UK tourists advised to adapt in Greece to 'weird' personal space norms

British holidaymakers dreaming of a new life in Greece have been cautioned about a "shock" they might face, with the advice to "get used to it."

Those relocating to Greece as expats have encountered a "weird" issue, as shared by one expat who made the move.

Expat Ludmila recounted her experience: "One of the biggest culture shocks so far... even from the very beginning was the lack of personal space that everyone gives here. For me it was crazy. I don't know how it is everywhere else but [at home] if you are near someone, it's just weird."

"You cannot be too close to someone or you'll be considered a weirdo. If you go into the metro and there's somebody in the metro car, you need to go to the next metro car because if you sit in the same one you've got some weird motives."

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"It was definitely something I had to get used to," she explained on My Greek Expat Journey's YouTube channel. She also encouraged those contemplating a move to allow themselves time to adjust to the cultural differences, reports Birmingham Live.

Despite the initial shock, Ludmila expressed her overall love for her new life, stating she would "not go back" to Canada, having "fell in love with the weather", as she disclosed. Greece remains a top destination for UK tourists, with hotspots like Corfu, Crete, and Santorini drawing crowds each summer.

There are plenty of favoured destinations for Brits in Greece, not just the capital city Athens but also islands like Lesvos, Kos, Mykonos, Skiathos, Chios, Thasos, Samothrace, among others. Quoting the experts from Immigrant Invest: "In Greece, consumer prices, including rent, are 30 per cent lower than in the UK. Renting a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre costs €400 (£337) on average."

"Greece is one of the safest European countries and has an easy-going relaxed feel. Move to Greece and get high levels of safety, excellent education opportunities, comprehensive healthcare options, and a dependable rule of democratic law."