Censorship

Americans visiting European countries would be amazed at how people are so affectionate towards one another. Sitting at lunch one day in Skiathos, a group of us noticed an elderly couple groping each other as if they were long lost lovers. Right there in the middle of the restaurant they were hugging, kissing, holding one another as if it had been a lifetime. The group I was with snickered and joked a little about the situation. We did not know what to make of it. Something similar happened at the metro station but it was a younger couple in Athens. They would hold each other all over kissing in plain sight without a care in the world. The onlookers did not seem to mind as well. In America this would be frowned upon and comments along the lines of get a room would be expressed. Public display of affection is not as socially accepted in the United States as it is in Greece or other European countries.
We have more of a conservative view of life it seems. Kissing and groping in America usually happens either behind closed doors in a more private setting or highly intoxicated. Other than those situations, Americans appear shyer when it comes to approaching the opposite sex and being comfortable with themselves. Greeks are more open with their feelings and expressing how they feel. When I was dancing with a Greek man in Skiathos, he was not shy to try and kiss me. I knew that in America this situation would not have arisen if it were with someone I had just met. The confidence these Greek men have is astounding.

Their confidence in sex appeal is not only in the clubs and with significant others, but on the beaches as well. On Saturday in Skiathos, a small group of us went to a beach. Not realizing it until we got there, it was a nude beach. There were topless women and naked men all over. In America there are nudist colonies, but nothing like this. I had never seen so many people be comfortable naked. Even more stunning was how no one seemed to care that it was part of everyday life. I know that being nude would never feel comfortable to me. In Greece however, this was very common. There was even a whole nude family on the beach. Being able to do this takes such confidence and security in your sex appeal. There is a social acceptance about it, the Europeans do not understand privacy and therefore accept it. Americans do not appear to be as open to this idea at every beach. American families teach their children that clothes are appropriate, and are not accustomed to seeing nudity. To Europeans and Greeks being naked and exposing oneself is no big deal. The human body to them is something to be flaunted, not to be concealed or covered up. Americans are not taught to be ashamed of their bodies, but that it is sacred to us.
This is where America becomes what seems more conservative to the rest of the world. As children we are taught certain mannerisms, traits, and ways to think. I was taught drinking was bad, clothes were appropriate, displaying of one’s personal feelings should be done in private, and to be respectful of others. Americans tend to prefer a more private life unlike the Greeks who do not even have a word for it. We are clothed and shy about expressing our feelings. The other side expresses who they are and how they feel with no remorse or care of what others think of them.

Keegan W.

Big City vs. Small City

Big City vs. Small City: How Locals Treat Americans

Greeks as a whole treat Americans in many similar ways, but several important differences also exist pertaining to how Greeks might treat you in a large city and in a smaller town. Athens is a powerful megacity with an abundance of ancient history, and is therefore an extremely popular tourist destination. In certain parts of the city, streets are teeming with tourists and natives alike. By contrast, in the small fishing city of Volos, very few tourists venture to this coastal nook on the Aegean, leaving it mainly to native Greeks. As a result of these differences between cities, variation also exists in how Greeks interact with the shorts-wearing, picture taking Americans who come to visit their native country. Knowing these differences could prove to be quite beneficial when traveling to Greece and encountering the people of another culture.
In general, Greeks are not shy people. In fact, the Greek language has no word for “privacy.” They do not consider staring to be rude in the least, especially when it comes to girls. Men do not hesitate to use the “elevator eyes” when looking at a woman, and they are especially intrigued by American women, more so blondes than brunettes (blondes are quite rare in Greece). When they see a beautiful woman, they take no hesitation in complimenting her. They are very open in conversation and will say what is necessary to get the point across, or to get someone to see where they are coming from. Greeks enjoy taking their time when eating, and may take two or three hours to eat a meal. Waiters are used to this, so even though you may be done with your meal, the waiter may not bring you your bill until you specifically ask for it.
Although Greeks in general share many attributes when encountering Americans, differences do exist in different cities. In the huge city of Athens, where tourists contribute a large part of the economy, two main types of locals emerge. The locals who do not work in the tourist-driven industry, who are accustomed to outsiders and therefore pay little attention. The others who depend on tourist business tend to be very pushy and annoying, and sometimes even conniving. In the smaller city of Volos, locals seem distant at first, but become much more personable and genuine when you make an attempt to talk to them, even though it may be more difficult to communicate with them. If you know the differences between people in big and small cities and how to approach their respective locals, you may have a much easier time getting around, and even better, making friends.

