1. Would you like more Greek friends?

Best answers: José (Spain) You cannot control that! They just appear! Phaedra (Netherlands) Yes I would like more Greek friends. They are more fun to hang around with and have way more topics to talk about Simon (Ireland) Yes, I would like more Greek friends? Vayani (Pakistan) One is enough ha ha!!!!

And the rest: Jim (UK), Yes, Always Kelly (Netherlands) Why not? I like the greek. They’re good party people Elina (Latvia) Yes, I do.!I love Greeks Sandra (Germany) To be honest, I never thought about friends in terms of nationality. But yes, I would like more friends in general Irma (Netherlands) Yes Kenneth (USA) Yeah why not there is always room for more Jelmer (Netherlands) A true friend is always a joy in life – Greek or not Louise (Netherlands) Yes, why not Lilly (Germany, China) I would love more Greek friends 🙂 Gerard (Netherlands) Not just because they are Greeks, but Greek musicians on the other hand. .. Bram (Netherlands) Not necessarily more Greek friends Ilaria (Italy) Yes i like to be around them Bärbel (Netherlands) Ochi Ernie (Netherlands) If it happens, yes Annemiek (Netherlands) Yes, i would like! Sandra (Colombia) Yes Kim (Suriname) Yes, friends with different backgrounds only makes you richer Maria (Nicaragua with roots in Iran & Armenia) Yeeeeeeeeeeeeees Adedeji (Nigeria) Never get tired of Greek friends so yes Jille (Philippines) In general I want to have more friends, but I have my limitations, Greek or non Greek as long as it clicks and we have commonalities Natanaël (Caribbean, Curacao) Maybe Joice (Suriname) One is enough, I would get crazy otherwise 🙂 Zub (Turkey) Yes Sonja (Netherlands) Why not, when they are nice people… thank u sonja for ur time… keep going Lodewijk (Netherlands) No Sindy (Netherlands)  I don’t mind where my friends come from Patricia (Spain) Always Roel (Netherlands) Anytime

Conclusion: Maybe you expected a big 100% yes, ts ts ts. There are actually people that can stand only 1 Greek friend! Learn from that!

2. What greek habit do you like the most and which is the one you hate?

     Best answers: Elina (Latvia)I like that Greeks takes everything more or less easy or what I mean ,,halara». I don’t like when Greeks say ,, in a while», because you never know if it will be 15 minutes, half an hour or an hour! José (Spain) I like that you have frappe but i cannot stand it to see you hold it for 3 hours!!! Jelmer (Netherlands) Positive habit: not afraid to touch eachother (not sexually, but in terms of human warmth) 2) negative habit (in my eyes): kseroles

And the rest: Jim (UK) I love the warmth and tactile behavior, I most dislike the washing of streets with bleach and a broom! Kelly (Netherlands) Greek habit? I like that family is very important for you. What I hate? I haven’t really found a habit that I hate. Something about the Greek could be that they are quite stubborn, this of course can be a good or a bad thing Sandra (Germany) I like most Greek passion, warmth and generosity of spirit. I hate most repeated and heavily brutal swearing, as well as ultimate male righteousness and macho-genes. Irma (Netherlands) Most Greeks are warm and friendly. There’s no habit that I hate. Kenneth, (USA) I like the Greek eating habits always good food and company. Can say of any habits that I hate so far Louise (Netherlands) I like the way they flirt and I don’t like the habit that they are almost never on time Lilly (Germany, China)  I like that Greek people are so loud when you are talking to each other! It’s really funny to observe.. Don’t know what I hate Gerard (Netherlands) Like: Greeks never seem to care about time Hate: same as above Bram (Netherlands) Always ready to help or support a friend or family member or even stranger in need. Not taking agreements or appointments too seriously Ilaria (Italy) Eating together ( i dont have 1 that i hate) very friendly, fun to be around they enjoy life Bärbel (Netherlands) Like: Hospitality, Dislike: Chaos Ernie (Netherlands) Love: Not having an agenda. Hate: Loud talking like they have an argument Phaedra (Netherlands) The Greek habit I like the most is the good humor they have on the right moments. The one I hate(d) most, is the loud ‘angry’ conversations, standing up and waving their arms. Before I knew that was just talking, I thought that they were fighting Annemiek (Netherlands) What i like the most is the hospitality, what i don’t like is the «Greek time’, everybody is always late Sandra (Colombia) I don’t know! Vayani (Pakistan) Not discovered yet Kim (Suriname) I am very interested in Greek mythology. So I love that part of Greek history. Greek people and Surinam people are very polite. You always have to eat something. It’s a great habit/ tradition, but sometimes you don’t have room to eat more and they still force you to eat more Maria (Nicaragua with roots in Iran & Armenia) Hospitality, I haven’t have a lot of experience with Greeks to know which habit I hate Adedeji (Nigeria) I like the fact that if they do or don’t like you, you’ll know, they are very real, i don’t like too much laid backness, not getting things done on time Jille (Philippines) I think the passion of Greek is as well as I like and also can not really deal with as I am a person that is not really know how to deal with confrontations and Greeks are very out there with their emotions. But that is more my problem than a Greek Natanaël (Caribbean, Curacao) Making a lot of noise when they have fun! I don’t know other habits Joice (Suriname) Their hospitality, willingness and spontaneity. Their less nice habit I find their difficulty with learning to say «no» at least once! Simon (Ireland) Don’t know what are specific Greek habits Zub (Turkey) Hate is not a word that i like to use but i love their nutrition habits Sonja (Netherlands) I really do not know, sorry Lodewijk (Netherlands) Love: the innocent way of living. Many parties without a reason. Hate: THEY ALWAYS RUN LATE Sindy (Netherlands) How do I know what habits are Greek and Which are not.. I do not throw my dishes on the floor but I do like ouzo before dinner. Patricia (Spain) hopaaaa I don’t hate nothing there Roel (Netherlands) No clue. I like the good times even family is together. I dont know greek customs by name

