Talks with My Cousin: Australia vs Greece
It's always nice to exchange a few words with people regarding the situation in our countries, see how people live by, if things are easier or tougher and that is always something better or worse. Earlier today i had a talk with my cousin from Australia about how things are here in Greece and how things are in Australia.
We were both curious to find out. He told me something which is quite true and most people out there, without even noticing it, they face it. If you are a tourist, mostly everywhere but especially in Greece you will feel like this is heaven. Great beaches, great people, awesome places and scenery, amazing food, amazing history and the list goes on.
Tourists, though or at least the vast majority of them don't realise that there is another side, which is the side my cousin asked me. Criminality levels reached a new peak, hospitals and public health in general is a joke, people are working extremely hard and a lot of hours while we are in the last position in terms of our salaries in EU.
The prices are going only up, people find it extremely hard to even afford renting a house, corruption is real and literally everywhere, a lot of young people left the country for a better future, we are in the top spots WORLDWIDE in terms of a declining birthrate. Toxic working environment, people who can afford to go for vacations and in general, we are schrewed.
Even my cousin that has been in Greece like 4 times already, he told me yesterday that since the last time he was here (2 years ago), he witnessed an increase in the price of everyday things like Souvlaki, Coffee and like x2 or x3 times the price in ferry.
Now when i asked about Australia he said that mostly everything is fine. Low criminal levels, free and good healthcare system, not that hard to find a job if you have some kind of a degree, and cities are in development. It's easy to rent a house and you can even buy your own house with an average salary. He thinks though that in like 20 years it will be tough for someone to buy their own house.
In general life is easier and there are more opportunities. Imagine that with ease he managed to take 3 months off work without getting paid ofc, in order to travel around the world. This is something common and most of the companies don't have an issue with that. This also happens in some European countries from what i know, but here in Greece if you ask something like this you will get an instant no and if you still pursue it you will be fired.
Thus, Australia is like the new lang of opportunity while Greece and i would say it with certency even though some people may find it annoying (possibly because they are part of the problem) is the land of corruption and we are keep on going from worse to worst even though you might here some positive news on traditional media!