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Times
6 days ago
- Times
No poetry, please — ‘OOO' does not stand for overly odious odes
The sounds of summer used to consist of the thwack of leather on willow and the call of 'new balls, please'. To those, we must now add the ping of an out of office message, or 'OOO', the noise you possibly make after eating too much moussaka in a Greek taverna. The acronym — and its unpronounceability — is such a feature of the summer holidays that many Microsoft employees choose to call it 'Oof', which supposedly stands for Out of Facility, a hangover from when early computer programmers were recruited from academia. Though Amy Stevenson, a Microsoft corporate archivist, points out that this is probably a 'backronym' — there is no evidence that anyone actually said 'out of facility'; it's just easier to say Oof, than Ooo. Either way, we are entering peak OOO season and with that comes tortuous attempts by workers to sound either terribly important or be the office wit. The default for execs is the brusque: 'I am away on annual leave until July 28. Please contact my EA in my absence.' Do not do this, unless you are in the Coldstream Guards and believe a two-week jaunt to Tuscany should be treated as a military exercise. 'Annual leave' has crept into office parlance, but is insufferably pompous. What's wrong with: 'I'm away on holiday'? 'Annual leave' has legalistic overtones. It groups your time off with the kids around a swimming pool with sick leave, or compassionate leave, as if your summer break is something you are reluctantly taking under contractual obligation. It's OK to be on holiday. At the other end of the scale is one I saw recently: 'Knock knock. Who's there? Not me. Knock again on 21 July.' This was from a copywriter, so it was just about acceptable. But using an OOO as a vehicle to express your personality has become a dangerous trend. I've seen people post poetry, the itinerary of their road trip across America and their summer reading list in their OOOs. • This week I attended the Google journalist summer party and was shown by a Googler their boss's OOO, which started: 'Thanks for your note. Long story short, I'm currently in my bride era and out of the office. The planets and fates and all the stars aligned — and I'm saying I do, because it's a love story, baby.' There were a few more paragraphs of this, before we got to the little footnote: 'This out of office was inspired by Taylor Swift lyrics and partially composed with the help of Gemini.' Welcome to the future. Not only do you have to wade through OOOs that are long, comedic homages to pop stars, but ones that have been crafted by the very machines about to steal your job. I've seen another this week, which explained that the person was away at an Oasis concert in Manchester — made up of the band's song titles ('I'm on a Supersonic journey to Heaton Park', etc). I thought it was moderately droll. But now that I know the person may have resorted to AI, I am thinking it was a warning sign that civilisation is collapsing. An OOO should not be an attempt from consultants to prove they could have enjoyed an alternative career as a Funky Pigeon joke card writer. It should be a vehicle to ensure you enjoy some undisturbed time away from your responsibilities, while providing a substitute person to contact. • Academics urged to end 'con' of jargon-filled writing In our always-on culture, too many people focus on the first part of this, rather than the second. John Oxley, a political strategist, on the Bluesky social media platform, cited a particularly egregious example. The individual set up an OOO that listed various people to contact in his absence before, as a final option, an email address he would be monitoring: MyProblemIsMoreImportantThanYourFamilyTime@[company].com. Ouch. Many people have adopted a less hostile approach, which is to tell people they are not reading emails, but they are returning on Aug 18 and if it's important they should re-email them then. You will be surprised how many people bother to email again. Mercedes-Benz workers in Germany are able to sign up to what it calls the 'Mail on Holiday' deletion service. People messaging the car company are given an alternative person to contact and then promptly told their email will be automatically deleted. You come back to the office not only with a suntan but with a wonderful clean, empty inbox. This, of course, only works because it has the full backing of the management. The problem is that remote and flexible working has blurred the boundaries between work and home life so much that a small number of people expect a reply at all times, an attitude which only encourages the baroque, comedic or aggressive OOOs in order to scotch this. • IBM registered at the Intellectual Property Office a bit of software that would ensure that if you started to email someone from whom you had already received an out of office message then you would get a pop-up notification reminding you they were unavailable. It was a clever solution, but I don't believe any email provider adopted it. And however perfectly crafted the OOO is, too many people use WhatsApp as a form of business communication, circumnavigating your elaborate attempts to get some peace poolside. I find the following message remarkably effective: 'I am away on holiday and trying to look at my emails just once a day, apologies in advance for the slow reply.' In this era no one is truly uncontactable and all attempts to thwart the inevitable are akin to Canute proving to his courtiers he could not stem the tide. The best we can hope for is a few hours of peace. Unless you have used AI to write your OOO — in which case I hope your holiday is ruined with people continually harassing you.
