Historically known as a country of intellectuals and heroes that gave the world democracy, Western philosophy and the Olympics, Greek pride has been hurt of late, as has its image abroad.

Into its fifth year of recession and second international rescue package, its government is often portrayed as "creative accountants" struggling to introduce much-needed reform, while its people are accused of evading taxes and living beyond their means.

Although other European nations may very much be guilty of similar charges, the Hellenic Republic has inadvertently become emblematic of the eurozone's economic crisis.

But how do such perceptions -- justified or not -- affect the day-to-day life of Greek expats in Europe?

Having continually had their homeland in the headlines for all the wrong reasons, many overseas Greeks in the old continent speak of experiencing pity and, in certain cases, hostility from their European peers.

Sophia Kleiosi, 31, is a contractor for European institutions in Brussels who holds a masters in international politics and speaks four languages. At work, however, she is referred to as "Miss Bankruptcy."

"I understand such jokes are made in a friendly way but they still hurt. This lack of respect is something we never thought we would face," Kleiosi said.

Politicians and bureaucrats from Brussels to Athens have finalizing a deal with private creditors to write off 70 percent of Greece's debt burden. The aim is to reduce the country's debt from 160 percent of GDP to 120 percent in 2020.

The media, meanwhile, is rife with analyses over whether Greece will default on its debt, exit the eurozone and trigger a possible collapse of the European common currency.

Many like Theofanis Kilinkaridis, an IT professional in Belgium, seem to be bearing the brunt of such constant negative publicity. He once introduced himself as a Greek national to a Western European whose response was, "Oh, I'm sorry."

"When this happens, I try to change the topic with a little joke usually, but still make it known I don't consider Greece solely responsible for the crisis," Kilinkaridis said.

Unfortunately, public and expert opinion in mainland Europe is often heavily stacked against Greece, as 29-year-old Maria Matsira knows only too well. During economics classes at the Johns Hopkins University in Bologna, Italy, her professor would always present Greece as "the bad example".

In the face of growing public anger and disillusionment in Greece, however, she is among the more fortunate ones.

After working abroad till 2009, Matsira returned to Greece in the midst of the financial crisis and spent two years unsuccessfully sending employers her CV. "I then decided to do a third masters degree just to leave the country as quickly as possible," Matrisa said.

Even when Greek professionals manage to find work in Europe with the right skills, monetary support and luck, it's not always smooth sailing. Kleiosi often finds herself in difficult situations even during casual lunch breaks, trying to justify Greece's "incoherent political decisions."

"When George Papandreou announced the referendum in November, colleagues used to stop me in the corridors to ask me if he was mad. I had nothing to say in defence because I felt betrayed myself," she said.

Greek expats say they are beyond fed up of being put on the spot about their country's woes in professional and social settings alike.

"I'm tired of people asking me about the Greek debt. I want the best for Greeks who are living in Greece," said 31-year-old Anastasia Papageorgopoulou, who studies and works as a nanny in London.

"If it's better to exit the eurozone then we should do that. Having said that, I know this action would affect Greeks living in Europe," she added.

So who is to blame for the Greek crisis? Scientist Alexandra Xylouri, 34, who moved to Crete in 2009 after four year in Leeds, admits some aspects of the bad press Greece receives is not without reason.

"We are to blame because of who we vote here. When a Greek doesn't pay his taxes because he thinks he doesn't owe anyone, builds his house in a way there is no space left for a pavement, finds a job only because he knows the right people, then we are to blame," she said

"But we are not lazy, we do work really hard. What many Europeans don't know is that their countries helped us to get to this situation.

"However, with the inferior treatment we get from people in Europe, it is clear we are no 'European family' and I am glad the masks are finally off," Xylouri added.

If Athens passes the latest round of austerity measures, which includes a 20 percent reduction in minimum wage, 15,000 civil service lay-offs and further pension cuts, it will receive European Union funds worth 130 billion euros (171 billion U.S. dollars) and be able to repay international creditors by their mid-March deadline.

Yet many see dark days ahead for Greece and say they cannot return home anytime soon.

"It feels like I've been shut out of my life in Greece. The situation has deprived me of being with my family, friends and my natural environment. Everything else it is just a compromise," said Kleiosi.

Xylouri, however, is more positive. "Greece will survive, I know it. She will stand on her feet once again," she said.

"Many people will suffer in the process, but that's how it has always been with Greece."