We tend to have more than our share of mishaps when we travel, but my first taste of Greek wine has topped them all
Prior to our first visit to Greece I did minimal research on what to expect. Much of the information seemed to echo repeatedly on how not to look like a tourist and especially how not to look like an American tourist. I told Steve, “We can’t look like American Tourists on our trip.” Practical as ever he retorted, “Why not? We are American Tourists?” “I don’t know,” I replied, “but sounds like it’s a big no no.” “Then you better start eating European Style”, he informed me.
Having no idea what eating European style consisted of, I was eager to learn. Obviously I have not been very observant over the years as I had no idea my husband ate differently than I did. Being the product of British born and raised parents he was taught to eat with his fork in his left hand keeping holding his knife in the right hand. Me of course used my right hand for everything, and if I did use a knife, I set each piece down when not in use. I’m going to tell you this took a lot of practice and I wore a lot of my food on my clothes.
Fast forward to one of our first evening meals in Milos. I was so excited to be in Greece and although a bit skeptical, try out new food. I was especially excited to try my first taste of Greek wine as I had read that Greek wine is different than anywhere else in the world and is very good.
After a busy day of exploring, we walked to a restaurant set along the water in Pollonia. Although it was dark already, the walk wasn’t far and we enjoyed the short, peaceful walk. The restaurant was fairly full and vibrant considering it was October. The aroma of grilled meat and Greek spices filled the air. The waiter set up an additional table along the water for us. I thought that was very sweet. He spoke English so I told him I would like a glass of red Greek wine please and Steve ordered a Lemon Fanta.
As we sat at our table enjoying the cool breeze coming in from the sea. We listened to the lively chatter of the other diners, the clicking of plates and forks and jolly laughter. We were soaking in the ambiance. From the sounds of the people, we appeared to be the only Americans here.
The waiter brought bread and oil, Steve’s Lemon Fanta, a wine glass and a strange pitcher and took our order. Assuming the wine was coming, I waited. It seemed like quite awhile but I continued waiting in anticipation. Finally, as I have little patience, I wondered aloud if the fancy decanter held my wine. Each time I mentioned it, Steve shook his head saying, “I don’t think that’s your wine, dear.” Finally, convincing myself that it was, I tentatively poured the wine in my glass as Steve shot a photo capturing my apprehension. The wine was a beautiful red and smelled inviting, bold and strong. Pleased with myself that I had figured out where my wine was I poured the entire pitcher in my glass commenting to Steve what a generous pour they served as the wine almost filled my glass.
Smiling I prepared to enjoy my first taste of Greek wine. Much to my disappointment, it was clearly not as I anticipated. From the look on my face, Steve could tell something was wrong. I told him, “it’s definitely homemade. It taste like the wine my dad used to make that turned.” Thinking cleansing my palate might help, I broke off a piece of the bread. After savoring the fresh bread, I took a gulp of the wine, unfortunately, it burned all the way down my throat. Choking I said, “This wine taste awful. It’s went bad.”
At that moment the waiter came to our table carrying a bottle of wine, “Where you get the wine,” he asked nodding at my glass. Timidly I pointed to the little pitcher. Horrified, he threw his hands up saying, “that not wine, that for bread. Balsamic wine vinegar to dip the bread not drink.” He switched to Greek and raised his voiced, speaking too his staff as he walked away. I distinctly heard “Amerikanos” more than once.
Three staff members hurried to our table. One removed my glass and also the vinegar decanter. Another brought fresh vinegar, pointedly setting it on a the separate small table out of my reach. The third staff member brought a clean glass and the waiter poured my wine.
The taverna had become quiet, except for Steve, he could not control his laughter. All the other diners were looking at us with amusement. What a site we made! Me duly embarrassed and mortified while Steve was practicality falling out of his chair roaring with laughter. Definitely the free entertainment for the night.
Even though my appetite was much diminished by this point, I was still able to enjoy my meal and also enjoy it. Furthermore, I even finished the real wine and it was quite good. Trying to mind my manners, I asked Steve for verification I was eating European style well enough to not look too touristy. He almost choked and quipped, “Seriously? If you drink their vinegar you are going to look like a tourist regardless of which hand your fork is in.”
Throughout the meal, Steve just couldn’t keep from laughing every few minutes. He found it hilarious that for weeks. After educating him on blending in, I was the one who made a the faux pas. The irony of it all! I still haven’t lived it down. He joked with the staff asking if this has happened a lot, they laughed with him stating, “No, never before, we will laugh about this for years.” By the end of the meal, I was laughing too, although to this day, I still don’t care for balsamic vinegar. Above all, I am glad that none of my other Greek wine experiences were anything like my first taste.
