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Somehow there is a distorted truth about us, Greeks. Rumours that travel around the world, dictate a completely false idea about us. Some of those beliefs are funny, some stupid and some even annoying.

Opa opa

The first thing that comes to their mind when you say I'm greek, is that stupid "opa"! I mean wtf! I have never used it in my entire life not even once! They believe that "opa" is like good morning and hello to us. In fact foreigners use it way more often than us, for us. When greeks have fun don't use this word that often any more. HOWEVER we use it a lot in another occasion and I'm sorry for ruining your "opa dream". When we knock a public toilet's door and it is occupied we say "opa sorry". Not that fun anymore huh?

Plate Smashing

Again a "habit" that belongs to the past and it is not a part of the "kefi" anymore. During celebratory occasions we used to smash plates or glasses but again the practice is most typical of foreigners' stereotypical image of Greece. The interesting part here is the origin of this "habit". The custom probably derives from an ancient practice of ritually "killing" plates on mourning occasions, as a way of dealing with loss.

Chiton Dresses

For God's sake! We don't wear chitons anymore! We prefer jeans instead, t-shirts, bomber jackets, sweaters, sweatpants, normal 21st century's stuff, you know? I mean how out of space can one be in order to believe that we still get dressed in chitons?? If someone ever told me that there is even one single person who has this idea about greeks, I would definitely laugh at him. But while I was studying in the UK, a colleague in fashion journalism class from Hungary looked at me surprised and asked me why I was not dressed like that -and he was not joking! Xcuse me??!!

You want some real stuff about us? Here are some!

• The concept of a democratic society began in the Greek capital some 8,000 years ago and is often described as the first known democracy in the world!

• We are the hardest working people in Europe. The idea that Greeks are laid-back people and lazy when it comes to work, has been a prejudice widely spread in northern Europe.

• We are well known for our hospitality! Our houses are always open and we enjoy being hospitable even to strangers! (Burglars excluded)

• We are "έξω καρδιά" most of the times, besides the shitty problems we face nowadays.

• We have the brightest minds! All over the world greeks flourish in the scientific field.

And since you might be thinking that I'm focusing only on our positive side, I will say something about our "dark side" as well...

• We suck in obeying rules. But is this only the citizens' fault? Do we have a natural tendency towards disobedience or is it because rules are not even applied by the state? (State? Which state?)