Why I hate Oktoberfest

I dare say that Oktoberfest will be nothing compared to Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Or Fantasy Fest in Key West for that matter. (Except maybe for those who just like to get plastered) Those events are actual celebrations with parades and parties. Sitting at picnic tables in a tent drinking beer from huge glasses while wearing traditional Bavarian costumes and listening to traditional Bavarian music just doesn't seem like a party to me. Seems more like a custom. Might as well attend a Tractor Pull at the local county fair in Texas, that would be the equivalent.

Skingsun, have you ever been to the Oktoberfest?

It certainly doesn't sound like it if you're comparing it to Tractor-Pulling in Texas.

No, I have not been and will probably be forced to attend- although against my will and I will attend only so that I can say, yes I went and I still think it is as exciting as a Tractor pull. Starkbierfest sucked, hated it. Everyone says, oh but Oktoberfest is so much better. I find that impossible to believe. Seen the pictures, heard the stories of Oktoberfest and have no idea how anyone could compare it to say Carnival in Köln or mardi gras in new orleans. To me those events are in a completely different category. This is just a regional tradition. I do enjoy the ocasional visit to the Hofbrauhaus when visitors come, but just cause I like to meet people from everywhere. I am so not looking forward to being surrounded by a bunch of drunks singing "Rocky Mountain High"--I mean could there be anything worse?? BTW-I think the idea of conducting an experiment while attending is a fantastic idea.

Well maybe you should attend, before passing judgement on how good it will be? Or are you always in the habit of slagging things off before you've tried it. "Oh, Oh, but I've seen the pictures" - Yeah, good onya. This is going to turn into a rant - because I can't stand people who talk about how shit something is without ever trying it.

Why are you even here if you can't get into the Bavarian way of life?

There are other things to do at the Oktoberfest apart from drinking beer. They have rides, parades, etc. and if you enjoy meeting people from everywhere, then this is the ultimate for doing so. Far more than the Hofbrauhaus - a place I happen to think sucks (and I can say that because I've actually BEEN THERE).

...I don't know why I'm telling you this, because you're going to get there with a big fucked up "This is shit" attitude and hate it. In fact, do yourself and everyone who may have the misfortune of sitting near your morose self a favour - don't go. It's also really impolite to tell people wearing traditional costumes that they are "ridiculously dressed".

Here's some advice - take some leave, go home and pull a few tractors.

Don't forget that skingsun is American - everyone knows Americans can't hold their beer. It's no wonder then that so many of them dislike the beer festivals.

I thank my lucky stars every day that I'm not German.

I even had to stomach 4 years of Caneval in Köln (I lived in Bonn). At the end I hated every second of it. The worst sort of deja vu every f*cking year.

Killjoy I know. I apologise.

Still, if you lived there you'd understand. God help them, the sad b*stards. The most unwelcoming miserable neighbours suddenly don clown costumes and are everyone's best mate. What a bleedin' sham.

Kölle Alaaf!

I always thought Oktoberfest was weird and a place to be avoided. The lyrics of some of those songs confirms it. "The Pizza Hut, The Pizza Hut, Kentucky Fried Chicken and The Pizza Hut"? Jesus, this place really is the land that taste forgot.

Noddy, in fairness the song you're talking about was a piss-take and specifically released to coincide with Oktoberfest and thus make him plenty of royalty cash. I say fair play to the bloke.

There's plenty of top notch German music around the place which could rival anything from the US, Britain or even Ireland.

Oh my god I cant believe this guy had compared Mardi Gras and Fantasy Fest to Oktoberfest...Are you kidding me?

Everyone goes to Mardi Gras (not for the religious festival and ideas behind it) but to get plastered on spring break and see girls get naked for necklace beeds...(this by the way you can see at the hofbrauhaus beer tent at the Wiesn)...Mardi Gras in New Orleans has turned into a trashy low class party where people go to be on Girls gone wild and do stuff they would never think of doing before. Granted it's a fun time and you should go to say you've been there, you just can't compare it to Oktoberfest. .

Sorry i didn't get your back last year hazza.

Looking at the posting dates, this guy is probably not around TT anymore (at least I hope not looking at his attitude), but I think if you really hate Oktoberfest, you wouldn't like living in Bavaria in the first place.

And having an opinion about Oktoberfest without even been there is really wrong!

they don't sing "rocky mountain high", but "country roads"!

Fuck...I'd forgotten about my little rant until this thread got revived.

I guess he really did go home and pull some tractors...

I hate feeling politically obliged to stay sober-ish at Gay Sunday till Munich's Lord Mayor Christian Ude appears cos I always want to cheer him sober-ish. Until he's been and gone I don't feel I can go sharking,

What, you're worried you might get drunk and try to pull him?

Saying that Mardi Gras in New Orleans is better, while ALSO saying that Oktoberfest is just a regional tradition??? Is there a Mardi Gras in Austin? Do they celebrate it in St Louis? Seriously. They sing shit like John Denver's "Country Road" and crap. Its not a festival I go to, because i can't stand people, and really drunk people in such large numbers... well youre asking me to have a meltdown REAL fast. I've been to Mardi Gras in the Big Easy, and its no different. Well... theres no Zydeco, and no beads, but girls show their tits and theres vomit everywhere. Deal with it, or dont bitch. Dont just hate it with no knowledge of what it is (or isn't) .

and lederhosen are NOT mandatory.
And there is a BIG parade the day before, with wagons and girls and the whole thing.

and as for Americans not holding their beer, I personally disagree. I had 5 mass. Granted i was half-naked on the U-bahn on the way home, and couldn't get my keys in the door, but I MADE IT HOME WITHOUT HELP. So there.