I'm German and have been living in Greece for 20 years. I've never visited Thessaloniki though, because I live on an island, but I met people from there and they were all very nice. Greek people in general from my experience are welcoming, hospitable, empathetic, proud, loud, community oriented, creative, curious and they love good food, good company, good music, sharing, making gifts and offering food, their family, children, beauty and enjoyment. I would describe Greece and Greek culture as a fragile balance between tradition and anarchy and I admire anybody who manages to govern this beautiful chaos. Never forget: in Greece a human is first of all a fellow human. Edit typo
So, you've managed to coexist with our chaos for 20yrs?! Worthy of my respect! 😂 Jokes aside, that's what we are, I often think we're like an open book to others, but I kinda like this characteristic, 'cause it makes us look more honest (if I may use this term), more direct. If we like you, you'll know it, if not, the same. We're hot tempered as well which ofc is not good, or tend to complain ab everything... Or exaggerate over things... Could we be better? I wish. But on the other hand, no one's perfect, everyone has flaws.... Thanks for the polite comment, you know us well 😁
@@pixie23 yes you're right. You're very honest with your feelings. I find it so funny how you can argue with a Greek in front of a shop about the parking and he might insult you and be very upset and 20 minutes later you leave the shop and have trouble carrying your shopping bags and the person you argued with before will rush to help you 😂 I've never been to another place where people adapt so quickly.
@@helgaioannidis9365 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Sorry, but I find this a bit mentally unstable! You reminded me of me & my bestie like 25yrs ago, while we're still classmates. During a 20' school break, sth happened between us & we started quarrelling like mad. Swearing, screaming at each other, etc. The bell rang & it was like the switch turned off & in an instant, we were like lovey-doveys again. The rest of the class, took us for lunatics ofc...😅 That's a good example I can present in a smaller scale of how easily we lose & find our sanity back! 😅😁 Ofc it's not always that simple, really hideous people can always hide around the corner, but yeah... In general, we're that! Plot twist to your experience: you exchanged phone numbers! 😁😁😁
As a greek if you want to experience real greek culture dont go to Athens or Thessaloniki, go to the rest of Greece. Greece is very diverse it's not just "Opa" and bouzouki
THEY ARE TOTALLY RIGHT US GREEK ARE VERY LOUD HOSPITABLE, EVERYTHING GOES SLOWLY HERE AND OF COURSE THESSALONIKI IS PERFECT,JUST TOUR THE PORT ON A LITTLE BOAT AND SEE THE SUNSET IN THE SEA!!!❤❤❤❤❤
I hope you liked our country and that everyone treated you well. I am from Athens but Thessaloniki is a great city for eating, partying and everyone is so chill (that's why they're late).
Hey, really appreciate you checking out my video 😄 I found your channel when I was looking into this video topic. I very much enjoyed my time there, but I know there’s a difference between being a visitor and actually living somewhere
As a greek person raised in greece but living abroad I think the negative characteristics we have as greeks are quite many unfortunately and I think it's good to share them and discuss them openly so that we can improve as a nation. First of all we have no discipline which is a big downside. Second, we protest too much and the way that protests are happening is not really leading to any changes. It's just part of everyday life so politicians don't give a ****. Third and most important maybe, is that we have no healthy relationship with our culture and history. We have no deep respect of our customs(for example many Greeks don't know to dance greek dances, many people make terrible spelling mistakes, they don't research our history through proper resources and they have a feeling of superiority that absolutely doesn't make sense. We don't respect the space and ourselves(littering and bad urban planning is obvious in many parts of Greece). Also we swear at ourselves all day long that we are shit but we don't actively try to change it. I hope we start seeing these things as a nation before it's too late and that we try to create a more positive image for ourselves and our country.
I agree that we have faults but disagree with the ones you mention. Discipline is not a virtue. In fact, the whole set of "protestantic" virtues, let's call them that, is nothing to aspire. The problem is not those who protest but those who don't, giving the politicians the margin to not give a shit. So, more protests instead of less. We don't need to know how to dance Greek dances or even spell correctly. Still, the number of Greeks who dance Greek dances spontaneously for fun is high, compared to other countries. Our relationship with our ancient heritage is definitely not healthy, agreed. We need to reclaim it from the Europeans who appropriated it and put it back in its original eastern-Mediterranean context and appreciate it for what it was.
