Greeks say “Hello” and Americans say “Yah-sas”

It only took three days to start to feel familiar with Athens. The streets signs may be written in a language I cannot comprehend, but by combining the minds of fellow students, we are our own navigating systems. I have to pinch myself every day to be reminded that I am in Greece. Every road has this new culture flowing through the alleys and stores. Older men stand on the streets talking passionately (as this could be perceived as yelling by the unaware), women link arms with fellow friends to keep warm and catch up, and children eye the bread stand on the corner hoping their parents will give in. Coming to Greece, I didn’t want to be perceived as the “Typical American” that enters into a foreign land and expects the local people to know my language. I actually thought about telling people I am Canadian. Most people I see on the streets aren’t prone to greeting every person that walks past them, but once in a while I will get a welcoming salutation coming my way.

As a class, we rode a trolley up to a restaurant with an amazing view of all of Athens. Sitting on this inclining escalator, I had an encounter with a Greek man. He stepped into my trolley car and I smiled and said “yah-sas.” The well-dressed man smiled back and said “hello.” It was not the first time this occurred, where I am responded to with an English greeting. I jokingly asked him if my accent was that bad. The man was amused, but told us it was obvious we were Americans. I assumed that we would stand out in our brightly colored rain jackets and large cameras around our necks but I was hoping that locals would encourage us to participate in their language. I appreciate the amount of English Greeks know, but I have learned that by practicing my Greek language, I will provide endless entertainment, and many endearing laughs to those around me.