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Thinking about the Greek way of hospitality...

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nm1999

nm1999

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I thought I would ask your thoughts oh Philoxenia - or the Greek way, or art, of hospitality. I noticed this when I travel in Greece. People are so kind, they often go out of the way for us, when I feel that they don't have to! How can one describe this to someone?

From what I understand, Philoxenia is not merely a practice but a deeply ingrained value within Greek culture that extends far beyond the simple act of hosting. It reflects a genuine, heartfelt welcome to strangers, treating them with the same respect and generosity one would show to a dearly beloved friend. This beautiful tradition, passed down through generations, turns the act of hosting into an art form, embodying warmth, respect, and a profound sense of human compassion. There have been so many stories I can think of...

This thought process was triggered because we were watching My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 - someone in the village had taken on a Syrian refugee. Is this a Greek hospitality thing? Philoxenia?
 
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I had a woman once, use her coffee break from her job in a store, to help us find our way back to our hotel in Piraeus. Very kind people there.
 
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Linda554 said:
I had a woman once, use her coffee break from her job in a store, to help us find our way back to our hotel in Piraeus. Very kind people there.
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That's so sweet!

My experiences are very similar. Kind people. Over the years I've befriended taxi drivers and tour guides - we're still in touch. Each time we go back to Greece, they go out of their way for hospitality.
 
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