So farewell, then, Nikos…
September 7, 2015 by skopelosnews
We name the guilty parties: Maria and Peter Broadley, Nikos Ioannou, Lesley Dilieto, John Bankes, Gialos co-owner Georgia Patsea, Stefania Illiadou
Several miscreants with tenuous links to this website gathered at Gialos restaurant on Sunday to spring an ‘ice bucket challenge’ on
garzon Nikos Ioannou, who was leaving to prepare for his studies for a tourism degree at the University of Ioannina, in the capital of Epirus in western Greece. Nikos is one of at least three young Skopelitans attending the UoI, their studies including engineering, sciences and tourism. We were a little surprised when a quick Google revealed that the UoI has 13,523 undergraduates among a total of over 17,000 students.
The conspirators showered the victim with age-inappropriate gifts before sneaking up on him with the bucket (the ringleader in the attack will remain anonymous, although her name begins with a gamma…), and while the office wobblecam failed to catch the icy moment itself, Nikos took it all in good humour. He is probably now contemplating what is alleged to be Charles Talleyrand’s famous saying, ‘Revenge is a dish best served cold.’
Which part of the above dialogue did you fine “assinine” [sic], Jimmy Adams?
I’d like to be clear about your objections.
I think that Maria’s comment cleared up the relationship issue for me which wasn’t clear from the terrific photo (truly) and the sparse but clever text.
Most comments following my analysis were helpful in proving most of my theoretical assumptions to be incorrect. So I am thankful to those writers (john, Maria ).
Other comments were sadly predictable.
Well said, Marie, Pete and John! As for the assinine, insulting comments from one who should know better: ’nuff said!
Excellent comment, Maria.
This could run and run, but I suggest that it doesn’t; despite the crudely expressed imperialist/wog dynamic, which demeans everyone concerned, including Nikos himself.
Regarding Nikos’ place in the vast order of things: he is proud of his heritage; he has assurance and self belief; and he has a great sense of mischief – perpetrated in many practical jokes (one of which involved a trap with a wet mop, which he set up in the workplace on an otherwise dull afternoon. As the victim, I should perhaps have added ingenuity to Nikos’ list of attributes).
Nikos is not some browbeaten serf, but a modern, articulate, young adult holding opinions that he is unafraid to express and defend in vocal sparring matches with his friends and equals. Among whom I, for one, am proud to be counted.
Forget the socio-economic rhetoric: look at the body language in the photograph.
Mike – sorry for the late reply. Just stepped out to the pharmacy for some aspirin and LSD.
Carefully read my comment above to understand my point on the prospect of young Nikos taking “revenge”, especially this part, “One might even read in the photo some dimension of the imperialist/wog dynamic …”.
Some “might” read that into the photo. Others “might” not.
Pete – as I made clear in my comment, the text I was referring to was the last line of the post concerning revenge. I was simply stating how you guys need not be on pins and needles about Nikos sneaking up on you with a bucket of water. He is not in the position to do so for a variety of reasons, some of which are apparent and others not so. The list of cultural dynamics could actually go on and on.
“john’s” clarification comment was published while I was writing my comment and I didn’t see it. I was “reading” the photo and the text as presented.
Sorry to offend as that was not my intention.
Tom, why do you have to read some ulterior motive into a group of friends having fun? I have known Nikos and his father for over six years and would never do anything to offend them.
You, on the other hand have offended me deeply with your comments. If you have nothing reasonable to say then I suggest you say nothing in future.
Thanks again, john. Help me understand as I think that I am missing part of the story – Nikos had pledged a donation to the charity and that’s why he was doused? Or was he doused because he was leaving to go to university?
Thanks john. Your clarification helps decipher the photo. There is no mention in the post text that dousing with ice water has become common practice at Gialos.
There really are some miserable gits living on this island who need to take their pills more often. Some fun and somebody has to read into it, amongst other things, “some dimension of the imperialist/wog dynamic”.
Get a life.
And another wholly unamusing post-sub-Marxist observation: there are actually two hands on the bucket, one local, one not…
As you might be on someone’s bucket list…
And the moral of the story is: never go to dinner with any of these people…
Well, Tom, the ice bucket challenge appears to have originated in your own hometown, Boston, Massachusetts
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_Bucket_Challenge
as a fundraiser for people living with ALS/Lou Gehrig’s Disease, and spread to numerous other countries, where it was also used to raise funds for numerous other medical causes.
And the ‘shower of gifts’ also included cash, as well as other items that the “collectivity” thought would help or amuse Nikos on his way to uni. It was just our way of saying thanks and good luck to a much-liked young islander on his way to what we hope will be an illustrious career.
As to the ‘wet’ cellphone, most of the water actually went on the perpetrators…
Thanks for the photo and the story. Fascinating. Who thought up the bucket of water idea? Maybe something is going on that we don’t know about?
Unfortunately, most likely revenge is not in the picture as the socio-economic difference between the players is so great. You have the employee/employer relationship (tick the box next to “passive/aggressive”). The employer holds the cards if Nikos wants work next summer. Unless of course Nikos goes “postal”.
Then there is the (I’m guessing) rich/poor relationship in which the worker relies on the largess of the clients to get by. No chance of an “in kind” response as he does not have an even hand in this relationship either.
Young/old
Tourist/worker
One might even read in the photo some dimension of the imperialist/wog dynamic though it appears that the instigating person holding the green bucket is local. The facilitators are not.
So a great big “thank you and good luck” to Nikos but wouldn’t a €20 tip/gift from each participant be a better and useful token of appreciation? He might then afford a new cell phone to replace the wet one.
A good lesson in tourism studies Nikos. I’m sure that you responded like a gentleman.
As the miscreant behind the camera, I feel impelled to ‘fess up my own complicity in this event. I probably set things in motion a few weeks ago when I reminded a dinner party that Lesley, in white above, had signed up for the ice bucket challenge but, while she had donated generously to charity, had yet to take the bucket on the bonce. Several diners conspired to correct that promptly as she sat eating, but she too took it with grace. What Discover Skopelos magazine would probably call a “collectivity” of hands conspired to hand Nikos his.
And, yes, Stella, I know that my bonce and I can expect the same any day now…
The best of luck to all those going off to Uni this year. I also hope they will all find employment when they complete their studies too. And revenge?…….they have few years to think up something good so you had all better watch your backs when holiday time comes around!! Lol