|
Continued from
March's Issue...
- Odd as it may seem, the Greek bouzoukia and the
opera house do have a similarity: we visit both for
pleasure and enjoyment. We should acknowledge that
they are part of Greece's contemporary nightlife
scene, and therefore we should consciously
participate in the whole procedure in good spirits.
We should avoid arrogantly stating that our public
school education and our posh upbringing complete
with a German au-pair girl, would never allow us to
attend such a show.
- If we are the ones inviting, we also make sure to
reserve a table. We do not demand the best table in
the front, except if we often go to this specific
club or if we are known for our generous monetary
contributions and four digit bills. If, however, we
stubbornly refuse to sit anywhere else but right at
the singer's shoes, then a friend in need is a
friend indeed. If a friend is part of the club's
"hall of fame," then we may ask for his or her
assistance. Of course, our subsequent bill will
equal the table's prime location. The person who
reserves the table brings the cash.
- Common Greek sense dictates that if there is no
one specifically inviting the others, then the bill
must be divided among the men seated at the table.
We avoid showing our bravado - while intoxicated -
at 5 o' clock in the morning, and arguing about who
is going to pay the bill. If someone keeps insisting
on paying the bill, and he has clear reasons for
doing so (for example, he just got promoted - or
divorced) then we bow before his wish. If this is
the case, the following day we make sure we call and
thank him, or send him a present and a card.
- Even though the bouzoukia is one of the last
places where male dominion and pre-eminence are
exhibited, if a woman insists right from the
beginning on paying her share, her request should be
accepted. A gentleman should never become a
hindrance to the completion of the equality of the
two sexes.
- We should make sure that all the ladies have the
best seats as close as possible to the stage. A
gentleman should opt for cramming himself in so that
his lovely date, and the rest of the ladies, may be
seated in comfort. If the table is small, and not
all the guests fit, then he should remain standing
until the matter is resolved.
- The singers deserve our attention. This doesn't
mean that we should interrupt them by shouting, nor
do we grab the microphone away from them - it's the
singer's job to sing. No matter how thrilled we are
because of a song or the singer's voice, we
shouldn't go on stage just to touch or kiss the
artist, nor do we hug him or her to have a picture
taken.
- We shouldn't leave before the show is over. If the
singers are friends or acquaintances of ours, we may
go to their changing rooms afterwards and
congratulate them in person.
- We should avoid catapulting flowers while the
singer or dancers are performing on stage. They
could accidentally step on them and have an
unfortunate accident.
- Some frequent customers, before the flower bill
arrives - and only if they have ordered many baskets
- make special negotiations over their price. They
do not, however, negotiate the price of alcohol
consumption.
- We always tip the lady who cleans the WCs and the
person who parks our car.
- Breaking plates is against the law. Nevertheless,
there are still some places where this is done, but
it takes a skillful investigator to discover them.
- "A special order" means that a specific song is
danced by the person who asked for it. We avoid
standing up and dancing while this song is played
since Greeks become somewhat "touchy" and personal
over such issues.
- We should avoid standing up and blocking the view
of others.
- Since these clubs are usually indoors, we ask
permission before lighting our cigarette or cigar.
We also take care as to not blow our smoke towards
the person seated next to us.
...to be continued
Excerpt from "Watch Your Manners In Greece" by
Christos K. Zampounis
|
