New York Times
November 6, 2011
The tiny jewelry shop in the working-class Athens neighborhood was open for business — barely.
The shop’s proprietor, Tasos (he preferred not to disclose his last name), has not had a sale in more than three months. Because he cannot afford to pay his electricity bills, there was no light to illuminate his storefront display of jewels.
Like most shell-shocked Greeks here, he has, over the past few months, spent more time watching television than conducting commerce as Greek politicians veered from one political crisis to another. His senses have been battered with all possibilities of a disaster, not least the prospect that Greece might leave the euro.
The effect on his small business — which he says may have to close — has been devastating. His regular customers, whom he rarely sees these days, owe him €14,000, or $19,300, and those that he does see are looking to pawn their family heirlooms to get by.
“The politicians are playing games with the people,” he said, his eyes red with exhaustion and stress. “This city is boiling. I am not a protester, but soon the top on the kettle will pop.”
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