This subservience is a real threat.

US political class resents European civilization and will sacrifice our security to prove their dominance. Sovereignty isn't optional.

The subservience is a real threat, now.

US political class resents European civilization and will sacrifice our security to prove their dominance. Sovereignty isn't optional.

If they want to be useful I would expect them to look both ways.

Or shall we pretend everyone is acting in good faith?

That passes the Opposite Test. Either option could work — it’s a bet on how to win.

If it’s obvious, it’s bullshit.

(And if it’s mostly numbers, it’s probably an objective, not a strategy.)

Share this with someone who tried to pull a fast one on you and call it strategy 😉

See? Nobody would ever choose that. So it’s not a strategy.

A real strategy describes a non-obvious selection:

“We choose to invest more into customer service than any competitor.”

Zorbas Hotel in Myrtéa, Greece was a funny experience. We were there in February and just about the only guests with our family friends.

Me and my friend were playing chess in the bar when the host said he’s going to bed, but invited us to help ourselves from the bar.

I’ve found some absolute gems over the years, especially outside of typical season it can be very interesting.

The indie hotels tend to be family affairs, and if it’s low season they have the time to share stories (and often cook some family specialty!)

I think legally banning and actually enforcing short term rentals is the only way to deal with this.

EU level regulatory framework into place, implemented and enforced locally.

I got to know one when staying in an AirBnB the last time, a few years ago.

I got into a dispute with them, because the apartment didn't have what was promoted, and AirBnB ended up agreeing with me.

Turns out my host wasn't the owner, and the owner was getting pretty aggressive with her about it

By now I already know quite a few people who are employed by foreign real estate owners, posing as local owners.

A local hotel employs local staff. They have permits. They pay taxes locally, and they need to follow all sorts of laws and regulations to make sure their operation isn't a net negative on the community.

About one third of your AirBnB check goes to this guy.

Be a legit tourist. Stay at a hotel.

A local hotel employs local staff. They have permits. They pay taxes locally, and they need to follow all sorts of laws and regulations to make sure their operation isn't a net negative on the community.

About one third of your AirBnB check goes to this guy.

Be a legit tourist. Stay at a hotel.

As an expat in Greece one thing I observe often is American Greeks visiting Athens and just criticizing every dish they come across as inauthentic 😆