Colors of Alonissos Island - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

Remember that those local inhabitants who live in distant Alonissos villages have a measured life and they follow national traditions. That’s why you should behave appropriately. Don’t leave the beach in a bikini and don’t put on open clothes. Moreover, you should control yourself even if you have drunk a lot. Despite the fact that local citizens love local retsina and ouzo, you will hardly meet wild drunk people on the streets. This is because invariable behaviour is a disgrace for Greeks.

One more way to turn a Greek against yourself is to say something unpleasant about Greece. Locals are great patriots. What's interesting, they love to criticize the government but they can't stand when foreigners do the same. If you want to win the favour of a Greek person, just pay a couple of compliments to the island and Greece. While communicating, remember that if a local asked you not to call him by the first name, you should call him by the second name.

Greeks are open and emotional people. They like to interrupt each other, raise voice, touch people and use a lot of hand movements. Some of the gestures have their own meaning in Greece. Tourists think that when locals nod, they agree with you, but that is not right. A Greek “yes” is tilting the head to either side and making a sideways motion while slightly closing the eyes. When they want to say something, they touch or pat the lower lip with the index finger. When Greek people signal to somebody to join them, they extend their arms with their palms facing downwards. Then they open and close their fists, their fingers moving up and down. If Greeks want to show neglect to a person, they pretend brushing off the dust of the lapel of the jacket. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Alonissos is filled with festive and relaxed atmosphere. Greeks believe that the most important thing is to get the most of life. You will never meet workaholics here. Siesta plays an important role in Greece. Try to plan your day from 2 to 5 o’clock. Almost all the cafes, shops and public places are closed during the period of siesta. Locals sleep at home or sunbathe during this time, they try to gain strength to finish the working day. The working day is finished at 9 pm and then the fiesta starts, it is time for leisure and meetings with friends. The island becomes an open-air dance floor.

Locals are sure that there is no need for money if they don’t make you happy. So, you won't meet workaholics here. Greeks are bad investors and even if they get a large sum of money, they will spend it on an evening in a tavern or beautiful but useless things. It is noteworthy that Greeks are hospitable people, but invitation to their house doesn’t mean that you will have a meal there.

Greeks marry late and they love to flirt with women even being married. But don’t take it seriously, they will just pay you a couple of compliments. Locals love to teach people and give morals. All of the main religious holidays are celebrated on the island. Moreover, secular holidays such as the Independence Day are popular here. Threshing Festival is held every July in the Old Village. You can try national dishes here and listen to folk music.