Posted by Georgia on August 09, 2001 at 04:17:44:
In Reply to: Wanting advice from Greek women posted by Jodie on August 02, 2001 at 18:42:14:
: First of all, please forgive me for resorting to stereotypes,
: I know it's offensive and inaccurate and quite probably
: the source of so much misunderstanding. But (you knew
: there was going to be a "but"...) I really would like your
: help.
: My partner is Greek and I'm not. This has always been a
: sore point in our otherwise great year long relationship- and please
: know that I completely accept how important his culture is
: to him and never would for one moment want to trivialise it.
: I know he secretly worries that he's not being true to his
: culture by dating outside it.
: Anyway, he's about to take me along for the first time to
: an occasion with all his Greek friends- most of whom are female.
: It's just a casual thing- not a big family occasion with all
: his relatives, it's mostly all people in their 20s like we are.
: Can you offer me any advice at all on what to do and what not
: to do so that I don't stand out as being so obviously the
: only non-Greek? It's really important to me to prove to him
: (and to myself) that I can fit in. I know ultimately that I
: should just relax, be myself etc etc and that I am being far
: too paranoid. But from a completely superficial point of
: view- can you offer any advice? From what I have seen, you
: are all stunningly gorgeous, thin, glamorous and so very
: feminine (hopefully, that's a stereotype you don't mind too
: much!). I know we females can be each other's harshest
: critics so please, any suggestions for this terrified
: Australian would be gratefully received. Should I wear
: more make-up or less? Should I wear black? Skirt or trousers?
: I know it's not really that important but anything more I can
: do to put myself at ease will probably mean I am more likely
: to be able to relax and be myself.
I think you should be yourself and not change for anyone because your boyfriend likes you for who you are and obviously he is proud of you to want to bring you somewhere to introduce you to his Greek friends.
There are heavy, ugly women in Greece too. I was there this summer and they all wear clothes soooooo tight that it looks like they can't breathe, especially in the 100 degree weather they had. Yes, there are beautiful, thin women in Greece just like every country. Don't ever feel out of place around Greeks. If they seem snobbish, then they are just ignorant and jealous.
Enjoy your time together!
Georgia