Peace indicator | Potoci

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The job is good, the money is easy

_{Author: Mirza Lalić}

A legendary music band from the former Yugoslavia called Zabranjeno pušenje (Smoking Forbidden) released an album many years ago, featuring a song titled “Bos il’ Hadžija” that includes the line serving as the title of this story, “The job is good, the money is easy.” This reference instantly came to mind when reflecting on the indicated symbol of peace.

Potoci is a small village positioned about ten kilometres to the north of Mostar city. With its strategic location and enchanting natural beauty, it effortlessly captivates the attention of those passing by. Furthermore, the village provides all the essential amenities for a comfortable life, eliminating the need to frequently travel to Mostar. I recall a conversation with a friend on this topic, where he humorously stated, “We have everything here, except for betting establishments.”

Presently, the proliferation of betting shops in the area is overwhelming. Within a mere 200-meter radius of Potoci Elementary School, one can find a disheartening total of three such establishments. This reality is concerning. I recollect a phase during my primary school years when all the boys, including myself, recklessly squandered the money we received for snacks, meals, and drinks on betting and gambling. We were driven by the allure of effortlessly earning more money than what our parents provided us through conventional means, as hinted at by the song lyrics and the story’s title.

During my childhood, there was a particular instance when I, as a young boy, successfully predicted several outcomes and won a considerable amount of money, totalling several hundred marks. This initial triumph ignited a strong desire within me to continue playing, a sentiment that was shared by my closest friends in class. However, as luck would have it, we never experienced such success again. Instead, we found ourselves falling into a pattern of recklessly spending not our own money, but rather the hard-earned money of our parents, day after day.

As a group of young boys, we were collectively drawn to activities that carried an air of rebellion and excitement. One such activity was visiting a betting shop, where a sign prominently displayed on the wall declared that individuals under 18 years old were not allowed to place bets. However, despite this clear rule, the staff never enforced it and granted us unrestricted access to the betting shop and its various games, including bingo. It appeared that the presence of the sign somehow absolved them of any legal responsibility.

Meanwhile, the owners of these betting shops never considered implementing measures to prevent young individuals from engaging in gambling. We, as underage customers, accounted for a significant portion of their profits, possibly even up to 50%.

Our youthful aspirations of making easy money through gambling were shattered when our teacher discovered our frequent visits to the betting shop. During a class meeting, she imparted a crucial life lesson that has stayed with me, emphasizing the dangers of gambling and its addictive nature, which had ensnared many of us boys.