The Greek art of 'kamaki'. Spearing a fish or woman.
By katerina
@thea09 (18305)
Greece
July 25, 2009 11:27am CST
'Kamaki' is an old fashioned fishing term which literally means 'to spear a fish' but has now been accepted as another fine art, the art of trying to pick up women. I'm not sure if it has actually entered the language as a verb yet but to 'make kamaki' is a national pastime round here, probably started by the fishermen. The old timers are now noticing the decline of this pastime and believe the newer generation are letting a good tradition slide as they do not have time with the advent of newer technologies to fully spend the time on making kamaki.
The ones who still practice it are charming and respectful, and when they receive a knock back, as they most times do, are still willing to sit and chat over coffee with no hard feelings and in time become good friends who still continue to practice their kamaki even though they know it is to no avail. They all expect by now to receive no success, but woebetide if one does spear a woman in this way, all his cronies will be fuming at his success.
So have any of you experienced anything like this, is it an art by another name in your country, do you practice it, fallen prey to it?
3 people like this
3 responses
@thedailyclick (3017)
•
25 Jul 09
Lol, well knowing how this discussion came about I nearly fell off my chair. I would have never have guessed that “kamaki” would be about picking up women and the fact that you’ve mentioned in the past that religious figures also partake in making Kamaki sort of blows my mind.
I like the fact that although the guys who make kamaki know they are more likely to be knocked back, they do it all in a respectful manner. That is really nice and also harmless. Makes me wish I was living in Greece and not in the UK.
I would say that here in the UK chatting up women, the closest I can think of for kamaki her, is a national pastime for many men except often or not it is not always done in a respectful manner. Plus with the way things are going in the UK these days you have to be extremely careful even when you are just partaking in harmless flirtation.
2 people like this
@thea09 (18305)
• Greece
25 Jul 09
Well I tell not a lie my friend. This is true. I was in my good friends cafenion sharing the local news and was sat with a local doctor, my fri end the cafenion owner, and a Pappas, a well respected chap with 6 children. i felt something on my leg and on looking down was horrified to see a boot clad foot sticking out of said Pappas's dress and loitering on my leg. I thought it must be accidental, this is a Pappas after all, but on moving my leg the foot went with it. I turned my chair away and didn't know if I should feel shocked or laugh. He got the hint and hasn't done it since and i still consider him a good friend but there he was, a Pappas making kamaki!
Believe me it's nothing like the English way. As I reall if you spurn a chat up line there you are immediately labeled a lesbian.
1 person likes this
@thedailyclick (3017)
•
25 Jul 09
I think I would have struggled to hold back the laughter, but as you say you are still friends which is great.
You are spot on about the English way and it only gets worse here.
And finally, many thanks for making me smile this has been the most entertaining discussion today and I certainly have achieved my goal of learning something new everyday. I hope this does get a few more responses as from an outsiders point of view it is very funny as well as educational.
@mysdianait (66005)
• Italy
28 Jul 09
This is where I am conflict - three languages and three different ways of going about the same thing 
The end result is supposed to be the same but it appears each nation has their own method of fishing.
I have decided of late that I'm blind to any bait thrown my way because too many fisherman, once they've got you hooked, seem to enjoy the idea of removing a few bones and then moving on when the next tide comes in. Not my cup of tea (or espresso) so I've have put myself onto the reefs and I watch froma distance. Fisherman don't go there but I can see if one appears on the horizon... and take to the waters again 
The end result is supposed to be the same but it appears each nation has their own method of fishing.
I have decided of late that I'm blind to any bait thrown my way because too many fisherman, once they've got you hooked, seem to enjoy the idea of removing a few bones and then moving on when the next tide comes in. Not my cup of tea (or espresso) so I've have put myself onto the reefs and I watch froma distance. Fisherman don't go there but I can see if one appears on the horizon... and take to the waters again 1 person likes this
@mysdianait (66005)
• Italy
3 Aug 09
Gosh Alice! I haven't been completely 'eaten up' yet and there are still some left-overs... ready for the next meal @thea09 (18305)
• Greece
28 Jul 09
Hello Mys, there's no chance of you being hooked from a fishing boat so don't worry, the fishermen wouldn't be willing to risk the fine from those pesky sea police to risk having a really good catch aboard
On the other hand they just might have to rescue you from those reefs
On the other hand they just might have to rescue you from those reefs1 person likes this
@mysdianait (66005)
• Italy
3 Aug 09
That's bad and that's what I'm not wanting to happen.
Maybe I should anchor myself to those reefs 
@mimpi1911 (25464)
• India
27 Jul 09
That's an interesting metamorphosis of a traditional term to a pickup line! I had no idea at all, thea! It's interesting how language, culture, customs evolve and as they say the only constant thing is change, we all evolve over the years.
Right now, I can't remember any instance but I am sure there must be many. Will get back as soon as I get to whet my memory!
1 person likes this
@thea09 (18305)
• Greece
27 Jul 09
Hi mimpi, so glad you like the concept. Interestingly the original use seems to have fallen out of fashion. I think I've not explained it just right, kamaki is not really a pick up line, it is an actual art which is dying out as the youngsters now are too busy to perfect it. Looking foward to hearing back when you've given your memory the old work out
