A qualitative, cross-sectional study, involving 38 key informant in-depth . Dont show your bare legs or shoulders in a church, especially not a monastery, and men: please keep that singlet on. Im a 57yr old single lady NOT looking for my Shirley Valentine moment. While this overlaps with religious taboos, some cultures are governed more by social norms than religious norms. But whilst Greece isnt a strict country with regards to attire, one does have to extend a modicum of common sense in the clothing stakes at times (I have seen some real faux pas) and it dawned on me that a post about etiquettein Greece in general would be useful to have to hand as whats obvious to me may not be obvious to others. One things the Greeks love is their coffee. Although maybe people wont know about the unofficial driving/road rules as you really have to be extra careful when crossing the road! They are friends that I met on vacation once, and we kept in touch. Suggested . Oh my God! Didnt stop me from enjoying my stay in the country which was wonderful, but definitely made me more mindful. How to Drink Like a Greek - Greece Is Just because not obeying social rules in a country wont be dangerous to you (like many muslim countries) that doesnt mean you should respect them any less. Food Taboos: Where Do They Come From? - Factinate I hope to visit again one day! Many thanks for taking the time to comment. The one thing I was not ready for when I first came here, was at the dinner table. intra-household food use, diversity of diet, food quality and quantity, breast-feeding, and complementary feeding practicesas well as food handling, hygiene practices, and emergency preparedness and their impact on nutritional status. CULTURAL TABOOS IN GREECE. Are there any food taboos in Greece? - Quora In this list, we are discussing food taboos around the world and the reasons they exist. We are not responsible for any information that you choose to share in your public user profile. With 20 percent of Greece made up of islands - and no . If you go visiting the monasteries of Meteora in Central Greece, even if a woman is wearing trousers you have to cover with a wrap around skirtand they helpfully provide this. I am retired and have always wanted to go to Greece. Do take your time over coffee theres no rush. As such, understanding local pregnancy food taboos is an important public health goal, especially in . Food taboos, whether scientifically correct or not, are often meant to protect the human individual and the observation, for example, that certain allergies and depression are associated with each other could have led to declaring food items taboo that were identified as causal agents for the allergies. Greeks traditionally get together and grill meat on this day. I think I mentioned it in this post already, but check out Scottavest. I am wondering what is considered taboo in Greece, and what I should avoid bringing up, or maybe only bring up with caution. It seems like a really great tradition. Millions of products were withdrawn from countries across Europe, including the UK, Germany, Sweden, Belgium, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. Questions, please email: [emailprotected]. Food chain characteristics may help explain human food taboos, say the researchers. Wear a long loose skirt if you intend to go inside churches and bring a shawl or scarf to put over your shoulders better still, wear something with long sleeves. We cite peer reviewed academic articles wherever possible and reference our sources at the end of our articles. (10 Features & Stereotypes), What do Spanish People Look Like? Greek food is lots more than that, so be a little adventurous! I have just seen some ridiculousness in the clothing stakes in the past mainly from younger travellers who have an attitude of We dont care what your culture is, this is what I wear and you will not dictate to me what to wear which makes me angry because it shows a lack of respect to culture as far as Im concerned. Regularly, taboos rely on appeal to tradition for them to carry on. These fish are more likely to . He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. Im glad you loved the country, like I do. Greeks with whom you have a close relationship may expect you to grant favours for them and show more loyalty to them than others. NEVER blame a Greek for a mistake, even if it is 'Cow will make your baby fat': breaking food taboos in west Africa Do remember to give way on a roundabout, that means stopping for cars that want to come onto the roundabout as they just wizz onto it. They didn't have to do that but was happy they made the gesture. Brazils Buzios Island has a taboo on turtle meat for conservation purposes. Thankfully, I had put a copy of my passport in my suitcase which made it so much easier in getting it replaced at the embassy. First, a human corpse is seen as a significant polluting influence: In many ancient Greek sacred laws, every human corpse is considered a significant source of pollution for all who, in any fashion whatsoever, come into contact with it or stand in a relation of kinship to it. You are using an out of date browser. Greeks almost never back pack and those who do usually go to the islands and never hitchhike. An act may be taboo in one culture and not in another. The predominant