zee
Mar 20 2006, 10:27 am
Spiegel online is going to write a surival guide for Germany
QUOTE
In the run-up to the World Cup tournament, we're putting together a cultural guide for visitors. Every country has its quirks -- both good and bad -- and we want you to share your observations and questions about Germany and the Germans.
[...]If you're an expat or someone who has spent time in Germany, we want your help. Why do pedestrians wait for the light to change at 3:00 a.m.? Why are the shops closed on Sunday? Is German beer a stereotype or a reality? Why do toilets have shelves? Why do we have to bag our own groceries at the supermarket -- assuming we get to the checkout in the first place? And why are there so many dogs on German streets and naked people on German beaches? Are Germans rude? Why are there so many sex shops?
... this sounds exactly like some TT topics so maybe someone wants to give some first-hand info.
more info
here
cinzia
Mar 20 2006, 12:45 pm
I just sent in a tip for fans who come to Munich to remember to peel their Weisswurst ...
perdido
Mar 20 2006, 1:45 pm
and not to eat it after 12:00 P.M.?
a_penny_4_them
Mar 20 2006, 2:38 pm
I think people should be warned to sharpen their elbows when heading to the
U-Bahn, pushing and shoving to get in to that train first is very unnerving for people who are not used to it.
good point. they could also just take some of these
must read topics for newbies AND visitors.
cinzia
Mar 20 2006, 2:45 pm
QUOTE (a_penny_4_them @ Mar 20 2006, 2:38 pm)
I think people should be warned to sharpen their elbows when heading to the
U-Bahn, pushing and shoving to get in to that train first is very unnerving for people who are not used to it.
Oooh, that brings us to the "stand right, walk left" on the escalators rule.
Eleanor Rigby
Mar 20 2006, 2:47 pm
In their defense that is a great rule.
ajohnson
Mar 20 2006, 2:48 pm
QUOTE (cinzia @ Mar 20 2006, 2:45 pm)
Oooh, that brings us to the "stand right, walk left" on the escalators rule.
Isn't that standard policy just about anywhere?
Eleanor Rigby
Mar 20 2006, 2:49 pm
no, definitely not.
MoiLV
Mar 20 2006, 3:06 pm
Not in Italy, for sure. People line up forever to get on the damn thing. Lazy bastards.
cinzia
Mar 20 2006, 4:10 pm
QUOTE (ajohnson @ Mar 20 2006, 2:48 pm)
Isn't that standard policy just about anywhere?
Well, a lot of tourists probably don't have much experience with escalators, especially if they're not from a city.
Speaking for (against?) the Americans, for example, it hasn't yet occurred to them that they CAN walk up or down the escalator, and don't have to just stand there!
Yeti
Mar 20 2006, 4:10 pm
Blasphemer !
cinzia
Mar 20 2006, 4:12 pm
Sorry, couldn't resist.
Lou Del
Mar 20 2006, 4:20 pm
So, so far the only advice we can offer visiting tourists is... Something about esculators and the very important peeling of Weisswurst... Not that these aren't crucial pieces of advice. The best advice I could have been given would have been a translation of the
U-Bahn ticket machines.. Took me ages to work out how to get a Streifenkarte out the machine... and using it.. well... I stilll don't really know how to do that correctly.
cinzia
Mar 20 2006, 4:22 pm
OK, new tip:
Tourists shouldn't use Streifenkarten! Even the locals can't figure them out.
planetmoni
Mar 20 2006, 4:24 pm
so true, and i am one of them.
also, don't expect your shop assistant to smile. it does not mean they don't like you...
Yeti
Mar 20 2006, 4:24 pm
But peel them from the left first ?
Ulysses
Mar 20 2006, 4:28 pm
Never say Deutschland über alles or ask a girl "Bist du heiss?"! And always look the person in the eye when you say "Prost".
bluedave
Mar 20 2006, 4:30 pm
Bring a shovel to clear the snow, prob still be here in June
Eleanor Rigby
Mar 20 2006, 4:31 pm
Do not stick your hand out when crossing the road with your child.
Lou Del
Mar 20 2006, 4:35 pm
That line down the middle of the pavement... Thats a cycle path!!!
Eleanor Rigby
Mar 20 2006, 4:36 pm
You can bring your dog wherever you go.
