John the Greek

Anonymous I feel that at times I can look pretty "Greek" or Mediterranean; this stems from my Italian roots as my great great grandparents were from Italy. This being said I have been spoken to in Greek many times. People in stores or out and about start talking to me in Greek then I don't pick up on what they are saying or I will say "No katalaveno Ellenika" (I don't understand Greek). I do not hold onto this identity in a larger group; I am instantly labeled as a tourist because we all are in a big touristy group that is definitely not Greek. We have heard some people using the "quack quack" call. What this means is that we are like ducks that are in a flock so they will use the "quack" call when we walk by. These people are few and far in between and our experience here in Greece is not hindered by these yahoos. If someone says something to you there is a need to just let it go because if you let it get to you than they have won and now you think all of Greece is like these few people that heckle tourists. I know that when tourists visit the US they are heckled and I know I don't want them thinking anything bad about the mass population or myself from a couple of people who ruin it for everyone.

During the movie "Zorba the Greek" there is a big theme of in-group out-group identity and the idea of honor and shame in a society that prevailed well into the late twentieth century which is still semi visible today. One of the main characters Basil is the one who is definitely an outsider in the community on the Greek Island of Crete. He is there and is not just observing but actively participating. His participation is not the good kind it mostly gets him in trouble in the community. His father was full Greek and had property on the island and this made him somewhat of a insider to an extent. He did not know the people or the island culture and really might not have had the capacity to because he was a bookworm that did not seem to pick up on social cues that are pretty apparent in the movie.

I can try and compare mine and Basil's situation with respect to having some physical similarity as well as roots back in that location. This doesn't matter when it comes to blind interactions with people who are not your family. I would say to actually be the in-group and be accepted by the group and yourself there has to be the mutual understanding of what is going on in the culture. Until then there is not a way to fully connect and expect to be a full part of that community.