Comments on: To Visit or Stay Away: The Greece Question

By: Henrik

Henrik — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 08:07:45 +0000

#Slow Dave
#hidden europe

So you do not see the connection between the fall in tourists, and the greek mentality? Then you need to wake up.

You might find it offensive, but I speak the truth. Yes, it is a complicated situation. But as long as up to 70% of businesses in the tourist areas (Santorini, Naxos, ect.) commits tax evasion, then I can’t see why we should support them.

If and when Greece has started to act responsible, then I will come back as a tourist. The greeks aren’t poor, Greece is poor.

By: hidden europe

hidden europe — Sun, 19 Aug 2012 13:44:01 +0000

We think the real world is a shade more complicated than Henrik’s comment suggests.

By: Slow Dave

Slow Dave — Sat, 18 Aug 2012 14:48:10 +0000

The mentality of some Danes is offensive to some of us, Heinrik, but we do not condemn the entire Danish nation for the xenophobic views of just a few. Yet you dismiss the entirety of Greece and all her citizens. Read again what you said, Heinrik, and think again.

And nice to see a Eurocheapo theme that raises such issues. I am an Irishman working in Germany (for a tourist organisation). Love this site. Some great stuff.

By: Henrik

Henrik — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 09:42:30 +0000

This has very little to do with riots, burning of german flag sect. This has to do with the Greek mentality of demanding money, and not being willing to do an effort or pay taxes. But instead let countries like Germany pay. Why should germans support that country any more? Why should they spend money in a country that already has taken so much of their money, and blame them for all wrong whilst calling them nazis?

As a Dane I myself chose Spain for my vacation last year, although we had planned to go to Greece. But I can’t support a country with that mentallity.

For me to return as a tourist Greece must show they are willing to stop corruption, pay taxes and act responsible.

By: Mary

Mary — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 09:42:13 +0000

Nick and Susanne

Thank you for your comments. I agree on having got a little carried away on the tourism debate. I wrote the comment after having seen a chilling burning of the German flag in Greece and Merkel being portrait in Nazi uniform. Not living in Germany I might not see the “growing German antipathy to all things Greek” but I do see the “Greek antipathy to all things German” being played out in the news which I find highly unnerving but strangely acceptable to the international community. I don’t blame any German for staying away and would be surprised if this was out of a sentiment of punishment rather than fear.

By: hidden europe

hidden europe — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 15:01:14 +0000

Mary (above)

We were, it must be said, a shade surprised by the intemperate tone of your comments on our short piece on Greece for EuroCheapo. You suggest that the piece was “obviously written by a Greek”. How far from the truth. The piece was co-written by two of us: one a born-and-bred Berliner and the other a Berliner by choice. But we play no nationalist cards, being neither for Greece or Germany in the debate. Instead we merely tried to shed a little light on a topical issue. We are not sure that the debate is enhanced by your rather venomous intervention, but we note your comments with interest.

As to profligate expenditure on airports and adventurously ambitious but half-completed projects, Berlin knocks spots off Athens in both stakes.

Thanks for your thoughts, Mary.
Nicky and Susanne

By: Mary

Mary — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 22:28:43 +0000

Interesting anti-German article. How unbalanced. Obviously written by a Greek. No blame at the Greeks for wasting billions on new unnecessary airport, doubling the size their government with borrowed money, ridiculously low pension age and a general tax avoidance. No mention that Germany is also in debt and has to borrow the money to fund all this with their economy also being precarious and Germans generally worried about the economy. There is one point I agree with and that is that Germany is to blame for agreeing to accept Greece and a few other countries who were not fit to borrow money as their fiscal policies meant they could never pay back their debt. My father-in-law foresaw the current crisis from the outset. Very wise man.
If I was a German national, I too would not go near the place. My husband who is British has been refused taxi rides from Athens airport and spat in the face regularly (in the 1990s) for being British and not coming to Greek’s aid in the second world war. Not a very tolerant, hospitable or friendly characteristic.
I think the Greeks should be happy that Germans stay away, since they hate them so much. I had to laugh out loud when a Greek tourist representative said that the Greeks don’t hate the Germans only the German government.

Oh and I will never get over the fact that Greeks don’t have to pay taxes on their property if it does not have a roof. Look at the hideous architecture and skyline of Athens with thousands of houses without roofs. It says all about the Greek attitude to helping their own country on their feet. Maybe they should burn their own flag for once.

By: reverie

reverie — Tue, 29 May 2012 14:07:36 +0000

I’ll not be climbing on the next flight to Greece, but I can buy the point. Don’t kick Greece when it’s down. And Germany’s attitude to Greece has been very divisive, making many non-Germans in Europe draw back a little from Merkel’s posturing. But she plays methinks more for the home crowd, stirring up a few anti-Greek emotions that could feed well into her wish to secure a further term in office.

By: anapolis

anapolis — Tue, 29 May 2012 09:23:59 +0000

The first sensible piece I’ve read on the Greek question for weeks. Thank-you.