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What’s Souvlaki?- A Greek Travel Short Story
The Promendade- A Santorini, Greece Short Story
5 Great Beaches in Milos, Sept 2018
8 Day Greece Itinerary, Sept 2019
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Ahh…great Greek (balsamic) wine (vinegar)…oh, no 😂😂 I’m glad the real wine was palatable, and the food good. Thanks for sharing your experience, Lori ~ have a great weekend 🙂
You have a great weekend as well!!
Thank you, Lori 🙏🙂
That is hilarious Lori. I am sure you are not the first to do this. I have heard of some people thinking finger bowls served with rib meals is lemon soup. We were in Ireland on our honeymoon in 1977 and ordered steak, thinking it would come with side dishes. Wrong. We got a huge chunk of beef and nothing else. Now we know why the waiter looked at us funny when he asked, “Anything else”. The best we can do is smile at ourselves and tell a great story. Thanks for sharing. Allan
That would be so funny getting served just a steak! Love and learn! We get plenty of chances to laugh at ourselves and really makes the memories even better! I still have no idea why I thought that peculiar little pitcher contained wine!!! Thanks for reading! Still no snow here but very cold and rainy!!
That’s hilarious! I think we all make some sort of faux pas on our trips, especially during our first visit to a country with different customs from us…to be fair, your mistake isn’t that egregious: actually in France, sometimes waiters bring what’s called “les pichets,” which are sort of mini-pitchers with wine, especially if you want more than one glass. So the one in Greece isn’t too far off (although no thanks to the balsamic vinegar)! XD
Good to know! It was definitely a big surprise!
That was funny! Well maybe not for you, but amusing to read about. I have never mastered the British/European fork thing but do think it looks more elegant in Masterpiece movies.
4 years later and I am still working on the European eating. I’m doing better but it’s more like a combined way of eating now. In retrospect it is quite funny! It has become the family joke!
oh this story made me smile!! it reminded me of the very first time my parents took my sister and i our for FANCY dinner. oy, my mother, who was not the world’s most patient person, warned us REPEATEDLY we were NOT to embarrass her with poor manners at this fancy restaurant. So my dinner came with a side of something – i wasn’t sure what. I asked my father and he said (innocently, not maliciously) that he thought it might be applesauce. i LIKE applesauce so I took a good size spoonful and ate it. oh dear. it was horseradish. *grin* in fear of my mother’s retribution, i sat there with tears streaming down my face, not daring to do anything but swallow it. *laughing* so i learned at a VERY early age to ask and not assume. *grin* but oh wow – you sure have a wonderful story to tell 🙂 yay you for being able to laugh at yourself. glad you enjoyed the REAL wine. 🙂
I love your story! I bet you had tears streaming down your face, expecting applesauce and getting horseradish! Oh my! It is good to laugh at ourselves. It reminds me not to take myself or life to seriously! Plus I love a good story!! Thanks for sharing your story with me!! Lori
That’s hilarious – glad you could laugh it off! The husband, English to the core, uses utensils in the same manner as your husband and often gives me grief over my “cut – set down – transfer fork to dominant hand – stab food” method of eating. 🙂
I hear you! I have the same method and it works. Now I have an combination of the two so that makes it even more interesting! I definitely utilize my husband’s manner when we are with his born and raised proper British mother!
That’s too funny! Thanks for the laugh!
It is a good memory!
This is so funny. 😂 my husband asked me what I was laughing about so I told him your story and we both had a good laugh. Thank you so much for brightening our morning and sharing this story.
It definitely was not my finest moment but I love to share a good laugh! I will never understand how I actually thought that pitcher would hold wine! Thanks for reading! Lori
I am laughing out loud because what you did is exactly the thing I would’ve done. I really enjoyed your post!
Thanks! It is a good laugh! I’m sure they still talk about the American who drank their vinegar!
I don’t care for balsamic vinegar either. But not for the same reason as you! Great story!
Thanks!
Aw the scenery is so beautiful!
Milos is a beautiful island!
It’s clear that you had a memorable and humorous experience with your first taste of Greek wine. Your attention to detail in describing the scene and your interactions with the waiter make for an engaging read. It’s always a risk to try new foods and drinks when traveling, and it’s even more entertaining when things don’t go as expected. It’s good to remember that cultural differences can lead to unexpected situations and it’s always important to ask for clarification if something seems off. Thank you for sharing your story and bringing a smile to my face.
Thank you for commenting. Cultural differences can really lead to some interesting experiences! Being able to laugh at ourselves makes the uncomfortable situations better.