Thank you for this video, it's always interesting to see other people's perspectives. As a Greek-American who lived most of my life in the US, I've lived in Thessaloniki for the last 20 years. Greeks everywhere are very friendly and hospitable. No doubt loud too, whether they live in Greece or abroad. My Mom says I've gotten louder since I moved here! 😂 3 things annoy me wherever I go, but as a Greek returning to Greece I was upset that my country also has this... 1) Graffiti! I really can't stand it unless it's artistic or creative. 2) Littering! I literally picked up somebody's trash (notebook paper or scrunched piece of paper) 3 times in my first month here. In all cases, I'd pick it up & return it to the owner. My husband laughed and told me they dropped it intentionally. I didn't believe him until after the 3rd time, gave up chasing after those who litter. 3) Women would you please stop throwing buckets of water over the balcony railing!! You have a drain in the balcony for a reason. My 5 y/o nephew got drenched by some woman doing that from the 5th floor on Bas. Olgas which is a busy street of many people walking! Did she think she lives in a village? oh end of rant! lol
As Greek, reminder Thessaloniki is a women’s name and it comes from the sister of Alexander the great and he was loving her so much and on her honor he give the name in to the city, also people use also the name Macedonia because it was the first name of the city, I hope you all enjoy it there, I also will say about philosophy that it’s a thing that it start in deep conversation with Greek people and it’s something that it comes with beer or a coffee and a view, have beautiful day 🇬🇷♥️🇬🇷 ( I’m still learning English self maybe 😅)
There are some mistakes with your reply. First of all, Alexander III of Macedon did not found the city of Thessalonike, Cassander (the husband of Alexander's sister with the city's namesake) did. Secondly, there is no evidence of a settlement by the name of ''Macedonia'', instead, Thessalonike was probably founded by the synoikism (a.k.a ''union'') of several settlements, one of which was Therma/Therme. As a fun fact, Alexander, probably never got to form any bond with his sister, as when she was born in 346/345 BCE Alexander was 10/11 years old, and would begin his teaching under Aristotle in just a few years. And he most likely never got to meet her even after he finished his tutelage, as his father put him in command of armies and sent him on missions while also taking him with him in the battle of Chaeroneia. After two years of exile and his ascension to the throne after his father's murder, Alexander was forced to take on royal duties and would cross the Hellespont in 334, when Thessalonike was 11/12 years old, and that would be the last possible time she ever saw him.
Hello, this is Dimitris from Thessaloniki... nice video❤ I can see your disappointment for greece comparing Percy Jackson or Disney's Herc depiction of greece...😂 As thessalonikian, sometimes living here is exhausting due to the today-greeks mentality... but nowhere is complete paradise😅 Anyways, regarding, ancient greek philosophies etc, I think today's greece and greeks are the most wonderful bridge to the ancient greece, due to the greek language, which is the most proper vessel to carry on of this greek ancient culture legacy..❤ This cultrure of course, I believe is world wide heritage, not just for today-greeks...along with many other cultures globally 😊
"Firstly, 2500 years separate the ancient Greeks from the modern Greeks, with various population admixtures, migrations to and from Greece, etc. Roughly speaking, we could say that modern Greeks are connected to the ancient Greeks through the Greek language, known as Koine Greek (common attic greek), which, of course, evolved and was shaped by the populations over the millennia. So, we have ancient Greece, then its conquest by the Roman Empire, which evolved into the Byzantine Empire. Both empires relied on Greek education and preserved the 'Koine Greek.' Then came the Ottoman Empire(cristianity preserved koine greek through Holy Bible), which conquered the Byzantine Empire with the fall of Constantinople (today known as Istanbul) in 1453 AD. Four hundred years after the fall of Constantinople, the populations that still spoke 'Koine Greek' started a revolution in 1821 and liberated themselves from the Ottoman Empire (modern-day Turkey). 😀So, the psychology of modern Greeks went from being slaves and subjects to suddenly becoming heirs to an incredible cultural heritage. And as you can understand, 200 years after liberation, corruption and a survival mentality come into conflict with the advanced Western European culture and mentality."
Great video but just a correction about the University that was mentioned. They're not trying to make students pay for education, but what the government wants to do is allow for private education to be recognized in Greece. The students going to the free public universities are not getting the same quality education as their counterparts in private universities in Greece, and they fear if private education is officially recognized in Greece then they will have a disadvantage when looking for a job. What they should protest for is a better quality education at the free universities instead of protesting to fight competition which would benefit Greece overall.
