The failing Greek economy

[saltylegs]

And this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Oj06RMIo_Cc

Is it just me or does he look like Dylan.

 

[Lakesailor]

Just back from a cycle and walk around Chios town. Anyone expecting to see signs of a recession would be somewhat disappointed. The place is bustling, full of people dressed expensively, plenty of new cars about, shops full of trendy kit, much of it being bought. Cafes and bars thronged with customers.

I'm replying to this thread with much trepidation. There are actually two active threads in this forum at present regarding how everything in Greece seems okay to visitors despite the trouble in the news. I have aunts, uncles, and cousins in Greece, and I can tell you that everything is not okay. Two of my aunts are retired civil servants, and have seen their pensions nearly halved. Two of my cousins rely on property rentals for much of their income. Their tenants are unable to pay. Two other cousins work in the financial industry. One has been traveling to China and Pakistan to take consulting jobs. The other has worked a series of temporary jobs in Greece and Cyprus. He formerly was the chief executive of the Greek branch of a large pharmaceutical company. The tourist economy is one of the few areas that might be doing okay. Of course, most of you probably already realize this.

That sounds very much like what Spanish estate agents have been saying for the past 3 years, prices are still tumbling

Depends who you talk to.
Esteemed forumites in Spain and Ibiza think everything is fine.

 

[Tony Cross]

And this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Oj06RMIo_Cc

Chania is usually a lot busier than this shows, I wonder what time of the year they filmed that? The stunning location at the end is Gramvousa Island and lagoon, my very favourite spot on Crete.

Despite it being so obviously staged the welcome you will get here is accurately portrayed. Don't forget the locals want to see smiling tourists just as much as you want to see smiling locals.

 

[lw395]

...... The secretary in the (state-owned and managed) marina is now on the same salary she was on in 2006. Can you imagine anyone in the UK standing for that?

....

Wish I was still on the same pay as I was in 2006!

 

[Polux]

I have cruised last year on the Ionian and I will be cruising this year on the Aegean. What I have observed is very similar of what has been told here but i know people that had been in Athens and were really frightened with the situation. Greece has a population of around 11 millions and about 4 millions are in Athens or near by. That may explain the difference. Tourism is one of the only things that was not affected by the crisis and most of it is on the Islands. Other services (not related with tourism) where the sector that was hit harder by the diminished consumption and the greater number is in Athens: Big unemployment, 27% national but certainly bigger in Athens, and many social crisis.

I hope they can make it through,it seems that all that austerity measures really backfired on a big negative growth and that increased tax did not bring more money only developed the parallel market

 

[Tony Cross]

Wish I was still on the same pay as I was in 2006!

Good point. Though in my case it would have to be 2004, I retired in 2005.

 

[CAPTAIN FANTASTIC]

What is it about the staff in Greek museums? Who employs them?

)

perhaps they come from same agency who supply the MOD Procurement

 

[PLEIAS]

Much has been said and written about Museum staff.A small percentage are public servants.The majority are temporarily hired as the museums are not operating on a permanent visit-timetable but they are open according to the seasons.Now put together the retirements in the last two years and cutbacks on ministry budgets and it will be a surprise if you ever find them open.As for the part 'i told them to put a sign" is what is usually wrong with the public sector in Greece.