Kultur 7

The first article that I read was the "How Not to Die on German Roads." I found this article quite funny. With this sense of humor in the article though, I wonder how much of that stuff actually happens. I bet most of the things on the roads do happen but the one about your car being kicked if you leave it running?? Come on. I think someone would have to go pretty low to do such a thing and if the author really means that all these things do happen, then there is no way I would want to attempt to drive in Deutschland. Although, I think it would have a great deal based off of where you live. Such as crossing the street or going through an almost red would definitely apply in a big city but not so much in a more rural area.

The next one I read was "No-Frills Shopping, German Style." Now this definitely paints a bad picture of German supermarkets and German people in general. After reading this I realized how thankful I am for the supermarkets here in the US such as Meijer. Wow. Although I am not in them that often, I know that they are way better than the description I just read of these German ones. Again, I believe this very much relates to where you live. In a more busy/urban area I bet you find more people who will cut and be rushed for time rather than in a more rural area. I think this would be true for most highly populated cities wherever you go, you will get these kinds of people and workers.
 
And the last article I read was "Of German Lines and Pythons." This one is also pretty funny. It seems like you really have to be aware of your surroundings and stay on your toes if you want to get through these horrendous shopping experiences. I like the line system we have here in the US.

After reading all these articles, I have quite a bad picture painted of German people in general. It sounds like most, as they described, can be quite rude and mindless of others interests. I think I would struggle in Germany for at least little bit after hearing these things. I wouldn't consider myself a patient person but I am not one to run to a newly opened register, or cut in front of someone in line to possibly save 5 minutes. It's just not worth it and it sounds like it would cause a scene. I did find these articles interesting though and something one would have to experience for themselves to really know what goes on.