A complaining society, Cypriots
It's funny that I'm starting to write this article, in which I'll accuse northern Cypriots of laziness, precisely when I should be studying, just as an excuse not to work. Well, the fairest way to interpret this is that I'm not contradicting my own thoughts :) Of course, the other part is that I'm sure I'll get an A2 in tomorrow's exam (the results are out, I got an A2). Perhaps I'm not quite Cypriot enough when it comes to laziness.
In Northern Cyprus (I won't comment on the south, as I don't consider myself sufficiently knowledgeable), the state, government, current administration, whatever you want to call it, has been criticised by people for years. Whether it's infrastructure deficiencies such as roads and utilities, or the government's economic, educational, etc. policies, if you find a side that isn't criticised, I have no doubt you'll find a brand new Mercedes under the rainbow. Looking at it more or less from a perspective, I can understand why there is so much criticism. Because I see the wrongs on the island just as much as anyone else.
It's quite possible to see the mistakes made by the administration on the island, not just the state administration but many organisations, and it's possible to understand the reactions to these mistakes. For years, many people and institutions have been making decisions on certain issues, and inevitably there are those who dislike these decisions and criticise them. Diversity, a fundamental principle, inevitably brings disagreements and contradictions, which are naturally present on our island and will continue to be an unchanging reality. After all, disagreements exist everywhere else in the world. However, when we look inward, it is necessary to pause and question ourselves. When we look at ourselves, it is possible to evaluate society in certain categories. Seeing and understanding these categories can provide us with information about the island's current situation and its possible future.
In this article, I will discuss the four segments of the Cypriot population.
The middle-aged Facebook crowd: This unique segment has an opinion on every subject. The source of these opinions is their average IQ and the information they access to form these opinions: posts and reels on Facebook, or information they gather from their surroundings in environments such as government offices and workplaces they have been in. These individuals can figure out how to fix the economy in about two minutes, and they naturally comment on everything (such as nepotism), yet when you go to a government office, the reason for the delays or the aforementioned nepotism is unknown; obviously, if these individuals are criticising, they cannot be the cause(!)1..
When we look at the ‘intellectuals’ segment, it is quite possible to say the following: this segment, which considers itself superior because it has read a few books and is interested in art, criticises everything around it and believes it has produced the best solutions for everything, tries to show that it is ‘open minded’ and believes it is, but in reality, apart from dealing with two or three personal issues, these friends are not really trying to change anything in society. Generally, this group consists of the ‘most Cypriot’ people (not all of them, but...). They talk about human equality and brotherhood among the people, but when the time comes, they secretly despise those who are not from their own society or nationality. Because they consider themselves free from flaws, they believe that the people they criticise and despise are the cause of this chaotic order(!). If you say anything to them, they immediately take offence; they are a bit fragile. It must be much easier for them to talk and complain about things on Instagram, Facebook, or from the book cafés and bars they frequent. Honestly, if there were a few less of these people in society, we wouldn't lose much; just a few less lattes would be made. And I can sadly say that there are many individuals in the younger generation who fit this description—when I wonder if I am like that, I find things to comfort myself with, like “no, I strive for cylingo, I do this, I do that”. Am I like that? Who knows...
Then there's the youth (some of young people are already in the ‘intellectuals’ group, the res is in this category), and the situation is not encouraging. Today's youth, whether in high school or university, occasionally mention the same problems as middle-aged people, but they don't really take any steps in this regard. Few say, ‘I can contribute.’ There is a segment that does contribute, but it is not very large, and it is clear that even some within this segment contribute far below their potential due to the responsibilities and laziness of their own lives. It is even more obvious that some people pretend to love the island and pretend to work hard just to show off (see: the very valuable, very Cypriot influencers).
Finally, let's talk about the people on the island who are working hard and producing things. There are a few of them. We appreciate and thank them.
Perhaps intervening in the system is not that simple. Perhaps the vast majority of the people I mentioned do not even have the capacity to influence change (which is not meant as an insult). For example, I cannot improve the economy even a little bit because it is not my field, I do not have the qualifications. However, at least doing something minimal about the complaints we make while complaining, or at least doing our own job properly and then talking, I would still give them a little credit. If our objections on these points are noteworthy, it could be participating in actions, in marches, for example. Let me remind you, a few years ago, almost half of the municipalities were closed down. How many people participated in the municipal workers' protest? When AI cameras were introduced by sharp-witted politicians, everyone asked, ‘Did you renovate the roads? Did you install lighting?’ Did we protest and seek our rights for this? Couldn't we have at least organised a petition? If you didn't do these things and then get fined for driving at 65 on the Alayköy main road, didn't you deserve it?
‘Allora’ say Italians, and ‘então’ in Portuguese; both mean ‘anyway’. Anyway, it’s going to go as it it is what it is. Of course, there are many factors affecting the island, and some are beyond our control. However, it cannot be said that we have made good use of the factors that are within our control. Therefore, some of what has happened is deserved.
(!): that means that, there is an irony