We broke plates to relieve ourselves from material belongings and to wish good luck to the “drunkard” as he danced at Mykonos, a Greek restaurant in Las Cañitas de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
At that moment we though we were learning about Greek culture, however, while I was researching to write this article, I discovered that this tradition is no longer practiced in Greece.
In fact, the Greek government considers it dangerous to break plates; the establishments that want to allow its customers to follow this tradition must acquire a special license. For that reason, Greek spectators currently choose to throw flowers instead of plates to greet the dancers.
Nevertheless, the tradition of throwing plates is not a myth, although historians don’t seem to agree on how it came about.
There are those who affirm that the tradition started a few centuries ago when family members were accustomed to break the vessels that were used during funerals(controlled loss), as a way to overcome the death of their loved ones (uncontrollable loss).
While others declare that Greeks used to break plates against the marble floors to frighten away evil spirits with the loud noise of broken dishes.
Regardless of its origins, I admit that it was a great experience to break plates while we ate. Although, before breaking another plate to show my admiration towards a dancer I prefer to throw him a flower and an “Opa!” so he continues dancing.
At that moment we though we were learning about Greek culture, however, while I was researching to write this article, I discovered that this tradition is no longer practiced in Greece.
In fact, the Greek government considers it dangerous to break plates; the establishments that want to allow its customers to follow this tradition must acquire a special license. For that reason, Greek spectators currently choose to throw flowers instead of plates to greet the dancers.
Nevertheless, the tradition of throwing plates is not a myth, although historians don’t seem to agree on how it came about.
There are those who affirm that the tradition started a few centuries ago when family members were accustomed to break the vessels that were used during funerals(controlled loss), as a way to overcome the death of their loved ones (uncontrollable loss).
While others declare that Greeks used to break plates against the marble floors to frighten away evil spirits with the loud noise of broken dishes.
Regardless of its origins, I admit that it was a great experience to break plates while we ate. Although, before breaking another plate to show my admiration towards a dancer I prefer to throw him a flower and an “Opa!” so he continues dancing.
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