Hospitality

Anonymous On our free day I decided to take it easy, have a relaxing day walking the city and doing a little shopping. It was nice to meander through the streets and casually stop here or there. Wandering into various small shops the hospitality of the people of Athens still amazes me. In my experience, they are more than willling to help you in any way they can. They will help you try on various jewlery to see if it fits, show you the best way to wear a certain scarf or give you the history about a certain item. Sometimes it can seem like these tactics are just those of a good salesman but the whole time they talk to you and try to get to know you. Yesterday I was in a shop with beautiful handmade jewlery and while at the counter purchasing one unique necklace the man behind the counter asked me (as everyone usually does) where I was from and what was I in Athens for. I told him I was here to study and almost immediately his demeanor flipped- he told us that he used to be a math teacher at a very private school here in Athens but decided to open this wonderful little shop because he needed a change of pace, something that wasn't quite as stressful. Then it was like he was in teacher mode again, telling us all of the important things to see here in Athens and that if we had the time we HAD to take a trip to Delphi (which we had 3 days prior). We had a great conversation and it got me thinking, why haven't I seen this behavior in the states? I mean there are the occasional salesmen or clerks that are very kind and want to help but, I don't see that too often. Even while on vacations in other states the clerk will ask, where are you from? Upon hearing we're on vacation and usually reply with an "oh that's nice," or something to that effect; very rarely do they offer advice of sights to see or tips about the city or really anything. I have to wonder if this kind of attitude is only given to people from "exotic" places? And I don't recieve it in the states because I'm from the states? Its an interesting topic I would like to explore it a little farther and see what kind of reactions other people have been getting.