Greeks aren't at all like us!

• I have met a Greek,42 yrs old & he is a very nice person.International,as he's travelled alot & has foreign clients,speaking English everyday.When emailing or talking on msn/SKYPE he came across as very confident,flirtacious,far more open than I am(and I'm not shy)!.He was the type of guy I wanted-like me!He was completely different when we met.Reserved,shy.There wasn't the same friendlyness I'd got on-line,although it was obvious we liked eachother! I then went to meet him in Greece-on his own territory.I was expecting there to be more on a second meeting,but it didn't come.They aren't affectionate,they won't hold hands in public,not tactile.And I got the impression he wasn't wanting more.I dropped a few hints and the response was-"I had watched too many films"! We had a great 10 days together-travelled all over Greece.He is obviously well liked by everyone and I have seen that he enjoys jokes and can at least have fun.We have known eachother for approx 3 months.I understood by his lack of affection,we were to be friends,but on occassion he has said things that lead me to believe he thinks of there being an 'US'!So,you never can tell what they really mean/think.I personally found the people polite & friendly to a point. Unfortunately the ones in buisness,once they knew they could make money from you,didn't say hello first,they asked how many people my friend would bring them this season(he's a guide)!There is alot of corruption in Greece amoung the coach drivers & tourist shops/restaurants etc.Everyone seems to be after their percentage!! which is very sad.I am due to move to Greece in a few months and I hope I find friends there, either Greek or foreigners.I want to learn Greek and be comfortable with the life there.I now know they are reserved just like the French.I lived there for 5 yrs & they have the same attitude to foreigners!I must say I haven't found many new friends in my local area in UK.There are a few neighbours I talk to regulary,but the others keep to themselves,especially my immediate neighbour,who as a young mum you would have thought would have been friendly,but she has her head down and doesn't want to stop to talk!!

  Karen Lloyd-Parker 07 Apr 2008, 12:46 - Report

Why is it so hard to make friends in Greece?