Culture Shock in Cyprus

Expats will probably experience some degree of culture shock in Cyprus, but those moving to the island will be relieved to know that, for the most part, acclimatising to life in Cyprus is unlikely to require any drastic cultural adjustments.

Emerging from a fairly tumultuous history, Cyprus has become a wealthy country with a high Human Development Index and sound infrastructure that attracts considerable foreign investment.

Daily life in Cyprus

The Cypriot lifestyle is generally relaxed and informal – the island's unofficial motto is 'siga, siga' – 'slowly, slowly'. While this easy-going attitude towards life often attracts expats to Cyprus, it can be frustrating when dealing with bureaucracy or administrative affairs. Expats who are used to an efficient bureaucracy are advised to adjust their expectations accordingly.

As informal as life on the island can be, the culture in Cyprus is broadly marked by respect, honour and humility. Expats from countries where self-promotion is considered a worthy personal attribute might find that they rub against the island's social grain.  

Religion in Cyprus

Religion in Cyprus is important and respecting people's religious beliefs – whether they be Greek Orthodox or Muslim – is sacrosanct. Expats shouldn't challenge Cypriots about their religious convictions, and shouldn't proselytise if they want to get along with the locals.

North vs South Cyprus

The history of conflict between the Greek and Turkish sectors of the population in Cyprus is a fairly fixed feature of the island's social fabric, both figuratively and – with the country divided between a 'Turkish North' and 'Greek South' – literally. This is bound to result in some discomfort for expats from countries with homogeneous societies. That said, most Cypriots are welcoming of foreigners, and regardless of where expats choose to live, they will find their new countrymen to be friendly and hospitable.

Driving in Cyprus

Expats often complain that Cypriots are bad drivers. This may be a relative judgement, but people who are new to the island should take some time to adjust to the rhythm of the roads in Cyprus before taking the wheel themselves.

Animals in Cyprus

Finally, animal-loving expats may be disturbed by the number of stray dogs and cats on the island, which are mostly left to fend for themselves and are largely ignored by locals. As is the case in a city such as Athens, they're a part of the country and, while Cypriots generally aren't 'pet people', cruelty to animals is certainly not a norm.