As someone who grew up in the Greek Diaspora, I can safely say that the “Greek experience” in Western countries is entirely different from the culture of our counterparts in the homeland.
These cultural differences primarily stem from the Hollywoodization of Greek culture: plate-breaking, ouzo-drinking, and partying. Such activities comprise the primary aspects of what many non-Greeks, and even some in the Diaspora, view as ultimate Greek behavior.
Films like “Zorba the Greek” and “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” have played an important role in spreading this perception. Since their release, many Diasporic Greeks have over-emphasized the kind of Greek culture shown in these movies, oftentimes to the point of utilizing them as a blueprint for “how to be Greek."
When one actually visits Greece, however, they quickly realize that life in the homeland looks very different. Many Diasporic Greeks expect the lifestyle there to mirror My Big Fat Greek Wedding, and plenty will even claim it’s an accurate representation. But once you’re actually there, it becomes quite clear that those expectations were shaped more by nostalgia and media than by real life. Sure, we all see beautiful photos and nightlife videos on social media, but that’s only a narrow highlight reel.
The reality of Greek culture is much deeper than the popular media portrays it to be. Whereas Hollywood promotes a version of Greeks that is sanitized for mass consumption, the realities of life in Greece paint a different picture.
Take the wide perception of Greek music, for instance – this is where the disconnect really shows. A lot of Diasporic Greeks grow up thinking Greeks in the homeland still listen to traditional music and all know how to do traditional dances such as the Kalamatianos. But when they actually go to Greece, they’re often surprised to find that the youth there lean heavily into ghetto culture, which dominates the mainstream.
Meanwhile, Greek Diasporic communities still urge kids to learn traditional dances and songs. In this sense, the Diaspora shines as a preserver of cultural tradition.
Unfortunately, many in the Diaspora continue to view Greece through a romanticized, “Hollywoodized” view that distorts the reality of Greek culture. This leads to a simplified and hyper-exaggerated version of Greek culture, guided by stereotypes rather than its true complexity. As a direct consequence, the vision of Greeks from an American perspective consists of little more than cheap red wine, ouzo, lamb, plate smashing, and the Acropolis.
Indeed, many of the pop culture references to Greece lack recency – the financial crisis, the sweeping effects of modernization, and the changing political climate have not been publicized to the extent that many of the commercial aspects of Greece have. Media and pop culture tend to romanticize Greece and oversimplify our culture for the sake of marketing.
It’s crucial to recognize this disconnect and actively challenge the Hollywoodized portrayal of Greek culture – after all, pushing against these stereotypes is essential to creating a realistic connection between both the Homeland and the Diaspora.