Sakis Rouvas: The man who loves women (as much as they love him)

No matter how hard one tries to take a bad word about the female sex from Sakis' mouth, one won't succeed. The good news is that he means it. So Nikos Zachariadis can assure us after a 45-minute long telephone conversation with Sakis in America.

Tell me, if you put an ad to describe yourself in a few words, what would you write?

I believe that people see me differently from how I see myself. The way we see other people has to do with what we want to communicate to them. It is best when everyone can sense what another person is by themselves. I prefer to let the senses talk.

What are women like in Las Vegas?

Tourists, women of every nationality.

Let's get back to our own affairs. How was your summer?

I had a good time. I gave several concerts. I travelled.

Where?

At my usual favourite places and some islands.

Now that you have evolved from a mere pop-idol to a national star and your audience has grown bigger, have those extreme behaviours, which made you feel uncomfortable, ceased?

I can't see any change. If you had been at my concert on Lycabettus you would understand what I mean. Those moments were warmer than ever before. The audience and I are pretty bonded by now. Therefore my expressions as well as the people's are really warm.

Don't you feel that the audience matures along with you and your songs?

My audience's age range is expanding. Older people are also coming to my concerts - mothers, grandmothers, fathers... The younger ones are still there of course. But this does not mean that one who matures doesn't get excited anymore. Enthusiasm is always there. All those years that I've been doing this I haven't lost my enthusiasm for a moment. I believe the same goes for the people too. As time passes I also mature and my relationship to the audience gets better.

How would you describe "better"?

Simply stronger, more substantial, more beautiful.

You have never felt uncomfortable with the audience. Just with the enthusiastic demonstrations off-stage perhaps.

It is still the same. It depends on the demonstrations of course.

One of the most frequently asked questions I receive through my column in "Pink Woman" is "How can I keep him?" What would you say?

My view on the matter applies equally to men and women. Love him or her so much that you want to get better and better.

...and don't think that by keeping the other one as a prisoner you can really keep him close.

To me the nice way to keep someone is by wanting to improve on every level. This means that interest is heightened as well as desire. Love so much as love will lead you to get better.

Do you believe that women come from another planet nonetheless?

I think everyone comes from another planet and they perceive the world with their own eyes. It's difficult for me to categorise but if it's necessary for our conversation I would point out some fundamental differences we have. And those differences are exactly what makes women perceive the world in a different way from us.

Like what?

Women ought to be practical. Much more than men, because at some point they will be pregnant for nine months and then they will be responsible for bringing up that being they gave birth to. This is a gift from God to women only, which also alters their way of thinking and reacting.

What you're saying is that they can't have the luxury of being so careless and dreamy as we men are?

Yes. From this alone you can tell the difference between us. And to go back to your question, They certainly have a different viewpoint from men.

In modern times, when we live everything in brief, do you think they're under more pressure than us, that they're having a harder time?

I sincerely believe this is a matter of personality. It depends on the individual and the choices one makes.

If someone chooses hell...

He will get hell. Or heaven, if that's his choice.

Does this apply to relationships as well?

If you are possessive or fearful, if you make the other one suffocate, that's what you'll get in return.

Anything else concerning women?

Yes, that they are amazing creatures.

I think you also appreciate them as professionals. Do you believe they're better than men at work?

I'll tell you again that it depends on personality and not sex. There are organised and practical men as there are reckless women. We have some archetypal differences. Men can only do one thing at a time. Not more. A woman is versatile. She's able to do five things at the same time. She can watch after the children, cook, watch the news and talk with a friend over the phone.

And she does it all well!

Yes. and sometimes they get angry because they don't understand that men can concentrate on one thing only, and only one do well.

On the other hand men get angry more easily but they also get over it more easily.

I agree.

What about your work?

I'm very busy at the time.

Thank you very much. You are always sincere. Be well and good luck to whatever you do.

Magazine: Pink Woman, November 2004