Athens

Summer Vacation - September 2024

Funny and Quirky Facts About Greece 🇬🇷😂

Greece is famous for its ancient ruins, stunning islands, and delicious food. But beyond its rich history and breathtaking scenery, Greece is also home to some seriously funny and quirky facts! From superstitions about spitting to confusing hand gestures, here are some hilarious things about Greece that will make you smile.

1. Greeks "Spit" on You to Bring Good Luck… and It’s a Compliment! 👀💦

If a Greek ever says "Pftu! Pftu! Pftu!" while looking at you, don’t be offended—they’re actually giving you good luck! Greeks believe in the evil eye (*mati*), and spitting (or pretending to) is their way of protecting you from bad luck. Just don’t try this in a business meeting!

2. The Greek National Anthem is the Longest in the World 🎶📜

Greece has the longest national anthem in the world—it has 158 verses! Luckily, no one expects you to sing the whole thing. Even Greeks just stick to the first two verses. Imagine standing for the entire anthem at a sports game—your legs would give out before the match starts!

3. Greeks Never Say "Yes" or "No" the Way You Think 🤨🖐️

If you ask a Greek a question, watch out for head movements:

- Nodding "yes"? Nope! Greeks tilt their heads slightly back for “yes” (it looks like they’re saying “no”).

- Shaking "no"? Not so fast! They tilt their heads forward and raise their eyebrows for “no” (which totally looks like “yes”).

So, if you think someone just agreed with you… double-check!

4. Greeks Love Their Coffee… But in the Slowest Way Possible ☕🐢

In most countries, people grab a coffee and go. But in Greece, drinking coffee is a three-hour event. Greeks invented Freddo Espresso and Frappe, and they love sitting in cafés for hours, just sipping slowly and chatting. If you're in a hurry, well… Greece is not the place for fast coffee!

5. Greeks Throw Plates for Fun… and No One Knows Why! 🥳💃

Ever heard of "Opa!" and smashing plates? This crazy Greek tradition started in tavernas and weddings, but no one really knows why. Some say it scares off evil spirits, others say it’s just because it’s fun! Today, some places use flower petals instead of plates—because, well, dishes are expensive!

6. They Invented the Word "Idiot"… But It Meant Something Else 🤯

The word "idiot" comes from ancient Greece, but back then, it didn’t mean stupid. It originally meant someone who was a private citizen and didn’t care about politics. Today, Greeks still love politics, so if you say you’re "not interested"… be careful, you might be called an idiotis!

7. Greece Has a "No-Heels" Rule for Ancient Sites 👠🚫

Planning to visit the Acropolis in high heels? Think again! High heels are banned from ancient Greek sites because they can damage the ruins. So, if you want to feel like a Greek goddess, you’ll have to do it in sneakers!

8. They Believe Tuesday the 13th is Unlucky, Not Friday the 13th 😱

Forget Friday the 13th—Greeks believe Tuesday the 13th is bad luck! Why? Because on Tuesday, April 13, 1204, the city of Constantinople fell to the Crusaders, and then the Ottomans took over Greece on a Tuesday in 1453. Ever since, Greeks avoid big events on this day. So if you're planning a wedding… maybe choose another date!

9. Greece Has More Goats Than People 🐐🇬🇷

Greece has more than 15 million goats, while the human population is only around 10 million. If goats ever decide to take over, Greeks might be in trouble! And if you’re driving in the countryside, don’t be surprised if a goat traffic jam slows you down.

10. Greeks Wave "Goodbye" Differently… And You Might Accidentally Insult Someone! ✋😳

In Greece, waving with an open palm (like a normal goodbye) actually means "Go to hell!" To avoid this awkward situation, wave with your fingers together—unless you really want to offend someone!

11. Greeks Believe in the Power of Garlic… For Everything! 🧄✨

Greek grandmothers believe garlic cures everything, from colds to bad luck. They even hang garlic outside their homes to ward off the evil eye. So if you ever feel sick in Greece, don’t expect medicine—just expect a plate full of garlic!

12. Greek Weddings Have a Lot of Weird Traditions 💍🎩

Greek weddings are full of funny customs! For example:

- The bride puts a sugar cube in her glove for a "sweet marriage."

- The groom’s friends shave his face on the wedding day (talk about pressure!).

- Instead of rice, Greeks throw money at the newlyweds. Now that’s a wedding gift worth catching!

13. Ancient Greeks Invented the "First Alarm Clock" ⏰🔔

Hate waking up early? Blame the ancient Greeks! They invented the first alarm clock using water, bells, and pebbles to wake people up. So the next time your alarm ruins your morning, remember—it’s been annoying people for over 2,500 years!

14. Greece Has More Than 6,000 Islands… But Only 227 Are Inhabited 🏝️🚤

Greece has over 6,000 islands, but most of them are tiny and uninhabited. So if you ever want your own private Greek island, chances are there’s one waiting for you (if you can afford it, of course!).

15. The First Olympic Games Had No Medals… Just Olive Wreaths! 🏅🌿

The ancient Olympics didn’t have gold, silver, or bronze medals. The only prize was an olive wreath—and of course, eternal Greek glory! Imagine training for years and just getting a leafy crown… At least they didn’t have to deal with doping scandals!

Final Thoughts: Why Greece is More Than Just History and Islands! 🇬🇷😂

Greece is full of fun, quirky, and downright hilarious traditions. Whether it’s smashing plates, "spitting" for good luck, or having more goats than people, this country is truly one of a kind!

So, if you ever visit Greece, remember:

✅ Don’t wave with an open palm

✅ Drink coffee like a Greek—slowly

✅ Avoid Tuesday the 13th!

✅ And always say “Opa!” when something fun happens!