89. Respect

The 2004 Summer Olympics are almost here; I'm excited to see Greece again, though I feel a great deal of trepidation, for several different reasons. Ten years ago, while cruising around the Greek Islands, visiting some of the usual tourist sights, I noticed then how very worn the steps were leading up to the Athens Acropolis. It pained me to see the large gaping street holes everywhere, in preparation of a mass transit system for these Olympic games, adjacent to ancient ruins protected only by wrought iron fences. Years of pollution and neglect were quite evident. The Olympics will indeed help the economy of this country that was once part of the ancient cradle of civilization.

Early news programs and newspaper articles have been addressing concerns in regard to a certain lack of completion in the building plans for a few venues. In speaking to my cousin's boyfriend, a sportscaster who will be working at the Summer Olympics, several problems have indeed been confirmed. Chief among them is that there has been a lack of laborers, many of whom have been brought in from other countries, not to mention the "Greek work ethic."

First, need I point out that Greece is a country of islands? Of course there is going to be a different work ethic! Duh!!! Second, Greece, like any other foreign culture is unique unto itself and should not be compared to anywhere else, especially by Americans, which brings me to the topic of this article.

In 1974, I first visited Europe during a six-week honeymoon using Frommer's "Europe on $5.00 a Day" guidebook. My husband and I managed to visit several countries on a rather modest budget, alternating between bed & breakfast inns and small but nice hotels. It was surprising to find how boorish, loud and disrespectful our fellow American travelers were everywhere we went. I personally found the constant complaints about food, unreasonable demands for service or special considerations, and totally ignoring signs about picture taking or manner of dress very embarrassing personally, being an American myself.

Several years later, on my visit to Greece, I found the behavior of many Americans totally unacceptable. On the island of Crete, I overheard one woman telling her friends "It's just another pile of rocks! What's the big deal?" Every ruin one visits there are many roped off areas where people are asked to not step over the ropes and picture taking is allowed but without flashbulbs; of course, several people ignore the signs and do as they please... all Americans of course.

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