I read this in another thread (Explaining Greek Pride), from Steve Hoftsetter's article in Columbia's Daily Spectator
http://www.columbiaspectator.com/vne.../3c7de251eca2a
"Critics say Greeks buy their friends. But the money that Greeks pay funds the programs that they attend. Their dues pay for retreats and road-trips, mixers and meetings, billiards and ball games.
And throwing those parties that you and your friends keep going to. So they're really buying your friends. "
I couldn't have said it better myself...