Over the years and as of now, I've always been amazed by the behaviour of some individuals who present themselves as champions of holiness and correctness. They demonise the people they disagree with, no-holds-barred. They counter any criticism made in their regard with exactly the same all-out ferocity that they project in their criticism of others.

But then, they also specialise in how to present themselves as (in Maltese parlance) virgins and martyrs. What they do and say against others is  well done and holy. What others do to reciprocate even by copying their style, they denounce as totally malignant. It's a marvel that sectors of the population remain impressed by the show the put on.

There was a time when I used to think this happened because of familiar and class solidarity. It might be too that these individuals benefit from the impact of social media on many local people. But what is really astonishing is how they continue to successfully pretend that the poison they inject against others is legitimate and non-problematic, while what is sent their way is shameful and must be roundly condemned.

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HIDDEN COSTS

In real life, some of the costs which are incurred cannot be measured and paid for in cash. Or instance, the time wasted in traffic or in queues... waiting for the bus to arrive... at the pay counter in supermarkets... or in the line to consult a bank cashier... These costs still get charged to one's individual life "account". Other hidden costs are experienced collectvely - such as when public and private works take too long to get done and create obstacles and inconveniences for citizens who have nothing at all to do with an ongoing project... not to mention when the same works are badly done and must be redone.

I always found it surprising how such hidden costs are rarely given attention. Except perhaps when somebody successfully wages a campaign about one of these nuisances and manages to provoke a political backlash.

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TOURISTS IN FLATS

Much is said about the state of hotels, old and new - how they've been multiplying, how they're being renovated, the disturbances they create in their surroundings while getting built, their profile in the island's tourism industry. The same cannot be said regarding the tourism accomodation sector by way of apartments rented out by private owners. These mainly get referenced in tourism statistics. Or when some controversy explodes about the antics of tourists who rent them, mostly in areas like Swieqi, but not only there. As far as I know (but I may be wrong) no association has been established to represent this sector about which in recent months, stricter regulations were announced to contain abuses at tourist accomodation addresses.

It can hardly be doubted that the sector has grown and spread significantly. Many proprietors of flats have come to the conclusion that it makes better sense to rent them for a few days to tourists rather than let them for a year or more to Maltese tenants. Their emergence in the national scene gives them the status of a political and economic lobby. Which is why it would be a good idea for more public information about this sector to be collected and made available.