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

Greeks are quite sociable and emotional people by their nature. On Serifos, you will repeatedly see the communication between local residents who raise a voice, use gestures and interrupt each other. Despite the fact that these emotional discussions make you feel that locals will fight, this is unlikely to happen, because the conversation is likely to be about something like football, crop species or weather. Moreover, locals will actively gesticulate, raise voice and interrupt even tourists. So, you should just take it for granted. In Greek culture, it is also quite normal to touch the interlocutor during communication. You should address local residents by the second name. If it is the first meeting between people, they shake hands. Close people greet each other with kisses on both cheeks.

Remember that some of the common gestures have a different meaning in Greece from those in Europe and the USA. Tourists think that when locals nod, they agree with you, but that is not right. A Greek “yes” is tilting the head to either side and making a sideways motion while slightly closing the eyes. When they want to say something, they touch or pat the lower lip with the index finger. 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 Greeks want to show neglect to a person, they pretend brushing off the dust of the lapel of the jacket.

When visiting a tavern, do not be surprised that people do not follow the rules of table etiquette. Serifos residents are not too scrupulous about the rules of behaviour when eating, and it does not matter if they have a business lunch or traditional dinner with friends. Laughter and lively conversations don’t stop even for a minute here. It is quite normal to drop the sauce or accidentally stain the neighbour, trying to take a dish. Islanders quite freely express their emotions in any situation. If a Greek wants to sing or tell a joke, he will do it, and it does not matter if he is in a park, on a beach, in a forest or he is walking on a busy street. Despite the fact that local citizens enjoy drinking alcohol, you will hardly meet wild drunk people on the streets. This is because invariable behaviour is a disgrace for Greeks. So, if you don’t want to be condemned by locals, try to control yourself. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Greeks can be hardly called workaholics. They try to make the most of life and enjoy every moment. A typical Greek day starts at 8 o’clock. He wakes up, has a cup of coffee and a light breakfast, works till 2 o’clock and has siesta till 5 o’clock. Try to plan your holiday, because almost all the cafes, shops and public places are closed during the period of siesta. Locals sleep at home or sunbathe during this time, they try to gain strength to finish the working day. The working day is finished at 8 pm and then the fiesta starts, it is time for leisure and meetings with friends.

It is not customed here to work hard, if a Greek gets a large sum of money, he can easily buy an expensive mobile phone, jewellery or a new car or spend a large sum of money on an evening in a tavern. Money is just one more way to enjoy life. Locals think that there is no need for money if they don’t make you happy. Locals are very patriotic people. They love their homeland but always criticize their government. But they can’t stand when tourists criticize the government. So try not to discuss this subject if you don’t want to hurt the feelings of the locals. If you want to become friends with locals, say something pleasant about Greece or Serifos. Greeks love to teach people and it is getting worse with age, but elderly people are highly respected in Greece.

Most of the locals are Orthodox, and it is customary to celebrate Easter, Christmas, Annunciation, the Day of the Prophet and The Independence Day here. The island hosts several gastronomic festivals, the most significant of which are Ktitores and the music festival in the summer months. Serifos also hosts a short film festival every year. There is a fair, a procession and different festivities in Panaya on the eve of the assumption of the virgin on August 15.