Sicilian families, it is reported, have the highest level of personal debt in Italy, due to their use of consumer credit and the "cessione del quinto" , a salary-backed loan which is available. Many families, it seems , are on the verge of bankruptcy. Yet you would not believe that this could be true were you to look around at the number of families who own their homes outright and even have second or third ones, and at the large number of stores stocking expensive items such as furniture that will not take credit cards. "Italy is a cash society", writes Tobias Jones and so it would appear - but nothing is ever as it appears in Italy.
Consumer associations are calling for urgent action to bring salaries and pensions in line with those in the other richer countries of the EU for, as I have mentioned before, the price of grain has more than doubled in a year. Perhaps the surest indication that something was wrong in 2007 was the "pasta strike" back in September - things must be serious for an Italian to even think of foregoing his or her daily bowl of the country's favourite food.
18 comments:
At some point, I feel this blog has to turn into a book. I really do.
David, you are, as always, very kind. If only I knew how to go about that!
Happy New Year to you too, WL! :)
But it seems that those other "richer" EU countries can't afford the salaries and pensions they now provide which of course Monsieur Sarkozy is trying to dealing with.
So nothing is ever as it seems in Italy. And it has to be a cash society so that the l'economia nera can flourish.
Well if a twit like me can manage it several times... it is not as hard a prospect as you might imagine. If you want some advice, please feel free to email me.
What's the unemployment rate in Sicily, the official one and also your best guess?
I second David. "A Year In Provence" plus recipes and colour photographs - crossover publishing, I'd say!
Get a list of publishers and tell them your blog address (and blog awards). When you find one that's interested, I'm sure they'll tell you the format they want.
Many thanks, Ordo - auguri a te! Both good points, jmb. David, you cannot be a twit! But thank you and I would very much like to email you for advice. Will do so later. Thank you so much, Sackerson- I do feel encouraged!
Hi, WW. Interestingly "Sicily Guide" has some recent posts about this: it is 13.3% in Agrigento and generally reckoned to be anything between that and 20%. I would tend to go with the higher figure. I do know that between 1992 and 1996 , 200,000 jobs were lost in Sicily.
Rising food prices is something I have been writing about with my MEP. Grain prices will increase even more this year. It is the end of cheap food. We also need to seriously consider food shortages which are likely to affect us all with global warming causing drought stress. Water is the new oil in some countries. Life, as we know it, could change drastically in the next generation.
Another interesting post about life in Sicily. When we ended up in Agrigento, last year it was a Sunday and appeared like a ghost town. But when we popped into a small cafe that we found open the lady was more than gracious. The menu offered pastas but she didn't have any sauce on hand so she went somewhere to get some. Now THAT is going above and beyond for 8 tourists from Canada and the USA!
When the total figure in the red column is greater than or equal to that in the black column...
We're almost there.
I think a book is a brilliant idea, Welshcakes. Your texts are so perceptive and entertaining that they deserve to be upgraded and published in a traditional book-form: I am certain that many people would find it a highly enjoyable read.
A belated happy New Year Welshcakes. I agree, this blog could, rather should, be tuned into a book
Hi, Ellee. I agree. It is hard to imagine how we will all be living even 10 years hence and we need to take action now. Ciao, Leslie. I'm glad you found good service in Agrigento for that is my favourite city in all Sicily. Oh, Crushed, you are going mathematical on me again!! Thank you so much, Joao. I am flattered. Thank you, jams. I am trying not to let all these lovely comments go to my head!
I've had market research studies conducted for me in the past, and I really wouldn't trust an Italian study without really scrutinizing the methodology.
Based on my experience in Sicily, Sicilians are very frugal and excellent a pooling the family money, using the old boy network for back door financial schemes, and shrewd at tax evasion and hiding their income and assets. So as far as I'm concerned - these studies always have many layers of fact and fiction at play.
In 2002, the percentage of Americans older than 45 who entered bankruptcy reached 39 percent, up from 27 percent in 1994.
We've got problems too!
Jacque
alohafromsicily.blogspot.com
Yes, a book would be a great idea. I'm sure it is only a matter of time.
Hi, jacque. Interesting insight. I've just been hearing on TV how much the UK economy is in trouble too! Thank you kindly, Ellee.
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