Greeks Coping with the Crisis … or not!

Weekends have been quite ‘teaching’ for me recently as I go more around, chat with neighbors and meet friends and learn more about the concerns of the Greek society. I only need to go to neighborhood super-market to return home depressed. To tell you the truth, every Monday there is a bitter taste when I sit in front of the pc and try to summarize people’s desperation.

Greek citizens are getting are more and more depressed and are deeply concerned amid discussions on Haircuts, banks recapitalization and fears the sixth tranche will not arrive on time. Few average Greeks understand the effects of Greece’s lenders’ decisions but here is the reality they face each and every day.  They are middle class Greeks, many with university degree; civil servants, employees and self-employees, pensioners,  jobless. With children or not. They all have something in common: Count every euro they get in their hands, desperately trying to feed children, pay bills and taxes, survive.

Despina, 45,  was telling me,  she has difficulties to pay the fees for her children’s tutorials or even English lessons. Her son finishes secondary education next summer, the family plan was that he would go to the university. Despina and her husband are too shocked by their income sharp decrease to seek alternative for their son’s professional future.

Eleni, 64, saw her pension down by 350 euro per month. She pilles food in her kitchen, rice, pasta, tomato puree, cans and everything lasting that could help her survive. she also bought enough dry food and cans for her dog and four cats. Eleni is convinced that she won’t receive her pension for one or two months.  

Giorgos, 80, is also concerned about having to spend one-two months without his pension. He called his brother in Chicago, USA, to send him some financial aid. Giorgo’s children struggle with the economic survival and unemployment that allows only one person earning per family. “Exactly as Papandreou said. One earning person per family… My children consider migrating.”

Marina, 40,  complains about her husband’s bad mood. The car engineer at a private company and hasn’t been paid for four months. He gave up smoking to save the family money.

Tasos, 27, considers to migrate. The food technician could get some bad paid jobs as delivery boy. He saw his salary decreased together with the tips. The company he works for is about to close down.

Hairdressers Tina, 38, and Anna, 40, have more expenditures for rent, utilities and social contributions than revenues. The majority of their customers didn’t return after the summer vacation. Not even for hair dying. They’ll give it a chance till the end of the year. 

Nora, 48, opened a shop six months ago, when she lost her job at a big company. She sells cloths. She told me thins morning, she’d rather bury her head under a pillow.

I personally wish, I wouldn’t listen to the news and play computer games like a freak all day long…