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Culture Don't mention the war

Discussion in 'Europe' started by XTREMO, Oct 18, 2016.

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  1. XTREMO

    XTREMO Old n' Crusty Ski Pass: Gold

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    I'm starting this thread to share anecdotes, observations and general commentary on the crazy world of ze Germans.

    Been living in Berlin a few months now. So much greatness in this place but also so much backwardness. Would be great to compare notes with others who've learned German, lived in Germany/Austria/Switz, or have any other connection to the Germanic world and who can help me to appreciate more of what this place has to offer. Might also be useful to commiserate on occasions where the rad tape is strangling me.

    I'll try not to ramble and overwhelm in this first post. Will recap a few of the interesting things that I've had to come to terms with during the first few months.

    - The German obsession with cash and the slow speed at which frictionless payment methods are taking hold here, despite Berlin's claim to be Silicon Allee, the Euro equivalent to Silicon Valley

    - The high price and lack of suitable data sims. Again - crazy in a city that claims to be a tech hub. Getting more than 5GB on a sim is close to impossible. Can't top 'em up easily. An absolute killer if you land in this city and need to be able to work and have proper internet access from the get go. Even more so if you're dependant on Google Translate to help you get by with flat hunting, furntiture shopping, administrative red tape etc.

    - Since my early visits here close to a decade ago, I've always been amazed at how seriously they take jaywalking. People look at you really oddly just because you're not prepared to stand like an idiot in -10 degree rain, waiting for the light to change, when there's not a car in sight and its safe to walk. If you jaywalk in front of an adult with a child, its quite common for them to make an admonishing remark, or even to label you a "kindermoerder" (child murderer)!
     
    #1 XTREMO, Oct 18, 2016
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  2. Rabid K9

    Rabid K9 One of Us Ski Pass: Gold

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    Ze rulz are ze rulz.
     
    #2 Rabid K9, Oct 18, 2016
  3. cold wombat

    cold wombat Twitter Contributer Social Media Mod

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    Germany. Where even the anarchists issue "how to" manuals.
     
    #3 cold wombat, Oct 18, 2016
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  4. Bato

    Bato One of Us Ski Pass: Gold

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    Im attempting to learn German, but up here in Switzerland is difficult, theres a ton of different dialects and they speak 100 miles per hour, I noticed they do use a lot of cash here and prepaid sims arnt cheap, its around 29CHF for 1.2gig, they have a special on now thats 2gig for 35.
     
    #4 Bato, Oct 18, 2016
  5. Rabid K9

    Rabid K9 One of Us Ski Pass: Gold

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    Do you know if they stock this 'rad tape' in Australia? Sounds funky.
     
    #5 Rabid K9, Oct 18, 2016
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  6. Johnb007

    Johnb007 Addicted

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    When in Rome is a good addage. I lived in Ravensburg, Germany years ago. I liked how things worked.
     
    #6 Johnb007, Oct 18, 2016
  7. dawooduck

    dawooduck relaxed and comfortable Ski Pass: Gold

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    Just come home
     
    #7 dawooduck, Oct 18, 2016
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  8. Budgiesmuggler

    Budgiesmuggler A Local Ski Pass: Gold

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    If you don't love it leave.

    Isn't that how things go these days?
     
    #8 Budgiesmuggler, Oct 18, 2016
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  9. Hermannator

    Hermannator One of Us Ski Pass: Silver

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    Re the sim - I was in Cologne some 8 years ago and walked into a call shop (small shop with a bunch of fixed line phones for hire) and they told me to go buy a sim as it'd be cheaper. Eight Euro later and a cruddy handset and I had 8EUR credit and free voda-voda calls/txt...

