Olympics
A Greek decoder

By Seattle Times staff

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Certain friendly gestures we use every day could be considered obscene in Greece.

For example, never raise your open hand, palm forward, in Greece — even if you're just ordering two cups of coffee with your two fingers up and palm forward. It's insulting in that it can mean the equivalent of "to hell with you." And the A-OK sign, where you make an "O" with your thumb and forefinger? Sorry, it's obscene in Greece.

And in a country of opposites from us, here's another one: If you nod your head, a gesture that signals agreement here, it means "no" in Greece. But it depends on how you nod your head. If it's in a downward fashion, you are in agreement. But if you nod upward, it's in disagreement

Also, the Greek word for "no" — OH-kee — can sound a little like OK. And the word for "yes" sounds like "no" — nay.

Like any culture, eating can be an important social occasion, and the Greeks are no different. But if you're full and don't want a second helping, don't leave a clean plate. Instead, leave some food behind.

When drinking, the most common toast is "steen-ee-ya-shoo!" — it means "cheers." Or try (phonetically), ees ee-yee-an (means "to your health") And it's like food — if you're done, you leave a little in the glass, or the drinks will keep coming.

And while we may say "It's Greek to me," what do the Greeks say?

"It's Chinese to me."

Source: Theodossis Demetracopoulos, press counselor of the Consulate General of Greece in Los Angeles.

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company

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