Thursday, February 12, 2009

Stop questioning and just do it!


This is our new "Bible" .........Do as the Germans Do! End of story!
I read this book before we moved here in preparation for what to expect. Didn't really mean a lot until we were here and experiencing things the book talked about. So I reread the "Bible" again and laughed how true it was.
But I still struggle accepting many things one being the lack of smiling and two the lack of waiting in lines. The books states, Germans have been known to smile, but unnecessary smiling is frowned on. A German man needs a good reason to smile. In fact, excessive smiling in most of Europe is indication of weak mindedness. Don't over due smiling around Germans. Okay now that's funny ...do we Americans over due smiling? Shame on us! So that explains the frownie faces I see everyday and possibly the starring maybe I'm over doing the smile. Note to self stop smiling you mindless American.
The lack of waiting on line is enough to drive you bonkers, today while waiting in the queue for my turn at the cash register a man comes right up and stands in front of me as if I wasn't even there. I was like Hello buddy line starts over there! Forget it you obviously need those socks and tie more then I need these hand warmers go for it buddy! But the book states, I mean the "Bible", the meek will wait forever, politeness is a sign of weakness and when there is an opening Germans will take it. One of the few places Germans will wait in line is the ATM , and that is the only place I have not been ditched. I so want to ditch someone in the ATM line just to see what would happen, but my luck it would be an American and they would go postal on me cause they are so sick of being ditched! So I will be a good mindless American smile and wait my turn, because it's what polite people DO!

8 comments:

pve design said...

Did you see me smiling as I read your post. When I visited my Aunt in Germany - she did advise me not to smile - as an American, this was not so easy.
Do we have a version of that book for When in America, do as Americans...?
pve

Mary-Laure said...

When I was in Germany, I was surprised too to see that people never smiled... It just seemed so strange.

Femin Susan said...

Hi.....
Those are absolutely fascinating. Wonderful post!

Joyce said...

Oh dear no smiles?! This would be so... hard. After all of these years now I know why my maternal grandparents didn't smile alot. Hmm... I must have taken after my dad's side. LOL...
Thanks my friend for sharing your experiences with us. I love it. xoxo

Ina in Alaska said...

Yikes Frau!!! This is a toughie!!! Hope it is not going to be a long 2 years.....

Leciawp said...

It sounds so hard to be there! Amazing - "excessive smiling in most of Europe is indication of weak mindedness."

Tami said...

Perhaps the germans need some of my new anti depressent medicine?? :)
Here is a BIG SMILE from AMERICA! :))))))))

Formerly known as Frau said...

Thanks for the smiles Tami.
I think Martha Stewart but out a book...oh wait not her maybe Oprah should?