Σάββατο 31 Οκτωβρίου 2009

The Top Conspiracy Theory Among Greeks


Greeks love them! They live and breathe conspiracies. The countless magazines on extra-terrestrial life, mysteries of life etc confirm the thirst of the Greeks for such subjects. Not to mention TV shows such as those of Mr. Hardavela and Mr. Liakopoulos. Here's a list of the most prominent conspiracies whose existence most Greeks take for granted:

"All Jews are rich and they control the world."

This is one of many world-domination theories where the Jews are responsible for all things happening in the world. The richest men in the world are Jews, they say, and even if they're not, they are controlled by them. They're behind everything. You name it: wars, diseases, literature and art that the Orthodox Church does not approve of... it's all their fault. They're trying to brainwash everyone. I guess many Greeks imagine the most powerful Jews in the world getting together at meetings in order to determine what their next step will be towards world and religious domination.

"Globalization - A New World Order"

For some reason, the word "globalization" has very negative connotations among the common Greek. For them, it means loss of national identity and, on a practical level, loss of job positions. They get more imaginative than this, however. Organizations such as the Masons and the Bilderburg Group push their agent to powerful governments around the world, they say. After all, the members of such groups are presidents of countries, tycoons, and media owners: a mixture of people that can manipulate public opinion to serve their own interests. The secrecy of such groups exert a kind of mysticism that's enchanting to the average Greek.

"Everyone is after Greece."

The Albanians, the Slavs in FYROM, and the Turks are all after pieces of land in Greece. Some maps from Albania show the "Albanian Dream," which is the extension of their country the whole way down to Preveza. Skopia, on the other hand, give out maps where their country extends to include all of Macedonia down to Halkidiki and Thessaly. Of course, the Turks are the lifelong enemy... who knows what they're after. An excerpt from a speech made by H. Kissinger in 1974 keeps feeding the fire of this conspiracy until today: (read the excerpt and the rest of the Conspiracy Theories at www.allthegreeks.com).

Image: http://digital-camera.gr/index.php?option=photos&action=view&photo_id=15438

Τετάρτη 21 Οκτωβρίου 2009

Between Two Worlds

Being around Greek-Americans, or Greeks that have lived in any western country for many years on end, makes one realize just how torn these poor souls are between their home countries and their host countries. When they're in the U.S., they miss Greece. When they're in Greece, they bicker about it and talk about how great the U.S. is. This is characteristic of the older generations. Go figure...

In the U.S. they reminisce about their carefree childhood, and about how you don't need money to be happy in Greece. "We didn't even have anything to eat, but we were happy," my grandmother would tell me. "These Americans... they don't know how to live! They go from their homes to their jobs, and from their jobs to their homes. This isn't life!" The other popular topic of conversation is the beauty of Greece. It's scenic landscapes, mesmerizing beaches, the mountain villages hidden amidst trees... All of these are described with pride to their American friends. The topic that makes them fill up with pride is how "smart" and "cunning" Greek people are. They actually admire their fellow countrymen's wit and ability to get out of anything. After all, this is one of the biggest assets they had in order to survive in a foreign country for so many years and become successful, too.

However... this asset becomes a nightmare when they come to Greece for a few weeks to relax. They spend most of their vacation time bickering about the Greek system, the cunningness of all Greeks, how you can't trust anyone in this country, and so on.


Πέμπτη 15 Οκτωβρίου 2009

Where Image Beats Essence


You walk into your first interview, all dressed up and polished. Your future employers start describing the position and you get nervous just thinking about how demanding and respectable these suit-clad people must be. A few weeks into the job, you realize just how far from the truth this first image is...

As social beings we feel the need to conform to society's rules and always try to reach success, popularity and happiness. After all this is when most people respect you and give you the time of day. In this country where "you are who you declare to be," people and businesses have put a new twist on things. As long as they look serious, they wear suits and use big words, many believe that they can actually become someone important. The background or what happens behind the scenes is irrelevant.

My first personal shock when I moved to Greece had to do with the American college that I transferred my credits to in Athens. The website showed an organized environment where education was taken extremely seriously, and the dean of the school attested to this image. Unfortunately, I witnessed several situations there that shattered my initial image. Other transfer or study-abroad students also expressed the same dissatisfaction during their first visit, and some even went back to their countries before the semester even started. Student housing was in decrepit buildings with the absolute necessities, a variety of majors were offered without any professors to teach some of the higher-level courses, rich Greek students showing up a day before finals for the first time and passing the class, and several other instances where greediness overpowered the need to educate. Despite these circumstances, I met some of the most reliable and brilliant professors there that were just doing their job.