The Independent
02-06-2025
- General
- The Independent
Why you should follow the locals and discover the laid-back charm of the Athens Riviera this summer
After more than 15 years writing about Greece, I've learned that some of the best experiences happen when you veer away from the obvious choices. While most travellers landing in Athens rush toward the islands, I turn my attention to the Athens Riviera – a shimmering stretch of coastline just south of the city. Here, sandy beaches, lazy taverna lunches and sunsets to rival Santorini unfold with the ease of staying on the mainland. For decades, Athenians have sought seaside respite here. Now the Riviera is enjoying a renaissance, drawing international visitors who've discovered they can enjoy a stylish, culture-rich escape – no ferry required. Vouliagmeni quickly emerges as the Riviera's crown jewel. Its palm-lined boulevards and waterfront cafés emit a casual elegance reminiscent of France 's Côte d'Azur, only with a distinctly Greek flair. Hours disappear, relaxing over coffee and seaside strolls, highlighting a life lived outdoors. My personal favourite lies at the foot of limestone cliffs: Lake Vouliagmeni offers one of the Riviera's most surprising swimming spots. Warmed to 25C by underground springs, the mineral-rich mix of salt and freshwater creates a natural spa with tiny garra rufa 'medicine' fish nibbling at your toes, leaving you lighter, drawing away any tension. Luxury is also threaded through the Riviera's fabric. At Astir Beach, a favourite among stylish Athenians, sprawl on immaculate loungers with drinks and snacks delivered directly to your cabana. Behind the beach lies something magical – the 6th-century Temple of Apollo Zoster, accidentally unearthed by orphaned children in 1924. It's a reminder that even beach days here brush up against Greece's ancient soul. Further along the coast, the landscape grows more elemental. Cape Sounio reveals itself dramatically with the great marble columns of the Temple of Poseidon catching the last light of the day, perched high on the cliff. It's no wonder this is a romantic pilgrimage for many. You can easily imagine sailors of old offering prayers for safe passage at this wind-swept headland. What makes the Athens Riviera so memorable is how seamlessly mythological grandeur blends with everyday Greek life; sipping freddo espresso at Flisvos Marina, watching fishing boats bob beside superyachts, or a spontaneous dip at Kavouri Beach, where hardy locals swim year-round. Culture is close, too. Just inland lies the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, a modern marvel of glass and greenery that houses both the National Library of Greece and the Greek National Opera. Its park, with fountains and sculpture-dotted paths, offers a refreshing contrast to the coast. Where to eat Dining here is a highlight. In Vouliagmeni and nearby Glyfada, seafood tavernas deliver platters of freshly-caught fish. For something more polished, Barbarossa Paros is part of the sleek new 91 Athens Riviera complex with an extensive menu that offers locally sourced ingredients. Enjoy sushi on select evenings and sip crisp Malagousia wine alongside the beach. For Michelin-starred dining, Varoulko Seaside in Piraeus is unmissable. Chef Lefteris Lazarou reimagines seafood with flair. Highly recommended is the shrimp pastitsio. For old-school taverna charm, dine with the locals at Dourbeis, also in Piraeus. Open since 1932, the fish soup, whole sea bream and seafood linguine are classics for good reason. Where to stay Accommodation here pairs elegance with warmth. The Margi in Vouliagmeni (doubles from €540/£460) is an intimate boutique hotel surrounded by pine forest and a 20-minute walk to Lake Vouliagmeni. With only 89 rooms, it combines refined elegance with a warm Greek welcome and farm-to-table ethos thanks to its own organic farm. Breakfasts of homemade yoghurt, fresh fruit, and local honey take centre stage. For next-level luxury, 91 Athens Riviera in Voula (cabana from €486/£410) is redefining the Riviera. A chic glamping-meets-beach-club concept from Domes Resorts, the 28 beautifully designed sleeping cabanas – many with private plunge pool – are ideal for couples or families seeking barefoot elegance and privacy. Wellness offerings include an indoor spa, outdoor hydro pools, and a private tennis club. Dining at its Barbarossa restaurant brings Cycladic flair to the mainland, complete with cocktails and beachside seating. If the Athens Riviera is about balancing city access with coastal calm, 91 captures this effortlessly. Heading back to the city reminds me that the soul of Greece isn't found by rushing away to the islands, but by staying close the Greek heartland. Along the glittering Athenian coastline, you'll find the best of the city, season after season. Though increasingly popular, the Riviera retains its charm. Each time I return, I feel as though I've discovered a new charm. How to get there British Airways (prices starting from £260 return) and Aegean Airlines (prices starting from €199/£169) fly direct from London Heathrow and Gatwick to Athens, while and easyJet offers regional UK flights, and Jet2 flies from Birmingham. From Athens airport, it's a 30-45 minute taxi to the Riviera (approx. €40-€50).
