The 'Lion-eats-lion' Syndrome

There's a saying out there in the competitive job/retail market that goes something like: 'it's a dog eat dog world out there." If that characterizes the rest of the world then the expression, "it's a lion eat lion world out there," characterizes the Greek marketplace. If you've ever seen the intensity of 2 lions going at it you realize that it's usually a battle to the death; whereas, with dogs, there's really no comparison since the aggression that dogs display is hardly at the same level, not to mention that the size differences between them are likewise significant. It's like trying to compare elephants to dinosaurs.
The reason that I brought out this comparison is because the real world out there is similar to people trying to dominate each other - swinging at each other with these raging claws; it's like a bunch of savage animals. Anyone who has undergone the experience of working for somebody here knows that in order to climb your way to the top you got to step on and obliterate the person below you. Each company here that I've worked for had a person who was specifically assigned to the job of sabotaging the competition. They usually work undercover as secret operatives so that no one could discover their true identity. The same is true about people trying to compete for the same position in the job market. But it gets worse because they act like they're each part of the mafia. Each family is like a crime family. It's who you know that gets you to where you want to be. These family connections form a network of secular enterprises that makeup the commercial world out there. And for those who are left out on the dirt(they know no one) get swallowed up and spit upon without mercy.

The 'Rich-get-greedier-who-get-stingier-who-pretend-they-don't-have-anything' Syndrome

I have a friend who always reminded/warned me with the following expression: "remember, I'm Greek so whatever it is you're going to ask me I'm going to answer you as a Greek person would - make sure to calculate that into your equation before you do anything." I never forgot that cause I got some very practical wisdom from him before I attempted to do anything business related with any Greek person, including himself. At first I was blinded by the fact that I had a great idea and that my would-be partner -who was rich by the way- would support me and help bring it to fruition. Little did I know that it was that same "friend" who would later use my idea and money that I invested in our so-called 'company' to meet his own purpose in developing his own little evil scheme. But at the time I was too gullible and naive to see through it. As you can imagine the financial and emotional repercussions that I had to undergo(and still am to some degree) from that tragic betrayal left me scatter-brained and hungry for payback.
My point in highlighting this experience is to point out the fact that most rich Greek people try to get greedier by exploiting whoever it is they can, even if it means that the other person succumbs into giving up everything that he/she possesses. And they do it with no sense of remorse or pity. Since then I've come across many similar scoundrels who have used and abused others to reach their rise to the top. But what amazes me the most is that these people are so tight-fisted that they won't even give an extra penny's worth to whatever it is that they're purchasing or have purchased in the past. And when you ask them for a minuscule amount to help you get through your troubles, they'll pretend that they don't have any by fabricating their own elaborate excuses on how they had to spend so much on so and so... Or how they didn't even have enough money to put gas in their cars(my favorite excuse). And then you catch them in their own lie when you happen to sit with them over a cup of coffee, and when you end up having to pay for your own cup; they suddenly take out their wallet(s) and you see a wad of countless cash emerge, and as they crack it open and flip through it to see if they have a small bill at hand you notice that there are bills you haven't even seen in real life(500s, and 200s).

The 'I-know-nod-&-sob-but-don't-do-anything-about-it' Syndrome

"It's so terrible out there, no one can find a job...and I was laid off yesterday.." boo-hoo. "My, my...when will they ever do something about reducing the age-limit when senior citizens are entitled to their pension?" boo-hoo. "When will they just give us a break and let us get paid for the extra hours we work..." boo-hoo. "How long must we be subject to these harsh conditions..." boo-hoo. "I'm so sick of being taken advantage of..." boo-hoo. "Why doesn't the government make it easier for us to do our work!" boo-hoo. People love to complain with disdain on just about everything they can get their ears on. Their vehement experience is usually so enthralling that they need a spellbound audience to keep them feeling that they're not the only ones undergoing such hardships. And by sharing it with someone they feel somewhat less deranged. The strangeness in all this is that the 'boo-hoo' sobs only get others to nod and sob as well; and eventually you have a group of people all relating their sob stories, until once all is said and done the only thing that they have accomplished is to agree on the obvious and do absolutely nothing to change their situation(and that of the world's), or that of the other person. It's a daily cycle that helps them cope with their anxieties and worries. I call these the passive-non-extremist-go-with-the-flow type who like to attract self-pity.
These people need a major dose of positive psycho therapy. Somebody should help them realize that if they want to change their negative outlook on life, they need to get out of their 'stubborn boo-hoo shell' and make a difference. Although I do have to give them some credit in that there's a lot of truth in what they say regarding the general conditions out there and how they affect everyone. Sometimes those conditions make it impossible(see also the 'lion-eat-lion' syndrome) for people to truly make the changes that they would like to make. If that's the case then I apologize for my earlier statement about making a difference, especially when you have to combat so many forces that are beyond your power. Perhaps for such a change to take affect you need to muster up all the other sobers in your group and go rally forth in the streets where the constitution building is situated. Perhaps you might be able to tickle their(congress) ears to listen to your sob story.. And maybe, just maybe..a glimmer of hope might after all be possible - NOT!

