Is the gas tank half empty or half full?

Much as I agree, with Ms Debbie Cameron from Manchester, UK, that Cyprus pricing is not what it used to be – just like everything else in life – I think it’s a mistake to assume that everything is a rip-off here.

I’ve travelled to many countries and from what I see, the average pricing in most restaurants tends to be the same, be it in London, New York, Los Angeles or Paphos. I don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect to pay €40-50 for a three-course meal for two with a bottle of wine and dessert and coffee.

Also, it’s not unreasonable to pay for a full gas tank when you rent a car. You can negotiate the price and you can also negotiate to bring the car back with the tank full – but some planning in advance will be needed.

Nowadays you can search for car rental offices online, give them a call and just negotiate. For one day rental, the chance is you will get ripped off – no matter where you are.  A five-day car rental in San Francisco was $134 with advance booking. Drive up to the airport to rent it the same day for one day and the price will be $68. 

And while I hate to compare places, my recent trip to London saw me going through three security checkpoints at Heathrow airport; my meal (for three) at the centre of London cost me £75; and the police officer I asked for directions, on my way to the station told me that “he could not help me”.

Some tips for Ms Cameron’s next trips: plan in advance, stay off the well-worn tourist paths, acclimatise yourself with the culture and architecture of the place you are visiting, and don’t sweat whether the gas tank is half full or half empty.
Just use it to your maximum pleasure.
 
Demetris Ioannou,
Larnaca

The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.