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blopez34

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I would love to learn Greek in an immersive way. Im thinking of trying to get a summer job there or spending some time staying with friends. How long do you think it will take to learn a basic understanding of Greek. Has anyone else tried to do this?
 
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That is a great question!

I think it really depends on many factors...how long you will be in Greece, have you had any exposure to the Greek lanuage in the past, etc. And of course, it depends on the person,
 
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What is a basic understanding of Greek to you?

To become fluent, it's going depend on how much Greek you know now and how many non-english speaking people you're going to be around. If you're forced to speak Greek and listen to it then it'll be about a year if your Greek is terrible. If your Greek is advanced then 3-6 months, and intermediate will be 6 months - 1 year. I know this from personal experience from when I moved to Greece to go to high school (from the USA). My Greek was advanced, but I was nowhere near fluent. It took me about 6 months to become fluent because I was shy and didn't want to make mistakes speaking Greek, which is another factor.

As it was already mentioned, there will be a number of factors that determine how fast you learn Greek - it's going to depend on how long you will be there, how much you know now, how often you will actually be speaking Greek, how shy you are (people are very insecure when it comes to speaking another language, so it can take a long time to learn), and some other factors I'm probably not thinking of at the moment.
 
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It depends on lots of things. How well do you want to speak, your age, the languages you currently speak and how much time you want to spend studying, if any. Another problem, you will find most Greeks speak some English, especially if you are going to work in the hospitality industry.
If you want to put a lot of effort and only speak Greek when you are there you can learn to communicate, basic stuff with lots of mistakes, in a few months.
Good luck.
 
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I would love to learn Greek in an immersive way. Im thinking of trying to get a summer job there or spending some time staying with friends. How long do you think it will take to learn a basic understanding of Greek. Has anyone else tried to do this?
For me I had no choice but to learn,by looking at TV,old movies, laughing at some of the hilarious ones, talking basic every day words,then slowly more and more words,I had the Greek / English Oxford Dictionary....so as to learn the correct meaning and pronunciation...It came by itself as having all Greek speaking people me I had no choice and that was the best way,some times I did my Excursion programs in Greek language.....so they used to joke with me...."Palikari ..Milaaz Ellinika pyo polleeee Kalla apo tou Ellinez!"...😂😂🇬🇷🇬🇷. Don't struggle or try too hard!!!...
 
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For me I had no choice but to learn,by looking at TV,old movies, laughing at some of the hilarious ones, talking basic every day words,then slowly more and more words,I had the Greek / English Oxford Dictionary....so as to learn the correct meaning and pronunciation...It came by itself as having all Greek speaking people me I had no choice and that was the best way,some times I did my Excursion programs in Greek language.....so they used to joke with me...."Palikari ..Milaaz Ellinika pyo polleeee Kalla apo tou Ellinez!"...😂😂🇬🇷🇬🇷. Don't struggle or try too hard!!!...
Any tv shows or moviees that you recommend?
 
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Any tv shows or moviees that you recommend?
Not really, these days it is so accessible in many different ways! Are you in Greece right now?....Or living abroad ?
 
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Not really, these days it is so accessible in many different ways! Are you in Greece right now?....Or living abroad ?
I watch mine on YouTube Lol :)
 
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Ideas for Celebrating the New Month - Kalo Mina

Growing up, I heard my family say this all the time when there was a new month. I finally started paying attention to the tradition and ritual of saying it.

Kalo Mina actually means "Good Month" but my family took it a step further. We developed the habit of doing something special as a family to celebrate.It depends which day it falls. Some things we've done:

- Brunch - We do this if it falls on a weekend.
- Dinner - Going out to dinner is great any time of the year!
- Journaling - We've done family journaling parties, sitting together reflecting on the month. Sometimes we read aloud what we write (depends how the month went LOL)
- Goals - No matter if we do anything, like go out to dinner or brunch, we always sit and review our goals for the month together.

List of Cretan Dances?

I will be attending a Cretan wedding and am curious about the traditional Cretan dances! I know the dances are slightly different and I want to learn some. I don't know the names of the dances so that I can look them up. I did some research, though. Are any of these dances common at these weddings?
  • Pentozali
  • Sousta
  • Siganos
  • Chaniotis
There's a dance the wedding party typically does in Crete. Which dance is that?

Greek Wedding Traditions Roundup

I am helping someone plan her Greek wedding. I wanted to make a list of all the traditions we need to keep in time for the big day. Did I miss anything?

The Stolisma

The wedding day begins with the ritual of 'Stolisma,' where the bride and groom are prepared separately by their families. It's a moment filled with emotion, songs, and blessings, setting the tone for the day. I had honestly never heard of this. Do people still do it?

The Krevati

An amusing tradition is the 'Krevati' (bed making), where family and friends gather to decorate the couple's future bed with baby items, symbolizing fertility and a happy family life. Money is also often thrown on the bed for good luck and prosperity.

The Crowning (Stefana)

One of the most iconic rituals during the ceremony is the exchange of crowns or 'Stefana.' I believe they need to buy the crowns they want in advance?

Koufeta

No Greek wedding would be complete without 'Koufeta'—sugar-coated almonds given to guests as wedding favors. These bittersweet treats represent the ups and downs of married life and are shared in odd numbers to symbolize indivisibility and shared life.

Where did plate smashing come from?

When Greeks feel happy and are dancing and have a good time, they've been known to smash plates. I've seen it! It's not just a tourist thing - but they don't do it much because I am sure they won't want to smash their expensive dish wear.

I was just at a wedding and they had purchased plates to smash - so basically they were cheap throwaway plates that actually smashed really well. I almost wonder if they were made for the purpose...

It got me thinking - where did this tradition come from? Does anyone know?

Gift Ideas for Greek Christenings

I've had to go to a log of Greek Christenings lately, which means that I know exactly what to do when it comes to gift. I have noticed some gifts traditionally appear. Aside from money, which is also appropriate, here are some ideas:

1. Icons
In Greek religion and culture, icons are considered not just as works of art but as holy objects that help people feel closer to God. Gifting an icon is an incredibly powerful way of expressing love and well wishes to the baby. An icon symbolizes a bond that will stay with the child for a lifetime, and it can hang in their room for years to come. It is an unusual and thoughtful gift that will make a lasting impact.

2. Silver Baby Spoon and Fork Set
A silver baby spoon and fork set is an elegant and memorable gift idea. In Greek culture, silverware is traditional, signifying the precious nature of the sacrament. It is both practical and meaningful and can be passed down through the generations.

3. Christening Outfit
If you're looking for a less traditional gift idea, consider gifting a beautiful christening outfit. This is typically taken care of by either the parents or godparents, so I would check before you buy something.

4. Book of Blessings
A book of blessings containing prayer and passages of faith is an exceptional gift. It is a sentimental and thoughtful gift that will go a long way in nurturing the baby's faith and spiritual growth. Moreover, it is something that the child can revisit years later, reminding them of the love and support they received from their family and friends at the Christening.
Share and discuss Greek traditions related to Greek weddings, christenings, dance & holidays!

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