Warm, hospitable island
Cyprus dey sit wia Greece, Turkey and di Middle East dey meet, and im culture dey blend all three. Cypriots famous for generosity: to reject offer of coffee, fruit or seat fit feel like disrespect, so accept am graciously even if na only small sip you go take.
Greetings
- Handshake with eye contact suit first meeting.
- Friends dey greet with two kiss, starting for right cheek.
- Greek-speaking Cypriots go talk Yia sou (hello/bye to one person) or Yia sas (formal or plural). For di north, Turkish Merhaba common.
- Use person title and first name until dem invite you to be casual.
Food and di table
Chop na di heart of social life. Meze for taverna go bring 15 to 30 small dishes, from halloumi and tahini to grilled meat, so pace yasef.
- Wait make host talk kali orexi (enjoy) before you start.
- Make others top up your glass instead of you dey pour your own.
- Try di local zivania spirit and Commandaria, one of world oldest wine.
- To tear bread by hand na normal thing; no waste food.
Di kafenio and coffee
Village kafenio na social institution, traditionally for men but e dey welcome visitors well. Order Cyprus coffee (sketos for no sugar, metrios for medium, glykys for sweet) and never gulp am; sidon, talk and make di grounds settle.
Wetin to do and no do
- Dress well for church and mosque; cover shoulders and knees, and remove shoe for mosque.
- Greek and Turkish Cypriot politics and di island division na sensitive matter; listen pass wetin you go talk.
- To cross UN buffer zone between south and north na routine thing, but carry your passport.
- Punctuality dey relax socially but dem go expect am for business.
- To snap photo for military zones near Green Line na forbidden.
Tipping
Service dey warm but tips dem appreciate am, e no be must.
- Restaurants: round up or leave 5 to 10 percent if service no include.
- Cafes and bars: leave small change.
- Taxis: round up to nearest euro.
- Hotel housekeeping: 1 to 2 euros per day na kind gesture.
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