Moving to Cyprus is not just a change in geolocation. This is an immersion in a special philosophy of life. First you are a tourist, then an expat, but at some point you cross the invisible feature and notice the habits that used to seem strange.
We made a set of beliefs and situations. Mark to yourself every item that you confidently answer “yes!” And find out how far your cultural assimilation has gone.
Part 1. Food and drinks
For you no longer there is simply “coffee”. In your personal menu there is: Cyprus - for the soul, Freddo - for going to the light and Frapp - for the beach, and you accurately know which one you need right now.
You are firmly convinced that Hallumi is an independent product group, and you can cook it at least five different ways (including “just cut and eat”).
The Sunday smell of Sules, coming from the neighboring veranda, has become for you the official aroma of the weekend.
You know that morning baking from Zorkpas or Sigma solves 99% of all problems.
Choosing a watermelon, you authoritatively knock on it and look for the same “yellow speck”.
In your refrigerator there is always at least one type of olives.
Part 2. On the road
You perfectly took possession of the “Cyprus greeting” behind the wheel - an easy raising of the index finger, without tearing your arms from the steering wheel.
As soon as he heats up, your elbow automatically takes the position “outside the window”, becoming an integral part of the car.
You know that the emergency alarm button is actually the “you can park anywhere for 5 minutes” button.
Explaining the road, you use the guidelines “near that church”, “at the Big Roundbaut” or “after Frutaria”, but never the names of the streets.
It is normal for you to stop in the middle of the road to chat with a friend from the oncoming car.
A bus trip for you is an extreme measure comparable with a natural disaster. A personal car is not a luxury, but an organ of the body.
Part 3. Life and life philosophy
Your speech has turned into an explosive mixture from your native language, English and key Greek words: “Ela”, “Pamam”, “Malist” and, of course, “Sig-Sig”.
The philosophy "Sig-Siga" (slowly-beaming) ceased to be just a funny expression for you and became a guide to action (or inaction).
You have become more expressive: you laugh loudly, actively gesture in a conversation and do not see anything wrong with a little quarreling with a neighbor because of the parking lot, and after a couple of minutes to drink coffee with him.
You automatically plan all important things in the morning, because you know: after lunch, life on the island freezes.
Saturday morning for you is firmly associated with a trip to the farmer market for fresh vegetables and the obligatory bunch of greenery “just like that” from the seller.
You can determine the time of the year by type of insects that are trying to get into your house.
You know that in December it can be +20 ° C, but still you get a winter jacket, because “already winter”.
Summing up
Now calculate the answers “yes” and find your verdict:
1-6 points: "Honorary Tourist".
You still enjoy the vacation, even if it lasts not the first year. You drink coffee for your pleasure, but you still do not put your elbow out the car window out of habit. The world "Sig-Siga" is still a riddle for you.
7–13 points: "Confident Cyprus User."
You are firmly standing on your feet. You know where to buy the best hallumi, how to go around a cork in Limassol and that Saturday is a day for the market. Your assimilation is in full swing.
14–19 points: "Master of the philosophy of Sig-Sig."
Congratulations! You have reached the local Zen and take your time anywhere else. You can give advice to newcomers with your eyes closed and, probably, stopping yourself to chat in the middle of the road. Your transformation is almost completed, and Cyprus definitely became your home!
The material was prepared by Ekaterina Andreevakanal in Telegram
