Scotland & Greece in late August - Islands? Heat? Fringe?
May 31st, 2019, 11:19 AM
#21
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 9,981
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
LL0ry, I've been to Greece probably a couple dozen times, and your: "most greeks are annoyed at you and just turn around when they realize you dont speak greek." is totally unrecognisable to me. Few foreign visitors speak Greek, so how can someone be annoyed? A friendly smile and a kalimera goes a long way even if that is the only word you know in Greek.
Most Greeks who deal with tourists speak very good English, which is the lingua franca of the tourist industry in that country. Even the non-Greek Europeans join in. Many times I've heard a German and Swede, for example, carrying on a conversation in English at a Greek cafe. Then the Greek waiter comes up and enters the conversation.
Most Greeks who deal with tourists speak very good English, which is the lingua franca of the tourist industry in that country. Even the non-Greek Europeans join in. Many times I've heard a German and Swede, for example, carrying on a conversation in English at a Greek cafe. Then the Greek waiter comes up and enters the conversation.
May 31st, 2019, 09:24 PM
#22
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
LL0ry, I've been to Greece probably a couple dozen times, and your: "most greeks are annoyed at you and just turn around when they realize you dont speak greek." is totally unrecognisable to me. Few foreign visitors speak Greek, so how can someone be annoyed? A friendly smile and a kalimera goes a long way even if that is the only word you know in Greek.
Most Greeks who deal with tourists speak very good English, which is the lingua franca of the tourist industry in that country. Even the non-Greek Europeans join in. Many times I've heard a German and Swede, for example, carrying on a conversation in English at a Greek cafe. Then the Greek waiter comes up and enters the conversation.
Most Greeks who deal with tourists speak very good English, which is the lingua franca of the tourist industry in that country. Even the non-Greek Europeans join in. Many times I've heard a German and Swede, for example, carrying on a conversation in English at a Greek cafe. Then the Greek waiter comes up and enters the conversation.
May be i've expressed myself harshly, as english is my second langage and my vocabulary is limited.
Those are 2 separate thoughts. The english thing is one that surprised us everytime it happened. It's very unfair to say MOST greeks does it, indeed.
Most greek we dealt with had a way to answer questions as if it was the most absurd question they had ever heard, not seeming to realize we are not always aware of the way of doing things in Greece, as it is different elsewhere. But we found the Greeks to be very direct in all circumstances, which is not a critic, more an observation.
I think my comment meant it would be best to go with the flow the greek way, and then experience the more organized and "framing" Scotland, than the other way around.
That being said, the greeks have an amazing attitude that really goes with the flow, a "do what you want I won't be the one to stop you" attitude, that treats you like an adult, that is really relaxing to experience, in my opinion.
I only spent 3 weeks in the Peloponnese and 2 weeks in Scotland, as mentionned previously, and only speak of a first impression perspective. I don't understand the way Greece doesn't offer audio guide or guided tours in all archeologival sites as it has so much history to tell and i would have happily paid for that.
Jun 6th, 2019, 06:19 PM
#23
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,122
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Greece has some MAGNIFICIENT and interesting spot, but to enjoy out of the "touristy" area, a bit less charming. You must have a tour guide for everything you visit, in my opinion, because there is no audioguide, or tours, so you find yourself walking around pile of rocks (with a guide its amazing).
I'm not disputing your experience, LLOry, just noting that my experience was quite different.
