Sounds like Southern Europe is new ground for you. I daresay your experience in Spain might be quite similar, except perhaps the passport nonsense.
While I can understand your frustrations, every place must be taken for what it is. If once you accept certain odd rules and traditions, I am sure Greece must be a great place to go flying.
I don't however agree with the previous remark about great food - but that is of course a sidenote, as it is largely a matter of taste.