Chaps..thank you very much for you replies.Every single one was very helpful. In particular:
It's probably a much lower quality of life to somewhere like Scandinavia or Germany but I';m not massively convinced it is much different to the UK especially if you live out of the city in the countryside.
I think you need to ask yourself, is the grass greener? I've visited many countries and also lived abroad in Japan, US and Spain. The grass is definitely not greener.
Quality is a big subject here. Greeks are non educated people. Not meaning school/university etc. But meaning family education regarding behaviour, manners, cleaningnes, behaviour overall.
I'm so glad that you guys taught me the 'grass is greener' phrase. My question is, what happens if we replace the 'grass' with other parametres. If grass = weather conditions, then it's greener in greece. If grass comes for organisation, then it's greener in Germany for instance. So, this phrase is not set as stone, it varies.
but this lady thought that the world owed her a living because she invented democracy. I also think the grass may seem greener but its rarely true.
1. Davy, so you think you could live in greece, once the grass is not greener, as per your thoughts?
2. Yes...greeks think that the world ows a living.....because of democtacy, Homer and Sophocles. But history ended 2000 years back for us...That's a shame.
We still think that we have a fantastic football, because one small country won the Euro in 2004...But our team is cr@p, as is our infrastructure.
It is some time since I have worked in Greece (Athens / Pireaus). I found the people friendly enough, but business dealings were not always what they seemed, or should I say they tried to make strange deals based on the moment and not long term good business. I obviously worked past that to the annoyance of some, but finally winning most but not all the arguments. Family life seemed very good and social life was good too..!! The areas I worked were a bit like any other cities, clean and dirty dependent where you went. Organization was a lttle haphazard at times, but finally got to where you wanted to be. The culture I enjoyed and the history, but it depends on what you are looking for..??
True Rob, if i take the decision to leave, family/friends will be missed a lot. It's a very different way we spend time with friends here, much warmer, much more extrovert.
But, deals are a mess...greeks are very clever, but also very sly. I believe this is the reason there are so many greek shipowners.
Καλημέρα Νίκο
The interesting thing is that I am trying to make it possible to come back home... At the end of the day what matters is what work for you. For me, having lived in the uk for 34 years and going back and forth around 5-6 a year, Greece is what always called home. The reasons I stayed in the uk, is the education of my children, and the simplicity of every day life. The reason I want to come back is that I have discovered island life (and my children have grown!). I have fallen I love with Skopelos. So much so that 8 years ago I bought a house there. I have found I can have what I love (sailing), earn enough (I happen to think there are huge business opportunities), and live a much simpler life. Even the roads are better than the uk no bloody potholes!!
You will also miss souvlaki, kontosouvli, tsipouro, and the fish!
Good luck working it all out...
Had enough of souvlaki Goulielmo. I believe we are in a different life curve. You have worked for 35 years and you want to settle somewhere more quiet, i myself am in the heat of my business life. And this place here kills your energy to create stuff.
On the other hand, i agree, that no place will be like home, and i ain't sure home will be abroad for me.
Stereotypes of most nations and peoples are not too far wrong, there are national/cultural, traits/mores which are very commonly found.
However theres usually a thick tranche of the population who buck the trend and don't really fit into any stereotypical group.
I take people as I find them, plus when you remove them from the constraints of their usual lifestyle they can be totally different people.
I've only been to Greece three times (last time in 1990!), on holidays and didn't have any issues....so my comments aren't terribly useful.
Hope it all works out Nikos, all the best in your future ventures
P
not sure i completely understood your post Frank, but i believe i am far from a lot of local stereotypes. Remember, i was grown in a german school and by facing the greek way of living is a bit like trying to make myself worse to survive here!!
In your heart you know you want to try a new destination. Just do it while you can. Greece will always be there for you if you wish to return.
George, your message was 100% true, but the phrase above ticked the heart. Yes, i know i want to try a new destination, it was the first time i saw that so clear. And thank you for this.
I hope your choice works oit well for you but;
A community and to a larger extent a country is built on those who reside there. The people also need to build thier community to make it better. Without that commitment and drive the situation will only get worse. If you look at why there are so many people fleeing a number of countries it is because to few are committed to make it better and it can fall into real despair.
You clearly have ability and drive, and thats what your community needs now more than ever.
I agree, but as Matt says, we have only one life, and sometimes we need to be selfish. What's the use if 100 people want to change the country and the other 11million keep the old habits? Because greece's trouble is not the financial, it's the social, it's the education. Financial is the biggest affect, but the reasons are stated above.
A big thank you everyone, but now decision is harder to take.