    Wouldn't complain about the bureaucracy... the j-walking's the same as Melb (i.e. policed) but at least you can exceed the speed limit by >3km/h and a lot of places there are no speed limits at all... yet the road toll is better than our nanny states. Can drink in public/on the train, probably don't need a helmet on your bike (by law), beer is cheap (often cheaper than coca cola), beer is great and despite this ze Germans don't seem to have our alcohol violence. The trains are amazing and they all work/arrive on time, cars are cheap, the alps are close what more do you want?

    Be polite, be on time and you'll be fine.
     
    #9 Hermannator, Oct 18, 2016
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  10. LMB

    LMB Old but definitely not Crusty! Ski Pass: Gold

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    I had to laugh about the jay walking.
    Child killer! Bit extreme.

    I'd be in huge trouble. LOL
    I can not see the point of waiting for a green walk dude when there are no cars.
     
    #10 LMB, Oct 18, 2016
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  11. Randy

    Randy Early Days

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    First world problems. Every culture has it's idiosyncrasies and the frustrations that go with them from an outsider's perspective.
     
    #11 Randy, Oct 18, 2016
  12. Kletterer

    Kletterer Thredbo Doughnut Tragic Moderator Ski Pass: Gold

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    Time to move to Austria for the simple life bro. Quite a few Aussies work the Swiss frank and scoot over the border to Austria to spend their ski dollars on weekends in Arlberg , Montafon and Bregenzerwald and beyond.
     
    #12 Kletterer, Oct 18, 2016
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  13. XTREMO

    XTREMO Old n' Crusty Ski Pass: Gold

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    Nah not gonna do that. Its a challenge and I'm enjoying it. There are many great things about Berlin and Germany. Proximity to mountains being one of them.
     
    #13 XTREMO, Oct 18, 2016
  14. XTREMO

    XTREMO Old n' Crusty Ski Pass: Gold

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    I wish. The Zurich option didn't work out, remember. Wife's a city girl. If she got a job where she could work with only an internet connection then she'd probably agree to a month or two a year living in a resort. I'm looking at doing that for a few weeks this winter, but on my own not with her.
     
    #14 XTREMO, Oct 18, 2016
  15. Legs Akimbo

    Legs Akimbo Grumblebum Ski Pass: Gold

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    Many (most?) cities in the US are exactly like this. The only place I have seen regular j-walking is New York. I have actually been chastised in Salt Lake City. Americans are very obedient.
     
    #15 Legs Akimbo, Oct 18, 2016
  16. XTREMO

    XTREMO Old n' Crusty Ski Pass: Gold

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    The beer situation is indeed great. Most civilised countries don't have the anglo binge drinking related problems. Although I have seen a few hairy situations at train stations after football games with rival fans clashing.
     
    #16 XTREMO, Oct 18, 2016
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  17. Zeroz

    Zeroz A Local Ski Pass: Gold

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    The German language doesn't do subtlety very well.


    [​IMG]
     
    #17 Zeroz, Oct 18, 2016
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  18. Kletterer

    Kletterer Thredbo Doughnut Tragic Moderator Ski Pass: Gold

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    We use the word Drottl.
     
    #18 Kletterer, Oct 18, 2016
  19. XTREMO

    XTREMO Old n' Crusty Ski Pass: Gold

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    haha. I really love the overtly literal German words.

    Glove = handschuh (hand shoe)
    Vacuum cleaner - staubsauger (dust sucker)
    Aeroplane - flugzeug (flying tool)
    Toy - spielzeug (playing tool)

    etc
     
    #19 XTREMO, Oct 18, 2016
  20. XTREMO

    XTREMO Old n' Crusty Ski Pass: Gold

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    Are you using Duolingo? I'm using it to get the vocab cranking. The words aren't too bad. The grammar and the articles are the hard part. Will likely enrol in some classes in next few months.
     
