The 'Follow-the-herd' Syndrome

Next time you pack your bags to go somewhere -especially away from Athens- don't let people's stereotypical travel behavior sway you from making your own decision - it may actually save you from going the distance, rather than getting stuck for hours behind the honk-yell-and-grind turmoil that seems so prevalent to those who just like to follow the herd. Trying to get them to leave Athens and go to their villages in an organized manner is like herding frogs. Don't get me wrong, getting away from Athens is every person's dream come true, as much as it is mine, but when faced with the dismal nightmare of having to face a Pandora's box along the way, then the journey doesn't seem so worthwhile when compared to the destination. You've probably heard the saying, 'when you can't stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen.' Well, in this situation I'd rather stay in the kitchen than get trampled on by a stampede of bellicose Greeks. It's not to say that other nationalities don't get involved in their own 'wild-pack' excursions, but at least they do it in a more civilized manner. Take for instance German people; when it comes time for them to go on their designated holiday trip they make sure to take some stuff with them that they can use to enjoy the occasion of having to wait in traffic for long periods of time. They even park their cars and make a picnic on the side of the road where they can enjoy food & drink with their families. It's more like a festive occasion for them, and waiting is something delightful - not a drive-you-off-the-side-of-the-road type of mentality.
Don't worry you've got over 300 other days to choose from in order to get your 'get-the-hell-out-of-Athens' breather. Plus, even if you're stuck here and everybody has gone out of sight, at least you don't have the hustle and bustle of everyday city life trampling on your senses.
This 'follow-the-herd' mentality is also popular with things that the government gives a deadline for. For instance, if a new tax law comes out or a new ordinance is issued, people flock like the salmon of Capistrano to make sure they're in the safe zone and not in kahoots with them(the gov.). Or if there's a big rugby game and the tickets get sold out, people will still assemble like termites to a freshly peeled piece of wood and surround the stadium. Just don't go anywhere within a 3 mile radius of the event, you might get caught in the rampaging winds of hooligan fury.. Anyway, I can't think of any other event that might cause a ubiquitous stir among people, except of course if there's an epidemic(e.g. food shortage or viral infection), in which case I can't even begin to imagine the herds of people that would be lining up at supermarkets and pharmacies. They're probably capable of short stocking nearby countries let alone our own....lol