Studying abroad in Greece was an amazing experience, one which allowed me to see how differently various cultures operate from day to day. It was filled with various encounters that I would think to myself, ‘you would never see this in America’. One of such observations that sticks out is the informality of the business setting in comparison to that back home. In the US, goods for sale typically have a set price, which you pay, then leave after completing the simple transaction. In Greece, as well as many of the surrounding countries I visited such as Turkey, Romania, and Cyprus, this was not necessarily the case. Stores are often family or locally run, thus prices are not final, and it is not uncommon to barter for a better deal before making a purchase. In addition, often if you purchase a substantial amount, shop owners will throw in a free gift, displaying their gratitude for your business, which is what happened when I bought a substantial amount of Christmas gifts from one spot. As a customer and consumer, I preferred this informality over the strictness set in the US. It felt as if shops genuinely cared about you as a customer, showing their appreciation even if you did not happen to buy anything. This being said, if I were a member of the Greek society, I probably would have even greater contempt towards the cold, transactional nature of the United States business market. Whereas there is a much greater focus on a good relationship and interaction in Greece, the focus is strictly on money as you travel further west. That being said, another major difference was the operating hours of businesses compared to back home. In the States, stores are often open throughout the daytime hours, with only large retailers such as Walmart and Target open till ten. The same goes for restaurants, usually open from midday onwards, but not typically open after 10. In Greece, stores, and restaurants typically open at the same time, but that is the sole similarity. Usually from 2-5 in the afternoon nearly all businesses, except cafes, go on siesta, where employees get a break and are able to relax for a few hours. In result, they usually stay open later with restaurants and shops typically staying open all the way until midnight. Personally, as someone who prefers a later dinner, I was very much in favor of this, making it much more convenient to find food options later into the night. Someone from the local culture could see this difference being from the US having a ‘live to work’ mindset as the Greeks have a ‘work to live’ mentality. It could be surprising for American workers to go for eight straight hours or even longer, whereas a long break typically comes in Greece after four. By reflecting like this, I am able to see the diverse ways society operates across the world, and how each unique set of customs is considered normal by those who grow up with them. That being said, studying abroad has been one of the most rewarding experiences I have had, and I hope to find the opportunity to do so again.
