So many people I talk to seems to have this idea, driven by the media and not personal experience, that Greeks are lazy and aren’t doing anything innovative.  This is simply not true.

• Greeks were ranked third in Europe for the number of hours they work in a year, according to a poll surveying 1995-2005.
• Greek healthcare is amongst the best in the world.  It’s universal.
• The Greek maritime industry is recognized as incredibly powerful in the world economy.  It’s not as high as it was in the 1970s, but Greek shipping heirs still seem to be attracting the likes of Paris Hilton and an Olsen twin.
• Greek companies, such as Korres and Apivita, are leading the natural skincare and makeup revolution.
• Greece is leading animal rights activism by banning the use of animals in circuses.
• Greeks are often considered the most hospitable people.  It’s no wonder tourism continues to thrive, despite the media’s ploy to scare people away from the country.  Time + Leisure magazine named Santorini “The World’s Best Island” last year.
• Greece’s Peloponnese region hardly needs to market itself to attract surfers and golfers from around the world.
• Greek wine is currently having a revival.  Greek wine is very trendy right now in the United States.
• Greece is home to the longest cable-stayed bridge in Europe.

Greece is working hard to bridge the gap between its rich history and its present.  The country is respecting its past, its traditions, its natural landscape, and its flora and fauna, while simultaneously capitalizing on these strengths.

Tags: animal, animal rights, Apivita, bridge, circus, Europe, golf, Greece, Greek wine, healthcare, history, Korres, makeup, media, Olsen twins, Paris Hilton, Santorini, shipping, skincare, stereotype, surfing, tourism, tradition, work