Έλληνες
You’d have to say the Greeks are vaguely disorganised but seem quite content anyway.
I suspect they always were, but 2500 years ago they were slightly less disorganised than all the tribes around them. So that worked for a while.
The whole world has got itself more organised as they stood by watching, amused. They weren’t changing one iota.
They have an inbuilt disregard for organising, taxes, rules and stress.
They even joined the EU for laughs. They love the money but only pretend to follow the rules.
And to think the UK left the union because, despite liking the money, they hated the rules. If only they’d asked the Greeks.
Athens is remarkably ramshackle. And no one gives a toss. All you need is a pile of rocks and a story, and you’re set. Even then some fucker will spray paint all over it.
The parking police walk around in small posses so they don’t get lynched.
The actual police spend all their time loitering outside their buildings pretending not to be checking out the female tourists. Or getting onto buses to prevent some non-existent riot from getting out of hand.
They only eat stale bread because their logistics are so rubbish. They would rather eat stale bread than care enough to fix it. This is the Athens Syndrome, a culinary version of the Stockholm Syndrome.
It does rain here, surprisingly. But just enough to wash the cigarette butts into the Mediterranean. Then the sun comes out and burns the tourists all over again.
Prices follow a polynomial curve, radiating outwards from the hill with the reproduction of an ancient temple. By the time you’re 2km away, life gets affordable. In other cities of similar age, that would be 10 km.
And yet that inner 4π square kilometres represents all the incoming wealth for the city. But there’s been no concerted effort to expand it.
Getting a beer at a cafe involves sitting down and waiting for the waitress. Getting a second beer involves patience, cunning and making a proper cunt of yourself. They simply aren’t interested.
That’s unlike the US where the tips system drives consumption. Or Germany where social conscience prevents poor performance. Or Australia, where its self serve at the bar.
You couldn’t get drunk in Greece because after the first drink you’re lucky to get a second. It’s a novel approach to the Responsible Service of Alcohol.
And it sums up the clever approach to life in Greece.
Coupla days, doesn’t matter.
