Saturday, 19 November 2011

THIS is why we stay!

I’ve just discovered (with the help of colleagues) what it is about Greece! You’ll remember my last post where I pondered this question - What IS it about Greece? Well, I think I have my answer.

Apart from recently realising I have become more Greek than even I was aware, the thing that keeps the likes of you and I in Greece is our underlying contempt for anything in authority. I was a pain in school – I automatically hated teachers merely because of WHO they were, well – ‘teachers’! You know, those people who had this smug air about them and insisted you ‘do as I tell you.’ That was never good enough for me – I had to have a REASON, even if that reason was just because it’s the syllabus and it’ll help you get one more qualification.

Irony is, I have become a teacher myself! But I am well trained and have a good eye for this trait in my students, hence I am good with the trouble makers and make SURE they understand why they have to do something. Kids smell fear a mile off – I should know. Hence, ironically, why I actually really love my job – because I get to deal with the people who were (are??) like me – and do it differently to how I was treated at school (basically shut up and put up or get a lot of detentions. Yes, I took the detention route. And yes, “The Breakfast Club” is one of my favourite films).

So back to the Greeks not liking authority: well, they DON’T do they? And can you blame them??? I’m not just talking about their baton wielding police force (who, actually, I feel quite sorry for: these guys’ training is BRUTAL and they aren’t taught to think, merely be muscle), but their politicians too. I mean, let’s face it – look at what’s going on in Greece…would YOU have any respect for authority by the example of what’s been dealt them of late?? Hence why Greeks automatically try to find ‘alternative ways around things’ (ahem, like paying taxes). It’s because they’ve been TOLD to do it. Rule no.1: don’t tell a Greek to do anything!

Which brings me back what I was saying: those of us who stay…examine your character a little and you will probably find you secretly (or maybe not so secretly) admire the Greek equiv. of the 2 fingered salute to authority – the flat palm. Hence why we like it here.

And the other reason? Well, in my last post I talked about becoming slightly Greek when I yelled. I realised today that when I was yelling at that poor woman, it was IN GREEK! I even impressed MYSELF at my range of Greek yelling vocabulary.

Source: http://www.sott.net/articles/show/204559-Connecting-the-Dots-Cosmic-Climate-Change-Financial-Terrorism
See! Even the pensioners are yelling!

Yelling is much more effective in the Greek language – it sounds so much more, well, violent and as if you mean it. I mean, try saying in English in a loud voice:

“I have paid my money and if something is not done about this, then you are an incompetent being who’s been raised by a whore.” No – doesn’t quite go does it. And “whore” is a terrible thing to say in English – eh, not so much in Greek.

On the other side of the bipolar Greek spectrum, saying beautiful things is much nicer in Greek too. I find myself frequently speaking cutie things to my cats in Greek and a lot of old ladies, upon meeting them for even just the first time, refer to me as a ‘copela mou’ or ‘coukla mou.’ (‘My girl’ or ‘my doll’). Doesn’t quite go in English eh? (anything with a ‘mou’ is a compliment, a REAL compliment – you’re not being called a cow, don’t worry).

So there we have it – reasons for staying, insults and sweetness all in one.

Tuesday, 15 November 2011

How I knew I'd become 'Greek' without actually being 'Greek'

Was it when I hailed a taxi driver from across a busy street and he yelled at me

"Pou?" and I knew he was asking me "Where [do you want to go to]?" as opposed so "Pooo! You smell like poo!" ?

No, it wasn't then.

Was it when I could lipread two friends greeting each other on the trolley in Greek [whilst listening to my iPod] and asking each other how they were?

No, it wasn't then either.

It was when I picked up the phone, today, to speak to the lady who runs the maintanence of our building. Let me explain:

In Greece, most blocks of flats are quite old (especially in Athens) and built around the 1960's/1970's. The central heating in these flats are centrally controlled, ie: the people who run the maintanence of the building purchase oil each winter and collect money from each flat for it.
Now then - as we all know, this year has been a disaster for Greece and Greeks and many people do not have money, not to mention the price of purchasing a litre of heating oil is exactly the same price as purchasing a litre of petrol at the pump (nearing 2 Euros). I have no idea how many litres of oil is required to heat an entire building with 50 flats in it, but I am guessing it's a lot.

And people haven't been paying the oil bill - so, the heating's been left off until more people pay (this is one thing I DO miss about the UK: individually controlled central heating).

So, back to the matter in hand - how did I know I'd become 'Greek'?
I call the woman today, after trying to get in touch with her since the weekend - it's 9 degrees outside and windy. I SCREAM at her, I mean SCREAM that it is COLD and she needs to arrange to get the heating put on a.s.a.p. She has already bought the oil needed (with the money she already has - of which I have contributed I might add) and the conversation is one of YELLING (from me) and PLACATING (from her).

Guess what? Within the hour, the central heating is on for the first time this winter.

I don't like yelling, but those of you who know me would agree that I am slightly more outspoken and brutal than your average Brit - hence maybe why I suit this environment?
And did it feel good to yell like that - hell yeah! I might have to learn to do it more often.

Godzilla - watch out.

Sunday, 13 November 2011

Maybe Greece is better off without a Government??

Seriously - last week whilst they there, in the Presidential Palace, were all bellyaching about who should run the country...out on the streets it was as quiet as a mouse: no strikes, demos, NADA.
And come Friday, when Papademos was sworn into power, guess what? Public transport ground to a halt as the roads in the centre were closed due to another demo.

And all eyes are off Greece now anyway - eyes are on Italy now. Greece, for the time being, is 'old news' in the fickle world of the media...we are newspaper wrapping for your fish and chips.

