A Blessing in Disguise

Question: In what country is spitting at the bride and groom as they walk down the aisle considered good luck?

Answer: Greece.

There are lots of endearing cultural traditions people bring with them as poignant reminders of their homeland. This is not one of them.

Perhaps you remember the scene in My Big Fat Greek Wedding when the bride’s family let loose with a chorus of spitting as she walked down the aisle at her wedding. Did you think, oh, that’s just something they made up for the movie to get a laugh? Nope, that’s a thing. Greek tradition believes that spitting is a hedge against evil spirits and can chase away the devil. It’s a practice that doesn’t just happen at weddings, either. At baptisms in the Greek Orthodox church, you’ll see both the priest and Godparents giving the baby three quick "ftou’s" to ward off evil.

In addition to special family occasions like weddings and baptisms, spitting comes up (or should that be "goes out"?) like an involuntary reflex in everyday conversation. It’s common practice for Greeks to spit when someone mentions bad news, speaks of death, talks about a person’s health, or … pretty much anything else.

And for the record, Greeks aren’t really "spitting" and letting loose with a spray of saliva. While it sure sounds like a spit with all that "ftou, ftou, ftou" going on—it’s more of a pretend spit. So, at an event like a wedding, it should be taken as a symbolic gesture to ward off evil spirits and bestow blessings on the newlyweds as they begin their new lives together.

But let’s be honest, in most cultures the mere thought of spitting at someone—or just the pretense of doing so—is not just frowned upon but would be considered abhorrent behavior. And spitting at newlyweds, in a church, on their wedding day?! Do that in the U.S. and don’t be surprised if the priest comes over to give you the last rites.

It is a bit disconcerting to wrap your head around the idea that something that is the ultimate insult in the rest of the world has the opposite meaning in Greece. If some old Greek woman picks you out of a crowd and goes "ftou" with a flick of her hand in your direction, you shouldn’t get upset—she’s actually paying you a compliment. She’s wishing you good luck and protection from the evil eye because there must be jealous people around who would wish you harm. So, you’re worthy of jealousy, yay!

The concept of the evil eye goes back to at least the time of Classical Greece and is deeply ingrained among the Greek people. So, if they believe a little spittle can help chase away some evil and misfortune, where’s the harm?

Some other rather unusual wedding traditions around the world:

• Who ordered the chicken?: It’s common practice for a cow to be killed during a Zimbabwean wedding ceremony—although if none are available, usually a goat will do.


• Carpet Diem: After the ceremony In French Polynesia, wedding guests lie on the floor face-down, forming a long row. The newlyweds then walk over them like a human rug. We’re not sure if they take their shoes off first.


• They say it’s nothing like the chicken dance: Among the Tuaregs in Niger, after the ceremony, wedding guests are entertained by trained camels who show off their dance moves accompanied by the thumping soundtrack of drums.


• The scales of justice-of-the-peace: In Mauritius it’s customary for the bride-to-be to gain weight ahead of their wedding day. Supposedly, a larger bride reflects more positively on the groom, who is now perceived as wealthier since he can support such a well-fed wife. Because, you know, that’s what marriage is all about …


• Pairs well with fava beans and a nice Chianti: When a newly engaged couple in Mongolia want to set a wedding date, it’s traditional for them to hold a knife together and kill a baby chicken—and continue cutting in the hopes of finding a healthy liver. Aw, so sweet.


• Just yank it out and stop your blubbering: When a suitor wants to ask a woman’s father for her hand in marriage in Fiji, they’re expected to present the potential father-in-law with a whale’s tooth.


• They’re not fighting already, are they?: If you find yourself at a Congolese wedding, don’t expect big smiles and peals of laughter from the bride and groom. Newlyweds are expected to keep a straight face for the entire ceremony—otherwise it might suggest that they are not serious about their marriage.


• You may now kiss the bride, or is that the groom?: Though not as popular these days, Danish brides and grooms used to cross-dress, a tradition that grew about as a way to confuse any lurking evil spirits.

Embark on our The Aegean Islands, Athens & Istanbul Small Ship adventure to learn about Greek culture, traditions, and history.