(Message from Athens) How do you cope with constant recession?

[gwb72tii]

you're country got into trouble by politicians promising things that are impossible to deliver, like retirement at 60, pensions etc
you're country basically lied to the EU over the deficit spending it was doing and now is in trouble financially. that plus what you said regarding not paying taxes.
the ECB mandate is for your country to basically be in recession for the next 5 years to get closer to balancing its budget. its not going to get any easier for a long while to find a job.
me, if i had a dentist's degree, i'd move to another country where i could find a job. I don't know about the UK, but in the USA dentists can earn $500k/year if you work hard.
move away from greece

[bmwstephen]

nothing wrong with taking advantage of tax loop holes. more fucked up that your politicians find every means to tax your already low wages.

one problem is your friends own business that serve to consume so of course they are going to bomb when people decide to tighten their belts immediately. it goes without saying that the majority of your population did not live within their means early on and expected to much for nothing.

the overall problem is that your people and its government thought wealth came from public services so you guys collectively ran it to the ground. the people that are rioters should've known better than to put all there life into a failing system. Based on current news report, the rioters still are stupid and haven't changed mindsets, they just want their public services and jobs restored rather than accepting the reality it was those very same factors that got you there in the first place.

don't get me wrong, our country is headed toward that path too but you do what you can. don't expect your elected official to help you out. he'll probably tell you he can but he is shooting for the sweet pension and generous public salary/benefits that are priority over that of the average citizen.

[a3ternus]

Hello to everyone reading this.This is a message from Athens,Greece in a way.
I didnt plan to write this but I ve always been wondering what was/is your way of coping with constant economic recession. :-|

As you may know,and I know that many of you already know judging from the
occupy wall street movement videos on youtube (Thanks for your support by the way.It sends a loud message.),we re currently in...how can I say it...deep deep shit.Not just our economy.Our way of life,our way of thinking and everything in between.Half of the people are depressed in one way or another.People aged 18-25 have a 50% unemployment rate.That means that half of them do not work.That goes down to 25% in general population regardless of age.Also mind that these are the official figures.Reality is harsher as we know.Apart from these facts bear in mind that,officially,the base salary is 510€ which means 400something on hand,excluding health care etc.Thats 670$ for 8 hours of work.Considering rent,gas and basic goods prices, that's totally ridiculous.

I m not gonna talk more in a general tone here.I dont have the knowledge.
I m sure even people who study economics do not have a clue sometimes.
We ended up in this situation cos of unbelievable political corruption.
But not only this.The biggest part of the population has learnt to live with it and endorse it with their vote.Thats 6 million people out of approximately 11 in total voting for the two main political parties in the last elections.
But enough with the big picture.

I m gonna describe my and my friends' situation.

One of us used to own a Toy store.Now its closed.He s currently employed for the last 11 months but has only received 3 salaries.Oh,for the graveyard shift.
He is married with a 2 year old son.He barely gets by.

Another one of us used to own a Furniture store.After months of a negative financial balance sheet,he decided to close it down.He s currently in search of a job.Nothing in particular.Any job will do.

I myself am a dentist.Just got my degree.I have a much better chance of getting a job in the UK rather than here in Athens.I m looking for a job in my field for the last 4 months or so.I ll end up working as an dentist aid I guess.
Keep in mind that thing about corruption.The majority of doctors,dentists and lawyers here declare the minimum they can in order to avoid taxes.

The fourth one is an engineer currently in almost the same situation as me.
He ll be probably looking for a job abroad if he s lucky to find one.

Anyway,the media here report that the worst has yet to come.
I know you ve been experiencing economic recession since 2008 in the states,so I guess I m not talking about anything new.
Just wanted to share and rant I suppose.
The worst of all is how easily people here get depressed.
And the worst of the worst is that there seems to be no end in sight.
Well,we live in a fucked up period in global history.Thats a given.

N.