The second shock came at my first job in Athens. Although my coworkers were pleasant and the atmosphere was excellent overall, the president of this organizational software company, that was one of the best of its kind in the country, seemed so stiff and demanding. After staying there for a couple of months, I learned that this oh-so-serious man hadn't paid his over-worked staff for over six months, while he was trading in his old car for a new one every couple of months. Another employer serves as a similar example of the latter. As the owner of a private English school, who preaches dignity, compassion and true interest in the education of his students, another employer of mine opted to spend money improving the physical image of his school, so that it would be more attractive to potential clients, rather than investing in the underpaid teachers, smaller groups of students per class, and better organization in the chaotic working environment.

But this is Greece's market in its majority at present. This is the country where a small electrics shop places an ad in the paper as "the biggest gas-supplier of Northern Greece." This is the country where a simple teller or cashier at a public office, claims to be his department's supervisor. This is also the country where a measly dentist that never spoke English can put up a big sign outside his office stating that he has a Masters degree from a major college in America, when in reality the most he's done is observe a few auditing courses there. How can we expect anything to change in this country, if we don't make a few changes ourselves?


Τετάρτη 14 Οκτωβρίου 2009

There's No Time Like Coffee Time!


It's the Greeks' favorite pastime, and they've got a cafe at every corner in every city or village to prove it. There's nothing like sipping your favorite coffee with friends while talking about everything and anything. Don't be rash to judge it until you try it. You'll be hooked...

Here in Greece, any time is ideal for coffee, and there are places for every age to enjoy it. You start going out with your friends "yia kafe" when you're probably around thirteen. You may not drink coffee at first. It'll probably be juice, or the sweetest coffee the store has to offer. The biggest coffee drinkers, however, are university students. Most of them have so much free time to kill that they spend at least 2-3 hours chatting with friends over coffee. Coming into the real world, the hours of enjoyment may be reduced drastically, but the relaxing effect of coffee time still remains. Now, you look forward to that one Sunday, when you can wake up, buy the newspaper and enjoy your favorite java. As you step into middle age with a spouse and children, you find yourself going out with families to coffee places that have activities for your children. Finally, the golden years of retirement find most men these days at cafes called "kafeneia" where a whole different subculture has developed over the last several decades.

It's a sacred time, you know, for the Greeks. People of this nation are not ones to take a quick sip just to wake up or stay on edge. They relish every sip, every minute spent around that coffee table. Perhaps this is why coffee is actually quite expensive in Greece: if you were a cafe owner that has spent thousands of euros on a stylish decoration and music in a country where people come and grab a table for 3-4 hours, while only drinking one coffee each, then you too would raise your prices to make the business worthwhile.

Although the average tourist visiting the country either doesn't drink coffee or just doesn't enjoy sitting with one drink for three hours, they have to admit that at least there's a variety of coffee that you can at least try:

(visit www.allthegreeks.com to read about the coffee Greeks drink) Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/33284937@N04/3808242154/

Τετάρτη 7 Οκτωβρίου 2009

Fitted, Stylish and Ironed


You could use this title to describe the general dress code of the Greeks. There are variations that come with age, region and, of course, earnings, but the general formula exists. The wandering tourist can witness trends that range between the most traditional and conservative to the most colorful and radical. Whatever the case, Greeks dress to impress.

Let's start off with the teenagers, who tend to massively embrace new trends. Now the city teen differs from the rural teen, as does the Athenian teen from the Thessaloniki teen. Jeans are a favorite. Skinny leg for girls and fitted for guys. Ok... guys used to wear super-tight pants a few years ago, but thank God they've loosened up in recent years. Any weird t-shirt - colorful, trendy, with a statement- will do. Shoes are most likely Converse or some other funky brand, but they're definitely not bland. Now, if you're really following the trends, a row of bracelets and/or necklaces, earrings etc will give the final touches to the "careless teen" look. The last couple years in Athens have seen a rise in the Emo generation, which really differentiate themselves by wearing their hair in front of their faces and lots of eye makeup. This is supposedly symbolic for their despair after seeing all of this sorrow and instability in their future. In the richer neighborhoods of Athens and elsewhere, you can also see many preppy kids with their sweaters thrown around their necks, their 500-euro moccasins and the look of I'm-about-to-go-to-a-tennis-match. Now in Thessaloniki just take the sexiness up a notch. Lots of makeup, dark sleek hair, jewelry and sexy outfits. Guys there also tend to follow fashion a bit more fanatically and it shows in their hair styles, which are fixed with gel down to the last piece of hair. I would say that the young people of Thessaloniki have a more polished look.