@@temuujin.natsagnyam Well you were more accurate than this comment. The ultimate goal is to make people switch to private academic education by "impoverishing" the current National system which btw is protected by this country's Constitution. This is an illegal law that the current government has passed and this is why the students are protesting . Its exactly like what they did with the Electric power company and they are achieving with the National Health system. i.e. They are undermining the system for decades forcing people to seek solutions in the private sector. Now a new modification of the existing law was pushed under the table (meaning voted during holidays and late night parliament sessions) allowing private interests (medical companies and doctors) to use the Public Hospitals for their health practices on the expense of the taxpayer's money. The argument was to "shrink" the cues of patients waiting for a surgery but in practice those with money skip the line and common people see no benefits. Greece is and always has been a corrupted society from its first steps as a modern state.
No, man, quite the opposite: they know that the private universities will bring down the quality of education. They are not protesting for their own sake, they want education in Greece to remain free and of high quality for everyone, as it is now. What the government should do is stop under-financing and undermining the free universities. And they *are* trying to make students pay for higher education. You think neoliberals see USA's system with fees and student loans and don't want to adopt it? You honestly believe that?
@@GaryfaliaLaz I live in the nearby town! So I always promote tourism in my home region! There are also other places of interest here like Mavro Dasos in Orma, the valley of Ano Loutraki, Dobro Pole etc etc
He asked the French old couple to tell him a few things about the Greek people, and they tried to avoid to answer. Traditionally, northern Europeans don't have the best opinion about Grreeks. The old man said that Greeks are "different", what he meant is that he finds them annoying. Another thing is that when Europeans visit Greece they avoid interacting with the local population! They concentrate only in food and other superficial staff. They never make an effort to get to know the people that they so much dislike!
As a Greek, your typical Northern European (at least those from richer countries) is a despicable tourist....always feeling superior and harassing the local women. From my experience, (East) Asian tourists have more respect.
Hi, thanks for watching! My editing has created some misunderstanding. To clarify, the older man didn’t say “different” as a statement, he was confirming my question. I asked what is unique about Greek people, and they didn’t understand me at first
unfortunately I didn’t manage to interview a Greek person on camera, as I was there for only one afternoon. I assumed that the people I approached were Greek at first (other than Hanine) I wish I got to show some sides of Greek people! I talked with really nice Greek people, but they didn’t wish to be recorded. Maybe another time!
I'm German and live in Greece and all of my German family and friends who have visited me here like Greeks. What's true is, there's stereotypes about Greeks being loud, lazy and not paying their taxes in central and northern Europe.
All the world knows Greece from Democracy the Olympic games Theatres Politics Ethics Philosophy! So if you have this things in your country you are Greek in exile
Thanks for watching, and commenting! I agree to some parts. Don’t forget that Philosophy developed in other parts of the world independent from Western philosophy too. For example, Confucious
I came in Greece really young so I consider myself Greek ....plus I have Greek parents (one of them had a common Greek mentality). As with all populations, the behavior of Greeks can be described by a bell curve capable to indicate predominant mentalities and behavioral characteristics. In my personal limited experience, the peak point of the bell curve in Greeks' behavior tends to be shifted at an extreme point. (i.e. quite person- moderate -loud...The Greek curve falls to the right and that's true for most cases and aspects of life) As a visitor you might find it interesting or quirky but if you live here for years and attempt to work and cooperate with the population , you start and make sense of the economic condition of the country and the dysfunctional society it has to offer. Its not the only modern state that displays this profile but surprisingly enough Jared Diamond found a common characteristic shared by most of them. Countries like Italy (Rome), Greece, Egypt, South American countries etc, with glorious pasts tend to produce problematic societies mainly because they are systematically taught that their countries are already at the top of human history and they don't really need to prove anything. Social sciences' studies showed us that our percentage of failure raises the moment we are congratulated for our goals...before we even achieve them. So that its interesting to think.
Thanks for taking the time to comment. That’s really interesting to think about. My country also has a glorious past, the Mongolian empire, and our society has some of those traits too i think
Or we can look at historical factors. Whole population mentalities don't just sprout out of the earth. For example, Greece, Egypt etc have been parts of empires for millennia. As opposed to being kingdoms. That creates a different mentality towards the highest power that governs you, in one case it is something vague and obscure somewhere far away and you deal with the local representatives and you only have your extended family and the bonds you tie to rely on. In the other case, you have a king that can and often does co-operate with the people against their common enemy, the landed nobles.
