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Stereotypes & Culture. My Big Fat Greek Family
Twenty years ago, in 2002, the Greek-Canadian actress, Nia Vardalos, became famous with her movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding. As both actress and writer, Vardalos won many awards for this romantic comedy, which she based on her own experience of being Greek. Although the movie is full of extravagant Greek stereotypes as an expression…
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The 12 most common Greek names and their meaning
The traditions regarding the naming of newborns in Greece are still in practice today. Sons get the name of their grandfathers and daughters are named after their grandmothers. As a result, not only cousins share the same name, but many unrelated Greeks do as well. Here is an overview of the twelve most common Greek…
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How to cook like a Greek yiayia, grandmother?
I finally attended cooking classes with yiayia, my boyfriend’s grandmother. Her generation of Greek women cooks the most delicious meals. Tasty and seasonal, with local products gathered from friends and family who live close by. And one of the goals I had set for this year was to learn how to cook like her. Entering…
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A Greek baby is a family project
Whoever believes that babies are just the offspring of their parents, has never been to Greece. In this country, having a child is a process that involves the whole Greek family. Even long before the child is conceived. The whole family wants your child I stopped counting the amount of times yiayia, mother, and sister…
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Where are all the Greek women?
Traveling through Greece, you might have noticed all the old men, endlessly sipping coffee in front of a traditional kafeneío. These men seem to be a static part of the decor of every Greek village, but where are the women? The timeline of women in Greece The grandmothers Let’s start with old times, the generation…
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Traveling with the Greeks means chaos
This story is for all the non-Greeks that are about to meet their Greek in-laws. As well as the Greeks that have a non-Greek family member. But also for everyone else. Because traveling with the Greek family through the eyes of an outsider makes a funny story. The first time I went to Greece to…
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The Greeks away from Greece
This weekend I found myself at a Greek barbecue. Traditional Greek music, souvlakia on the grill, and surrounded by fifteen Greeks, all speaking their own language. The funny thing is that I was not even near Greece. The barbecue took place in a park in the center of Rotterdam. Real Greeks take some Greece everywhere…
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Another George! The Greek tradition of naming newborns explained
Family is everything for the Real Greeks. One of the ways to show your Greek family love and mostly respect, is with the name you choose for your children. While the rest of the world is inventing new names for their newborns, the Greeks wouldn’t be Greek if they would stop following their traditions. The…
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S’agapo. Greek family love
Greeks are very loving people. And especially with their family and friends Greeks are not afraid to express their love for each other. Moms refer to their children with agapie mou, my love. And whenever friends leave after just hanging out, they will say bye to each other with filakia. Little kisses. I love you…
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Why I fell in love with Greece
I guess most of you know Greece as an ideal holiday destination. The combination of beautiful and unique beaches, crystal-clear blue waters, tasty fresh food, countless ancient ruins, and idyllic villages make this country one of the top places in the world to spend your summer. Why not love Greece? Well, for me, my love…
