what do you think about greece and the greeks?

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markohf12@reddit

Makes a huge difference between the Greeks I've met from villages/areas around Thessaloniki and the ones from Glyfada. One is peak Balkan mentality the others are basically Western Europe mentality.

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Not even Athenians in general have anything in common with people from Glyfada and I say this as someone from Thessaloniki married to someone from Glyfada 🤣 Some rich areas in Athens live in a world of their own, a bubble not penetrated by the culture or the problems of the rest of the country.

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Greek_Bodybuilder995@reddit

There are parts of Athens where people behave as if they were Parisians.

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merdeauxfraises@reddit

Yeah, it's utterly ridiculous. Any western European considers Athens the ugliest European city they visit and the general opinion for Greeks is not positive to put it mildly, but Athenians believe they 're special. It's so funny ngl.

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Lonely-Sunbed-2508@reddit

Bruh, I live in Athens and I wouldn’t hangout with folks from glyfada

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Greek_Bodybuilder995@reddit

I am from Piraeus - even the rich people from Piraeus don't have the flashy style, the toupé, nor the arrogance Glyfadiotes bring with them. Although I have met people from Glyfada who are amazing and down to earth even though their net worth is over €5 million.

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LaVeriteEstDansLeVin@reddit

It's not about balkan vs west. It's city people who look down upon those who live in small villages. Also glyfada is where all the rich people live.

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markohf12@reddit

Well, Larisa is in your Top 5 biggest cities and it was the most Balkan-hostile place I've been to, so it's not just the size.

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LaVeriteEstDansLeVin@reddit

Did they insult you?

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markohf12@reddit

Well I've been there 4 times as it's mid way resting stop with a McDonalds when I am driving to Glyfada (I go to Glyfada every few months, my company has offices there and it's a nice place), out of those 4 times I've been flipped off twice and someone overtook an entire line of cars just to honk and shout something which I didn't understand and I've only been there 4 hours in total.

I no longer stop in Larisa anymore.

Even though I've been staying in Glyfada and surrounding areas with a SK license plate car, this happened zero times there.

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narisha_dogho@reddit

Tbf most of us avoid glyfada and have had bad experience. I'm born and raised in Athens.

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Elgecko123@reddit

You drive all the way through Greece and stop and eat at McDonalds? Oof we have better options mate

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ragingtemper@reddit

Macdonalds are guaranteed to be the same shit wherever you go.

From Africa to Scandinavia and New York to Vladivostok, they will not disappoint your stomach. So, they are a very good option for a tourist.

That said, it is an unhealthy, low tier option.

e.g. the same goes for coca cola

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Bottles4u@reddit

Honestly the most important takeaway from his comment

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markohf12@reddit

It's an 8 hour drive, I have to stop somewhere and eat something fast (top 15 minutes) that has parking in front and that I know it wont get me stomach problems, so McDonalds is usually my go to place for that.

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FrozenDihh@reddit

Sorry you dealt with those μαλάκες.

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Killergamer7@reddit

Only Athens and parts of Thessaloniki have city people who feel like they're superior to people living in smaller towns or whatever. The rest are just full Balkan. Especially Larisa. It's one of the biggest meme cities

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Checky_3rd@reddit

As a Romanian ethnically and Moldovan politically that lives in Athens, I can say that I am grateful to live here, but resentful of the Hellenes who reject their ancestry and rightful claim to the identity of "Roman".

Having been brainwashed by Western propaganda, "enlightment" and idealism, the Rhomaoi of the 19th century, were prompted to adopt their ancient Hellenic identity, rather than their Medieval Roman one who they were more closely aligned and related to.

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IllustratorSilent587@reddit

Because we're not Roman. Our ancestors were citizens of the Eastern Roman(Byzantine) Empire sure. But when it all comes down to it we're Hellenes. Hellenic not Roman.

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SOHONEYSAME@reddit

dude, lol.

u realize that the "Roman" identity is foreign-imported right?

no Roman conquest, no Roman identity.

on top of that, it was somewhat of a "stumbling block" to realizing our aspirations,

(adopting nationalism in the 18th/19th century).

it is the Greek Enlightenment that enabled the "surge" of nationalism, & it is the Greek Enlightenment that had the entirety of European public paying attention & supporting Greek liberation. (& volunteering).

no one (in the West) really gave a crap for Byzantium, & still most people don't.

modern Greece is (chiefly) built on our ancient heritage.

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Checky_3rd@reddit

I highly advise you research the enlightenment in the west and how much they loved ancient greek and roman history while despising Medieval Roman one. Obviously they would support a state that claims heritage to Ancient Greeks rather than Medieval Romans.

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Next-Pepper-4761@reddit

First time i hear this, but maybe its bc you are in Athens were there is ancient greek heritage all over the place and it's so imposing among the concrete jungle.

