Exploring the Greek Mosaic: A Guide to Intercultural Communication in Greece

Abstract

This introduction to Greek values and behaviour aims to challenge readers to move beyond their image of an archaic and at times anarchic civilization to a richer appreciation of contemporary Greek society. The book deciphers the complexities of the and its communciation styles, seeking to provide an accurate guide to the social landscape of Greece. The author examines what he calls the cornerstones of Greek culture - community, family and religion - and how these manifest themselves in everyday life in the home, in the workplace and in casual conversation in street cafes. There follows an analysis of the fundamental characteristics of the Greek mindset, particularly two concepts: the first, philotemo, is a complex set of values and attitudes involving honour, obligation, self-esteem and appropriate behaviour towards members of one's in-group; the second, kouvenda, is the vigorous Greek style of communication. The author also discusses management styles and attitudes towards work, alerting the reader to the potential difficulties that foreign managers may face in working with or supervising Greek personnel.

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