

Sunday 25 March 2012

It's time for Greeks to fight like heroes once again!

Happy Greek Independence Day everyone!


This time last year I wrote a post all about this special day, so if you want to know more then read about it here:


http://typicalgreeklife.blogspot.co.uk/2011/03/greek-independence-day.html 


Let this remind you that you can conquer anything you put your mind to - because you are GREEK! (even if you're not, you're taking an interest and reading this, so you can be an honorary Greek!) 


I found this moving video which is inspiring and encourages us all to stand together and fight for what we believe in. We're still fighting for our independence but we will not be defeated:




"It's time for Greeks to fight like heroes once again"


Sunday 18 March 2012

The Big Fat Greek Mercedes

What is it with Greeks and their 'Mecendes'? (Yes, that is the Greek way of pronouncing it..!) It's like a cult thing; all Greeks have to own one apparently. I guess it represents their status, wealth and class! Hey, even our taxis are Mercedes!



The Mercedes is the car that escorts the family to special events or anywhere where there are going to be lots of people; you know, so they can show off!


The Mercedes is the car that the father will drive to escort the daughter to the church on her wedding day (no, she doesn't get a say in it). The Greek man's Mercedes is also the car that will take its place clogging up the whole street of other Mercedes Benz who are currently visiting the same Greek family. 
(Yeh, 3eni neighbours hate it when we do that... They forgive us on BBQ Sundays though when they're given free food! Ftines... Anyway back to the point!)


So how can you tell if it a Mercedes is owned by a Greek? Well, to start with Greeks are probably the ones who own about 90% of them to start with so the odds are pretty high haha but more distinctively you can firstly look out for a fancy number plate: "SPYR05", "E1EN1" "CYPRU5" etc.



You will also find the best anti theft device any vehicle can ever have; a cross, evil eye and icona swinging hypnotically from the mirror to frighten off any potential thieves!


Finally, you can spot a Greek Merc by the loud shifteteli blowing up the speakers, the hairy arm hanging out of the window (that goes for any gender....) and clicking fingers to the music. Then there's the puff of cigarette smoke swirling out the tinted windows, accompanied by the wreckless driving (because they're running late) and complete disregard of any rules of the road!


Ahh to be a Greek Mercedes owner... it's the only way to drive!

Sunday 26 February 2012

Twas the night before the big fast!

So, tomorrow is Clean Monday! I wrote about it last year on my blog so you can read more about it here to remind yourselves!: http://typicalgreeklife.blogspot.com/2011/03/clean-monday.html

The Greek Easter is at a different time this year (so sorry to all you guys on Twitter who apparently started their fasting last week; you lost a week of meat!!)


Our 'Καθαρά Δευτέρα' marks the run up to Easter which is the holiest time of the year for Greeks! Being Sunday today (a.k.a. Souvla day), I imagine most of the Greeks will be having a massive feast to stuff in as much meat as they can before the fast starts tomorrow. 
For those of you who are not brave enough to give up meat, give up something else you love for 40 days instead! Get ready for some cranky Greeks for the next few months...! Katishi mas!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...