Growing up of Greek-American descent, you experienced a unique childhood, filled with some pretty strange customs (strange to those who aren’t Greek, of course), greekreporter.com remarks in the following article:
It’s not until you reach adulthood that you have a good idea of how different your upbringing is from that of your non-Greek friends.
And chances are you’ve continued to pass on the traditions and experiences to your own children, whether you like it or not. Let’s take a look at what sets Greek-American childhood apart from the rest:
1. Independence Day is and always will be March 25
Sure, July 4th was a big day in your family, but not as big or as important as the “real” Independence Day, March 25th. You dressed in your Sunday best and went to the parade you dreamed of one day participating in (and probably were).
2. Your birthday played second fiddle to your party
Birthdays are fun and you get presents… but that’s nothing compared to how you ran away like a bandit on your birthday. Let’s face it, celebrating your name and that of the saint whose name you are named after is more profitable and, in any Greek family, much more important than a birthday party.
3. An old lady in your family dresses all in black, from head to toe.
Whether it’s your yiayia or a great aunt, chances are you had a relative who constantly wore mourning clothes. This could have scared the neighbors, and maybe your friends. But for you, it was completely normal to have an elderly relative dressed in black from head to toe…
4. Greek school was more important than regular school
For many reasons, Greek school was more important to you than regular school. Perhaps especially because your parents and grandparents told you it was the most important education you would receive.
5. First day of school = trauma. The professor never had your first or last name, did he?
Every Greek-American child dreads the first day of school. A new teacher can only mean one thing: the butchering of your names, both first and last.
6. Your friends thought it was weird that you ate goat, lamb, and sometimes a whole pig (including the head and tail)
You certainly weren’t afraid to eat when you were a kid, but every time your friends came over for dinner, they were… well, afraid to eat. At least you didn’t have to fight them for the pig’s tail.
7. You were sent to school with a Tupperware container full of pastitsio
Mom made you lunch – Greek style. You were sent to school with Tupperware filled with pastitsio, Greek salad, and the entire kitchen sink, while your friends ate peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (and no one ever wanted exchange with you).
8. Winning the coin in vasilopita on New Year’s Day changed my life
You remember the first time you won the coin in your vasilopita slice because it was like winning the lottery.
9. You learned from a young age about all the celebrities who are Greek – or half Greek, or even one-third Greek.
Did you know that Betty White is part Greek? Ahh, yes! Of course you did! If you’re Greek-American, when you were a child your family made a point of mentioning every Greek celebrity in the known universe. After all, being Greek is like being part of a big extended Greek family, much like “Full House.” Yes, we are referring to John Stamos here. And when “Friends” came along, forget it. The whole family gathered to watch Jennifer Aniston.
10. Your get-rich-quick scheme was selling baklava at your church’s Greek festival.
Lemonade stands never really appealed to you because you had your eyes on bigger sights: a stand at your church’s Greek fair, selling baklava you made with yiayia. Much higher profit margin on baklava.
11. On the first day of school, your grandparents came and spat on you
The Greeks believe that by spitting on someone (“Ftou, ftou, ftou”), you ward off evil spirits and bad energies (including the evil eye). As you left the house for your first day of school or any milestone in your childhood, Yiayia and Papou would come and spit on you.
12. You gathered your whole family together every Sunday after church
You remember your garden filling up with your entire extended family coming to roast a lamb on Sunday afternoons after church.
13. You spent your summers in Greece, of course
Your friends went to camp while you went to Greece every summer. You’ve visited your family’s homeland and seen a million relatives who you’re not really sure how you’re related to.
14. You took Greek folk dancing lessons and hid it from your non-Greek friends at school.
You understood the moves of “Hammer Time” better than your friends thanks to the in-depth, secret Greek folk dancing lessons you’ve taken since the days you could walk. Unfortunately, the only place you were able to fully showcase your folk dancing skills was in Greece during your summer vacation, at weddings and festivals.
15. You ate dessert after lunch and dinner
Your school lunch package came with (at least) dessert and after you went home and had dinner that night, you ate another dessert. It seemed normal at the time. However, as an adult, you realize the opposite (and are probably a little more conscious of your diet!). But, as a child, it was just another enjoyable aspect of your typical Greek-American childhood.
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Photo source: Wikimedia Commons. Copyright : Katie Simmons-Barth License: CC-BY-SA