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The Xenophobe's Guide
Xenophobe's Guide to the Greeks
I am what I am
Individuality is the chief feature that characterizes the Greeks—which precludes any attempt to box and label them as a people. They exhibit an extreme passion for freedom of choice—which has turned law circumvention into an art and has made them incapable of comprehending words like “discipline,” “co-ordination,” or “system.”
There's no such thing as a meek Greek
A Greek cannot talk unless he has his hands free, and a soft-spoken Greek is one who can be heard only as far as across the street. Two Greeks having an amiable conversation sound as if they are ready to murder each other, and a party of exuberant Greeks having a good time could be described as a pack of hounds that has just sighted the fox.
Free spirits
Mercurial in the extreme, the Greeks' temperament flourishes uninhibited throughout their waking hours. This is probably why the ancient sages saw fit to carve their maxims “Nothing in excess” and “Know thyself” on the portals of the Delphic Oracle, in an attempt to persuade their fellow Greeks to curb their emotions. They were not heeded then any more than they are now.
How much does a Greek urn?
In general, Greeks believe in free trade, fair dealing, and keeping one's word. They are quick at grasping (and inventing) complicated business and financial arrangements and they are past masters in acting as middlemen—which means that they are paid by both parties while risking nothing themselves.
Individuality is the chief feature that characterizes the Greeks—which precludes any attempt to box and label them as a people. They exhibit an extreme passion for freedom of choice—which has turned law circumvention into an art and has made them incapable of comprehending words like “discipline,” “co-ordination,” or “system.”
There's no such thing as a meek Greek
A Greek cannot talk unless he has his hands free, and a soft-spoken Greek is one who can be heard only as far as across the street. Two Greeks having an amiable conversation sound as if they are ready to murder each other, and a party of exuberant Greeks having a good time could be described as a pack of hounds that has just sighted the fox.
Free spirits
Mercurial in the extreme, the Greeks' temperament flourishes uninhibited throughout their waking hours. This is probably why the ancient sages saw fit to carve their maxims “Nothing in excess” and “Know thyself” on the portals of the Delphic Oracle, in an attempt to persuade their fellow Greeks to curb their emotions. They were not heeded then any more than they are now.
How much does a Greek urn?
In general, Greeks believe in free trade, fair dealing, and keeping one's word. They are quick at grasping (and inventing) complicated business and financial arrangements and they are past masters in acting as middlemen—which means that they are paid by both parties while risking nothing themselves.
92 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1995
8 people are currently reading
87 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
May 5, 2014
Πολύ πετυχημένο! Περιγράφει με ακρίβεια και πολύ χιούμορ τα ελαττώματα και τα προτερήματα του νεοέλληνα. Διάβαζεται μέσα σε μία ή δύο ώρες και είναι άκρως διασκεδαστικό.
February 12, 2021
I really don't know if I would recommend it to someone (especially not Greek) to read it.
I liked it because it says some things as they are. It explains some customs and everyday life in Greece.
On the other hand, it has many inaccuracies (not selling alcohol on the election day, that whisky is the national drink, that Greeks are not racist).
Overall, I would be very hesitant to learn about a culture from these (series) books, even though it has a more light humoristic approach.
I liked it because it says some things as they are. It explains some customs and everyday life in Greece.
On the other hand, it has many inaccuracies (not selling alcohol on the election day, that whisky is the national drink, that Greeks are not racist).
Overall, I would be very hesitant to learn about a culture from these (series) books, even though it has a more light humoristic approach.
June 4, 2016
While I was planning my blog's Greek Week, I spotted that I had downloaded this book years ago, and couldn't resist finally reading it. It is a tongue in cheek look at all things to do with the Greeks, from their culture, politics, way of life, family, food and all other aspects of Greek life.
I'm fairly sure a lot of it is based on fact, and the rest is just meant to be poking fun at a nation, as this is one in a series of these guides to various nations.
I found it quite enjoyable and much of the information in the book did ring true to my own knowledge of the Greeks.
I think this would be an amusing book to read if you were on your way to Greece, or on your way back, to see just how much of it you recognise in the real world. At under 100 pages its a glimpse at what makes the Greeks Greek, as opposed to an in depth guide, but does give you a decent taste of everything.