    #20 XTREMO, Oct 18, 2016
  21. Kletterer

    Kletterer Thredbo Doughnut Tragic Moderator Ski Pass: Gold

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    You forgot wasser stander. :D
     
    #21 Kletterer, Oct 18, 2016
  22. XTREMO

    XTREMO Old n' Crusty Ski Pass: Gold

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    That dude has a name. Ampelmann
     
    #22 XTREMO, Oct 18, 2016
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  23. LMB

    LMB Old but definitely not Crusty! Ski Pass: Gold

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    Fabulous trivia question.
    One I'll never forget now LOL
     
    #23 LMB, Oct 18, 2016
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  24. AuroraAustralis

    AuroraAustralis Hard Yards Ski Pass: Silver

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    hallo und wilkommen!
    zeug = stuff or thing
    so a tool ist ein 'werkzeug' or 'work-thing'

    though what do i know, my german is antiquated... :)
     
    #24 AuroraAustralis, Oct 18, 2016
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  25. Marty_McSly

    Marty_McSly Backwards to the future! Ski Pass: Gold

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    Then there are the onomatopaeic words in German, like schuss and schlitt.

    And the traps for inexperienced players, like schießen (to shoot) and scheißen (to shit). Confusing these can cause unintentional hilarity when describing a hunting trip.
     
    #25 Marty_McSly, Oct 18, 2016
  26. AuroraAustralis

    AuroraAustralis Hard Yards Ski Pass: Silver

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    Ich habe geschissen, nein, geschossen! o_O
     
    #26 AuroraAustralis, Oct 18, 2016
  27. Kletterer

    Kletterer Thredbo Doughnut Tragic Moderator Ski Pass: Gold

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    Verleicht brausen gehen .
     
    #27 Kletterer, Oct 18, 2016
  28. snowduck

    snowduck One of Us

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    Vorsprung durch technik
     
    #28 snowduck, Oct 18, 2016
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  29. BillyKidd

    BillyKidd One of Us Ski Pass: Silver

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    Squareheads....gotta love 'em. Alles ist Ordnung!
     
    #29 BillyKidd, Oct 18, 2016
  30. tr+h

    tr+h One of Us

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    I was in surgery once using a cautery unit which basically cuts/burns flesh while you operate and basically minimises bleeding. My German born resident who hadn't lived there for probably 10-12 years, still had the occasional thick German ascent breakthrough. This day, she remarked that she "loved" the smell of burning flesh! She was oblivious and couldn't see why we were all horrified.
     
    #30 tr+h, Oct 19, 2016
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  31. LMB

    LMB Old but definitely not Crusty! Ski Pass: Gold

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    Oh God! I laughed. And then felt awful for laughing!
    :headbang:
     
    #31 LMB, Oct 19, 2016
  32. Kieran

    Kieran A Local

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    Can anyone explain why the German soccer team is called die nationalmannschafft? And justify how that's not dirty?
     
    #32 Kieran, Oct 19, 2016
  33. XTREMO

    XTREMO Old n' Crusty Ski Pass: Gold

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    haha, I didn't quite get it at first read. She was trying to say she "loathed" it, right? I thought it might be some play on the word for meat which is fleisch.
     
    #33 XTREMO, Oct 19, 2016
  34. Bato

    Bato One of Us Ski Pass: Gold

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    I use Babble, seems to have really good repetition and focuses a little more on conversations, I also take lessons when i have the time.
     
    #34 Bato, Oct 19, 2016
    Last edited: Oct 19, 2016
  35. Richard

    Richard Maintenance Dept Administrator

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    This thread is not about skiing.

    Should it be moved ? (Convo or CV maybe)

    or..

    Should it be tagged with a new prefix (Travel Chat, or Off-Piste or similar) so that it may remain contextually relevant to Europe.

    Please vote.
     
    #35 Richard, Oct 19, 2016
  36. Piste Again

    Piste Again Part of the Furniture Ski Pass: Gold

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    Convo?

    Download it as an offline language?
     
    #36 Piste Again, Oct 19, 2016
  37. cold wombat

    cold wombat Twitter Contributer Social Media Mod

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    CV. It's a thread about culture.
     