The 'melowdrama-overindulgence' Syndrome

Ohhh...the melodrama that exists out there!! It's so superfluous and so typically overstated in the media and in everyday life that you come to point where you just want to flick the off switch at whatever source is broadcasting such nonsense. Yet, when it comes to people its not so simple since there's no off switch you turn off or on - it's just there, constantly present. Personally, I've become desensitized to it so however dramatic the situation might get it tends to bounce off my skin. You have to sizzle in it for a while before you get to the point where I am.
No wonder Greeks were so good at being dramatic, for the origins of drama dates back to the golden era of Greece(600 -200BC) when the ancient Athenians created a theater culture whose form, technique and terminology have lasted two millenniums, and they created plays that are still considered among the greatest works of world drama. These have been preserved through successive generations and have merged into their traditions making them part of who they are. These intrinsic values which are dramatic in nature have evolved to include many of today's modern trends; they include: televised serials, theatrical plays/musicals and reality shows. So if you're in mood for over-exaggerated sentiment and stereotypical characters then look no further - just turn on your TV and...wallah!

The 'steal-or-be-stolen-from' Syndrome

There's an Albanian proverb that states: "When you shake hands with a Greek, count your fingers." Now, I'm quite sure that Greek's would perhaps say the same things towards Albanians, since -generally speaking- they don't like them very much. Their mindset is very work-oriented and the immigrants who have come here in recent years have amassed great fortunes for themselves. This is all due to their die-hard work regiment and their ability to save the money that they make. I'm assuming that the above proverb had spread amongst them as a result of the many business dealings that they had to encounter, and in order to make it possible to succeed in the Greek market. Their experience is one among many who have felt that there exists that general lack of trust permeating through the air. And, in my opinion, I feel the government is largely to blame for this behavior. They are suppose to be the paradigm in which everyone should follow; yet their example has been one of disrepute and outrage. First of all, they constantly change and enforce new tax policies and protocols; this makes it nearly impossible for people to get their businesses off to a good start; or, to have an edge on the competition. They then send their 'grim reapers' -or, should I say tax auditors- who stick around to collect their black envelope full of money. Well, if the general public feels insecure about how their money is being handled(taken arbitrarily) and where it is being spent, don't they have the right then to feel the same way about them?
That's why you'll notice that many store merchants don't issue receipts. They feel that they're justified in taking back what the government has taken from them.
And then there's the other side of the spectrum where people have had a piece(or all) of their physical property stolen(e.g. car, jewelry, watch, cell phone, etc..) from them - either directly(e.g. in broad daylight right in front of their very eyes) or indirectly(e.g. while they are sleeping in bed). It is a phenomenon in which everybody has suffered from in one way or another.
There was one time, I remember, when I was minding my own business and eating a hearty meal at Goody's - a popular fast food restaurant here in Greece. A young person approached me and asked me if the restrooms were in the back area of the restaurant. At the time the question seemed a bit odd since he wanted me to turn my head around and look to where he was pointing. He then exited the door which was in front of me. As I sat there I realized that my 500 euro cell phone was lying on the food tray in front of me and that at the time, when he had asked me the question I had my hand on it. This dawned on me later(after the crime), because after 5 minutes or so, he re-entered the store and walked circuitously in front of my table. Once he saw that he had the opportunity to strike, he bolted forwards and snatched it out of my hand. He then dashed out of the restaurant and ran through the crowds before I could even react. Everyone around me just starred at me for a moment because I yelled something out loud as he made his way out. Then they went back to their conversations as if nothing had happened. After that incident there were a few others but they weren't as brain-rattling as this one. It just goes to show you how everyone out there -however ethically sane they may look- has a dark, sinister side that's poised to strike at anyone who appears vulnerable. Just be careful out there, and remember, trust no one!

The 'unambiguous-lie-detector' Syndrome

There's a Russian proverb that goes something like this: "The Greeks only tell the truth once a year." There are quite a few Russian immigrants who live here, so I'm guessing they've had enough contact on a daily basis with Greek people to get a well-rounded opinion of them. And perhaps, after many years, they've developed this expression to show how rare it is for Greeks to tell the truth. Now I don't know about you but I've had my share of Greeks blatantly lying to me to know that there's no telling when and by whom a lie will come to its fruition. But one thing is for sure, when you've had enough dealings with Greeks you come to know approximately when they're going utter one. It's a fail-safe mechanism that they've come to adopt from the outside world. Since they can't seem to accept any form failure, they need a quick way to compensate for the chance that there might exist some probability of it occuring. You have to come to accept their speech pattern since it's part of their everyday routine. And in order for you to conform to it, you also have to maybe change what you were accustomed to as far as what you considered to be proper etiquette. If you've seen the movie 'liar-liar' with Jim Carrey you know then that in order for him to survive and succeed in his job he had to lie no matter what. The same holds true here but only to greater extent in that it encompasses every aspect of living. Don't get me wrong, there are those who are morally and ethically in tune with what the rest of the world considers proper; it's just a little harder finding them here - that's all.