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Greeks embrace some new myths about life with the euro
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In a land of ancient myths, modern Greeks have created some of their own about their near-bankrupt country's future as an integral part of a Europe that will never kick them out.
Solemn warnings from abroad that Athens cannot stay in the euro while rejecting the terms attached to the billions offered to pull Greece out of its financial hole are widely disbelieved in a land that considers itself the envy of foreigners.
However bad their prospects, many Greeks seem to think that since money to bail them out was found in the past, it will be found again, whatever politicians say.
Nor do they believe that Europe will simply cast them loose, despite growing signs that Greece is heading for the exit from the single currency and towards the economic and social catastrophe that would follow.
"There's a lot of money in this country, they just need to tax the rich and it would solve so many problems," said seamstress Argiro Maniati, 55.
Working furiously at her sewing machine surrounded by tall piles of mended clothes her customers can't afford to collect, Maniati fully embraces the myth that Greece's membership of the euro can never die.
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Greek broadcaster ERT reopens after court victory (Guardian: Jun. 18) 
2 comments
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4 comments Greek broadcaster ERT reopens after court victory (Guardian: Jun. 18) 2 comments
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Greek broadcaster ERT reopens after court victory
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Greek broadcaster ERT reopens after court victory
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Obama calls N. Ireland peace a blueprint for world conflicts
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Obama calls N. Ireland peace a blueprint for world conflicts
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Turkish government says it may use army to end protests
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Turkish government says it may use army to end protests
-
State broadcaster ERT to shut down as Greece seeks more savings
-
Far-right Greeks push for law jailing illegal immigrants
-
Second trial of Greek editor who published Lagarde list is postponed
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Far-right Greeks push for law jailing illegal immigrants
Comments
The biggest myth
May 24, 2012 by Irlandos (United Kingdom ), 1 year 3 weeks ago
Points: 1
The myth is that leaving the euro will be a catastrophe for Greece and the world.
As the German mentality and the southern, Mediterranean mentality are vastly different on economics, the best solution, in my humble opinion, is for all countries of the Eurozone to start issuing their national currencies in parallel with the euro (remember the ECU?) Afterwards, ditch this miserably-failed experiment of a German-dictated currency that puts itself above people.
Re: The biggest myth
May 24, 2012 by Jim Adams (United States ), 1 year 3 weeks ago
Points: -4
@Irlandos:
...which would be nice if a collective effort was put forward by all European countries. But since that isn't happening it will be the Greeks paying the piper.
Maybe the less painful plan would be right now sticking with Europe. Then, work on change for the long run.
Either which way, there are a couple of lost generations for Greece.