    #37 cold wombat, Oct 19, 2016
  38. Ubiquitous Steve

    Ubiquitous Steve A Local Ski Pass: Gold

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    yes there is truth in previous posts...

    mention of the WW2 to the Germans is like mentioning Hutso_O to those indigenous folk of the Main Range...

    it just sends each group into tail spin....:p:p:p
     
    #38 Ubiquitous Steve, Oct 19, 2016
  39. Richard

    Richard Maintenance Dept Administrator

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    Yes, but it is also about travel, and it's so far a respectful conversation - not sure if moving to CV would do it any favors.

    Plus thinking about how to broaden the scope of these travel forums without losing ski/snow context. Why did Xtremo post here instead of Convo or CV for instance?

    It's not for me to dismiss such organic behavior offhand, but rather to examine how I may shape the flow of the river for easier navigation - blah blah blah
     
    #39 Richard, Oct 19, 2016
  40. cold wombat

    cold wombat Twitter Contributer Social Media Mod

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    OK, let me clarify: CV if it has to be moved. TBH, Europe does seem fitting.
     
    #40 cold wombat, Oct 19, 2016
  41. tr+h

    tr+h One of Us

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    No. She really did love it.
     
    #41 tr+h, Oct 19, 2016
  42. Legs Akimbo

    Legs Akimbo Grumblebum Ski Pass: Gold

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    The smell of burning flesh on a barbecue - we all love it.
     
    #42 Legs Akimbo, Oct 19, 2016
  43. Ubiquitous Steve

    Ubiquitous Steve A Local Ski Pass: Gold

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    well their not known for being the most adaptable race.....
     
    #43 Ubiquitous Steve, Oct 19, 2016
  44. person s

    person s Old n' Crusty Ski Pass: Gold

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    I know the huts are extremely significant but ww2 might excite a bit more interest
     
    #44 person s, Oct 19, 2016
  45. Kletterer

    Kletterer Thredbo Doughnut Tragic Moderator Ski Pass: Gold

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    Our Bogong Moths are better than yours,:p
     
    #45 Kletterer, Oct 19, 2016
  46. Ubiquitous Steve

    Ubiquitous Steve A Local Ski Pass: Gold

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    Bears have a more sensitive question from a cultural perspective...
    are KNP producing signs written in Chinese for the important tourist trade flocking to hit the Eagles Nest to Kosy walk...
    never mind the Germans their tight asses ...we need to focus on the tourist dollars here!!
     
    #46 Ubiquitous Steve, Oct 19, 2016
  47. XTREMO

    XTREMO Old n' Crusty Ski Pass: Gold

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    Rationale went something like this: Europe seemed the most fitting place, other than convo. I stopped looking at convo many years ago because I found it to be too much of a time suck. Its interesting, fun, entertaining but I found it akin to randomly surfing youtube because there was always more stuff to look at. An excess of spoils.

    If a Europe based forum user were to post a topic like this in convo, I would never see it.

    Perhaps misguidedly, I make the mistake of assuming that others are like me and that there would be a better chance of attracting decent information if I posted in this forum.

    In summary, a self interest driven decision!
     
    #47 XTREMO, Oct 19, 2016
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  48. XTREMO

    XTREMO Old n' Crusty Ski Pass: Gold

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    Am I the only one who still doesn't get it?! :( Or is it not a joke at all, and simply a weird story about a German doctor who genuinely liked the smell of burning human flesh?
     
    #48 XTREMO, Oct 19, 2016
  49. piolet

    piolet Better make it three Ski Pass: Gold

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    #49 piolet, Oct 19, 2016
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  50. Bato

    Bato One of Us Ski Pass: Gold

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    Ha, German isnt too bad to listen to once you get used to it. The problem is the only German most of the western world has been exposed to is Hitler yelling.
     
    #50 Bato, Oct 19, 2016
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