Generally greeks identify both with their ancient and medieval heritage equally, its just that roman heritage is better "concealed" to a foreigner's eyes

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Checky_3rd@reddit

Idk if its just me then, but most of the "ellines" I talk with identify as "Greek" so idk what u mean by that. Maybe more educated people or really old people descendant from the Anatolian Hellenes who came to Hellas know about the term "Romaios" and even then, only a select few know that the Hellenes identified themselves as such.

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Next-Pepper-4761@reddit

Romaios/ Roman is an "outdated" term that people don't really use, it doesn't mean that greeks forsaked their roman past.

Hellene= Greek= Roman = Romios

Hope this clears things up for you bro

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Checky_3rd@reddit

These terms are not identical, even if they overlap:

Hellene (Έλληνας) → Ethnic/cultural Greek identity (especially modern & ancient)
Romaios / Romios (Ρωμαίος / Ρωμιός) → Political + cultural identity tied to the Roman Empire

So no, saying Hellene = Roman for Greeks today is incorrect considering how only the church is the main thing that Hellas today traces its roots back to Rome.

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RelevantNobody133@reddit

as i greek person i know that we act very gay but are extrimly homophobic

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Ecce_Homo___@reddit

I have no words to describe how much I love that beautiful piece of land.

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Grumperia@reddit

I love the country, especially the seaside, the people I hang out with in Prague are mostly Greeks, we have the same mentality. Not a fan of those who argue about politics and my identity but I’ve matured enough not to take these people as the representation of a whole nation and focus on the individuals I like from the Greek nation

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MorningSad3911@reddit

can't wait to go this year again, to eat portokalopita and feta honey pie yum

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RichDream7777@reddit

WHAT ABOUT GYROS MAN

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MorningSad3911@reddit

of coursee but these are my fav 😫 i have sweet tooth

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RichDream7777@reddit

What are your favourite desserts in Greece?

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MorningSad3911@reddit

as i said, orange pie, feta with honey, and i love loukomades with honey and cinnamon

aand i didn't tried anything else, what do you recommend?

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RichDream7777@reddit

Feta with honey is beyond great, I order it every single time I go to a tavern.

You should try galaktompoureko if you find it anywhere, mostly in patisseries. If you like creamy stuff.

Bougatsa with cream for breakfast, but make sure it's made by them so it's not frozen which got baked the same morning.

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BurgurluGenc031@reddit

-in a calm not low but not high voice- İ like em,never met in real but i will if i ever get chance irl. Cultures are similar,its one of the reason why it mixed in time that easily. They have cool statues and mythology like asian turks of that times does. Both of us did had strong empire which is fallen over corruption and inside fights. Sure there was massacares or genocides whatever u call happened by both of us tryin to take revenge or give punishment to civillians bcs of something goverment did. No empire can stay that clean normally for keep their power. But if we throw that bad apples aside we have no problem since in the end we are humans.

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Mechanical_Spindle@reddit

What do you mean by ancient Turks statues mate? Can you show me something like this?

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BurgurluGenc031@reddit

By statue i meant turk stone carvings in asia

İ know i know not detailed and good as ancient greeks but worth to mention eh?

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Mechanical_Spindle@reddit

No, I wasn't aware of this type of art and you have enlightened me about it. Never heard of this before, thank you! I like all ancient cultures, of course I'm proud about my ancestors, but every civilizations art is a point of view and a history milestone.

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True-Blacksmith4235@reddit

Love you, always.

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RichDream7777@reddit

gif

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Comfortable_Cress194@reddit

I like greek people but the dumb ass that runs Greece i don't like

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RouNtou@reddit

Hate both

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kureysalp@reddit

Didn't put much thought on it but I have some opinions on people who use ":3"

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Resident-District199@reddit

agreed ☠️

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atomicleo69@reddit

As a Macedonian... great holiday place, great food and lovely beaches. Dont care much about history tbh

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dupeni@reddit

Not good! I am their northern neighbor.

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sazma_2208@reddit

I'm not fond of them

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Alucard0s@reddit

Έτσι έρχονται να σε βρουν

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merdeauxfraises@reddit

I’m inclined to agree. Greece is nice but it has Greeks.

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mala_neveshta@reddit

😂

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Sasayego@reddit

You mean West-Turkiye

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FacelessVodi@reddit

Ah yes. The turk that pretends to be greek again

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Repulsive_Work_226@reddit

baklava is........

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MorningSad3911@reddit

love greece but turkish baklava is on another level..

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Repulsive_Work_226@reddit

agree

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MorningSad3911@reddit

ooh, thank you! that's true tho 😂

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Repulsive_Work_226@reddit

I think I deserve a DM :D

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MardukPainkiller@reddit

gif

bro...

