- Lunch break
- Scientific rationale
- Tradition comes first
- Siesta like the Greeks
What does Greece teach the average tourist? Take your time. According to the Greeks, "everyone has the right to a cup of coffee." During the time the Greek drinks his coffee, nothing extraordinary will happen. Then why rush somewhere? There will still be - in due time.
In the first days of your stay in Greece, you twitch, you run somewhere, you rush too slow sellers in stores, you freeze in bewilderment before the opening hours of churches, museums, shopping pavilions, where the lunch break lasts several hours. What do you want - a siesta in Greece. Then you already relate to local customs more calmly. And you come home enlightened and serene and for a long time you are surprised at the usual hectic lifestyle. And you're trying to organize a siesta at home.
Lunch break
Siesta is a dead time in Greece. It lasts from about noon to 4 pm. At this time, only tourists walk in confusion along the streets of Greek cities, incinerated by the hot rays of the sun. All normal Greeks wait out the peak of the heat in the shadow of their cool homes. Many people prefer to take a nap in the afternoon to get back to work with renewed vigor. Some do not sleep, but simply relax, reading newspapers or chatting with friends.
During the siesta, churches, museums, some cafes and restaurants that are not located in the tourist area, and most shops are closed. It often happens that a tourist takes a long time to get to an interesting attraction in order to find out in front of its closed doors that it works only in the morning and in the evening for several hours.
Scientific rationale
Siesta is said to have been invented by the ancient Romans. At least, this word itself is translated from Latin as "the sixth hour", which just among the Romans meant the present noon. Long breaks at lunchtime are common in many southern countries. This is due to the hot climate. During the day, when the air temperature can rise to 40 degrees, it is undesirable to be outside. Many may argue that now, with the development of technical progress, air conditioners are installed in stores and restaurants, so you can easily work in very pleasant conditions. But the Greeks think differently.
Some Greek scholars are trying to scientifically prove the feasibility of siesta. There are many factors in favor of a long lunch break. Mid-day rest:
- improves blood circulation;
- prevents the appearance of depression;
- increases efficiency;
- makes people friendly, gentle and calm;
- reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease;
- prolongs life.
Tradition comes first
Greeks leaving for a siesta are unforgiving. They will not stay even for a minute at their workplace, for example, in a store, having warned the visitors several times in advance about the closure of their establishment. It is considered indecent to disturb a Greek during a siesta. Even just calling him would be a violation of tradition. Siesta is sacred for a Greek. During a long lunch break, a person gains strength, rests. This is what the ancestors of the Greeks did, and the grandchildren will do this. It is unlikely that the government will ever try to abolish the siesta. The entire people will rebel against such a decision.
In crowded resorts, this custom still exists, but is gradually disappearing. Employees of cafes and restaurants, souvenir shops and rental offices prefer to receive as many customers as possible per day so as not to think about making money in the low season. Therefore, without leaving the resort area, a tourist may not know what a real siesta is.
Siesta like the Greeks
Should the traveler go to some old village or even just get out into the historical center of the city, then he will surely witness how the doors of all shops and museums are massively closed in the hottest time of the day. After a while in Greece, tourists also begin to adhere to the local custom of resting after lunch.
The Greeks have developed a whole list of rules on how to behave properly during a siesta. First, an afternoon nap should not exceed 30 minutes. Secondly, you need to sleep while sitting in a chair or lying on the couch. If you have problems with insomnia, then midday sleep will only hurt.
