Home life in Hellas, Greece and the Greeks - eBooks4Greeks.gr

TYPES AND TRAITS 155on the same day ; whereas if they left on differentdays, each would get the passengers for whomthe day of departure was most convenient. Butthe Greek does not understand combination, inspite of his intelligence, and he is indifferent tothe public weal. A proof of it is afforded by thecondition of the steamers. They are dirty andill-kept, although the Greek is very clean in hisown household. The author has had a fairlywide experience of Greek steamers, but he hasonly met with one really well found and well keptup. This was due to the captain, one of theCanaris family, who had been educated for thenavy. Captain Canaris had his ship's companywell in hand, and saw that what he wanted donewas done. But this is contrary to the generalpractice, which is to let things slide.Regulationsare made only to be ignored, and everyone is, asfar as possible, a law unto himself. With us, thepolice would have something to say to a cyclistwithout a light after dark. It excites no remarkat Athens, even when he prefersthe side-walk tothe roadway. Incredible though it may seem,the writer has encountered a motor without headlightslong after sunset careering down thefrequented road which leads to Phaleron. TheGreeks have anexpression, Romaika pragmata,an equivalent to the cosas de Espana of theSpaniards. They are unsparing in criticisingthemselves, though they do not like beingcriticised by foreigners. Neither do we, for that