Chris D.

Personal Globalization

The presence of globalization within America is undeniable. Traveling abroad to Greece, I was anxious to see the ways another country has developed into its role as a member of a global community. During the short time I have been in Greece, I have only seen a small portion of the country, which limits my ability to make generalizations. However, I have inferred several things from the patterns of Greek life that I have observed. Globalization affords us the opportunity to realize, interpret and adapt foreign experiences into our lives at our own discretion, acknowledging that the changes are based on our observational inferences. My travels through Greece have helped me developed my own definition of globalization, which includes three main elements of language, community and change, each constructing a web of global connections affecting all aspects of our lives.
I formulated my definition of globalization only after acknowledging that it exists in various models unique to each country. Furthermore, understanding globalization within the context of a specific country requires an understanding of their culture, especially their language. The term globalization is an umbrella for countless subtopics and as a concept has many similarities to language. Both exist in distinctive forms, varying levels, and affect a wide array of subjects. Language is the movement of ideas, and the movement of ideas is language. Without this co-dependency, the ideals of globalization would not have spread, and societies and cultures would not change, whether good or bad.
One of the greatest benefits of globalization is that exposure to new ideas inspires us to change the undesirable and preserve the enjoyable. Globalization has enabled the movement of ideas between distant places, such as Greece and America. I see my travels to Greece as an opportunity to transplant the most intriguing aspects of Greek life into America. Equipped with the model of the Greeks’ adept use of language to build community and exchange ideas efficiently, America has a very advantageous tool to learn and share information from and with the wider world and benefit a larger array of people. It only takes one small planted seed in someone’s mind to inspire conversation about changes needed and how to go about them.
We should integrate the Greek ritual of lengthy conversations over meals or afternoon coffee. It seems as if Greeks use their extended time in cafés and restaurants to exchange insights, news and stories with each other. One night after dinner, our study abroad group simply sat and chatted, which made me feel a little more Greek. I loved this because it gave me time to recognize the peaceful feelings that they must experience in such a simple custom: sitting back, taking time to enjoy and further develop human connections rather than hurrying to leave to achieve the next money-oriented task. This dedication to people is not simply at luxury, but a necessity for community. In all reality, materialistic attitudes in America often blind us to the beautiful and meaningful presence of people. In contrast to our rushed American attitude, I welcome this calming experience, hoping to change and adapt it to my life, in order to more deeply comprehend the remarkable influence and impact of language.
Three weeks in Greece has opened my eyes to the significant effects of living in an era of globalization. Globalization is universal because it informs, preserves, explains, and spreads concepts that help link one place to another. As Erla Zwingle said in her article about globalization, ‘Linking: This is what the spread of global culture ultimately means” (32). Language, community, and change are each dependent upon the other, yet distinctive in their importance in understanding how globalization has affected me during my trip to Greece.

Valerie A.

