Colors of Mykonos Island - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

Greeks are very emotional people. They often raise voice and interrupt other people. They don’t want to hurt anybody, it is just a behavioural norm for locals. Remember that some common gestures have a different meaning in Greece. Greeks touch or pat the lower lip with the index finger when they want to say something. When Greek people signal to somebody to join them, they extend their arms with their palms facing downwards. Then they open and close their fists, their fingers moving up and down. If you want to show neglect to a person, just pretend that you are brushing off the dust of the lapel of the jacket. They raise their eyebrows and their whole head upwards, while softly clicking with their tongue. It means «no». A nod of the head with the right hand on the heart means «thank you».

It is customed to shake hands only at the first meeting. Then, people greet each other with a kiss on the cheeks. During a conversation, Greek people touch the person they talk to without any embarrassment. Locals usually behave very freely. If the Greek wants to laugh-he laughs if he wants to sing – he sings, even if it happens in public transport. During a meal, people don’t follow the rules of etiquette, they chat all the time and can easily push a person or turn a plate with some food without any embarrassment.

Local citizens can be hardly called workaholics. Siesta plays a great role here. Try to plan your shopping because almost all the shops are closed from 2 to 5 o’clock. Locals spend their free time sleeping or lying on the beach. It is customed in Greece to make the most of life. They won't spend much time trying to earn money and move up the career ladder. Greeks can easily spend a large sum of money on a beautiful and useless thing or an evening in a tavern. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Greeks love to gather around the table with friends and family, drink retsina and ouzo and discuss the day's events, watching dancers in traditional costumes. There is a great number of taverns on the island and they are always full of people. You should make every effort to find a free table in an evening. Despite the fact that local citizens enjoy drinking local alcohol, you will hardly meet drunk people on the streets. This is because invariable behaviour is a disgrace for Greeks and tourists. So, if you don’t want to be condemned by locals, try to control yourself.

Mykonos inhabitants love their homeland, but they often criticize the government. However, they can't stand when someone else does the same. Try not to discuss this subject if you don’t want to hurt feelings of the locals. Greeks love to teach people and it is getting worse with age, but elderly people are highly respected in Greece. Married men love to flirt with different women, but you shouldn’t take it seriously.

Due to a large number of tourists in Kastro and Little Venice there are a lot of pickpockets. Be careful and try to pay with local currency, you can exchange it in a bank. While planning a holiday, you should know that transport doesn't run often here. If you want to enjoy all the local attractions, don’t visit the island in the middle of summer. The heat will make you spend part of the day in a hotel or on the beach. Greeks are very religious. Easter and Christmas are celebrated here. Moreover, you can take part in different festivities and visit February Carnival.