Lou Del
Mar 20 2006, 4:39 pm
A Radler is a Shandy.. and not an exciting new type of beer.. Imagine my dissapointment!!
gideon
Mar 20 2006, 4:42 pm
QUOTE (Eleanor Rigby @ Mar 20 2006, 4:31 pm)
Do not stick your hand out when crossing the road with your child.
why?? do explain.
dont get to upset about germans. that would be my advice.
they stare, are impolite, have zero empathy, invented the word schadenfreude (if it hadnt of been them, it would have been the scotts), think cars are important, think dogs are important, are scared to be the first to do anything.
and equaly scared of being the second. they stop at the top of an escalator to look where they are even if there are 70 people coming up behind them.
generaly the word manners only exists only in an old dictionary somewhere in a box in their grannies attik, but deep down they just want to be loved too.
boomtown_rat
Mar 20 2006, 4:42 pm
Guess not many will be driving but if they are then a green light does not indicate right of way over pedestrians and bikes if turning (for visitors from UK at least)
Eleanor Rigby
Mar 20 2006, 4:44 pm
QUOTE (gideon @ Mar 20 2006, 4:42 pm)
why?? do explain.
the motion is very similar to a nazi salute which AFAIK is illegal here.
Crawlie
Mar 20 2006, 4:47 pm
Bring along a load of that carbon-backed paper. Saves you writing out all of the bloody duplicate forms
gideon
Mar 20 2006, 4:48 pm
QUOTE (Eleanor Rigby @ Mar 20 2006, 4:44 pm)
the motion is very similar to a nazi salute which AFAIK is illegal here.
now your being silly. putting your hand out to show someone to slow down is no way near like a fascist salute, unless your wrist bones have been fused together in a tragic industrial accident.
Ulysses
Mar 20 2006, 4:49 pm
QUOTE (gideon @ Mar 20 2006, 4:42 pm)
why?? do explain.
dont get to upset about germans. that would be my advice.
they stare, are impolite, have zero empathy, invented the word schadenfreude (if it hadnt of been them, it would have been the scotts), think cars are important, think dogs are important, are scared to be the first to do anything.
and equaly scared of being the second. they stop at the top of an escalator to look where they are even if there are 70 people coming up behind them.
generaly the word manners only exists only in an old dictionary somewhere in a box in their grannies attik, but deep down they just want to be loved too.
At least they don't cause a fight wherever they go.
MoiLV
Mar 20 2006, 4:52 pm
As if anyone coming here is going to try and integrate themselves into German society.. they'll all be in groups of 10-20 people trying their best to beat out everyone else's nationality, especially the German's.
The only helpful advice is where the beer gardens are and how do I get from there to the stadium?
Eleanor Rigby
Mar 20 2006, 4:52 pm
Well no, I wasn't intentionally being silly. It was something I was told when I wondered why I never see children sticking out their hands when crossing the road like I was taught to do.
I've never read it anywhere though so you're probably right I am just talking nonsense.
Chicago
Mar 20 2006, 4:56 pm
QUOTE
Help us Write the Germany Survival Bible
"Survival Bible"? a
Bible!?!?!? are they (Spiegel) kidding??
Crawlie
Mar 20 2006, 4:56 pm
QUOTE (Ulysses @ Mar 20 2006, 4:49 pm)
At least they don't cause a fight wherever they go.
But at least we win a few...
planetmoni
Mar 20 2006, 4:57 pm
when i was going to grundschule, i was told by our school to put out arm out when crossing the street. that was 20 years ago.
Yeti
Mar 20 2006, 4:59 pm
QUOTE
"Survival Bible"? a Bible!?!?!? are they (Spiegel) kidding??
Well if they called it a survival Koran then the first piece of advice would be "learn to run very fast" and part two would be "carry a fire extinguisher" and the third would be "avoid german embassy buildings".
boomtown_rat
Mar 20 2006, 5:01 pm
QUOTE
I've never read it anywhere though so you're probably right I am just talking nonsense.
riggers how long have you been on TT? Accepting someone elses view and meekly retracting a statement just isn't the done thing.
You ought to be red in the face by now and absolutely hammering the keyboard in an attempt to post as many obscenities at him as possible and convince him that you are right and he is wrong.
