Re: Berlin Redux

<akogler@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1132196683.445989.267800@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> We were somewhat constrained by family and friends but were still able
> to do some things on our own. It was very interesting to hear Jurgen
> and a med school classmate compare notes on practicing in the two
> systems..ours, and theirs. Jurgen cant imagine having to practice with
> the constraints of the German system..( Jurgen still feels is way too
> confining)Deiter couldnt believe the freedom Jurgen has to treat his
> patients as he sees fit. So that was interesting.

Ha, I work for a German company. You can imagine how much they like to
make rules for the sake of having a rule. Drives us "rebellious" Americans
crazy.

> The English translations on the signs and menus in Berlin etc were
> great. One restauraunt had Gypsys, shredded; Old Berliners
> grilled...Calves, live. We never had a menu that didnt have some really
> funny translation.

You had English on your menus? That would have been nice. :o)

> This will be no surprise to anyone who has spent time there..Germans
> can be abrupt and tactless..very straightforward and not always lots of
> extra smiles. Jurgen has been in the US long enough that he is always a
> little surprised when we go back..calls them 'charm school rejects'
> .;-> which amuses me no end since he is the most tactless,
> straightforward person *I * ever knew. Of course, I dont *say* to
> him..'well dear, now I see where *you* get it!' But it is pretty funny.

Haha, being from a very German part of the US (central PA 'Dutch
country' - which is really Deutsch, spelled Dutch) - it's sort of how things
are here.
A friend spent a summer interning here and couldn't believe how everyone
ignored each other and generally didn't say hi in every situation where you
were within earshot of another person. His father agreed, it was a central
PA thing. Then in Southern Germany, I noticed people walking in the
opposite way down a remote walking path wouldn't even look at you in
acknowledgment, and I heard the Swabish folks say 'I'm being friendly when
I'm not cursing at you'. That's when I saw the connection.

Dave


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