The Greek family

Η οικογένεια (ee eeko-yenn-eea), the family, is still very strong in Greece and Cyprus, with several members of the same family often involved in family businesses like hotels and tavernas.

If you go out for a meal, especially in the summer when the schools are closed, you are likely to have ο πατέρας (oh pa-tair-ass), father, taking your order, η μητέρα (ee mee-taira), mother, in the kitchen cooking the food, and ο γιος (o yoss) and η κόρη (ee koree), son and daughter, serving your meal.

Families also tend to live in close proximity to each other, with η γιαγιά (ee yaya), grandmother, and maybe even ο παππούς (oh pappooss), grandfather, looking after small children while the parents are at work.