religion in Greece is Greek Orthodox and youll see many churches around the country, both large and small. Loved your post! Be sure to visit the country during this period its fun! I am wondering what is considered taboo in Greece, and what I should avoid bringing up, or maybe only bring up with caution. Many food taboos and other prohibitions forbid the meat of a particular animal, including mammals, rodents, reptiles . Personal space is not really an issue, Greeks Every culture has their taboos and stuff that isn't really talked about or normalized. Dietary rules and regulations may govern particular phases of the human life cycle and may be associated with special events such as menstrual period, pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, and - in traditional societies - preparation for the hunt . At junctions you often wait for a sign but in the end nothing happens and they turn or go straight on with no indication whatsoever. While some taboos are legally enforceable, others are simply considered to be poor taste. Beef burgers, lasagna, and spaghetti bolognese from Tesco, Findus, and Comigel were found to have traces of it. I feel safer in Athens than I have done in a US city to be honest, but I guess it is all relative. Its illegal to eat in many countries and international sale is banned. Ive managed to make an immersion blender quite successful in imitating the frappe! A few tips for driving on the island of Crete, most of the roads are single highways with fairly wide shoulders. So lets start off with clothing. Who are we to dictate what is right and wrong in a country? The etiquette in Greece is not to go out with the intention of getting smashed.. Its also common for some Navajo to avoid fish. It stands to reason then that they have helped us through the years in our efforts to avoid killing ourselves. Really related to what you say about binge drinking; it is not that Greeks dont want to binge drink but that the aftermath is considered embarrassing so thats why they mostly dont do it. Greeks tend to take personal offence to undertones of statements that suggest a person is dishonest, disingenuous or. Thanks Vanessayep! I am curious what people do. It is taboo for the husband to stay at home and watch the kids while his wife works. This, despite the fact that millions eat beef in the country. Shellfish isnt kosher, so Jews refrain from eating lobster, mussels, shrimp, and crab. Naturally the churches get upset when people wander in off the beach just in their beachwear, which you will not do I assume. 10 Carry-On Condiments to Zhuzh up Your Plane Food, This German Town Is Obsessed With Christmas Most Controversial Tradition, 35 Ultimate Things to Do in New York City, 10 Things to Do in Orlando Besides Disney World, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. You and your family will have a wonderful time. Entomophagy is also unheard of. I really loved Greece when I visited and would love to see more of the country. They can also be useful in connection with ecological needs to safeguard a resource or endangered species and, temporarily enforced, to turn important events into unforgettable events. Or if there's anything that I should avoid doing because I don't wanna offend anyone. 10. Christians prohibited. In other words, theres no reason that the taboos still exist except that its traditional in those societies. It can be considered rude to back up or away from someone while they are speaking. But note: some churches especially monasteries, dont like women to show their shoulders, and especially not their legs. Cafe & Kafenion Going out for a coffee is a distinctive habit for the Greeks, a strong part of their culture. Like meat prohibitions, fish is also pretty complicated. I just want to be outside and lie on a blankie in a park reading a book without my head being cut offadvise pls? What can be seen as strange to outsiders is quite normal in Greece. Food in Daily Life. Other taboos are related to stage in life. And the most famous Greek beverage? In carnival, people wear costumes and masks which offer anonymity and freedom of expression. Greek Orthodox Christians traditionally break the Lenten fast after the midnight Resurrection Service. What is considered taboo in Greek culture? - Worldwide Greeks If I have questionswould you be available for me? Creamy, tangy and spicy, tzatziki is the cool king of Greek summer and the most traditional greek food. I hope it gave some valuable tips. Its pretty darn close! Some people do not eat various specific foods and beverages in conformity with various religious, cultural, legal or other societal prohibitions. Is the category for this document correct. It is thought to be brusque and blunt to skip small talk and immediately discuss your topic of interest. I should go and write a post about it. Beef burgers, lasagna, and spaghetti bolognese from Tesco, Findus, and Comigel were found to have traces of it. (prohibited) foods, and pig is considered impure, so its not part of the diet of a practicing Muslim. There are 3 Types of Taboos: cultural, religious, and food. I recently returned from Greece and had the unfortunate experience of having my passport picked out of my front pocket and I had only been in the country 1 hour! Copyright 2023 Helpful Professor. For more information