Service Rhodes style: A video shows a waiter carrying a tray with snacks and wading above his waist into the water, to serve customers on platforms built above the sea. He struggles to reach the spoiled sun-worshipers on floating platforms went vital, triggering reaction not only among Greek social media users but also two ministers.
As seen on the footage the young waiter seems to struggle to walk in the water that is rather deep and to keep the club sandwich dry.
Ρε σεις ; Που ζούμε; Άμεση παρέμβαση από την κυβέρνηση τώρα #Ρόδος pic.twitter.com/5PANl4QPEs
— Daskalakis Manolis (@emdaskalakis) July 1, 2023
The customers are having fun on the plastic sea-mattresses surrounded by the soft whisper of the south Aegean blue.
Outrage about this kind of customer service went high on social media, with Greeks lashing out at the owner of the beach bar in Agia Marina forcing his employees to “undignified working conditions” including spending the whole day or shift in wet clothes and called on Labor Minister to intervene.
Many wondered also if sunbeds put into the sea were legal and called for the intervention of the Rhodes Port Authority.
To make the long story short:
The labor minister came to conclusion that there is no law prohibiting such working conditions, while the Port authority fined the beach bar owner for illegally occupying shore space within the sea area with overlying constructions, following an inspection ordered by the shipping and island policy ministry.
According to the port authority, similar violations had been found in prior inspections on June 16 and June 21 and charges had been drawn up, state-run news agency amna reported.
Despite the charges, the business continued its operation as usual yet on July 2nd, when the new fines were imposed. The owner claimed, though, that the Coast Guard made its controls and no violation was found. He furthermore claimed that the “waiter-diver” was wearing waterproof clothes.
Ο ιδιοκτήτης της επιχείρησης στη Ρόδο, σε σημερινό δημοσίευμα στην iefimerida, ισχυρίζεται ότι "έλεγχοι έχουν γίνει από το λιμενικό και δεν βρήκαν καμία παράβαση στη νομοθεσία".
📸: UGC #Ρόδος pic.twitter.com/8FnwVLYJgn
— Daphne Tolis (@daphnetoli) July 2, 2023
When media called the beach bar owner to explain the situation he claimed that “the waiter earns 3,000 euros per month plus 200 euros per day from tips.”
A few hours later, the bar workers, seasonal workers that is, young people in their majority, issued a joint statement saying that they do not work in “slavery condition.”
Πάντως αν δεν θέτε την κρεβατοξαπλωστρα μέσα στην θάλασσα και να σας σερβίρουν φρουτάκια… Υπάρχει και πιο οικονομική version στην Ρόδο με "παραδοσιακή" ταβέρνα και πλαστική καρέκλα μέσα στην θάλασσα να τρως το τζατζίκι και το πιταρουδι by the sea …🤡🤡🖐️🖐️… pic.twitter.com/MyZ7FncUjU
— Cranky MariLou (@mariad0s) July 1, 2023
Meanwhile, other social media users posted Rhodes pictures showing tavern customers half-legs and plastic chairs in the water enjoying also the “live your myth in Greece,” the “economy version!”
As some Greek noted on Twitter:
Αν αποσυνθέσεις το μπιτσόμπαρο στη Ρόδο, θα δεις σου απομένουν πελατειακές σχέσεις, καταπάτηση, μίζα, αρπαχτή, ασυδοσία, ακραίες ανισότητες, φοροδιαφυγή, εισφοροδιαφυγή, μπραβιλίκι, εκμετάλλευση, νεοπλουτισμό, βλαχιά, περιβαλλοντική καταστροφή.
Δηλαδή ένα Μένουμε Ευρώπη #Ροδος— Synetos Realistis (@sinetosrealisti) July 2, 2023
“If you dismantle the beach bar in Rhodes, you will be left with clientelism, encroachment, kickbacks, extortion, dishonesty, extreme inequalities, tax evasion, levy evasion, mobbing, exploitation, neo-enrichment, stupidity, environmental destruction.
In other words, we stay in Europe #Rhodes.”
POLL:

PS A seasonal worker earning 9,000 euros per month? I want to see this… Even if true, 6,000 euros seem to be tax-free lol
The arrogance of the tourists who ordered the sandwiches is sickening. Attention seeking posers.
I have bigger problem with aggressive dogs in bars. Waiting stuff is at risk of injury from irresponsible dog owners. I have allergies, but was forced to serve dog owners regardless!
Has the waiter himself actually complained, or are these dear social media ‘heroes’ being offended & angry on his behalf? When the guy is out of a job because of their comments will they compensate him & pay his lost income? I’m sure if the working conditions are so terrible he would have left already or not taken the job in the first place. Typical social media users & it strikes me their comments are rooted in jealousy.
Even if the working conditions are terrible, the job for the summer is all the money he/she has for the whole year. Maybe even supporting relatives on minimal pension. If they don’t accept the job, they have 0 money. Unemployed get a small amount of money up to 1 year, and no health insurance after that. If they meet the criteria for getting unemployed money, that is. Most people don’t have a choice.
Many human beings have lost the plot!!!
Great job to have in the summer months to cool off and earn a few bob. I would rather do this than be stuck behind a packed bar wearing the almost obligatory black trousers and white shirt with 30+ degree heat and the good/bad customers in your face. Sure some of the customers are arrogant but i would say the majority of the customers will remember this with fondness hence why the good tipping, the bar is offering this service so why not use it. . I would do this job , 100x easier than some of the jobs i had when i was younger.
go ahead – until the lack of safety measures bring you back to headlines.
I honestly don’t get it. The waiter wades through water (The Aegean, where 00000’s visit every year to swim etc) with drinks to serve clients who have already waded through the same water to get to their area. Sure, staff suggestion box. I would ask the owner to supply 1) a safety deposit box for the tips 2) a water proof wallet 3) a floating device to bring the drinks / sandwiches to the guests (there are already devices there, see pix) 4) maybe a ring float 5) there is a small dip in the water at one point, can this be mitigated. Hardly a walk on the wild side……probably quite the opposite
Don’t mind the waiters wading through the water and make a good buck. Good for him. But do it in a private pool!
I don’t think we should allow people to build these platforms in public waters. It’s like you put up a semi-permanent tent on the beach and claim your territory, even when you’re not there.