Times are tough all over: Greeks can no longer afford paying expensive bribes

[KamaAina]

I don't know whether to laugh or cry!

http://news.yahoo.com/greeks-no-longer-afford-paying-expensive-bribes-194819854--finance.html

Greeks, whose country is facing bankruptcy, can no longer afford the expensive customary cash-filled "fakelaki" or "little envelope" bribes paid to public sector workers, according to an official....

"While the crisis has not reduced corruption itself, it has reduced the price of corruption," Rakintzis told Skai TV after publishing his annual report....

As the crisis deepens, more and more Greeks find themselves no longer able to pay expensive bribes, Rakintzis said.

"There are no longer serious corruption offences. There is no money for major wrongdoings," he was quoted as saying by Proto Thema newspaper.

[lame54]

1. NOW something will be done to fix things

[Recovered Repug]

2. It's getting so a man can't make a dishonest living anymore. nt.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

3. If it is the established standard within the society, is it truly dishonest?

Having lived where such things were customary, it is quite literally how those providing those services survive. They don't feed their families from their paychecks, but from side payments. Its like tipping the wait staff at a restaurant.

[msongs]

4. ya suppose they are cutting back on their smoking, highest in Europe?

http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/1662771/survey_finds_greece_has_eus_highest_smoking_rates/