Differences Between Greek and American Culture

Last Updated on March 19, 2022 by QCity Editorial Stuff

There are many cultural differences between Greece and America. While these cultures are similar in some ways, there are also several distinct differences. Some of the most notable cultural contrasts include greetings, communication styles, food, and religion. By understanding these differences, it can help facilitate better communication and interactions when traveling or working with Greek individuals or businesses.

There are many differences in values, traditions, and family life. When studying abroad, it is important to understand what the local people think of you before you make any assumptions about them. Here are some common things that Greeks do: -Greeks have a strong sense of community which can be seen at their weekly village markets where they buy produce for the week’s meals. They also use this time to catch up with friends and neighbors while working on projects together or just sitting around chatting over coffee. -The Greek Orthodox Church plays an important role in day-to-day life because it dictates what happens in society through its rules and regulations such as not being able to eat meat during Lent or not being able to get married on a Sunday. This is also where people go to pray and celebrate religious holidays.

Comparison between Greek and American Culture

Parameters of comparison	Greek Culture	American Culture
Family	Greek culture is family-oriented	Americans are more individualistic
Love	Greeks love to socialize	Americans don’t like to talk as much
Value	Greeks value their time with others	Americans value their time alone
Work	Greeks work hard at everything they do	American’s focus on what is most important
Son	In Greece, the oldest son inherits the property of his father	America it goes to whoever is next inline

What is Greek Culture?

The culture of the Greeks is a rich and interesting one with deep roots in history. It can be divided into three main periods: Ancient, Byzantine, and Modern. The ancient period stretches from 3000 BC to 1453 AD when Greece was conquered by Ottoman Turks. The Byzantine period started in 800 AD with the restoration of Constantinople as the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire after the fall of Rome. Finally, there’s modern Greece that began in 1821 when Greece won its independence from Turkey after centuries under Ottoman rule. Each section has had its influences on what it means to be Greek but they all share some commonalities such as religion (Christianity), language (Greek), and food (moussaka).

What are the customs of this ancient country that has been around for over 3,000 years? This article will explain how some of these customs have evolved into modern-day practices. 

One practice unique to Greece is honoring departed loved ones with a lit candle or oil lamp. The tradition stems from ancient Greek belief in an afterlife and the idea of eternal flame. Today, Greeks celebrate death during their Day of the Dead festival called Panoiada on November 2nd each year by visiting cemeteries where they offer gifts to family members who have passed away. During this time it’s also customary for families to clean the gravesites and lay flowers at them as well as pray together before returning home.

What is American Culture?

There is no single answer to the question of what American culture consists of. Different people would likely give different answers, based on their personal experiences and perspectives. However, some common elements could be said to make up American culture. These include elements such as freedom of speech and expression, a strong focus on individuality, a love of convenience and comfort, and a sense of patriotism. Each of these elements can be seen in various ways throughout American society. Whether it’s the way people dress, how they talk, or how they think about their country, American culture is unique and varied.

10 Differences Between Greek and American Culture

1. Greek culture is family-oriented, and Americans are more individualistic.

2. Greeks love to socialize and Americans don’t like to talk as much.

3. Greeks value their time with others and Americans value their time alone. 

4. Greeks work hard at everything they do while American’s focus on what is most important. 

5. In Greece, the oldest son inherits the property of his father while in America it goes to whoever is next inline. 

6. The Greek flag has a blue background with white letters reading “Ελληνική Δημοκρατία” or “Hellenic Republic” whereas the American flag has a red background with 50 stars representing each state, one for each state. 

7) A typical meal in Greece includes meat, vegetables, pasta, or rice depending on the season; whereas an average meal in America usually consists of bread or potatoes accompanied by some type of protein such as chicken breast or ground beef. 

8. Greeks have a more relaxed attitude towards life. 

9. The food in Greece is different from the food in America. 

10. In Greece, it’s customary to greet someone by saying “hello” or “kalispera” while shaking hands, while Americans prefer to shake hands without saying anything first. 

Interesting Statistics or Facts of Greek Culture

1. Greeks are the world’s most frequent drinkers of wine.

2. The word ‘democracy’ is derived from the Greek words for ‘people’ and ‘power’.

3. Greece has an interesting history with democracy, as they have had more than 40 different constitutions in just over 100 years.

4. Greece was one of the first countries to use a lottery system, which they used for centuries before other cultures adopted it. 

5. many ancient ruins throughout modern-day Greece remain today. 

6. Ancient Greeks were known for their love of sports – specifically wrestling or boxing.

Interesting Statistics or Facts of American Culture

1. Approximately 67% of Americans are married.

2. The average American consumes around 32 gallons of water per day.

3. In 2013, just over 3 million people were living in the United States who had been born in a different country.

4. About 34% of Americans have some form of disability or illness that causes them to need special assistance at home or work.

5. an estimated 5 million small businesses are operating in the US today.

6. The average age for a first marriage has risen from 23 to 27 years old since 1950.

Conclusion

The author presents a few cultural differences between the two cultures including family dynamics, spirituality, and more. There are many different aspects of these cultures that make them unique but also similar in certain ways. For example, both cultures value hard work, education, and strive for success. This article provides an interesting perspective on how Greeks live their lives compared with Americans. It’s worth reading if you’re interested in learning about other countries’ customs or traditions.

It is important to understand the differences between Greek and American culture to have a successful business relationship. The key difference that we found was in their levels of formality, but there are many other cultural nuances you should be aware of when doing business with Greeks. For example, they prefer face-to-face meetings rather than phone calls or video chats for follow-ups during negotiations. If you want help understanding how your company can work more effectively with Greeks, contact us today.

References:

Resource 01: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_the_United_States
Resource 02: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_Greece