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merdeauxfraises@reddit

Mesopotamian

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Dull_Cucumber_3908@reddit

The best country and the best people in the universe /s

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luuk777w@reddit

I actually think this... :)

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SoulEkko@reddit

I love Greeks and Greece, but man do you guys have a knack for self-deprecation.

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Bottles4u@reddit

Greeks are the worst to each other

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Dull_Cucumber_3908@reddit

You know that my comment is sarcastic. Right?

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SoulEkko@reddit

That's exactly my point, the sarcasm. Greeks can be the best country and the best people for -you- and from a subjective, personal standpoint you can be absolutely right, because you love your culture and respect it. Love doesn't need to be objective, as it is an irrational field.

Doing it sarcastically means the opposite, you think Greeks aren't worth such esteem or love. That's what self-deprecation means.

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Dull_Cucumber_3908@reddit

Doing it sarcastically means the opposite, you think Greeks aren't worth such esteem or love. That's what self-deprecation means.

Well, I can bet that we aren't the best in the whole universe. That's a fact /s

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SoulEkko@reddit

I think an apt analogy is a parent and a child: to the parent, that child is the best child in the whole universe. Is that objectively true? Very likely not, but does the parent care? Very likely not. 😁

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Dull_Cucumber_3908@reddit

Well I do care when I'm talking myself, otherwise I would be an arrogant. ;)

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kolecik@reddit (OP)

if I were to be born again i would still want to be born in greece

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Dull_Cucumber_3908@reddit

If I could choose where I was born back in the 70s I would choose California, and probably I would be one of the dotcoms millionaires, as for sure I had though about something like facebook, before facebook was a thing (I never bothered developing it at Greece back then, because it was pointless).

And this is no joke.

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Sarajevo2023@reddit

Not including the politics, I'd say that Greeks are some of the best people in the world...

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SituationRoyal6535@reddit

The rudest and the most xenophobic nation in Europe. I studied some modern Greek up to intermediate level because I enjoy getting into languages and visiting cities in Greece I heard what they say about tourists. It was amusing but god DAMN lol

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Human-Painting4279@reddit

compulsive talkaholists

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Happy-Hour88@reddit

It's complicated. Love/hate.

I love their nature. It's the prettiest of the 3 Balkan countries I've visited. Bulgaria and Romania just can't compare. Very good food, especially seafood.

Their sea is cleaner than the Black Sea, which has a high presence of the Vibrio bacteria.

Their ancient history is amazing. I just don't really care as much for their Byzantine past or present culture. All the black clothing in that climate is weird. The ancients wore mostly whites and creams, which are more suited to the hot climate. Unpopular opinion here but most Greek pop music and what is exported in the Balkans sucks. Trying to sound too Oriental for my taste.

The language can sound pretty but it's almost impossible to learn and to boot only spoken by slightly more than 11 million people. Very bad economy. Athens has lower salaries than Sofia but life there is even more expensive. While local food is good, more East Asian restaurants wouldn't hurt.

The best thing is they have sea coasts that look South and West, so you can enjoy proper sea sunsets. In Bulgaria the sunset is always over the land, our coast looks at the East.

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PivotMirror@reddit

Okay, now the hate part please 🙏

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Switter_bitter266@reddit

Great people, great cuisine, lovely beaches. I always feel at home when I come to Greece for a vacation. We love it so much that each year we ponder if we should go to experience something new but we always choose Greece and we love it! Favorite places are ones where locals live throughout the year. I love eating authentic Greek food and talk to locals.

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Jazzlike-Moose3123@reddit

I think united states and israel are preparing them to attack us in 5 to 10 years.

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nidorancxo@reddit

Mostly only positive feelings. My only point of contempt is that many Greeks I know seem quite lazy (national stereotype?) and at the same time a bit too arrogant and proud about what people that happened to speak the ancestor to their language 2000-3000 years ago did.

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Sugar_Vivid@reddit

Guys are very cocky for some reason, macho like

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SOHONEYSAME@reddit

"Ελληνάρες" "νεοέλληνες"

(οι συγκεκριμένοι υποστηρίζουν τα σουργελά Eurovision, δεν εννοώ Κλαύδια, προφανώς).

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Sugar_Vivid@reddit

Oh well

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Least-Rub-1397@reddit

r/HellasSerbia

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Lonely-Sunbed-2508@reddit

We cool

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Kooky_Resource6348@reddit

I like you guys as your northern neighbor, even though I know our people don’t really like each other. I try to look past politics, and I usually can, and I think If nationalist fucks didn’t exist, we would bond really nicely, we really have the same warm hearts.

I hope our relationship gets better as time goes on, and maybe in a hundred years our successors will have great relations.

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FrozenDihh@reddit

Forget about the ultranationalists and focus on normal people. You will get along with us real good.