The transition from a young person to an adult does not mean that you start dressing in pleated mom-jeans for the Greeks. It just means you wear age-appropriate clothes that are still stylish. Some women in their 40s do tend to dress like their 15-year-old daughters sometimes, but you won't see them going out in pjs and huge boyfriend sweaters. Everything is fitted, ironed and clean. (Read more about what to wear in Greece at www.allthegreeks.com)

Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/44571756@N00/1428445587

Τρίτη 6 Οκτωβρίου 2009

Elections Are Like A First Date


They really are. Think of the pre-election period as the flirting stage, when you're not really sure who you want to choose, yet, but you're playful and open to suggestions. Hmmm... Yiorgaki or Kostaki? Or maybe one of their "neighbors"?

Then finally, election day is here. You chose. If Kostaki was your guy, then it looks like your first date was a disaster, but if it's Yiorgaki you chose, it's like the beginning of a new relationship. A new relationship with the jitters and excitement that accompany the exploration of unknown territory. You're no fool. You know how the majority of relationships eventually end up: in heartbreak and disappointment. But, you want to hope. You want to give this new person a chance to prove his worth. These are some of the things we hope Papandreou will be:

  • Honest: White lies are generally tolerated, but we need someone who can tell it like it is and avoid covering up rotting situations, whose stench gives them away anyway.
  • A philanthropist: There are so many groups in need in this country. The people in this relationship need a prime minister they can lean on.
  • Open-minded: Open up the windows in those government offices and let some fresh air in. Young people, innovative ideas and a new outlook on life, work, education and the environment.
  • Brave: He needs to take initiative and prove that he puts the general welfare over the benefit of the few and uber-rich.
  • A hard worker: Promises must be backed up by actions. Even the most emotional and powerful words lose their meaning when no action is taken to support them.
  • However, just as there is no perfect mate in a relationship, there is also no perfect prime minister for the Greeks. The point is: will his virtues and actions outweigh his shortcomings and mistakes? Hopefully, because... (Read what we don't want to see at www.allthegreeks.com)

    Image: www.pasok.gr

    Παρασκευή 2 Οκτωβρίου 2009

    No "Meson," No Job


    Your parents, godfather or aunt know someone who is friends with or related to someone in a position of power. Greece is a really small country, so this case wouldn't be that unusual. Do you use your "meson" (or connection) to get a job or do you kiss certainty goodbye?

    There are three potential answers to this question, from three different types of people. There are those who would use any means possible, in a heartbeat to get a job - no feelings of shame included. Then, you've got those who would deny the use of their "meson," because they're too proud and they want to show their real worth and make it on their own. Last but not least, you've got those who say they would never accept it, and criticize those who do with every chance, but they're only against it because they know they don't have any meson... if they did, they would accept his/her help no questions asked.

    The average Greek belongs to the first category, while the rest probably belong to the last one. Now when I speak of "meson" I am talking about any person in a position of power that can help you get a job in any department and any position. This person may be a supermarket manager or a well-known politician. It doesn't matter. Most people nowadays will get anything they can. If you want to work in a small business, for example, it would help to know the owner, the manager or even someone that works there (although I realize this isn't necessarily a position of power), because owners or managers tend to trust people they know or people their most outstanding employees know. I have heard of several people that have gotten jobs in supermarkets and clothing retail stores, because they knew the manager or because one of their friends that already works there recommended them. If you think about it, it's pathetic that we can't count on our potential employers to be objective even when we apply for positions such as "cashier" or "salesperson."

    Things get worse when applying for a job in the public sector or a company in which the government has shares. Until a few years ago, anyone who had a friend or relative working as the head of any department in the public sector (of course this includes politicians) could easily get a job in the public without evaluation of credentials. Nowadays, there is... (read more about networking and connections at www.allthegreeks.com)