Conclusion: We get likes for our hospitality, family, passion, eating habits, humor, flirt, politeness, generosity, but somebody is trying to tell us something: 8 answers were: THEY ALWAYS RUN LATE. It is not a stereotype anymore but a reality. Food for thought!

3. Do you drink frappe?

Best answers: Joice (Suriname) Jaaaaa, and this is because I like it much more than Dutch coffee Sonja (Netherlands) What the hell is frappe??? José (Spain) Yes, but i drink it a lot faster!!!

And the rest: Jim (UK) No, I’m vegan and prefer espresso freddo Kelly (Netherlands) Frappe? The delicious ice shake chocolate thing? Is that Greek? Elina (Latvia)Yes, I do. Usually, I like to drink it in summer, because it gives energy and it’s refreshing, I can’t imagine to drink hot coffee in Greek summer. Sandra (Germany)No Irma (Netherlands) I don’t drink frappe, but I do drink Greek coffee. Kenneth (USA) Nope I don’t Jelmer (Netherlands) Yes – I like it Louise (Netherlands) Yes, because Vasilis / Alexandros make them very well Lilly (Germany, China) I don’t drink frappe, but it’s it’s warmer, I would definitely try! Gerard (Netherlands) Occasionally yes, but not the nescafe variety. I make it myself from good espresso Bram (Netherlands) No Ilaria (Italy)  I don’t drink frappe but i love ouzo Bärbel (Netherlands) Yes Ernie (Netherlands) Only on summer vacation in Greece Phaedra (Netherlands) Yes. Because a filter coffee in the summer sucks, and also to get the Greek feeling Annemiek (Netherlands) Of course i drink, its the best coffee in the world! Sandra (Colombia) Yes Vayani (Pakistan) No, i didn’t have the chance to sip it Kim (Suriname) No Maria (Nicaragua with roots in Iran & Armenia) No Adedeji (Nigeria) Nope i prefer Elliniko cafe hot, not frappe Jille (Philippines) No, do not drink coffee at all Natanaël (Caribbean, Curacao) No! Don’t know it Simon (Ireland) Yes.  It’s tasty Zub (Turkey) No, i am not a fan of coffee Lodewijk (Netherlands) Yes. Because it is coffee, cold and taste very soft Sindy (Netherlands) I drink frappe when it is hot and I feel like having a cup of coffee Patricia (Spain) wine and ouzo Roel (Netherlands) Did drink it some time ago in a greek restaurant

Conclusion: Half of the people we asked, don’t like or drink frappe. So, NOT everybody likes Frappe, i know, it’s shocking!

4. Which is your favorite greek food?

Best answers: Sandra, (Germany) Leo (my partner ), olive oil (young) and cretan yogurt with walnuts & thyme honey Elina (Latvia) I can’t name one! I like mousaka, green pepers with feta, stuffed tomatoes and paprika etc. I love Greek sweets. They are the best sweets what I have ever ate in my life! Jim (UK) Fava or fasolakia Kelly (Netherlands) Haloumi Ilaria (Italy) That pastry with feta and spinach (don’t know the name), moussaka and the meatballs we had last time

And the rest: Irma (Netherlands) Greek food, all sorts Kenneth (USA) I like it all José (Spain) Keftedakia & Tzatziki Jelmer (Netherlands) Soutzoukakia Louise (Netherlands) Paidakia Lilly (Germany, China) Bougatsa! The one with spinach and cream, and spinach rice.. Gerard (Netherlands) When it’s prepared properly: katsikaki Bram (Netherlands) Papoutchakia Bärbel (Netherlands) Spanakopita Ernie (Netherlands) Kokkinisto Phaedra (Netherlands) Pita souvlaki kotopoulo, not with soz but with tzatziki Annemiek (Netherlands) Pita Gyros Sandra (Colombia) Vegetarian dishes Vayani (Pakistan) Anything except metal and wood Kim (Suriname) Kotopoulo me ryzi and Tzatziki Maria (Nicaragua with roots in Iran & Armenia) I don’t know, no experience with Greek cuisine yet Adedeji (Nigeria) Saganaki Jille (Philippines) Salad, sea food Natanaël (Caribbean, Curacao) No idea! Joice (Suriname) Mmmmmmmm  I wish I didn’t like any of the them 🙂 Simon (Ireland) Thai food (sorry Greece) Zub (Turkey) Soutzoukakia Sonja (Netherlands) Sorry, sushi is my favorite Lodewijk (Netherlands) Bekrimeze Sindy (Netherlands) My favorite food is chocolate like most woman. .. Or otherwise cheese Patricia (Spain) All food is great Roel (Netherlands) Moussaka & souvlaki Nomnomnom

Conclusion: Everybody loves Greek food!