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Kooky_Resource6348@reddit

And I do, I think you guys are lovely. I truly fo believe the people here on the balkans have a kind warm heart that is unmatched compared to the west, especially the north and the scandinavians. I do have like 2 close friends who are half GR half MK so that’s a fun combination lol.

However a lot of times when I’m in Greece I just say I’m Serbian or something, people love me 10 times more then 🤣

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FrozenDihh@reddit

Thanks so much for the compliment. And I agree that social interactions are alot better in the Balkans than in the west. Its more pure and wholesome here compared to the west in my opinion.

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Old-Row8549@reddit

I think that I want to visite it😔

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fk_censors@reddit

I've been twice (Athens, Milos, Mykonos, Santorini X2, Crete) and I'd love to go again. I couldn't visit all the islands I want to visit in a single lifetime. The people have been very nice to me and the food and scenery are amazing.

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Professional-Tea-621@reddit

Meh

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Voldypants_420@reddit

We hate them. They hate us. We kiss. I said we kiss...baka~ 👉👈

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FrozenDihh@reddit

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Izem_hawc216@reddit

Roses are red Onassis is Greek Surely I don't have his fortune But hopefully his charm this week..

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EnvironmentalPhoto73@reddit

Most beautiful sea (and I've sailed the world twice), best vacation vibes, hospitable people. Fascinating history, thanks for democracy!

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no1rezefan@reddit

cool country, bad politics, bad past

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jaunmilijej@reddit

μια χαρά είναι

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Worried-Owl-9198@reddit

Chill country and great people, excluding the politics

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Mean_Intention_3895@reddit

Yeah I wish we cooperated on climate mitigation, energy infrastructure, tourism, etc. Instead of this constant infertile fighting which draws third parties to exploit both sides

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Fuzzy_Pen_6006@reddit

Amazing country and people, can’t wait to come back.

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Stverghame@reddit

Favorite Balkan country and people (not counting my own).

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Salt_Fennel8876@reddit

As a Bulgarian, I consider the Greeks to be close people. For more than a thousand years we have lived as close neighbors in good times and in bad times. Great nationalists. But this is a common Balkan disease. I love Greece and have always felt welcome there. I even started learning Greek because I want to be able to talk to the people there - even just simple things.

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Lost_Being6809@reddit

As a Romanian, I've recently found out that I had a Greek Islander (likely Southern Aegean/Cretan) ancestor in the 1800s. I've always liked Greek culture, history, music etc, but having some ancestry from there as well makes me even more interested to learn about the country.

At a "superficial" level, great food, very friendly people, fantastic music, great geographical diversity and quite strong regional identities.

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Winter-Speech978@reddit

Most beautiful country in Europe. Too bad there are so many scammers on the islands and touristy spots dont serve the best food.

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JoTenshi@reddit

They’re sometimes foolish, arrogant, rude, ignorant, selfish, entitled.

But other times, they can be nice, friendly, polite, selfless and kind.

Just don’t bring up politics with the old folks… sports as well, especially football.

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Ujemegaz@reddit

Very few people i have met, are suprisingly amicable. Yet, i avoid Greece. The only people other tna Turks that ask you about which religion you belong to after learning your name.

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Unable-Stay-6478@reddit

All the best, from Belgrade. 🫶🏻🇬🇷

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maddgun@reddit

Love those malakas

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prettyawesome2know@reddit

I like you're our neighbours. Romanian & Greeks feel super close to me. You have impressive history & culture and Im very happy to speak some Greek & have studied in a Greek high school. Food, hospitality, chill vibe, top notch. One time when someone asked me if I wasnt Bulgarian, where I'd like to be born, I was thinking either Greece or Italy

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P-l-Staker@reddit

10/10 best people.

No, there's no bias!

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UnderstandingCool574@reddit

I dont know actually. I only spoke to a half greek once, and didn't like her. But 1 person does not speak for a whole country. I need to talk to more Greeks to have a better opinion.

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Natural_Scholar_1502@reddit

Visiting in the summer is like a different country than visiting in the winter. Especially in the village.

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BadBasik@reddit

You guys suck compared to your ancestors, Italians as well😋

On a more serious note, I would love to come there, my friends from Srbija always give me glowing reviews but somehow, despite being a huge Greek history buff, I still haven't been. I think it's because I consider it too long to drive, too short to fly, so it's stuck in the middle...

I do believe I would have a much better time than in most other countries in Europe, you seem chill, places seem wonderful, food seems great, I wouldn't have to avoid 90% of the meals because you don't eat as much pork as, for instance, Germans...

I'll make it a mission to come visit soon!

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LaVeriteEstDansLeVin@reddit

6/10 would not recommend

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Big-Waltz5204@reddit

Never been there and don't know anyone from there. Never even thought about Greece as Balkan. Love the culture though. Recently I read this book called Life of Pythagoras by Iamblicus. Really liked it. I need to learn more about ancient Greece and need to visit eventually.

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