Eleanor Rigby
Mar 20 2006, 5:04 pm
Don't worry, I've just popped a blood vessel.
Being right is much more important than being correct.
byrdbrain
Mar 20 2006, 5:04 pm
QUOTE (Eleanor Rigby @ Mar 20 2006, 4:44 pm)
the motion is very similar to a nazi salute which AFAIK is illegal here.
It depends on the angle. Stick you arm out at a 90° angle to your body, np. Just don't show how high your little dog can jump.
QUOTE (Eleanor Rigby @ Mar 20 2006, 4:52 pm)
Well no, I wasn't intentionally being silly. It was something I was told when I wondered why I never see children sticking out their hands when crossing the road like I was taught to do.
They were pulling your leg. The real reason is that the kid will lose his hand to a (generally speeding) driver determined to cross the cross walk despite his legal obligation to wait. Believe me, I've tried this and all I got was honked at.
Lou Del
Mar 20 2006, 5:05 pm
In fact wouldn't it be better to write a Survival Guide for people residing in Germany whilst 30 thousand yobbos come over to invade it for a month? My first piece of advice for that would be.. Lock up your daughters!!!
gideon
Mar 20 2006, 5:05 pm
QUOTE (Ulysses @ Mar 20 2006, 4:49 pm)
At least they don't cause a fight wherever they go.
and they dont run away from their country cos the natives are in power...
Lou Del
Mar 20 2006, 5:06 pm
Lock up your houses, cars, garden sheds... Just lock up EVERYTHING!!!
gideon
Mar 20 2006, 5:10 pm
QUOTE (Lou Del @ Mar 20 2006, 5:05 pm)
In fact wouldn't it be better to write a Survival Guide for people residing in Germany whilst 30 thousand yobbos come over to invade it for a month? My first piece of advice for that would be.. Lock up your daughters!!!
ah come on. a third of the tickets are going to corporate sponsors. which means like all good business men on a trip abroad they'll be a lot of looking for a 50 euro blowjob going about. dont lock your daughter up, get her on the street earning some money.
Ulysses
Mar 20 2006, 5:15 pm
QUOTE (gideon @ Mar 20 2006, 5:05 pm)
and they dont run away from their country cos the natives are in power...
So what did the English do with all their colonies? I guess you left willingly? And leaving the rest of us to sort out the problems you caused!
gideon
Mar 20 2006, 5:22 pm
yep thats it, we only went there to cause a fight a shoot a few fuzzy-wuzzies, and swap their diamonds for toothpicks, pubic hair combs and mirrors.
anyway germany isnt going to be germany when the world cup is on. bars and biergardens will be open later, shops will be open, germans will be nice and friendly and polite, shit they may even smile and let you get on the train first. in fact we are the ones who'll need a survival book because we'll be in culture shock.
Lou Del
Mar 20 2006, 5:24 pm
Oh How I larf!!!
cinzia
Mar 20 2006, 6:19 pm
gideon, I just can't see that the Germans are going to be nice and friendly and polite during the World Cup.
They're not during Oktoberfest, after all ...
cinzia
Mar 20 2006, 6:23 pm
HA! I made it on the Spiegel Survival Guide!
Just got an e-mail:
The Weisswurst piece is written and will be on the site soon. I too lived in Munich for a few years and that was one of the first item on my list of ideas.
Kind regards,
[Name Withheld]
Editor
Spiegel Online International
... I recommended them to check-out TT, just got a reply:
QUOTE
Thanks for the heads up and for the help. I'll be sure to check it out. As
of Tuesday, we'll have a section to which readers will be able to post
directly -- it would be helpful if you could mention that in the forum
thread...
Thanks.
...
Editor
Spiegel Online International
I'll post the link once it's on!
OhFFS
Mar 20 2006, 7:38 pm
QUOTE (Ulysses @ Mar 20 2006, 4:49 pm)
At least they don't cause a fight wherever they go.
They seemed to do that quite well when they went to Poland.
MoiLV
Mar 21 2006, 10:25 am
QUOTE (cinzia @ Mar 20 2006, 6:23 pm)
HA! I made it on the Spiegel Survival Guide!
Me too! I realized last night, after sending the email, though, that I'd said preceded instead of proceeded in one of my sentences. I hope they correct that.
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