We discuss the macroscopic behavior of smectic C-G liquid crystals. Smectic
C-G is the most general tilted smectic phase that is fluid in the layers.
It is characterized by global C-1 symmetry. Consequently, it is ferroelectr
ic; pyroelectric and piezoelectric, opening up a number of possible applica
tions for such a phase. As smectic C-G-phase has a macroscopic hand duc to
its structure, it is a natural candidate to explain the recent experimental
observations of left and right-handed helices in a system composed of achi
ral molecules. We also discuss critically to what extent smectic C-G could
be important for liquid crystalline phases formed by banana-shaped molecule
s. Phase transitions involving a smectic C-G phase and defects of its in-pl
ane director are briefly discussed.