Greeks find little enjoyment or happiness in spending time on their own. They love the buzz of being out and about in the company of others. Their happiness is not complete unless they can enjoy it surrounded by a parea, or a group of friends. If a Greek person says, "Do you have a parea?", she or he means, "Do you have company?"

Greeks love moving about their neighbourhoods, villages, towns and cities in these pareas, eating, drinking, laughing, chatting, shouting, and teasing each other. They are always ready to add to the company congenial acquaintances, and even strangers encountered along the way.
Being with a good parea in Greece is like going to a picnic, having a birthday party, and joining a family re-union all at the same time!

Greeks enjoying parea are all around you all the time when you are in Greece. Just take a look to the left, right, up, and down; you will recognise parea immediately!

the editor (centre, grinning... and younger !) enjoying parea with chums at Sofia's Taverna on Tilos.