Percy Jackson - A little bit of Greek!

So, "Percy Jackson - Sea of Monsters" came out in the cinema recently (depending on where you live...!) and I thought I'd give it a mention for all you movie lovers out there, purely because of the Greek heritage. (Yes, I am that easily swayed; anything Greek and I'm all over it!)

For those of you who don't know, the Percy Jackson series are about Demigods who are the children of the Greek Gods. So if you like Greek mythology, seeing the Greek key symbol all over everything, laughing at the 3eni pronouncing Greek words and hearing people buying things in Drachmas (ah, the good old days...) then check out the movie!

Anyone else seen any good movies with some Greek heritage recently or know of any coming out? Let us all know!

Greek-o-vision 2013!

It's that time of year again, the Greek-o-vision song contest, as I like to call it! This year we only had Greece and not Cyprus qualify for the final, but ofou they did really well coming in at 6th place overall! At one point Greece were top trending on Twitter worldwide! 

In case you missed it or you want to relive the experience, you can watch the performance here:

Ahh, so the Greek dudes were kicking it in their converse shoes, while playing the traditional bouzouki and singing in Greek for a change! (I think someone must have read last year's post I wrote here where I made that very suggestion...)

And of course we can't overlook the wonderful catchy lyrics of "Alcohol is free"... yes, well in this current climate free alcohol is the most appealing, enen!

Overall, a cracking performance and a really good result! I don't know why they just didn't let us win it though, even if the country is skint the Greeks will always we able to scrounge the money together for a party and to host the Eurovision! Maybe next year, who knows!


P.S. the moustache wipe at the end was awesome.

Greek Dances - What do they mean?

I have addressed Greek dancing in posts previously, and you may recall that I mentioned that there were meanings behind our dances and that I would delve into them one day. Well, hold on to your vrakes guys, as that day has finally come!

So Greek dancing is all about expressing emotions and telling stories. Traditional Greek dancing had plenty of stories: some were to ensure fertility, preparing for war, celebrating victories, overcoming depression and even curing illnesses. They are usually named after villages or places where they originated from.

So what dance means what? I'll address a couple in this post and may explore some other dances in the future!

The 'Zebekiko'
This is a solo dance usually performed by men (eh but you get the odd 'modern' woman sneaking in these days too!). The songs that you dance the 'Zebekiko' to (can also be called the 'vareto') are always very passionate and often reflect struggles and broken hearts. Hence, why it is also known as the 'drunken' dance... It's usually performed very late into the evening (once the booze has taken full effect, you know how it is...). The moves are generally actually very sporadic and drunken looking and although there are some signature moves, it is generally freestyle; just moving to your emotions. It is always danced with an audience knelt down in a circle clapping you on and appreciating your deep felt expressive emotions (unless you're in a fancy dress apparently...) Watch an example below!

The 'Kalamatiano'

This is performed by both men and women in a circle, and is considered a celebratory dance! There is an even number of people as they are coupled up; men and women dance in pairs as well as in a circle. The person at the front has a mantili (hankie) and waves it around as they lead the group. Depending on the occasion being danced to, you can imagine lots of stories when they dance! If you're at a wedding and there are young people performing the dance, you could imagine that the couples are courting and getting to know one other before they have their own matrimonial ceremonies one day. Also, please pause to appreciate the costumes... bless their little outfits; gotta love the fluffy balls on the shoes!?

So that's the traditional Greek dancing. You know, very sweet, innocent, conservative; traditional! Having said that, current Greek dancing has changed somewhat... As clothing has become more racy, so has the dancing..! If you're out in the bouzoukia, you will witness something very different to the traditional dances, but still interestingly distinguishable as Greek. Check this video below of the 'Tsifteteli' to see what I mean...

So... you will probably have noticed the much shorter skirts, and the more sensuous hip wiggling and body writhing amongst the modern Greeks! A big difference to the traditional dances seen above, enen! These days, children learn to dance this way very early and it is not uncommon to see young kids at the bouzoukia dancing until 4am!

So come rain or shine, depression or glory, pain or pleasure... Greeks express how they are feeling by dancing! Next time you are out watching Greek dancing (be it traditional or modern) really take the time to think about what the performers are feeling and appreciate it. Don't forget to toss some cash at them too to show your respect! (Er.. and no, this has nothing to do with the 'cabaret', that's a whole other story.....!)

How Greek Am I - Quiz!

Have you ever wondered how much of a typical Greek you are? Well wonder no more as I have created a quiz for you to find out!

Take the test below and write your results in the comments!

Happy 2013, OPA!

Χρόνια Πολά everyone and Happy 2013!

Here we are again, a brand new year and time for a bit of reflection!

I started "Typical Greek" back in 2011; TypicalGreek's twitter birthday is 19th January 2011 and this 'TypicalGreekLife' blog was started 21st February 2011! I may do some fun birthday celebrations for those this year, so watch this space! I can't believe it's been 2 years now - that deserves a party!?

Since I started the original Greek twitter account (yes, I was the first to ever tweet things Greek and I know this because I searched extensively before starting up TypicalGreek!) I know there have been MANY who have followed in TypicalGreek's footsteps over the past 2 years and will probably continue to do so in the future (eh, everyone copies the Greeks, enen) but I want to say thank you to those of you who have shown your loyalty to the TG account and also to those of you who read this blog; it means a lot to know I can bring you some joy, and I plan to stay and grow - just for your 'edutainment'! (This is what I call fun knowledge... education+entertainment. Oh Gredutainment... Greek Education + entertainment. Have I gone too far now?)

My last 'happy new year' post of 2012 can be found HERE and you should give it a read again! I talk about the wonder of the vasilobita tradition of a Greek new year! Did you find the coin last year? If so, how did your year turn out? I've yet to win it since I was a child - ooof. (Well, not including the fake coins yiayia hides in the cake so we all end up being winners, anyway...)

None the less, I am looking forward to 2013 and seeing where things go! If you have any ideas of blogposts you would like to read about this year, please leave me suggestions below or email me at typicalgreek@gmail.com - after all, this is all for you guys!

Have an amazing start to the year; try and keep to your new year's resolutions (if you need any tips check out my blog post HERE!)

Sagapw my twitterakia/blogerakia!

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!

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!

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!)

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!):

Does your little doggie get picked on for being so chubby? Maybe this will help? 

Or what about for the souvla maker of the house? Or the baby of the house? (Same thing lol)

  

What about for someone doing their thing to expand the Greek community?

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

  

Who in the office is Greek and proud that would like one of these?

  

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!!!!!!

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!

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!

OXI DAY - What's it all about?

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!

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! 

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...!

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?

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! 

CHECK IT OUT HERE!

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!