| EURO 2004 ended, we became European Champions, we celebrated again and again and now� what? Now we have the Olympic Games and after that�.well after that we will be able to breathe freely without anyone saying anything to us. Until then though, we have to push ourselves to bring out the best of us! In order though to be able to do that, we have to follow some simple rules and regulations, especially when we decide to visit one of our beautiful beaches!
1. No more kaftans (these long beaded Arabic shirts) at the beach. From now on choose a chlamys (the long ancient Greek dresses) accessorized by silver (or gold if you are rich!) buckle.
2. No more beaded or design mules! Especially for this summer we adopt the look with the beautiful sandal with the anatomical design worn with a white sock (preferably the socks that come up to the knee). In this way tourists will feel just like home (they were the first to launch the specific look), and we will at last be saved from the common loss of our mule in the sand (this is when you walk in style on the beach trying to find an empty space and when you finally do you realize that even though you have found the perfect spot, you have lost your precious little mule in the sand!)
3. No more Greek feasts (including shrimps, mussels, squids, octopuses, tzatziki and whatever else�), at Greek restaurants when tourists are around. It is not polite for our guests to enjoy a humble Greek Salad and we eat like kings! We patiently wait for the tourists to depart (don�t worry they go to bed early), and then we enjoy our lobster-pasta!
4. Throw away all your sun-block creams, sprays, foams, sticks, etc! For years tourists seat under the sun with no protection. Obviously this tomato look is in fashion and we just have not adopted it yet!
5. We make sure we pick up all our garbage from the beach (this should be done every summer). We also make sure we pick up our cigarettes so that we do not initiate any innocent tourist to our custom of �anastenaris� without any warning!
6. We drive CAREFULLY! Considering the fact that most of the tourists are used to drive on roads and not on 4X4 special routes, it would be wise not to honk cars that carry the sign of the special car rental companies, and avoid any kind of gestures!
Most of the above (with the exception of the last two that we should at last make them part of our ordinary lives), are written with a humorous touch and are based on many years of observation of tourist attitudes in Greece. We should always keep in mind that rules in Greece exist so that we can adjust them to any situation. So, why not combine our personal pleasure and unique style with good behavior!
Especially for this summer let us act spontaneously as long as this spontaneity does not offend anybody. Let us show the world that either with a chlamyd or a kaftan, a beaded mule or a classic anatomically designed sandal, we are elegant, in fashion, smiling�but most of all we are BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE!!!
Note for Tourists:
Dear Tourists,
Do not nag about everything and try to become one with the magical spirit of our country. Always keep in mind the wise Greek saying: �If you cannot avoid something, just enjoy it�! Leave nagging at home and let us take care of the rest!
Have a great Olympic Vacation!
Katerina Kourtessi
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