What Cigar are you smoking? (2026)

[Sid.Stavros]

Greetings from Greece, we had light rain but now sun with few clouds and 66 'F here.

This is Miss Grey, daughter of one of the Little Greys. In previous post suddenly she jumped onto the table and tried to snatch my bagel but i protected it, then she went to sniff my coffee. I gently shooed her away, and (seemingly for revenge) she plunged her nose right into my glass of water! Naughty girl.

A&G Mourtides Brevas.

 

[Sid.Stavros]

How much are Toscanelli in Greece? Here a pack of 5 is €4.60.

Here €7.70

The governments here are the biggest thieves, the main tax rate (VAT) is 24%. On tobacco and gasoline, you pay more in taxes than the actual value of the product itself. We have the 6th most expensive gasoline in the whole World (!) and the highest road tolls, while our wages remain stagnant for many years (with no increases) and are far lower than those in most EU countries.
We work 40 hours a week (often with overtime) just to cover rent, utility bills, and so on. If you ever hear someone claim that we don’t work or that we live off state benefits tell him that is stupid and if he had to live on our wages, he wouldn’t even be able to afford bread and milk for his own child.

 

[UmbriaFarmer]

Here €7.70

The governments here are the biggest thieves, the main tax rate (VAT) is 24%. On tobacco and gasoline, you pay more in taxes than the actual value of the product itself. We have the 6th most expensive gasoline in the whole World (!) and the highest road tolls, while our wages remain stagnant for many years (with no increases) and are far lower than those in most EU countries.
We work 40 hours a week (often with overtime) just to cover rent, utility bills, and so on. If you ever hear someone claim that we don’t work or that we live off state benefits tell him that is stupid and if he had to live on our wages, he wouldn’t even be able to afford bread and milk for his own child.

I really do understand. My wife and I lived on our sailboat for 2 years from 2016 to 2018 and we sailed all around Greece. We over wintered in Crete and and Lefkada and I got to know quite a few locals well. I learnt that the lady who managed the civic marina at Chania worked full time, in a govt job and took home €550 a month. I grew very fond of Greece and many Greeks and came to understand they are every bit as hard-working, diligent people as anywhere else.