Simonn, is a Vietnamese student from Sydney and he doesn’t mind when Greeks call him a “Kinezo”. This is how he introduces himself every time he meets Greek people.
“Well, technically I am a Vietnamezo,” he says with humor and he explains that he started introducing himself to Greek people as a Kinezo, when he was working as a waiter at a wedding reception venue in Sydney where Greek weddings were held.
Simonn, learned some Greek words like ‘kali orexi’ and ‘efharisto’ to impress the guests.
“My name is Simonn or if you want you can call me ‘Kinezo’,” he used to tell the guests. This made them laugh and Simonn loved it.
Later on, he made a video speaking Greek and published it on Facebook. Then, MUNGA (Melbourne University Greek Association) reached out and asked him to make another video to promote their 'Souvla Day'. And so he did.
Source: Facebook/MUNGA
The video went viral and gave Greeks in Australia and in Greece alike, a good laugh.
What does Simonn like about Greek culture?
“What’s not to love about Greek culture? The people are so warm, the culture, the hospitality, the food, the filotimo,” Simonn replies and mentions how the Greek Community in Australia show him love and appreciation.
He ended up booking a last minute flight and attended "MUNGA Souvla Day".
“The best things are the unplanned ones,” he comments as a Greek would do.
How’s his search for a Greek wife (nyfi) going?
Simonn with the MUNGA team in Melbourne Source: Facebook/MUNGA
We asked him why he shared his mobile phone number in the video.
He was talking to a Greek girl and she told him “Simonn, if only you were Greek”.
He then found out, that some Greek grandmas are very strict and they want their grandchildren to marry someone from their home country.
“I am still looking, but in the meantime, I meet new people and that’s the beauty of it. I love how the Greek Community takes me in,” he says.
Does he think we embrace diverse cultures enough in Australia?
“The very core of Australia is multiculturalism,’ he says
“Some people like it that I speak their language. Some others don’t”
Simonn had negative feedback as well with his videos, but he focuses on the positive side of things.
“Most people appreciate the fact that I love their culture and I’m very careful not to do any harm.”
