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efhernandez_

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I’ve always heard Greeks wish eachother happy first of the month. What does this mean?
 
It's just to wish good luck
 
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It is always a good luck tradition for Greeks in Greece and across the world on the first day of a new month to say "Kalo Mina" or have a great month (to wish for luck for a healthy and happy new month).
 
It is always a good luck tradition for Greeks in Greece and across the world on the first day of a new month to say "Kalo Mina" or have a great month (to wish for luck for a healthy and happy new month).
A very big part of my life,I always wish Kalllo Mina to all my friends in Elllada....it is built inside my DNA....such a nice way to live in an island since 1994.....even Kalo misi meri.....Kallo apoyevma... something which I would never forget... Yasou apo mena from Thailand ❣️
 
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A very big part of my life,I always wish Kalllo Mina to all my friends in Elllada....it is built inside my DNA....such a nice way to live in an island since 1994.....even Kalo misi meri.....Kallo apoyevma... something which I would never forget... Yasou apo mena from Thailand ❣️
I love this tradition of saying Kalo Mina. One of my favorite thigns about Greek culture is that everyone is so kind and welcoming. It's something that every culture should adopt
 
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It is always a good luck tradition for Greeks in Greece and across the world on the first day of a new month to say "Kalo Mina" or have a great month (to wish for luck for a healthy and happy new month).
I always wondered what this meant!
 
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I always wondered what this meant!
Feelings are priceless❤️..good month[Kallo Mina],a good week[Kalley Dhomadha],a good day[Kalley Mera], good afternoon [Kallo misi MERI], good evening[Kallo Apoyevma].....Good night [Kalley Nikta]>>>>..see the masculinity and femininity in the day....I learnt this living with the Greek community in Mykonos,the island people..Khorianez....as they call them.... before the high rollers and big time tourism came into being[I was there from,1994].....the island was just a handful of hotels.... they were Sheppards, in my opinion there is no significance of being polite, neighbourly, loving, caring and being kind to another.....it only exists in Greek culture as I have not heard of it anywhere else... It is what it Is....[I will ask my many Greek friends later on]...I have traveled extensively... Love to hear what others here have to say.... Kalley Mera apo mena from Thailand ❣️?
 
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Feelings are priceless❤️..good month[Kallo Mina],a good week[Kalley Dhomadha],a good day[Kalley Mera], good afternoon [Kallo misi MERI], good evening[Kallo Apoyevma].....Good night [Kalley Nikta]>>>>..see the masculinity and femininity in the day....I learnt this living with the Greek community in Mykonos,the island people..Khorianez....as they call them.... before the high rollers and big time tourism came into being[I was there from,1994].....the island was just a handful of hotels.... they were Sheppards, in my opinion there is no significance of being polite, neighbourly, loving, caring and being kind to another.....it only exists in Greek culture as I have not heard of it anywhere else... It is what it Is....[I will ask my many Greek friends later on]...I have traveled extensively... Love to hear what others here have to say.... Kalley Mera apo mena from Thailand ❣️?
It's nice you got to spend time on the island before it was ruined with tourism. I will never visit Mykonos now that tourism has destroyed the island. One could now argue that the island is no longer Greek.
 
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It's nice you got to spend time on the island before it was ruined with tourism. I will never visit Mykonos now that tourism has destroyed the island. One could now argue that the island is no longer Greek.
Totally agree...not Greek at all and it's really a shame. I look at some vintage travel posters and videos when Mykonos was truly Greek and it looks amazing. Shame it can't be like that anymore
 
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Why do Greeks celebrate name days?

I grew up with name days being a big deal, and I’ve always wondered why they feel more important than birthdays for so many of us. I know they’re tied to the Greek Orthodox Church feast days and the saints we’re named after, but it feels like there’s something deeper going on culturally.

In my family, name days were always open-house style, people calling, stopping by, bringing sweets, and it felt very communal. Birthdays, on the other hand, were more low-key.

Do you feel like name days still carry that same weight today? Or has it changed depending on the generation or where you live?

How did your family spend summers in Greece?

I’m curious how many of you spent summers in Greece growing up.

My experience was a little different. My parents both worked full time, so we never packed up and spent entire summers in Greece the way some Greek families did. But I had friends and cousins who seemed to disappear every June and come back just before school started, full of stories about village life, island beaches, family gatherings, and adventures with cousins.

I always found those stories fascinating and sometimes wished I had experienced that myself.

For those of you who did spend summers in Greece, what was it like? Did you stay in a village, a city, or on an island? What did your typical days look like? Are there any traditions, memories, or experiences that still stand out to you today? I'd love to hear your stories!

Greek Traditions from Childhood?

I’d love to hear everyone’s memories of Greek traditions from childhood, especially the small everyday things that may not even seem unusual until you look back on them later.

For me, some of the strongest memories are tied to food, church, family gatherings, name days, holiday preparations, and the feeling of constantly having people around. Even certain sounds and smells immediately bring everything back.

I’m also curious how traditions differed depending on region or family background. Did your family keep strong village customs? Were there things your grandparents insisted on doing a certain way? Any traditions connected to Easter, Christmas, weddings, coffee, hospitality, music, or food?

For me, we ate a family-oriented Sunday meal where everyone go together after church. That was a big part of things for me.

Information About Apokries?

I’ve been curious about how people experience Apokries and what it looks like in different parts of Greece. For some, it seems centered on big public celebrations and costumes, while for others it’s more about smaller gatherings, food, and local customs.

I’m especially interested in the traditions people grew up with. Was Apokries something your family actively celebrated, or did it feel more like a community event? Did you attend costume parties, parades, or specific local festivities? And how did days like Tsiknopempti fit into it for you?

I’d also love to hear whether your experience changed over time, for example, celebrating differently as a child versus as an adult, or noticing differences between village and city celebrations.

For those who no longer live in Greece, do you still mark Apokries in some way, or has it faded with distance?

I’m looking forward to hearing how this tradition shows up for others.

Best Christening Gifts for a Close Friend's Child?

What are some good christening gifts for the child of a close friend?

It’s been quite a while since I’ve been to a Greek christening, and the last one I attended was for a relative, so I’m realizing I’m not completely sure what is considered appropriate these days.

Since this is the child of a close friend, I’d like to give something a little more meaningful than just a standard gift, but I also don’t want to overdo it. Are religious gifts like an icon, cross, or children’s Bible still common? Would money, jewelry, or something personalized be appropriate?

I’d also be interested to know whether there are certain gifts that are traditionally given by family members or the godparents that I should avoid duplicating.

What have you given for christenings recently, especially when the child belonged to a close friend? I’d love some ideas that feel thoughtful and appropriate.
Share and discuss Greek traditions related to Greek weddings, christenings, dance & holidays!

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