What are typical Greek habits, food customs, recipes and philosophies in Greece?

What are the customs in Greece regarding food?

• Greeks love good food, and eating out. Small snacks (mezes) are often eaten before dinner with a drink.
• Greek food is quite simple, without elaborate sauces or many herbs. However, a lot of olive oil, garlic, thyme, oregano and onion are used to give the food flavour.
• Olive oil and olive trees can be found everywhere in Greece. The Greeks love their olive oil.
• Mezedes, these are the Greek tapas. Keftedes, salad, calamaris, souvlaki, octopus, spanakopita (spinach and feta in dough).
• There are still many Turkish influences to be found in the Greek cuisine, such as the sweet bakeries (zaharoplasteio) where baklava is usually also sold.
• The Greeks eat late, around 9:00 PM, 10:00 PM or even 11:00 PM with a lot of ouzo (anis drink with 40% alcohol) and cosy moments around the dining table.

What are the best recipes in Greece?

• Specialities in Greece Dolmades: Stuffed vine leaves.
• Missed: Tomatoes, peppers and courgettes stuffed with rice.
• Moussaka: Eggplant with lamb, cinnamon and red wine.
• Souvlaki: Roasted meat.
• Horiatiki: Greek salad with real feta cheese and olives.

What are the best drinks in Greece?

• Greek mountain (herbal) tea.
• In Greece you are allowed to drink alcohol from the age of 16.
• Greek wine is very affordable and easy to drink.
• Although not everyone likes it, Retsina is a special type of wine made with pine resin.
• Ouzo: Strong aniseed drink.
• Greek coffee is strong, and many Greeks therefore add enormous amounts of sugar to it. 

What are notable holidays and festivals in Greece?

• A Greek year revolves around saints' days and festivals. Most people are conventionally devoted to a saint, areas, stations, boats, you name it. Did you know that name days are more important than birthdays? And of course, take the Mediterranean ones to celebrate it all!
• Panigiria is a party where everyone/the entire village comes together to celebrate. Music, food (souvlaki), the syrto, the sirtaki and other dances are ingredients of this party. On May 25th, Greek Independence Day celebrates the revolution against the Turks. Every city loves parades, with the most impressive military parade in Athens. May 25th is also a Greek Orthodox religious holiday.
• On O(c)hi day, which is on October 28th, every year the Greeks celebrate their resistance against the occupation of Italian structures of strategic areas in Greece. Ohi means no.
• From June to September, the Hellenic Festival is held in various places in Greece. With music, dance and theater performances in the Odeion of Herod in Athens and classical Greek tragedies in the amphitheater in Epidaurus.

What are the notable habits in Greece?

• The Greeks are often very warm and temperamental people who elevate hospitality as an art. There is often contact (arm or shoulder) and kissing, both by men and women naked. A conversation within a conversation is not acceptable.
• A Mediterranean standard is everything in moderation and was invented by the Greek philosopher Cleobulus. It is the key to good living.
• Messimeri is the Greek siesta, from 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM. Shops are closed, people have lunch or sleep.
• The Greeks meaningfully put plates on the floor after the meal. This tradition is typically Greek, but already forbidden. It is dangerous because of the flying scraps. If your plates fly around, it may be because the restaurant has a license.