Questionnary on Greek intercultural practices
Posted in Greece forum 04 Dec 2011, 13:43
Good afternoon,
I'm student in trade in Le Mans (France) and I would to have informations about Greek intercultural behavior. Probably, I will move in Greece in a next future.
That's why, I need you reply at those questions.
I count on your participation
Guillaume
Behaviours
1. In what city do you live?
2. Have you ever been confronted to a misunderstanding situation faced to a person with another culture than yours?
3. If yes, why?
4. What are the rituals of greetings?
5. How do you have to dress at work?
6. Is punctuality is important in your country?
7. What are main topics of discussion that we have to talk about?
8. At what distance are we supposed to stand in a discussion?
9. What is the importance of the look?
10. Is silence significant?
11. Do you have to show our feelings?
12. Is there any forbidden gestures?
Trade practices
13. How do you consider gifts during negotiations? Do you accept then?
14. And in your side, do you give gifts to interlocutors? Is there forbidden gifts
15. What are your main working hours in your country?
16. Do you use visiting cards in your country?
17. Do you usually make business lunch?
18. In a firm, do you have to respect obligatory the dead line?
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First Try
posted by Thomas S. in Greece forum 10 Dec 2011, 22:54
Hello,
I'll try to help with your project and wish you much success.
1. I live in Heraklion, which is on Crete, the biggest island of Greece
2. No, and that's because I strive to be just towards all while engaging in coversation.
3. -
4. The usual way to greet someone here is by wishing them good health ( the popular word Yassou is actually a quick way to say "Ygeia se esena" which means "Health to you" )
5. We may dress as we please as long as the attire is socially acceptable.
6. Not really...most people are 5 to 10 minutes late...
7. Whatever pleases the speaker, however the hottest discussion at this time is the economy and people fervently talk about it
8. Not too close and not too far
9. It's important, though it's not the only thing that matters
10. Not really
11. Not necessarily
12. Yes, I will elaborate
a) Never give someone a mountza ( a special Greek gesture ) ( this is a mountza : http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20080718154111/anegkyk
lopaideia/images/4/46/Single_mountza.png )
b) Never give someone a middle finger
NOTE : If you are good friends with someone and they do something stupid they will accept the mountza, but the middle finger is always unacceptable.13. Gifts are awkward towards unknown people. When given they will be rejected. Even a good friend might reject it, but if they are pressed they will accept. Kids always accept, and adults only do so without hesitation at celebrations ( birthdays, namedays, christmas, easter ).
14. Everyone gives gifts, me included. They just need to be given at the proper time. Of course some gifts can't be accepted and might provoke angry responses ( like sex toys ).
15. Everyone works for 8 hours as a standard timetable, however its usual for people to work more, to earn more.
16. No
17. It is not necessary but it happens.
18. Yes, although people are not very puntual they strive to be when a corporal deadline is to be met.
I hope this has been of some help to you.
Enjoy your time in Greece, though its hard at these times