Current Time in Greece
Greek culture regarding time
Greek culture regarding time
Tolerant of time in daily life
In Greece, the awareness of time is relatively relaxed in daily life, and being 5 to 15 minutes late is common, and is not a big problem, especially in informal situations.
Punctuality is on the rise in business and public places
In recent years, due to the influence of globalization, the importance of punctuality is becoming recognized, especially in urban areas and international business situations.
Late lunch and dinner times
Lunch is generally eaten late, around 14:00, and dinner after 21:00, and the culture of enjoying long, leisurely meals is deeply rooted.
Greek values regarding time
A sense of time that emphasizes relationships with people
There is a tendency to prioritize trust with others and the flow of conversation over time, and the value of "emphasizing content over form" is widely shared.
A society that values leisure and flexibility
It is more important to have leisure in daily life than efficiency or speed, and there is a culture of tolerance for schedule changes and delays.
The habit of valuing time with family
There is a strong emphasis on eating meals and spending holidays with family, and a "sense of time that values connections with people" is reflected in the entire life.
Things about time that foreigners should know when traveling or moving to Greece
Lateness is easily tolerated in informal situations
At dinner parties or gatherings with friends, it may be more natural to arrive a few minutes late than arriving on time. A strict sense of time can make you stand out.
Public transportation is often delayed
Buses and trains may be delayed from the timetable, so you need to schedule your travels with ample time. It is common for people to not run on time, especially in rural areas.
Shops and facilities may take a lunch break
Some shops and services have a "siesta-like" custom of temporarily suspending operations between 1pm and 5pm, so be careful.
Interesting trivia about Greek time
There is an expression "Greek time"
Even locals have the term "Greek time", which is used as a self-deprecating humor to refer to a relaxed attitude towards time.
Weddings and parties last until late at night
Traditional Greek celebrations and parties usually start late and last for long periods from late at night to early in the morning, and are characterized by a way of celebrating that is not bound by time.
Daylight saving time is in place
Greece has adopted daylight saving time, and clocks are advanced one hour from the end of March to the end of October every year. Be sure to check when traveling.