@@Exknight2Dude our neighbours literally want to take like half our country from us (Skopians:Macedonia,Albanians:Epirus and Corfu,Turkey:Thrace, Aeagean Islands and Crete) This is the balkans we never left the dark ages.
As a Greek person I love Greece so much! I live in a small city near Thessaloniki so I have visited it many times... I would say that Greek people are known as hospitable humans. I have travelled to many another cities and I have to say that all countries are different from each other. Lately there are so many tourists here thankfully.😅 We have also so many delicious dishes! Thank you for visiting Greece! 💞
Hello from Athens!🇬🇷it was a nice video because it shows how foreigners living in Greece see us!! i hope you also have a nice time here. You didn't share your opinion about Greeks though!😊
I really enjoyed my very short time in Greece. I couldn’t record my interactions with Greek people, but it was friendly. As you can see from the video, I failed to interview a Greek person, as I ran out of energy and time (I thought the people I approached were Greek at first) I wish one day I can spend more time to get to know Greek people better. However, there’s been many Greek people to comment and share a lot of things, so that’s been nice
Of course we resemble our forefathers even today. Scientific research has been contacted by the University of Harvard which found, despite Greece being in the crossroads of civilizations, Greeks themselves remained unchanged. They also recommend if you want ancient DNA, you either go to the Greeks or the Iranians (Persians). Later the Greek Aristotle University in collaboration with one in Perugia, Italy, contacted the same research which confirmed the same findings. Greeks throughout history weren't known for mixing with non-Greeks for some reasons YT will delete my comment in case I mention them, but you get the gist. Only recently, in 60s, since Europe herself started opening up, we started mixing a little bit with other fellow Europeans.
Our Turkish friend didn't understand the issue of education. It's not about privatizing all education but allow institutions from abroad invest and make foundations for private univercities which every country in Europe has now.
oh right, its about allowing private univercities while simultaniously underfunding, undermanning and leaving the free public onces to fall apart just like public healthcare, forcing people to either pay or receive sh1t services. You are right that is much better.
As a Greek, let me tell you this: If you are traveling here as a tourist, if you are visiting here, if you have money, Greece is a beautiful country. But: If you are working class, if you have no other income, you live in the worst county in Europe by far. Most expensive country, lowest wages, longest working hours in Europe, most stressed country in Europe, this country is a living hell.
And very racist. Especial, when it comes to Mongolian. There is not a singel platform, where Greeks don't insult Turkish people as "Mongolian Nomads". + Chrysi Avgi (Wikipedia)
@@King-uh8zz Greeks are also extremely racist, the church plays a crucial part in spreading hate against homosexuals and refugees. There is a 30% of Greek voters that support far right political parties.
Thank you for watching. I appreciate your thoughts. I agree my experience as a visitor is completely different to the citizens. So many countries have similar problems you have said, but they don’t enjoy the amazing nature and beauty of Greece, nor do they have access to the EU. I think Greece is definitely not too bad
Lovely video. But as a greek born and raised in Thessaloniki and now living in the north of Europe I cannot not be annoyed by the comments and the stereotypes of the german girl and the french couple. The german girl said that young people grom greece are not philosophical. Let me tell you something girl: there is a small minority in the north that will actually engage in philosophical or political discussions. You go to places where young greeks are and you can see the opposite, passion and debate. Maybe she didnt find anyone philosophical enough because she really is not, along with her country men and women. The french couple said we are loud. Well they meet the stereotype of the french being rude and arrogant. Personally i am sick and tired of the way these "superior" people describe us. It is poisonous and annoying.
Thanks for watching and commenting! I really don’t wish for the people in this video to receive negativity. I have to take the blame, I edited the video to be faster than the full conversations. I cut out parts and put them together, so I may be misrepresenting them. And I also asked them about negative things about Greek people, so they had to think of something to say Some of the other comments, they seem to interpret what they said more positively, about being loud and lively 😅
@@temuujin.natsagnyam my friend, I am the first to complain about us Greeks. However, those comments there, from the German girl and the French couple hide decades (if not centuries) of northern arrogance and superiority feelings against us "low people". Those who know can understand what I mean. It has nothing to do with your editing. Believe me, the poisonous comments we have been hearing especially after the crisis are similar to those.
