Debatable.
Well,
facts don't care about your feelings, as they say
They
are dangerous, on multiple levels. That's not even up for debate, it's a simple fact. Just because the country has a history of reckless behavior, and other bands tolerate it, doesn't mean it's in any way okay.
Which, as it seems, is the lesson Maiden took from that event. Congrats. Because a few juvenile morons couldn't behave in public, because they just
had to endanger people around them to create a lovely atmosphere, the entire country might miss out on the possibly only chance to ever hear Alexander The Great live. Must've been really worth it.
Bruce is a singer. A guitarist or bassist can deal with smoke, since it doesn't affect your fingers. It affects your throat and ability to sing though. Add to that that Bruce has had cancer and survived that whole ordeal, as well as the fact that he's always had a bit of a diva side to him,
as well as the fact that he has a history of shouting at audience members who behave recklessly (smoking indoors, using laser pointers) and going so far as to storming off-stage: It doesn't take a genius to guess how Bruce would react in the presence of flares.
His choice of words was unacceptable, but his general reaction was understandable and even reasonable. To try to shield our fellow countrymen for their idiotic decisions as being part of the culture feels dishonest. We are talking about grown-ass adults who make these choices. Going to a concert is not a right; it's a privilage. A luxury. Since the folks in Greece don't get as many chances to see Maiden as the people in other parts of Europe you'd think they'd be a bit more careful with reigning in their impulses.