My Greek friends tell me, “think of the way the rest of the world does it, and the opposite is true here.” This is the answer I’d get when asking ‘why?’

A very kind and wise yiayia offered me another explanation after tapping me on the shoulder and gesturing in the air as if pointing to a prize behind a curtain; she said, “Ellada.” Hearing this answer and finding none of my own logic, which my friends constantly remind me is a Greek word, I stopped asking ‘why?’ and simply accepted. It’s a more peaceful and sane way to live life.

Some examples:

1. Cell phones
- In the USA, you can roam freely in other countries if you have a subscription (syndesi), make and receive calls, send and receive sms; you cannot roam abroad with a prepaid card phone (some USA telecoms let you roam a nearby country, i.e. Mexico, but not Europe).
- In Greece, you can roam freely in other countries only if you pay a substantial deposit (usually 450 euros) or ask special permission with a subscription (syndesi); you can roam freely, receive calls and send/receive sms if you have a prepaid card phone.

2. Justice system
- In America, and probably most other countries, a lower court decision can only be overturned by a higher court (i.e. Supreme).
- In Greece, lower administrative courts can overturn higher court rulings.

3. Bulk pricing
- In America, and most of the 35 other countries I visited, retailers give a discount to consumers that purchase a larger quantity of the same item to reward them for not only buying more, but saving the cost of packaging.
- In Greece, on many products (not all), I can buy 2 x 250 g much cheaper than purchasing a single 500 g product.

4. Petrol
- In most of the world, when the price per barrel decreases, petrol/gas also decreases.
- In Greece, when the price per barrel decreases, petrol/gas stays the same or increases in price.

5. IKEA
- In most of the world, IKEA is regarded as a cheap furniture option with questionable quality.
- In Greece, IKEA is considered by many to be trendy and good quality (Note: I say nothing about price because it’s actually 20-100% more expensive here for the same item in comparison to other countries).

6. Football
- In most of the world, the home team wears their colors proudly and the visiting team wears their boring white jerseys.
- In Greece, from what I’ve seen on TV and live on the pitch, the home team wears their boring white jerseys and the visiting team wears their colors. (Filoxenia?)

7. Passports
- In America and most of the world, the photo, vital details and biometrics are located in the front of the passport.
- In Greece, they’re in the back.

8. Door keys
- In America and many other countries, the teeth of keys face up when inserted in a lock.
- In Greece, and in some other countries I’ve seen, the teeth face downward.

9. Beef
- In America and most of the world, beef that has been cut into pieces is called beef strips.
- In Greece, beef that has been cut into pieces is labeled “Chinese.”

10. Jobs
- In America and most of the world, the best job candidates have a university degree, extensive experience and skills, are interviewed and usually hired.
- In Greece, the best job candidates are those who are connected, unproductive or easily controlled. Those with a university degree, extensive experience and skills are seen as a threat or liability because they will demand (and deserve) higher pay, be less willing to tolerate abuses ($exual advances, no IKA, free overtime, added responsibility) and are more likely to file a complaint at the epitheorisi.

11. Parental importance
- In America, banks and other companies will ask for your mother’s maiden name for identification purposes and as a security measure.
- In Greece, the first name of your father is normally the only name requested and carries a lot more weight for identification purposes.

12. Father Christmas
- In many nations, Father Christmas or Santa Claus is St. Nicholas because he was the patron saint of children and a notorious secret gift giver
- In Greece, Father Christmas is St. Basil (Ag. Vassili) even though he was a slim, pious theologian and patron saint of education, and has nothing to do with children or gift giving.

Anyone with different information is welcome to corrrect me, though I suppose there are different versions and exceptions for everyone. As the yiayia would say, “Ellada.”

13. Renovations
- In the majority of countries, renovations and improvements to public transport, museums and major streets are scheduled and done in winter to inconvenience less tourists and residents in off season. 
- In Greece, renovations and upgrades are scheduled for summer because it is interpreted as less of a hassle for commuters. It does not take 10 million tourists visiting in high season, repeat visits and income (current and future) generated from this into account, even though tourism is Ellada’s primary industry.

Related posts

For related articles, see “Personal.”