Mind you, the Greeks aren’t any better then the Italians or Maltese.

It’s the Mediterranean mindset, I guess.

I must comment however that driving in Italy is only terrible in the cities. Outside, they are very courteous, and really, put our attitudes in general to shame. Admittedly does not take much.

Nevertheless – I have now come to realise that the adage “be careful what you wish for” is very true.

Other supposedly more “civilised” or perhaps effectively regulated countries can be highly oppressive to live and work in.

The thing I find is that in these countries while on the face of it everyone is supposed to be following the laws to the letter and pompously announce as much, there is practically the same level of goings-on as in Malta and presumably Italy, only it is done behind a screen of correctness.

At all levels, not least the very highest. Hypocrisy is what I call it, and the Brits in particular, singling them out because I have great experience of that culture, are very good at it.

Countries where the whingers are not put into their rightful place end up like that. A jungle of regulation and political correctness.

Truly, I now I have seen both sides I much prefer the “Mediterranean way” of doing things, where practicality is prized, rather than following some stupid book to the letter that someone with nothing better to do wrote.

[Daphne – Yes, hence the title to my post.]

In other words, in Italy, zebra crossings are not constructed to give priority to pedestrians. This sort of reduces the relevance of zebra crossings to nothing more than street decoration, which is hilarious.

Thank God, I don’t think the Maltese are the same. Here in Malta drivers immediately stop to let pedestrians cross on a zebra crossing.

A lot of this behaviour is nevertheless commonplace in other European countries. I’ve never seen crazier driving, illegal parking, and jaywalking than in Paris, for example. The applause after landing thing is also certainly not something exclusive to Italians.

See also:
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