Due to the fact it's been so quiet (for a change), not a lot else going on at present - oh, except I am typing this with a hat and fingerless gloves on, let me explain:
Most heating in older buildings in Athens and, indeed Greece - is centrally controlled. Every flat in the building pays a monthly charge (like a Maintainance Charge) and in the winter months, this goes up as the caretaker of the building (usually an elderly long term resident) has to purchase oil so that our flats can be heated.
Yes, our heating is not independent - it is centrally controlled. Now - why am I in a thick jumper, hat and gloves? Because half the people in the building can barely afford FOOD, let alone the money to pay for the heating (and the price of oil has sky rocketed too).
This weekend's been the coldest so far - 10 degrees, and no heating! I hope this doesn't go on for much longer...I will have to use the portable electric heater but I, too, have to budget as guess what has ALSO sky rocketed??!! Yes, the taxes imposed on electricity bills. I am dreading my December bill - as is most of Greece.

In the meantime, to keep you all smiling I spied this last night: well, they aren't called SMART cars for nothing I guess! At least Greeks can think of ever inventive ways to park them...I could picture this driver saying "Not enough room lengthways? Den pirazi (Never mind)!!"

Wednesday, 9 November 2011

"Other countries are stupid because they follow rules"

In light of my last piece and the trouble with Greeks, I just had to write a small piece about this comment I received today from a student. He felt that other countries were not as intelligent as the Greeks because, well, as I stated in the title...he referred to people in other countries as 'sheep.'

Maybe this helps sum up the problems Greece face?? If you ask a Greek why they are disobeying the law, they won't know why - they just automatically do it because they think it's stupid if you don't.

Hmmmm...ponder on that and comments please!

Sunday, 6 November 2011

Don't judge a book (or a Greek) by its/his cover

A lot’s been happening lately, as we all know. Greeks have been waiting with baited breath for the next ‘instalment’ in the country’s current political soap opera. My worry, personally, is that the ‘esteemed’ Mr Papandreou is taking a course of action to cover his own backside rather than for the good of the country – but anyway, this will be borne out over the coming days and we shall see. Besides, I’m no political commentator and certainly no expert.

People accuse the Greeks of being lazy and often point the finger at Greece . There’s a hidden irony there, considering Greeks are the masters of also pointing the fingers outwards and rarely at themselves. Still, it is madness to call a Greek ‘lazy’ – outspoken, yes…passionate, yes, even anarchic, but not lazy.

It has been said that Greece is ‘ungovernable.’ I snorted at this when I first arrived (because yes, this has been banded around for long before the economic crisis ever occurred). Now, having lived here for just over 3 years, I can see that yes, it might well be. You see, the problem with Greece is the Greeks. That may sound weird and rather arrogant, especially coming from an expat Brit, but let me explain:

Greeks INDIVIDUALLY are kind, nurturing and will do anything, I mean anything to help you. Within the space of literally a few months I had formed friends that had done more for me than friends in the UK have done in the YEARS I’ve known them. My Greek friends have gone out of their WAY for me - accepted me into their home, their lives and treated me as one of their own family.

Example: having not felt great for a few days, I spoke to my friend today (a Sunday) and she could hear I wasn’t so well. She knows I live alone (apart from Traki and Sissy) and the next thing I knew, within the hour she’d turned up on my doorstep with her family Dr and a bag full of homemade soup and other soothing foods.

Another example – in the summer I had to apply for my Residency Certificate. My dentist (of all people) who is an incredibly friendly person went out of her way to help me: took the morning off work to come to that God awful place with me. She and her boyfriend have since become firm friends as well.

The problem comes when we look at Greeks COLLECTIVELY. Even Greek people have told me that the problem is THEM, ie: as a whole. They admit attitudes need to change – there is ALWAYS the hang up about being invaded – let’s look at Greek history: Ottomans, Germans, Civil War & Dictatorship. Well really, is it any WONDER they trust no-one and are mightily p*ssed off with Merkel and her finger wagging? But still, the problem lies in that Greece is being governed by a kleptocratic and nepotistic government – and to be honest, WHOEVER gets in will be the same: people getting into positions of power not because of their ability, but because of their connections (and Greece is supposed to have invented Democracy?!)

And yet – if this were to all change, would Greece be a country that people seem to love, despite her problems? Greece and the Greeks have a certain ‘magic’ about it/them that is hard to define, yet those of us who’re expats, or even been here regularly on holiday will KNOW what I’m talking about.

Greece is a country that has made and continues to make history. Her people are fighters – warriors, even…maybe they’ve had to be.

So don’t judge a book by its cover – come here with an open mind and find out for yourself – I can guarantee you will be enchanted AND exasperated in equal measures…it’s a weird juxtaposition and bipolar experience – but it’s soooooo worth it.

Friday, 4 November 2011

A Greek 'drama'

'Chaos' and 'Drama' are Greek words - and Greece at the moment is sure living up to these words.
Here at Leaving Cairo...I have tried to be upbeat and, whilst not ignore the situation, at least acknowledge it and go to pains to point out the good about this country.

The past week's events have left everybody, including me, weeping into our hats with tears, mostly hysteria - actually (I think 'hysteria' might also be a Greek word).
I mean, what kind of political games are going on????? Someone, somewhere is going to get very rich out of the outcome.

Still, every day life continues...the only difference is that we greet each other in the streets more now, complete strangers allied together and making passing comments, shrugging our shoulders at each other and doing 'that' Greek gesture: either the hand 'wobble' left to right by the side of your head (indicating 'crazy') or that palm flat gesture - we all know what that is.

Oh, and for some reason, the man selling flowers at the bottom of my street has started to give me lilies for free now. Not that I'm complaining.

And so, in my usual vein of trying to be upbeat: maybe this debacle is, ironically, pushing people closer? Maybe collectivism will finally win through?

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