Greek Traditions Community

When I am dining out in Greece...who pays?

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ssherie_

ssherie_

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I am under the impression that Greeks don't really split the bill...so when I'm hanging out with my Greek friends in Greece what on earth should I do? This is something I really don't understand as a Canadian
 
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Don't stress, you won't even get a chance to see the bill. Greeks are very proud and very generous (filotimo). They would consider it an insult if you were to pay. If you ever see 2 Greeks arguing over the bill at a restaurant, it will be as to who should pay, not trying to get the other to pay but themselves to pay.
 
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You can offer to pay the bill, and you should try to pay - they won't let you though.

Whenever I'm out with my friends in Greece we argue about paying the bill. I'll take their cards and give the waiter/waitress my card instead...
 
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ellinasgolfer0320 said:
You can offer to pay the bill, and you should try to pay - they won't let you though.

Whenever I'm out with my friends in Greece we argue about paying the bill. I'll take their cards and give the waiter/waitress my card instead...
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So always offer? And I guess that way you only end up paying sometimes. Everywhere else if I offer to pay, I'm always paying LOL
 
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ssherie_ said:
So always offer? And I guess that way you only end up paying sometimes. Everywhere else if I offer to pay, I'm always paying LOL
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You don't have to always offer, but odds are that you won't be the one paying, especially if you're a guest - they'll find it offensive if they don't treat you.
 
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ellinasgolfer0320 said:
You don't have to always offer, but odds are that you won't be the one paying, especially if you're a guest - they'll find it offensive if they don't treat you.
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In cases where you're a guest or someone is older than you assume that you won't be paying. But it is polite to offer
 
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Who pays?
The Germans and the French and the EU, not the Greeks
 
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That's right. If you ask to pay in cash, you won't get a receipt in many cases. This is because the owners don't want to pay taxes.
 
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ellinasgolfer0320 said:
That's right. If you ask to pay in cash, you won't get a receipt in many cases. This is because the owners don't want to pay taxes.
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Do you pay taxes? If you pay taxes then your not Greek
 
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I agree, you will argue about who will get to pay the bill! If that doesn't happen, just carry around Euros and throw some cash down that you want to pay... then other people will chip in.
 
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