I'm fairly sure a lot of it is based on fact, and the rest is just meant to be poking fun at a nation, as this is one in a series of these guides to various nations.
I found it quite enjoyable and much of the information in the book did ring true to my own knowledge of the Greeks.
I think this would be an amusing book to read if you were on your way to Greece, or on your way back, to see just how much of it you recognise in the real world. At under 100 pages its a glimpse at what makes the Greeks Greek, as opposed to an in depth guide, but does give you a decent taste of everything.
August 19, 2014
As the cover promises: frank and funny! Perfect holiday read while enjoying the Greek culture on location! Made me fall in love with the greek way and appreciate it for what it is! :) ... and if I do end up in hell I'll make sure to choose the Greek-cauldron to spend the rest of my eternity with!... but that won't happen since as all Greeks know they already have their clouds reserved in heaven ... either way I intend to stay close and love the Greeks! :)
August 13, 2014
Absolutely entertaining and humorous, probably one of the best from the series!
July 20, 2012
I liked this book because told me interesting facts about Greeks and it is very funny too.
August 8, 2014
Ακριβώς , και με χιούμορ , μεταβιβάζει με ακρίβεια την Ελληνική νοοτροπία που ειναι μυστήριο για τους ξένους ! Πολυ καλα γραμμένο !
March 2, 2014
Hahaha, mă gândesc ce s-ar putea scrie despre noi...
February 7, 2021
English review below the Greek one...
Εντάξει, τέτοια βιβλιαράκια δεν τα παίρνει κανείς και πολύ στα σοβαρά. Είχε την πλάκα του και σε πολλά πράγματα ήταν αναπάντεχα οξυδερκές, σε κάποια άλλα όμως έμοιαζε άκυρο και ξεπερασμένο.
Έτσι κι αλλιώς είναι πολύ δύσκολο έως απίθανο να εντοπίσεις και να εξηγήσεις τα κοινά χαρακτηριστικά και την ψυχή ενός έθνους και μάλιστα μέσα σε λίγες σελίδες...
Funny little book. Often spot on and accurate but sometimes it felt somehow dated.
Hard to catch and explain common characteristics and psyche of an entire nation in a slim booklet anyway...
Εντάξει, τέτοια βιβλιαράκια δεν τα παίρνει κανείς και πολύ στα σοβαρά. Είχε την πλάκα του και σε πολλά πράγματα ήταν αναπάντεχα οξυδερκές, σε κάποια άλλα όμως έμοιαζε άκυρο και ξεπερασμένο.
Έτσι κι αλλιώς είναι πολύ δύσκολο έως απίθανο να εντοπίσεις και να εξηγήσεις τα κοινά χαρακτηριστικά και την ψυχή ενός έθνους και μάλιστα μέσα σε λίγες σελίδες...
Funny little book. Often spot on and accurate but sometimes it felt somehow dated.
Hard to catch and explain common characteristics and psyche of an entire nation in a slim booklet anyway...
August 9, 2021
This hilarious, light book does a good job of taking a satirical look into the Greek psyche. Many of the statements in this book rang true for me, living up to the tagline a 'frank and funny look at what makes the Greeks GREEK'. I would definitely read more from this series.
December 26, 2018
Very interesting and helpful!
June 3, 2022
I liked it quite a lot, its only fault is that is very short (which could actually be a quality in itself).
January 1, 2023
An insightful and humorous overview of the Greeks as recounted by one who knows and loves them well.
October 4, 2024
A bit outdated content and humour, very light reading
June 5, 2025
Dużo informacji podanych w dostępny sposób. Lubię te książki przeczytać przed wyjazdem do danego kraju, dają mi pogląd na kraj i kulturę który zamierzam odwiedzić.
June 20, 2025
Still an interesting read, but Norwegian guide was more entertaining and accurate
February 26, 2015
Paar kuud Kreekas elanuna lootsin suuremat äratundmisrõõmu ja üldiselt ehk veel rohkem läbi huumori kirjutamist.
June 24, 2019
Extremely funny and to the point! I also recommend Vrasidas Karalis's The Demons of Athens and Nikos Dimou's The Unhappiness of Being Greek.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews