7. Cash Cow
While many of us have grown accustomed to plastic-based financial transactions, in Greece cash is the way to go. Even in restaurants it’s seldom that credit cards are accepted and it can’t be pleasant to get to the end of a meal and realize you can’t pay (you might have to wash a lot of broken dishes!). Writing a check you say? Forget about it as unless there’s been some prior negotiation, personal checks might as well be toilet paper. On the other hand, many stores say they accept credit cards, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be able to use one once you reach the counter. Always have cash on you and if you don’t have any, ensure that an ATM is close-by so you can get some at the drop of a hat.
8. Bum Bin…
Just when you thought you had potty-training down, the Greek throw in a twist. As the toilet system in Greece is not as advanced as other European destinations, get accustomed to throwing used toilet paper into the bins provided. Yes, even the number two kind.
9. Talking With Hands
Mountza is a gesture where Greeks thrust their hands out, five fingers spread, as a show of disapproval. Drivers often use this one and if you decide to do so without cause, expect to offend. So make sure you have your palm facing you when you wave at someone. If you wave with an open palm or they’ll take it as an insult rather than a greeting. Another reason waving open-palmed could be misconstrued is because the Greek version of “come here” looks like they’re pawing the ground with the palm facing downwards.
