Sunday, July 09, 2006

Kiosk

This is why we don't need 7-11s in Greece. Kiosks like this are everywhere and sell everything: Press, cigarettes, chewing gum, magazines, milk, snacks, juices, phone cards, beer, ice cream, potato chips, toys, chocolate, water, alcohol and non alcohol soft drinks, you name it. The kioskman himself sits in the tiny booth making everybody wondering where he goes when he has...to go :)

For those wondering how they came to look like this: Just after World War Two, the devastated greek state could not pay compensations or pensions to war theatre victims (amputated, widows of those killed etc). So, it granted them lisences to sell cigarettes in small booths. Time went by and the kiosks became larger and begun to sell other things like magazines, even soft medicine like aspirine. About 30 years ago refrigerators were added. One thing led to another, kiosks became larger and larger and today they occupy the space of a small store, though outdoors. Isn't that an interesting story?

9 comments:

jerry said...

Very interesting story my dear Ovelikios... I didnt know it actually, even though I am greek...

Kiosks in Greece tend also to be a valuable business with huge amounts of profits and also its hard to acquire a licence to open one of them.

Eric said...

I imagine you are bracing for the annual attack of tourists this summer?

Anonymous said...

That's a very interesting story. Small kiosks here in the Philippines are seen everywhere too...and is a major player in the retail business.

Unknown said...

That is an interesting story. We have many kiosks like that also here but this one is quite big.

alice said...

Thank you for all these informations!

captain said...

My sister is pregnant to her 4th child. After the birth she can apply for a kiosk licence. The greek low would be then on her side.
(for those who dont know, its very difficult to obtain such a licence.)

Jazzy said...

Hello Ovelikios,

I like the story very much about kiosks and also other photos that you have on DP.
I always wanted to visit Athens primarily because of The Acropolis and Theatre of Dionysus as the birthplace of Greek tragedy.
Looking at your pictures the city is really great and there's lots to see.

Thank you for your kind comment on my DP.

Regards

Julien said...

Nice picture... I will certainly post a "periptero" picture taken during the night on my blog...

Anonymous said...

Hallo I absolutely adore your site. You have beautiful graphics I have ever seen.
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