I hope you bring constructive criticism wherever you go. I also hope your visit to my home, Greece, was a happy one. Is this a personal venture or is it a part of your studies? Whatever it may he, I wish you the best ❣️
lol im excactly from that city and... i mean, like... i-i dunno, living there has its goods and bads. basically if the usa and places like the usa are the rich and spoiled then greece and the balkans are that poor old wise man with weird friends like him who always make jokes that u dont understand because u dont know what they know, what they have been through, what they once read on their newspapers, etc. and the children... the youths of those countries are different, because they are nothing like the ipad kids you hear about on social media.... i mean, when i heard about the ipad kids rumors i disagreed compeletely. i still haven't met one in real life, but only now i realize that it depends on the country the culture and if you think about it even the politics....
It’s a beautiful town but No career opportunities not only on business area but if you are into arts acting music etc The salaries suck It’s a dirty town compare to other European towns The street close to the sea which the sea thermaic is dirty as f 😂 is full of fishermen try to catch a fish from the dirty waters and sell it 😂and they think these bozos they own the street It’s full of coffee houses and no subway station a big minus Traffic is tragic It takes almost an hour for the bus to arrive if you don’t drive or you just walk ,,and the taxi is expensive and some drivers rude The food there is amazing though Like I said beautiful town but I d rather lived in Athens or Mykonos if I wanted to live in Greece than this town But this comes to each personal preferences Great vid btw 😊
Do you realize that career opportunities and salaries depend on the mood the state has to provide new jobs in every place in a country right ? Are you an adult? Can u use your brain by yourself and think ? Also, Athens? Clean ?? 😂😂😂😂😂
@@temuujin.natsagnyam Welcome in Thessaloniki! The City is still good but it used to be a lot better. For instance if you were really from Thessaloniki and you walked in Tsimiski street, chances were that you would meet someone you knew, every time!
good things about greek people? generous, hospitable, fun, creative. bad things? undisciplined. everyone wants to lead. nepotism. unpunctual. loud. Is your name really Temujin? like the Khan? that's sick :D
Hmm, well actually it’s hard to say. In my experience, Turkish people have always seemed more close to me than other foreign people. I don’t know what it is. In other words, their personality feels close to Mongolian people
So, let us tell you. It's miserable many times during the winter, a very underdeveloped country and corrupted. Although during summer it's great with countless beaches and beach bars, and we have pretty girls. Honest opinion.
As a Greek THESSALONIKI IS GARBAGE, lived here for some years cause of university and their ideology in general is very different from other places of Greece. Food is horrible, taxis are very mean and cursing at you if they dont like something, most people ive met in the center neighborhoods are mean, very expensive little deparments with problems and most of them have been build in 1957 or 1960s. Its not a city to live. They dont maintain the buildings and basic things, and as a result we have many problems daily. The quality of life is horrible. THE ONLY GOOD THING is the University when it comes for degree and job afterwards AND THATS BECAUSE OF THE TEACHERS. The University itself is garbage. Drug dealers and people doing drugs daily when you walk inside the university, other universities from other places of Greece dont have to deal with drugs. Oh yeah that reminds me.. Many drug dealers in the city and violent people daily. Dont forget about the refuges, they think they own the city. The City itself is dirty also😊 They think that thessaloniki is Monte Carlo but the city was good until 1987, my mum told me that cause she was in Law school
Den iparxoun ellines stin Makedonia you are helenized Macedonian not Greek acording to genetics based on 700 snps not Just sex chromosome Gagauz are most proximal to macedonians followed by greek Makedonians same haplogroup same autosomal genetics wake up
As a greek, I want to inform you that we live almost exactly like Americans (but we also do things like eating souvlaki). When we visit the Acropolis for example we cringe seeing tourist shops with that ancient greek font. Our economy is mostly based on tourism, so we can't do otherwise than projecting you this fake version of Greece that looks like it came from a fairytale. You are rarely ever gonna hear me say opa, as I only use it as an "exclamation" when lifting something. I never hear the song Zorbas, I hear pop and sometimes rock n roll (American of course). I go to McDonald's and I've tried Kfc. If you're not a tourist, life here is very similar to what it is in the US in general.
Έχεις πάει Αμερική και γνωρίζεις ; Εζησα Αμερική και ουδεμία σχέση δεν έχουμε και πραγματικά χαίρομαι για αυτό .Σε βάθος χρόνου θα καταντήσουμε όμως έτσι δυστηχως.
