onemark

As has been remarked in another thread, Germans don't apologise if they're in the wrong because being wrong is a sign of incompetence (or something like that). Too much ego involvement.

Ta. I still think I'd be too scared to lie to the police, though.

@LeonG Are you really that it's legal to lie to the police here? I understand that you don't have to answer any questions simply in order not to incriminate yourself (that's a constitutional right). But it surely must be illegal to lie to the police - isn't that making a false statement or something?

I had forgotten about that but I still think some form of national service should be compulsory for both sexes, even if in a civilian capacity.

I have no objection to the re-introduction of compulsory national military service for both men and women but it must be remembered that not everyone is suited to military life. That is why I think a form of national civilian service should also be made compulsory - also for both males and females.

Don't they have to be formally recognised by other EU/EEZ countries before they can be used?   The reason I asked was that, after the British ID was introduced on a trial basis in the UK, it was not accepted by as a travel document by the German authorities (details a bit fuzzy here).   Once I get my Irish passport card, I don't want to get caught the same way.

To repeat my earlier question of 30 July, does anyone know whether the German (and other continental European) authorities have got around to actually officially recognising the Irish passport card as an official ID and for travel purposes yet, please? Thanks.

Thanks, guys. I forgot to specify that my current mattress is too hard. I need something softer but not too soft. I tried a low-price Tempur model last year but found it a little too hard. I only tried it for an hour or so: was that not enough?

I have back problems, exacerbated not least by an overly hard mattress. FYI, I do 2 hours' sport (Tues) and 1 hour's swimming gymnastics (Fri) once a week but it's not enough. I need a decent mattress. As it's difficult to assess a mattress in the shop, I was wondering whether any other TT-ers have the same problem and could recommend a decent mattress. Price range: up to approx. €1,000. Thanks.

Flip a German the bird and you're just as likely to get sued as well.

I frankly doubt it. I think this is more a case of a German politician wanting to be nice to Brits. And it would prevent a last-minute rush just before  Brexit enters into force. Sort of makes sense, I suppose.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/britons-living-in-germany-should-have-citizenship-fast-tracked-say-countrys-green-party-a7166516.html  

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/britons-living-in-germany-should-have-citizenship-fast-tracked-say-countrys-green-party-a7166516.html

Because others aren't as lucky. It seems to depend on who's behind the counter at the post office: some people are pickier than others.   PS: I have a British passport and have never had this problem, either. Maybe we're just lucky.

Sorry to drag up this subject again but I'm currently applying to renew my Irish passport and I have a question.   Does anyone know whether the German (and other continental European) authorities have got around to actually officially recognising the Irish passport card as an official ID and for travel purposes yet?   Comment: The argument about permitting differing periods for the Irish passport and the Irish passport card is tempting but, as has been said above, it wouldn't work because the card is only valid as long as the passport is valid. When applying to renew your Irish passport, it would make more sense to offer the passport card for the same 10-year period as well but at a reduced price,  say an extra €10- (€35 for five years for the card alone is a rip-off!). The card would still have to be voluntary, of course.   Also: the Irish passport card might not actually be any good for picking up parcels at German post offices because it doesn't carry the holder's address the way the German ID card does.