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Contexte culturel

The phrase is often heard in 'kafeneia' (traditional coffee shops). It reflects the slow pace of drinking a Greek coffee, which can take hours. Rushing the coffee—or life—is seen as a lack of appreciation. In rural Greece, this phrase is a literal rule. Farmers still follow the 'old ways' of planting and harvesting by the moon and seasons, rejecting greenhouse-grown products that don't follow 'their time'. The concept of 'Divine Providence' is linked to this phrase. Many Greeks believe that God provides what is needed at the exact moment it is needed, making patience a spiritual duty. In busy cities like Athens, the phrase is used ironically or as a way to cope with bureaucracy. When a government office is slow, a citizen might sigh and say this to their neighbor in line.