3 Incompatibilities

3.1   Two Opposing Cultural Differences
Basic cultural differences may span a long time. Such a time period may cover centuries, and can hardly be considered whimsical. For that reason, the historical cultural attitude towards some typical financial, commercial, and political agreements between the north and south of Europe have been highlighted in this context.
As argued before, they started as early as the Charlemagne reign, and continued through the centuries until this very day. As they show such a constant pattern, they are considered to have continous impact on administrative issues. Especially, why these patterns do emerge time and again nowadays in the Eurozone. As a common currency is necessarily subject to stringent rules, these differences might safely be termed incompatibilities. What do they entail?

3.2   The Complementos Approach
The evidence of cultural differences goes back for centuries..For proper exemplification, one needs extremely reliable information that has been produced by a source.with unquestionable reputation..In the recorded history of the Republic of the Seven Provinces, one man singles out as a trustworthy and sincere reporter, providing all necessary details. It is merchant trader and in later years Admiral of the Republican fleet, Michiel de Ruyter (1607-1676). As a major source on cultural issues, some elaboration on the remarkable characteristics of the man is needed..
In his days he was already a legend and acclaimed for his unrivalled courage, his unpretentious attitude, his well-considered policies, and his astonishing soberness. Actually, he had all the qualities that are nowadays deemed necessary for the leadership of a large state or a giant multinational. He is described as an adventurous, yet contemplative mind. At the age of eleven, he started his life in commercial vessels that went to the meditterranean, the Gold coast, and Brazil. He made a fast career in the ranks of merchant vessels, strictly obeying his employers. When he wanted to retire, he was asked (one might even say pressed) by the Republic to join the navy fleet, although he hated bloodshed. Only, if fighting had been unavoidable he went into action, proper action then. In the fleet came with him rules of general order, and tactical discipline. This was highly necessary, as almost all of the time he was in a weaker position than his opponents, being undermanned, underarmed, and undershipped. Yet, in those circumstances he did stand the severests of fights, even fighting off a combined fleet of the French and British. All in all he was considered highly, not only by his men, but also by his adversaries.
As a British lieutenant of the Royal James, who had watched him from close by, put it - he is an admiral, he is a captain, he is a chief, he is a sailor, and he is a soldier, that man, that hero, is all at the same time. And Colbert called him the greartest captain that ever was at sea. Surprised foreign visitors reported him to be brooming his own cabin, cleaning up for their visit.
The reports to his principals were comprehensive, and meticulousl. Paying scrupulous attention to detail. In his relationship with southern, mediterranean trade contacts, one word is consistently returning in every voyage account. It is a main subject of frustration: complementos.Time and again, this one word, not in dutch, but in latin, complementos, is repeated over and over again, whatever country he is visiting in the south. For instance, on a voyage to Portugal (1640-1641), which country was in a struggle for freedom with Spain, he expected Portugal support to fight the Spanish. However, he had every reason to believe, that he was fooled by Portuguese complementos, time and again. On a trip to the mediterranean in 1657 he had to negotiate several issues with the Spanish, and despite many of their complementos, he was successful in his negotiations; i.e. eventually. In 1675 de Ruyter had to place himself under Spanish command in a combined fight with France, although they failed to provide their promised fleet. They did not fulfil their pledges to deliver their amount of ships in fighting condition, time and again. Leaving De Ruyter complaining about their 'mañanas' and complementos.
Now, what does this intruiging word complemento mean? First of all, complemento refers to addition, it is an add-on. So, it is een extra and considered an improvement to a former agreement. Secondly and preferably, it is also accompanied by some ceremonial way of presentation, making it an official statement. Closely, in accord with the formal, ceremonial, and symbolic expressions often preferred by latin representatives.
It made De Ruyter wanting to leave, because of hearing those big words, but failing support. Yet, the Spanish argued strongly, that if he would leave Sicily and even Naples would become a French prize. His decision to stay, made him the fatal victim of a battle near Syracuse.

3.3   Complementos Propensity vs. Ackknowledged Settlement
As complemento was consistently returning in the north-south meetings it is not unwise, to consider it a standard latin procedure, and thus an acknowleged way of formal negotiation by latin people. As such, it constitutes a normal pattern, and not an exception to the rule. It is also used in many different ways. It may refer to a complemento directo, a complemento indirecto, a complemento circunstancial, a complemento prepocicional. In terms of finances one can have a complemento de destino, an extra allowance attached to a post, a complemento de productividad, a performance related bonus, a complemento de sueldo, that is a bonus, an extra pay, a complemento pro peligrosidad, danger money, a complemento salarial, also a bonus. In terms of law and contracts a complento for the pain, is typical. A ususal passage in a contract will read:- together with the pacts, conditions, statements, and complements deemed necessary and appropriate.
Contrariwise, given this southern inclination, one can quote a typical presentday northern point of view. An overwhelming majority of 90% of the people telling, that Greece has had enough, already receiving two huge sums for its economy, and should not get a third one.
While monitoring aberrations from the agreed upon ruling, it should be understood, that it may only be the northern notion of making settlements work. Opposed to this, the southern complementos approach is clearly based on tentative agreements,  asking for a different monitoring system. It operates basically in terms of future adaptations to the initial agreement. So, the rules have to be changed, if  and when (major) aberrations arise. Monitoring the complementos way implies from the start the prevision of not meeting, or having to meet, the initial rules. That may even include preparing measures to be taken, before the deviation actually shows to the other party involved. Therefore, this complemento type of adaptation monitoring asks for a mainly hierarchical structure, in which the chair necessarily must be in southern hands.
In general, these uncertain characteristics of management are hard to swallow by northern people. As an adapted proverbial expression might put it - The road to hell is paved by complementos.