It is so strange to see all the strife in Athen’s Syntagma Square, and my heart goes out to the Greeks – the ordinary Greek in the streets.

I imagine that if SA had to impose “austerity measures” our streets would look similar. Or worse. They have to deal with a VAT rate almost doubling to 23%, privatisation of, among others, the national electricity company, a 10% decrease in civil servants’ salaries and the loss of 150000 state employees plus a decrease in the tax-free threshold from EUR12000 to EUR8000 (thanks Botton Line). Cosatu would read the riot act (although, of course, we have already privatised Eskom).

It’s strange to see bloody faces and bendy truncheons in the news pics because I was in Athens last October and, while I was struck by the depth of the poverty I saw, it was a happy place. Walking from my Plaka hotel towards Kerameikos one day I passed people selling second-hand clothes on the pavement, much like you see in our own townships. Others had reversed their beaten up hatchback jalopies so that they could sell what was plainly the family silver. It was heartbreaking.

Despite this, people had smiles on their faces, a warm handshake for all and sundry and were the friendliest I met in the European cities I had the privilege to visit. Of course, friendliness will get you nowhere when there are bills to pay and Greece’s loss is Europe’s gain.

Still, I feel sorry, oh so sorry, for the mamas and the papas. May their collective fortunes turn.

Tags: #European cities, #Syntagma Square, austerity measures, Greece