Pay back time

End of the month.

Pensions are paid into the bank account and then returned bill by bill to the government.

It is announced on TV towards the end of the month the exact day when pensions are paid out and lines start forming at ATMs and in the bank.

Not only have most of us not got enough money to pay all our bills till money goes in but also the thinking here is why pay earlier and give authorities the use of our money one minute, one hour before we really have to.  Every bill is paid almost on the last day before the deadline.  Usually deadlines for house and car taxes are extended for a week because of the length of lines and chaos at banks and government offices.

I paid our bills three days before the end of the month and avoided a two or three hour wait.  We do have e-banking set-up but need someone to give us a lesson.  We've got to get into the e-world.  Bank lines are ridiculous although you can now, if you're savvy, get an electronic number and sit at a local cafe till your phone beeps letting you know its your turn and you'd better get a move on.

Most of our banking is done at the National Bank of Greece and this is the only branch for miles around. People come from villages an hour away to get paid and pay out

Pensioners (those real Old Agers) don't trust banks and will go in and withdraw all their pension as soon as it arrives.  Mind you, that's not such a bad idea.  Banks and Municipalities can now take any money owed to them from your bank account without even a warning.  It is simply withdrawn electronically and you're left scratching your head and wondering what the hell has happened.

I went to use the ATM yesterday and there was a queue waiting for a white haired 'Pappou' to withdraw his pension. Even though the person in line behind him was helping it took him 5 goes before he got his money. He announced to us all he was withdrawing all his pension , 650 euros, and then sat on the steps and counted it. You wouldn't do that in Athens, and survive.