Ancient Greece and Globalization: A Historical Perspective

.....Now think about Greece’s position in history. To bring to mind an example of the importance of Greece’s placement in the historical time frame we look back to the time of Alexander the Great, and we can start to see why Greece has been influenced and also influenced others in the world. Alexander the Great’s Empire expanded from Greece all the way to India at its peak. This means that Greece had an influence on people with ancestors from the Ottoman Empire and the ancient Indians as well. Alexander’s Empire even reached northern Egypt. This is where Alexander would establish his Hellenistic center in Egypt, called Alexandria. Alexandria would become the largest city in the ancient world within a century of its establishment. Alexandria would become the center of commerce, specifically linking Arabia and India with the Mediterranean and the Aegean cultures. Greece, as a result, was being influenced by all of these people as well. To point out a specific example of the east’s influence on the west we can look at Alexander himself, who took a wife of Persian descent. This is a very good example of how cultures started to mingle and create a sort of “global community”; a true combination of diverse cultures that are interacting with each other, with Alexandria at its foundation.
Alexandria would become the center of Alexander the Great’s Empire and for some time the center of the ancient world, just as Rome was the center of the Roman Empire during the time of Julius Caesar and the emperors following him. The point is, our “global centers” shift, and now we have come to a time when the world revolves around what happens in the United States, and specifically New York City.
The United States is the pinnacle among countries throughout the world today regarding education, standard of living, and policy making, just like Alexandria was for its time. The United States is the world’s foremost power, and much of our power stems from what happens in New York City. Since much of today’s “power” is based on economic status, New York City could be seen as a modern day Alexandria; while ancient Alexandria traded goods from many nations New York’s Wall Street and stock exchange trade stocks, bonds, currencies, and other forms of intangible wealth. New York has become the global epicenter for international commerce.
Being a center for globalization meant that Greece was subject to the practices and different cultures of its time. A very good example is observed through the impact that the Byzantine Empire had on Greece. The Byzantine Museum in Athens recalls the history of Christianity and its spread throughout the Roman Empire. Greece, being part of that Roman Empire, was directly influenced religiously during that time period. The Byzantine Museum had paintings and artwork that are very similar to all of that which I have seen in Greek churches. A good example of this artwork is observed when looking at the paintings of Jesus in the Byzantine museum. The most obvious comparison is noticed in the golden-like halo that encompasses Jesus’ head. There is also a strong comparison in the colors and tones of the paintings. You can see firsthand the direct influence that Roman culture and policy had on the Greeks. This policy still is intact today when you think that the Greek Orthodox Church is the national religion, which can trace its foundation to that Byzantine time period. Like ancient Greece, the United States has become subject to a diverse group of cultural practices.
A prime example of the cultural diversity can be observed while shopping in Greece. Shopping has allowed me to notice that there is relatively little clothing that doesn’t have English on it. Another example of diverse culture is that Volos has a Starbucks coffee. In the United States, the most respected clothing lines are those from Italy, such as Versace, Armani, and Dolce and Gabbana. Companies with their base in the United States have factories in India, Vietnam, Thailand, and all over Southeast Asia. Like ancient Greece, the United States and its culture influence other countries but, it is also heavily influenced by other countries and cultures as well.
Greece has been influenced by many cultures throughout its long and ancient history. Greece’s location geographically in the ancient world made it a prime site for trade and commerce, as well as lending itself as this link between the Eastern cultures of Persia and India and Western cultures such as the Romans. Historically, Greece has been conquered and inhabited by these same societies. The impact of being a powerful empire spreading throughout the ancient world and sometimes being conquered itself has left Greece with a cultural diversity that can only be explained as globalization. The sharing of cultural practices and people from Greece’s history truly exemplifies what I believe was ancient globalization.
Just as every empire rose to its peak, they collapsed to be taken over by another culture. Hammurabi was taken over by the Persian king, Cyrus the Great. Alexander was defeated due to extending himself too far into India. Rome was overthrown by the barbarians from Gaul. We can trace much of our current situation here in the United States to similar ancient situations. In the Unites States we must truly pay attention to what has happened to previous world powers including the ancient Greek, Roman, and Byzantium civilizations. It seems as though the world is coming to a crossroads. Issues such as Global Warming, world poverty, and corporate power are bringing people together to call for action. The United States needs to make sure that it is the frontrunner in policy making and decisions. The decisions that are made must take into account the world as a whole; we are becoming a “global community.” The trick is to make sure that our government can represent our people, while not creating injustices for others. We can learn from ancient Greece and perhaps understand what actions should be taken.

Sam S.

