Visions of Greece

Anonymous

Want some fresh fruit or vegetables? Instead of trying to find your local Wal-Mart, in Athens it's a better choice to head toward the open marketplace. My roommates and I bought oranges and kiwis from the produce and fruit market. While there are supermarkets in Athens where you can buy your groceries and we have fresh markets in America, I think this for me symbolizes a Greek attitude that impresses me. While the stereotypical American is self-centered and short on time, wanting to always be on the go, the Greek lifestyle seems much more laid back and hospitable. Instead of shopping under the flourescent lighting of the big box chain, Greeks stop and interact with one another. Food in Greece seems to be much more than just sustenance; it is a social experience, whether you are shopping for fruit or eating at a cafe. In America we want our Starbucks coffee to go, our McDonald's available at the drive-through window, and our self-service check out lane at the grocery store. So many things are geared toward getting what we need (or, perhaps more accurately, want) as quickly as possible. This is not the case in Greece, and this attitude extends to more than just food. Two friends and I were shopping at a souvenir store today when the man working there came and struck up a conversation with us. He asked us where we were from, teased us about our very limited knowledge of Greek, and told us about a family friend living in the US. When we checked out, he handed each of us a little pin free of charge. This to me, like the produce market, demonstrates that Greek attitude which I admire. It's not just all about me, me, me here. It's not all focused on what's quickest or most convenient for the individual. It's about community, and hospitality, and socializing. I don't want to stereotype anyone here, since obviously after such a short amount of time I cannot even pretend to understand every facet of the Greek culture, but from what I can tell thus far I really admire this aspect of Greek society.