I know a guy who used to have a motorbike rental shop until he became bankrupt. The bank took his bikes and he owed thousands in VAT.After a while he opened a new shop selling motorbikes. I bought a bike at his shop. He was a good talker. I gave him the money for the bike but I never received it. He declared bankruptcy again. It was said his wife left the country with the kids because she couldn't stand it any more. It was a week ago when I visited Coral Bay and who had opened a new shop? It was same guy with new bikes and his lovely wife sitting in the office.The blood went to my head. He took €6,000 away from me. He owes so much to the bank and still it is possible for him to open another shop.  Are there no rules in this country?... 5 comments

‘Cypriots really hate being told what to do’. This headline, which appeared in Wednesday May 1 Cyprus Mail, caused me to smile wryly. These few words are exactly why Cyprus is in the mess it is. The problem didn’t start when they joined the EU. It started in 1960. The Cypriot people were so anxious to gain independence that they failed to acknowledge that running a country is about telling people what to do.   One can see this by the fiasco of getting people to pay taxes and it doesn’t help with having governments of the same ilk.     Traffic directives are abused because no one likes being told to obey the rules of the road.  Building regulations went the same way - no one likes being told what to build and where... 5 comments

Speaking at the Brookings Institution in Washington, Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides made a point that I hope is not lost as we move forward towards re-activation of talks to negotiate a settlement to the Cyprus problem.In the course of his remarks, Mr Kasoulides stated that Cyprus is the most predictable, meaning I think that it’s also the most reliable, neighbour to Israel. In essence, his remarks echo similar remarks made by President Anastasiades during his recent visit to Israel. The point, which I think bears repeating, is that Cyprus Israeli relations are not just underpinned by common interests, but also shared values... 1 comment

I refer to my letter ‘A new IPT law by June? Fat chance’ dated April 25, where I asked: Please can someone - not from the authorities - explain how on earth are they going to do all this?Well, the responses/replies/comments received, through the CM website letters’ column, though appropriate, resulted in those not in authority but primarily involved being noticeable absent. The estate agents, lawyers, builders, and banks were nowhere to be seen, or should I say, were all keeping their heads down, or is it, that they agreed with my comments and have no clue how, by June 2013? ALL those with property - legal or not - and land are to be listed on a database and demands sent out for payment in September 2013... 1 comment

A report published this week In America says among other things the following:  As the US housing markets recovers, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have returned to profitability’ allowing both mortgage financing companies to submit sizable payments to the US 'Treasury. The $59.4 billion dividend from Fannie Mae and $7 bi1llon from Freddie Mac will help-to postpone the raising of the debt ceiling, as the deficit is reduced by a combined $67 billion. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are the two biggest companies in America involved in housing mortgages and were the prime culprits who were in danger of collapsing some five years ago when they were rescued by the US Treasury... Read on

 I've recently got back from holiday to Cyprus with my wife. I thought I would email you to offer my thoughts on an experience we had very recently at a trendy bar on Mackenzy Beach in Larnaca in connection with the theme of how elements of local tourism, business and services are behaving in the current climate.The trendy bar in question is one of those few places that makes the visitor wonder "wow, crisis, what crisis?" Still people show up in flash modes of transport, wearing flash clothes, bling and flashing the cash. The bar has installed some flashy lighting and other features to portray itself as Monaco by the East Med. The prices are there to match, and far from being thin on custom, it is as busy as ever. ... 8 comments

 A lot has been said recently about new schemes, funds and initiatives to help our youth find work in this current climate but i have yet to see any real advances in this area.My son was trying to find any work by walking from business to hotel to pub -- through union offices and of course the unemployment office and yet nothing came out of it for him.Five appointments were given him at the union office and every single one told him they had no idea who told him that there were any vacancies.Eleven hotels said that Russian was a prerequisite (this is not taught in the local schools as part of the curriculum)... 2 comments

 Cyprus is going through a very difficult time. We all know and feel it. If tourism is so important for Cyprus, why are people are not doing their jobs properly? My family was over from the UK for the holidays, staying in Coral Bay. The hotel was fine but someone just opened a rental shop and is treating the pavement outside as a showroom for his quad bikes.My family with small children had to walk on the middle of the road to be able to reach the main street in Coral Bay. I complained to Peyia municipality and the police but nothing has been done about this. My family and many others in the hotel were complaining. Why does Cyprus give the tourist the chance to complain back home. People will not come back... 7 comments

 Cypriots need to show some respect for tourists. We do not like to be run over by your little cars, when we have the right of way. Bus drivers should learn to speak clearly in English as we try to pay our fare. Restaurants that want our money should at least try to smile when we place and order or pay our checks. There may be a nice gratuity in it for you.Tourists vote with their feet. And remember that one bad experience will influence at least ten other people negatively as well. We do talk amongst each other. And internet and SMS etc will make these opinions heard quicker... 8 comments

 Regarding the article “Acupuncturist cleared of double rape charges” in the April 26, 2013 edition of the Cyprus Mail, we would like to point out that the title of the article is misleading in that the accused is a Medical Doctor (Anaesthesiologist), who also practices Acupuncture.It should be especially noted that Acupuncture, which is the insertion of fine, sterilized needles into specific points on the body, does NOT involve the use of sedation, anaesthesia or drugging.For more information regarding Acupuncture as a profession and the standards of training, it is useful to refer to the guidelines set by WHO (http://apps.who.int/medicinedocs/pdf/whozip56e/whozip56e.pdf). ... 1 comment