The Way of Life: Greek Style

One of the most basic elements of life is the human element. Without other people around us, we would go crazy. A lack of human interaction can drive a person to do things they would normally not do, potentially to the point of suicide. The odd twist to this is that Americans tend to avoid one another, even those who we see everyday, such as a neighbor or coworker. The fact that we are so technologically minded and innovative, yet we cannot do something as simple as hold a conversation with another person is something that seems to be characteristic of Americans. This was not always the case; in the early to mid 1900s, human interaction was prevalent. Dinner parties, long talks with neighbors, afternoons spent sitting on the porch watching the sunset with family friends, all of these were normal everyday occurrences. Now we avoid eye contact as we pass someone on the street, we do not stop to talk with our neighbors and ask how they are doing, and we think everyone is out to kill us. Even stopping to help someone with a flat tire is a scary idea, for fear they might pull out a weapon. The difference in Greece is that a person’s day is planned around interacting with friends. At least twice a day people will be sitting outside their shops talking with others, sipping on a frappe. It is almost a wonder how they get things done during the day since most of the time they are visiting with friends and fellow store owners, but that is what sets them apart from Americans; their life does not revolve around work. They enjoy life slowly and without stress, which is the key to real happiness. Americans take years off their lives worrying about jobs, money, and other issues, and they end up missing out on time when they could be having fun and building new relationships. The Greeks realize this and embrace it. They know how valuable life is and that it should not be spent worrying about one thing or another, it should be spent making friends, experiencing new things, and realizing what is important in life. This also relates to their lifestyle in general compared to our fast paced lives.
The idea of being laid back is a concept that is completely foreign to Americans. From the age of sixteen or younger we are told we must get a job. We must work our whole lives, eight hours a day or longer, until we reach the point where we have enough money to sustain ourselves until we die. With the way social security is now, we are forced to work until at least our mid sixties. Compared to us, Greeks live the simple life. They make enough money to sustain their lifestyle, and that is all they need. I have not noticed any Greeks that seem to be obsessed with living a lavish lifestyle; they buy what they need to survive and still have a little left over for pleasure. This ties into the human element in the fact that Greeks realize that as long as they have people around them with whom they can talk to and have a good time with, they do not need all of the excess. What is more surprising, to us at least, is that even though they may not have everything they want, they seem genuinely happier and more content with their lives than the typical American, who is constantly striving to have more material goods to make himself happy.
Greece is a country that is running itself well for the most part. Most of the traditions and ways of living here are much more convenient and logical than one would think. I could definitely live in this society with no complaints except not being able to flush toilet paper. Even the lack of air conditioning is not as bad as I thought it would be. Greeks obviously do not want to be like Americans or we would be surrounded by 24 hour convenience stores. They focus more on the priceless things in life: family, friends, and tradition, which is how every country should be managed. America could learn a lot from Greece; it would do us some good to slow down and enjoy life for awhile.

Lindsay Z.

My view on globalization

As average Americans we aren’t necessarily told about the process of globalization, the government has sort of kept us in the dark. A vast majority of what we read was all very new to me, and shocked me to think that we are actually capable of doing these things. If it were not for this class I would still have no idea what was going on around me and what my actions were responsible for. However, studying abroad allows us to see the impact of our government’s decisions, and will hopefully change our outlook on the future.
In a lot of our readings, the authors present the IMF, World Bank and the WTO as some of the main perpetrators in our global economy. Also the role of the rich countries and their huge influence on the market has been discussed heavily throughout every reading. For example, Joseph Stiglitz argues “The western countries have pushed poor countries to eliminate trade barriers, but kept their own barriers.” While I agree with this statement, it is obvious that is what is going on, I don’t fully comprehend why a country would oppress others for their gain. This is just proof that countries are now operating as corporations, and no longer do we as citizens have the power of representation.

Jordan C.

Monsteries

Being at the top of the Great Meteora Monastery I saw why the monks and nuns would choose to live here. Obviously being situated at the top of a mountain enhances a life of seclusion. But standing on the top of the monastery, at the edge overlooking the town, with miles in front of me, I felt small. I felt insignificant. And I was humbled. On the ground I can only see what’s in front of me, my immediate surroundings. I may be aware of the things I cannot see, but, as the saying goes, out of sight, out of mind. But when you can look out and see for miles and miles, you can see the bigger picture, the grand scheme of things. Looking over what seemed to be creation, I realized in the grand scheme of things I as nothing. Anything I accomplish in life will be nothing. One cannot have pride or ego when one realizes how small one is. “He who loses himself gains himself.” The Bible says something to that effect. Anyway, point being, I could see how living in an utterly humbling place like Meteora could enhance a life dedicated to God.

Sarah P.