Sign Language

Before I left for Greece a lot of my co-works kept asking me if I spoke Greek. My family and friends new better, they knew that not knowing a language wouldn’t keep me from going somewhere. My answer to my co-workers was, “No, but I all I really need to know is this,” I’d toss my hair back flirtatiously and smile pretty, “and this!” I’d present my fist in an abrupt manner, middle finger extended obscenely.

They all laughed and thought I was joking. And I was, to a certain extent. 😉

I am happy to report that never once did I have to extend that middle finger in a rude gesture during my whole two weeks there. I did however, toss my hair and smile a lot! And what did I get for my efforts? Besides a few glasses of Ouzo, and early morning beer (I was on holiday so I chose beer over coffee after an all night ferry ride:D) I received a ride on waiters moped to my ferry. (I had left the cafe and was walking the two miles along the port when I heard a voice call out, and it was him, gesturing to the back seat of his little bike and waving at the docks.) Another moped ride to the Metro station when I got OFF the ferry. (By a ferry worker that tried to explain to me how to get to the Metro, but he obviously understood my English better than I understood his.) On another day I got a lovely coffee, and a handheld escort to another part of the port From the Metro, by another passenger on from the train.

None of these men were, young and gorgeous. I didn’t flirt with them to hook up, and they weren’t hitting on me. They barely spoke any English and everything was communicated through one-word sentences and hand gestures.

I found all the people of Greece, young or old, attractive or not, male or female, extremely charming and happy to help out a tourist. The men weren’t sleazy in their charm, just friendly and appreciative, and the women treated you like a long lost sister.

Have I convinced everybody that Greece should be his or her next vacation spot yet? :hehe: