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.
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...!
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...!
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