Whether you are visiting Greece for property investment immigration or simply because you love this country, understanding Greek customs is essential.
Customs:
1. For business visits, it is advisable to wear conservative summer suits made of light materials;
2. Appointments should only be made in advance when visiting government offices or factories;
3. Greek merchants have a great sense of humor and enjoy joking. When discussing business, the host will first offer the guest a choice of strong Greek coffee or the Greek spirit Ouzo. Refusing abruptly may be seen as an insult;
4. Greeks take great pride in their rich ancient history, monuments, philosophy, art, and politics, and they have a favorable impression of the Chinese, who also have a long history. However, it is advisable to avoid discussing current domestic politics in Greece and the relationship between Greece and Cyprus to prevent any awkward situations;
5. The best time to visit is from September to May of the following year, while the two weeks around Christmas, the week before and after Greek Orthodox Easter, and July and August, which are vacation seasons, are not suitable for business visits;
In some villages in Greece, it is customary to bring a large stone as a gift to friends and family during New Year's, placing it on the floor and wishing the host, "May your home have a piece of gold as big as this stone!"
The influence of ancient Greek religious customs on the ancient Olympic Games
The ancient Olympic Games were a pan-Hellenic religious festival centered around worshiping the gods, featuring various local religious rituals and celebrations, with athletic competitions being just one part. Thus, the ancient Olympic Games were closely related to religious customs, and their activities were deeply marked by ancient Greek religious traditions.
The ancient Greeks believed that Mount Olympus was a heavenly kingdom of the gods, home to twelve great deities who maintained order between heaven and earth. Zeus, the king of the gods, ruled everything in the human and divine realms with supreme authority; other gods also possessed extraordinary powers, wisdom, and magic. People believed that establishing proper and benevolent relationships with them was essential for survival, leading to the practice of worshiping the gods, showing reverence, and seeking the blessings of Zeus and the other gods.
Greeks also believed that gods and humans shared similar forms and emotions, so everything beautiful that pleases humans can also please the gods. In this martial nation that worships heroes and strength, superhuman power, coordinated movements, astonishing speed, perfect skills, and well-developed physiques are considered the most beautiful and admirable traits of humanity, and naturally, they are also favored by the gods of Mount Olympus. Therefore, offering skills at the altar to the gods, showcasing one's strength and beauty, and winning the favor of the gods became the most devout religious sacrifices. The religious customs of worshiping gods and heroes through athletic competitions have existed since the time of Homer, who recorded many sacrificial competitions involving chariot racing, boxing, wrestling, running, discus throwing, javelin throwing, fighting, archery, gymnastics, ball games, swimming, and diving. These religiously colored athletic activities gradually formed many athletic festivals, the main ones being the Olympic, Pythian, Isthmian, and Nemean Games; additionally, there was the Heraean Games specifically organized for women. Since Zeus is the king of the Greek gods, the Olympic Games dedicated to Zeus evolved into a unified sacrificial athletic festival for the entire Greek nation.
In summary, the origins of the ancient Greek Olympic Games have profound social foundations and historical roots. They were the product of the long-term influence of ancient Greek athletic activities and the political, economic, and cultural factors of the time, gradually formed under the driving force of prolonged warfare among the city-states of ancient Greece and the influence of religious customs.