The current meaning of Breaks in Greece

Breaks in Greece are less task

and more self related.

Interludes

The Greek word for break is dialemma which is very close to Plato’s meaning

of a musical pause.

The dialemma in Greece is defined by an individual urge to cover, in the

most cases, the need to be with others.

It is not organized around a task, which is let to rest in order to be picked up later.

Breaks in Greece are interludes and not interruptions

and notInterruptions

Seven deadly Greek breaks

Lunch Breaks

We very rarely have clear and disciplined lunch breaks.

Work LunchLunch Work

We eat while working, we

work while eating. Sometimes we

eat too much in our lunch breaks.

Sometimes we forget to eat.

Eating and working co-exist in Greece, even for the most valued meal, that is lunch and not dinner.

Less than 20% of the working population declare having disciplined lunch breaks during working hours

Smoking Breaks

Smoking in Greece co-exists with emotionally loaded situations: in sadness, in

joy, in pressure, in anxiety, in

grieve and in love.

Just a break

Smoking is perceived as a

pleasure maximizer, after a good dinner, after a big success, after good sex…

Recently enforced smoking regulations in Greece gave smoking a hard time restricting smoking from an

all accompanying habit to just a break.

The penetration of smoking in Greece, though decreasing over the last years, is still high, close to 40% of the adult population.

Social Network Breaks

Though computer literacy is

not that high in Greece, on

line social networks are more than welcome amongst PC / Laptop owners.

Work Net Network

Spending time in on line social

networks / is a par excellence

territory of the Greek psyche, because the on line

networks allow the co-existence of work and social bonding.

Facebook is often mentioned as the main reason for frequent internet use.

Coffee Breaks

Typically, coffee breaks are extended in Greece, with a lot of

talk and exchange.

Breeeeak

The psychological need is one and the same for all coffee occasions:

sharing, networking,

belonging. Only the type of coffee differs.

According to life stage, environment and socioeconomic stratum, we drink Frappe / Instant, Freddo,

French or Greek coffee and

most recently Freddoccino / Frappuccino types as well.

More than 80% of the adult population, enjoy daily coffee breaks with others such as friends, colleagues, relatives, etc.

Mobile Breaks

Mobile ownership is extremely high in Greece. Natural Priority –

Mobile uber allesWe all take numerous small breaks to share and exchange with friends and loved ones.

Answering an incoming call during work, even during meetings, is not seen as an interruption but rather as a “natural” priority.

The typical gesture of putting one’s mobile phone on the table, right up front any meeting clearly signifies this priority.

The ownership of mobile phones in Greece is around 90% of the adult population

Gaming Breaks

Gaming breaks are of salient importance for Greeks of all ages.

Gaming

Gaming breaks for Greeks are connected with experimentation in

adrenaline generating territories, as well as fantasizing of a better life.

Less than 10% of the Greek adult population declares abstaining from playing

Nap Breaks

We take naps during the day,

whenever possible, to limit

natural fatigue and thus be able to experience more within a day.

Breakzzzzzz

Sleep and dreams co-exist with daylight.

28% of the working population takes naps during work days and more than 50%during weekends and vacations.

Breaks in Greece

Breaks in Greece are not real “breaks” – short interruptions of a daily routine, but rather

dialemmata – meaning co-existing habits that enrich the quality of our daily routines.

To returnor

Not to returnWhen you enter a Greek dialemma you step into the territory of negotiation:

You can never be sure how the

question: “To return or not to return” will be finally answered!