Kultur 4

I really enjoy reading these little bits of information about German culture - they're never anything that is absolutely life or death, but they're always essential parts of everyday life that one needs to know if visiting Germany. Also, the articles are really short and to the point, which is always a gut thing.

The article about bikes almost reinforced the whole tight-assed German stereotype, but I thought it was kind of funny. I would be interested to read about how the use of bikes has eliminated problems like traffic and pollution in big cities in Germany compared to American cities. The crossing the street thing had the same effect, it pained me to realize that the Germans might be as uptight as everyone thinks they are. But I don't think they are meaner because of this, I just think it's a difference in culture. I think they have the right idea, too. It seemed to me as if the primary reason for obeying the pedestrian laws was to set a good example for the younger kids to never disregard the law.

The articles about German logic and transportation kind of made me worried about figuring out how to get around when I hopefully go to German in the next couple of years. I've never been good with directions and am somewhat disorganized, so figuring out my way around public transportation has always posed a challenge to me - especially in a foreign country where the employees don't seem too willing to go out of their way to help a confused foreigner.

And I don't even know where to begin with the German nudity article. Just wow.

Gute Nacht!