You can't listen to a Greek--from bus drivers speaking to their passengers to politicians speaking to their constituency--without hearing this phrase at some point, if not several times. This idea seems to be key to understanding Greek culture, and it appears to apply to nearly every aspect of Greek life, with one notable exception: Driving.
The philosophy to driving is "Faster! Faster!" and, as noted in an earlier post, it can be a bit unnerving to a Seattlonian like me, but as time has passed I've noticed that it is far less chaotic than it appears at first: for example, Greeks actually take the rule "stay to the right except to pass" seriously, to the point where on two-lane roads most drive halfway on the berm, to allow faster vehicles to pass even if there is a double line in the center. Also, there doesn't seem to be the concept of "you cut me off, asshole" that is so prevalent in American driving. If there's an open spot and someone squeezes by with a couple of inches to spare in a "no passing zone" (the concept of "no passing" exists more as a gentle suggestion than a hard and fast rule), there's no hard feelings. In the US, cutting someone off in traffic is taken as a personal offense akin to breaking into a queue; here in Greece--as far as I can tell--it doesn't piss anyone off unless you almost cause an accident or something. And then the pissed-offed-ness is about the near accident, not the cutting-off per se.
Moreover (wonderful word, "moreover": it sounds like a way of ordering your eggs to be cooked), unless you are in the city, there are no sidewalks. This does not mean that people don't walk though: it is not uncommon to see someone out walking their grandmother--dressed in black from head to toe--on a road with no shoulder as people zip by at 60 kph. I think in the US the first person by in a situation like that would first stop and ask if everything is ok, then offer a lift. If said lift were refused I imagine the next step would be a 911 call and a police escort to ensure everyone's safety.
Well, enough about driving. I should also point out that here all the distances are very close: when the oil runs out, people will still be able to get around on bicycles, or walking, or even horse-carts. In the US there will be a problem unless we can figure out a viable energy source that is truly renewable and sustainable.
This is Jason Katsanis signing out. Good night, and good golly.
PS Post on yesterday's trip to Φαιστος / Phaistos / Festos to follow. Σιγά-σιγά.
The philosophy to driving is "Faster! Faster!" and, as noted in an earlier post, it can be a bit unnerving to a Seattlonian like me, but as time has passed I've noticed that it is far less chaotic than it appears at first: for example, Greeks actually take the rule "stay to the right except to pass" seriously, to the point where on two-lane roads most drive halfway on the berm, to allow faster vehicles to pass even if there is a double line in the center. Also, there doesn't seem to be the concept of "you cut me off, asshole" that is so prevalent in American driving. If there's an open spot and someone squeezes by with a couple of inches to spare in a "no passing zone" (the concept of "no passing" exists more as a gentle suggestion than a hard and fast rule), there's no hard feelings. In the US, cutting someone off in traffic is taken as a personal offense akin to breaking into a queue; here in Greece--as far as I can tell--it doesn't piss anyone off unless you almost cause an accident or something. And then the pissed-offed-ness is about the near accident, not the cutting-off per se.
Moreover (wonderful word, "moreover": it sounds like a way of ordering your eggs to be cooked), unless you are in the city, there are no sidewalks. This does not mean that people don't walk though: it is not uncommon to see someone out walking their grandmother--dressed in black from head to toe--on a road with no shoulder as people zip by at 60 kph. I think in the US the first person by in a situation like that would first stop and ask if everything is ok, then offer a lift. If said lift were refused I imagine the next step would be a 911 call and a police escort to ensure everyone's safety.
Well, enough about driving. I should also point out that here all the distances are very close: when the oil runs out, people will still be able to get around on bicycles, or walking, or even horse-carts. In the US there will be a problem unless we can figure out a viable energy source that is truly renewable and sustainable.
This is Jason Katsanis signing out. Good night, and good golly.
PS Post on yesterday's trip to Φαιστος / Phaistos / Festos to follow. Σιγά-σιγά.
Good Morning! Looking forward to the post on the trip!
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Linda
Seattleonion? An onion in the burg? Or is it Seattleite or Seattlite? Those Grecians have it so easy! Must be a formula...
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