Dating Greek Men

I have never dated a Greek, but my best friend has. As a result I ended up with a lot of Greek friends, so I can tell you first hand that Greeks are unlike Americans in some ways, for better and worse.

The Stick Together

I know the Greek community in Los Angeles and they stick together through thick and thin. If you become someone’s friend, everyone will look after you. That’s just how it is. My best friend’s ex boyfriend’s brother recently offered to put me up. My best friend broke up with his brother five years ago. Through thick and thin, Greeks have each other’s back.

They Are Caring

If you want a man who cooks you soup when you are sick (even if it came in a can), look no further. Greeks, as a general rule, will care for their friends.

Social Expectations Are Different

My best friend’s ex is the cleanliest person you will ever meet. His apartment was immaculate. We often hung out there, even stayed there when he was away and he was always one to help cook, do the dishes, etc. Most of the time he told us not to do the dishes as we were his guests. One day some of his male friends were over for dinner and after a little while my best friend and I got up and sat by the couch, or did something else. I can’t remember what it was, but we did not help clear the table, nor did the dishes. And let me tell you we ended up reprimanded for this. We had “shamed” my best friend’s boyfriend for not showing we cared by doing the dishes.

As you can see, male and female roles are still somewhat old fashioned in Greece. It took our friend some days to figure out the cultural differences and apologize for the misunderstanding. It became a nice joke between friends, but it goes to show that there are different expectations.

Greek men also tend to pay the bill when out on a date from what I have seen (even my male Greek friends will pay for me) but of course this varies from man to man. I’ve heard of Greek men in Greece who aspire to lure tourists into making them their giggalo. I.e. they think you will pay to date them! Have them as your little toy. Well, well, well…

Greek Women Are “Very Nice”

Greek women are not supposed to sleep around. If you go from boyfriend to boyfriend, or fling to fling, you easily loose your good reputation. Greek men, on the other hand, are allowed more freedom.

Greeks Love a Good Party

Most, but not all, Greek men love a good party and some good old fashioned Greek dancing at certain celebrations. I once ended up at a New Year’s Eve party (this was in Cape Town) where the Greeks burnt whiskey on the floor and danced in the New Year. It was fabulous fun.

I also take Greek Goddess dance classes from a friend of mine in Los Angeles when I am there – dancing is simply part of the culture, as is celebrating with friends. The Greeks are drawn to social celebrations like moths to a flame.

Fidelity

Greek men love women maybe a bit too much. Whilst they are a jealous breed and don’t want anyone near their woman, they do like to satisfy their love of women wherever they go. Well, some of them do. There are plenty that are the faithful kind too.

Greek Culture Matters

As a Swede I’m not too fussed about my cultural roots, but the Greek like it Greek. They take pride in where they came from and, as mentioned, tend to stick together.

They Are Dreamy Steamy

Greeks tend to look good. That’s just the way it is. Their sense of dress, on the other hand, is what I would call interesting. Unbuttoned shirts in flimsy materials and colors that could make anyone blush. I think it looks slimey, they think it looks flashy.

Turks and Greeks

This is probably not something you need to bear in mind when dating a Greek, but it so happened myself and my best friend threw a party where we invited our Greek and Turkish friends, not knowing Greeks and Turks have fought each other since the dawn of time. So whilst our party went well, you might want to bear it in mind before sweeping your date off on a romantic trip to Turkey…

In fact, you probably know all about this already, because unlike me, you pay attention to the news. I gave up on watching the news as I found it was better to work for peace than sit crying about all the things happening around the world.

Stereotypes Are What They Are

I have traveled the world and as a result dated men from all over and I can tell you there are cultural differences, but each person is unique. My best friend’s ex who we are still friends with looks like a Greek God and is a fairly famous Greek actor who wants to be a monk at some stage and who tends to go off to India to spend time in ashrams. At the same time he will go on and on and on about Greek mythology, he will hang with all the Greeks and he loves Greek food and traditions. He’s a great cook and a neat freak, who certainly does not need his mother to keep a clean house. His brother, on the other hand, has red hair, is as poetic as poetic can be in both looks and manners, neither cooks nor cleans and definitely does not seem to aspire to be a monk. Both of them are great with off hand compliments though – “I miss your face when you run up the canyon looking like you will puke but you won’t stop running, you won’t give up.” Why, thank you.

By Maria Montgomery – Maria is a freelance writer, director and social entrepreneur. She’s also the spokesperson for The Little Angels Community Center and an avid blogger. You can find her somewhere between Cape Town, London and L.A., where you will most likely find her in the hills, looking out over the city she loves. @OhMyMontgomery

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