I was in a bar in Liverpool recently, and there were sailors from various countries in full uniform dress.
Some sort of naval convention or get-together was going on.
Most of the sailors had their ships name on an embroidered ribbon, around their hat. In the same manner that the British Royal Navy does.
I asked one of the British matelots…
“Why do the French sailors have their ships name, hat ribbons spelled out using the Greek alphabet letters.”
His reply was " They’d look bloody silly with French letters around their hats."
=)) :))