5. Why do you have Greek friends, coincidence or conscious choice?

Best answers: Sandra (Germany)I have a Greek Partner, and I consciously chose the person, not the nationality. Interestingly my parents (who are seperated) both had a Greek love in the past, do we have a »Greek theme» running in the family. Must be more than coincidence… Lilly (Germany, China) Greeks are everywhere in Amsterdam, and they like to talk to people, I think everybody knows at least one Greek! My first Greek person was pano, my former roomate.

Jim (UK) My partner is part Greek and we lived in Athens for a year and made some of our best friends there Kelly (Netherlands) Pure coincidence and I’m happy with it haha Elina (Latvia) I have Greek friends by coincidence. Irma (Netherlands) Some coincidence, some conscious Kenneth (USA) Coincidence José (Spain) Choose!!! Jelmer, (Netherlands) Must have been greek in my previous life and it is a good way to stay in touch in the next one Louise (Netherlands) It started as a coincidence and till now I am stuck with one Gerard (Netherlands) Well, because I have been playing Greek music since I was 17 Bram (Netherlands) Coincidence Ilaria (Italy) Coincidence and affinity Bärbel (Netherlands) Both Ernie (Netherlands) My husband is Greek, that’s why Phaedra (Netherlands) I have Greek friends because the culture attracted me. Way of thinking, acting and life Annemiek (Netherlands) I just met them at holidays, and of course i love my Greek friends coincidence choice Sandra (Colombia) The warm, my friend Des (proud) put me in touch with my roots Vayani (Pakistan) Coincidence but proud to have a Greek friend Kim (Suriname) Coincidence Maria (Nicaragua with roots in Iran & Armenia) Coincidence Adedeji (Nigeria) I lived in their country, so why not Jille (Philippines) Through work Natanaël (Caribbean, Curacao) Coincidentally Joice (Suriname) Lots of similarities with the Surinamese culture, like hospitality, willingness and spontaneity. There is no such a thing like coincidence. We just had to meet each other and become friends. It was meant to be! Simon (Ireland) Coincidence I suppose Zub (Turkey) Meeting with them may be coincidence but being friends is not Sonja (Netherlands) Coincidence… Lodewijk (Netherlands) Choice Sindy (Netherlands) Coincidence Patricia (Spain) Feta… Roel (Netherlands) Young gouda

Conclusion: Greeks are everywhere in Amsterdam, and they like to talk to people, I think everybody knows at least one Greek. Lilly told us so! Most of them met us by coincidence but kept us by choice!

6. Feta or young Gouda?

Best answers: Louise, (Netherlands) Feta fits choriatiki, but old amsterdam is fitting well too Phaedra (Netherlands) Feta and all the other good cheeses Greece has to offer. Yummie. Don’t even know why they sell Gouda in Greece! Adedeji (Nigeria)  Feta s’agapw polu 😀 Natanaël (Caribbean, Curacao) FETA of course! Not everyday! Whahahaha!

And the rest: Jim (UK) Neither thanks, Vegan. Although years ago I would have said feta for sure, and we’re experimenting with making a fermented vegan cashew feta Kelly (Netherlands) Definitely feta Elina (Latvia) Definitely feta! Sandra (Germany)FETA, definitely! Irma (Netherlands) To be honest, I like both Kenneth (USA) I like all the cheeses but now that I’ve been hanging out with the Greeks and see and taste all the things they make with feta I really love it José (Spain) Feta Jelmer (Netherlands) Gouda Lilly (Germany, China) Gouda! Don’t like feta Gerard (Netherlands) Easy: feta! Bram (Netherlands) Feta. But if the choice was between feta and oude kaas… Annemiek (Netherlands) Feta! ( I think i was Greek in my previous life) Ilaria (Italy) Definitely Feta! Bärbel (Netherlands) I eat both! Ernie (Netherlands) Young Gouda Sandra (Colombia) Feta of course! Vayani (Pakistan) Not tried yet but I believe the Greek will be the best Kim (Suriname) Feta! Always Feta! Maria (Nicaragua with roots in Iran & Armenia) FETA like we have in Armenia, my two boys are crazy about feta! Jille (Philippines)  Feta Joice (Suriname) FETA!, i use it weekly in my diet It’s not to be compared with jong belegen Simon (Ireland) D’oh. Feta of course Zub (Turkey) Both, in different contexts Sonja (Netherlands) Feta!!!!!!!! Lodewijk (Netherlands) Gouda Sindy (Netherlands) Both…I love all cheeses, depends what else your having

Conclusion: Feta won. It’s not like we weren’t expecting that one 😉

Thank you all for your answers and for being our friends