Hello my fellow Fatherlandians. Yes, I too can trace my lineage back to Deutschland. I just spent a week in two of your cities (Stuttgart and Bautzen), and have the following thoughts:
1) You have got to add more Air Conditioning. Everywhere I went, public places were not conditioned. Airport business lounges, Hotels (and my room at the Holiday Inn!), were too warm. Everyone over there was quick to point out that global warming has made a drastic impact on the weather, and while it’s hard to believe that your ultra-recent weather patterns are a direct result of Global changes, I will allow for the possibility that natural patterns may be amplified at this time. Still, no excuse for stinky, sweatyness just from sitting at a bar.
2) Love your Diesels. Just plain loved the BMW 320D Wagon. Man, that blew my mind. Didn’t like the Volvo S80D, but hey, it’s not yours, right?
3) Capri pants are NOT for men. Period. No exceptions. So Stop It.
4) Smoking is bad for you. It says so right on your packs of cigs in REAL BIG LETTERS. And yet, there is no such thing as non-smoking, save for parts of airports. Seriously, you smoke way to much.
5) Respect the line. If someone got there before you, they get to go before you. No smooshing your way in.
6) Like your beers, by the way. Wine was pretty good too.
7) I didn’t like being nickeled-and-dimed for everything. Here in the US, when you pay more then $100 a night, you get wireless internet included, as well as all sorts of TV options. In all but the most Urban hotels, parking is included as well. And when we say breakfast is included, we don’t mean it’s available for an additional charge.
The most frustrating thing for me was the language. My mastery of english, and my fluency in spanish, offered me nothing in Germany. I felt so incredibly helpless, dependent on others and their ability to speak my language. It was uncomfortable, but of course, I don’t blame you.
Overall, I did have a good time, if not for the odd inconveniences. Oh, and did I mention the beer?
Sincerely,
RedSwingline