Online bid for boycott of pricey Athens cafes
An online campaign against the high cost of coffee in the capital could result in many city dwellers boycotting Athens cafes today. In an e-mail message sent to thousands of addresses over the past few days, organizers call on consumers to demand the respect that «they, their pockets and their intelligence deserve» by staying away from cafes today. Protesters complain that the average price of coffee served at Athens outlets is 2 euros, compared to 95 cents in Barcelona, 1.80 euros in Berlin and 1 euro in London. In many cafes in the center of the Greek capital, the price of a simple coffee can reach 4 euros. Coffee shop owners reportedly argue the cost of coffee has increased due to higher rents and other charges. Organizers of the boycott contend that foreign cafe owners face the same problems but still manage to serve cheaper coffee.