about your privacy and protection, please review our full. I totally love this post! Its not funny, it doesnt show youve had a good time and worse still, youre a bad Ambassador for your country. It can only be made when a pregnant animal is killed. Chinese New Year. Thanks. All year round, they live underground and saw the tree of the year. Greece tends to be a little humid as its by the coast, especially the islands so bring trousers and a long sleeved cardigan. You then have to seriously question what the next move will be and I cannot understand who teaches the Greeks to do this as you have to take your hand off the steering wheel to put hazard lights on instead of flicking the indicator switch which again doesnt seem to get used very much. The earth, the sea, the mountains, the rivers, custom-law (themis), and one's share in society and its goods were all seen in personal as well as naturalistic terms. Food taboos: their origins and purposes | Journal of Ethnobiology and Apart from that, Greeks eat pork, chicken, pigeon, duck, goose, beef, goat, lamb and mutton, and some even praise camel meat in pastrma (although its consumpt Yiannis Papadopoulos Lives in Thessaloniki, Greece Author has 4.6K answers and 19.8M answer views 1 y Related Is Attiki considered the mainland of Greece? Taboos are defined in various ways. The "moutza", consists of extending all five fingers, palm out, towards . gods. Greek. Most food taboos understandably center around meat, as there's a lot more to grapple with when the food in question used to be live, breathe, move, and think. And if so, what is the best way to protect yourself from them. 4 from 2 reviews. Examples of Taboos in Societies Around the World - YourDictionary In some cultures and tribes, children and menstruating and pregnant women have restrictions, while during events such as weddings and funerals or Lent and Navratri, people may also refrain from certain foods. Despite this though, many cultures and societies engage in preferences and taboos of which restrict their dietary range. LOL. Youll see many euphemisms in the country such as white steak and other meat on deli products. Avoid making comments that could be perceived to question someones integrity. Whether social, religious or cultural, culinary customs are commonly associated with a multitude of nationally accepted "rules." These taboos are not created equal. In some cultures and tribes, children and menstruating and pregnant women have restrictions, while during events such as weddings and funerals or Lent and Navratri, people may also refrain from certain foods. Enjoy subscriber-only access to this articles pdf. ; Jains dont eat meat and root vegetables (potato, onion, and garlic). Have traveled in Europe no problem with etiquette..we are overgrown..lol..in our 50s. So much to do in both Athens and Santorini, but it will be very hot, so bring plenty of high sunscreen, especially for the children.I wouldnt try to climb up to the Acropolis from midday onwards make sure you aim to do it early morning or later in the early evening, its too hot.Most of all, enjoy your travels! I know of incidences in Barcelona, Lisbon, a lot of European cities. Determinants of Food Taboos in the Pregnant Women of the - Hindawi As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Talking of clothing: I am not going to just single women out. Millions of products were withdrawn from countries across Europe, including the UK, Germany, Sweden, Belgium, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. Not sure where you live! person in a forward motion. In sociology, youll learn that taboos are just one of four types of norm (you might come across these if youre studying AP Sociology). However, illegal harvesting and trade is still a. because turtle eggs are considered aphrodisiacs, and sea turtles are also in religious ceremonies in some cultures. WorldwideGreeks.com is a free online forum community where people can discuss Greek food, travel, traditions, history and mythology. Im also slightly obsessed with the Minoan civilization. So my collaboration post with other travel writers and bloggers about Cultural faux pas around the world may interest you too. Thank you! Speech may be accompanied with frequent hand I can unsubscribe any time using the unsubscribe link at the end of all emails. Thank you, had pick pockets in Rome as well going to Athens and Santorini this August. Yes, they sure know how to treat eating and drinking as a lifestyle choice as opposed to just filling your stomach. Food taboos exist everywhere in the world. Certain foods are emblematic of the national identity, including moussaka, baklava, thick coffee, and resinated wine ( retsina ). But I still have questions : I never saw beggars.an extremely weird thing for me.how come? . Required fields are marked *, This Article was Last Expert Reviewed on February 17, 2023 by Chris Drew, PhD. Many practicing Jews abstain from non-kosher diets; Islamic law prohibits food items that are not. A unified, searchable interface answering your questions on the world's cultures and religions. It may not display this or other websites correctly. This versatile cucumber - garlic dip accompanies every meze on our table, whether it's meat, like keftedes, vegetarian, like dolmades or simply bread or paximadia (Greek rusks).