In the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day (clearly not a Greek holiday) and my brother’s birthday (yes, a Greek born on St. Patrick’s Day), I wanted to write about Greek-Americans and drinking.
All Greek people love to drink, it is just a simple fact. The difference between a Greek-American and a lot of other Americans, however, is that Greeks love to drink responsibly, even the teenagers and college kids (I am one, so I would know).
Why, might you ask? Because Greek people don’ t make a big deal out of drinking. My παππου has quite the heavy hand when it comes to pouring the alcohol and my mom, well let’s just say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree (remember her two martinis?). However, neither of them drink too much, they just know how to have a good time.
Having had my first drink of ouzo offered to me at age 12, alcohol never had the mystery behind it that it did for my other friends. Getting drunk just never made any sense to me. Why not just drink in moderation, enjoy yourself and not pass out/throw up?
In short, Greeks encourage drinking, but not binge drinking (although binge eating is a whole other game).
So while your friends are pounding down pints today, remember that the Greeks would advise you to have a few beers and then enjoy the night. It will save you calories and a hangover!
