National characteristics of Germany - or these strange Germans
Germany sunk into our souls after visiting the modern city of Munich. A country of clear rules, compliance with laws, and the use of the latest technologies. Surely there are also disadvantages, how can it be without them, because ideal countries do not exist, and they become noticeable after a long stay in Germany. However, what is bad for one is good for another, everything is relative. In any case, you need to take an example from the good..
Modern Munich.
Today, about those peculiarities of Germany that we noticed ourselves, and which Ollie told us about, who sheltered us for several days in Munich.
The first national feature of Germany is the culture of cycling, which has already been counted for more than a dozen years. To us this is a novelty. How do you like bike traffic? Or cyclists with trolleys, just like full-fledged cars with a trunk? At this rate, problems with parking bicycles can begin, there are already a lot of them. Moreover, these are not expensive mountain bikes, but ordinary city bikes, affordable for absolutely everyone. Perhaps that is why there are old and rusty ones, tied to a tree and abandoned to the mercy of fate - they say, I forgot where I left it, it's not a problem, I'll buy a new one.
Cycle paths in Munich.
Cycle paths in Berlin
Parked bike with trolley
Old bicycles in Germany
In general, it is modern here not only in terms of cycling. But in many other things, everything is done for some reason for people. Some public toilets in parking lots along the Autobahn are worth something - water and flush sensors are infrared, and sometimes classical music plays inside. This is not a hole in the floor in a wooden booth with a bunch of flies. There are also tables with benches at each parking lot where you can eat. And about free autobahns without restrictions, I generally keep quiet.
Parking lots in Germany every few tens of kilometers
Parking lots in Germany every few tens of kilometers
High-speed autobahns in Germany
Germany is a country of advanced technologies. It's nice to see the ubiquitous use of solar panels and wind turbines, whole fields are simple. And another feature of Germany is waste sorting. Moreover, the Germans not only distribute according to the type of material, but also separate glass of different colors and plastic according to various criteria. This is how they save natural resources. Strange, huh? After all, we, together with Africa, will nullify all their efforts. We will cut down the entire forest, pollute all rivers and lakes, we have natural resources in bulk!
Alternative energy in Germany
Alternative energy in Germany
At first, we walked around and wondered, where did so many invalids come from? Here it is, a prosperous country with a bunch of sick people! But a little later, it became clear that in Russia, disabled people are becoming outcasts of society, and they just sit at home and no one sees them. Here, these are ordinary people living a full life: wheelchairs with the latest technology, special elevators, devices, a normal attitude from society, friends.
Disabled people on city streets
From childhood I was taught the importance of bread for the Russian people. And I thought that it is in Russia that a lot of bread is eaten. Gradually, my illusions are dispelled. First, in Turkey, I saw how much bread they eat, now I learned about this national feature of Germany. Breakfast consists of several types of bread (bagels, bagels, croissants, baguettes) with jams, pastas, cheeses. And so every day. How are they not just getting better? Street baked goods are sold on every corner, in many metro stations. And how many species there are! What do we have? Semi-finished puff pastry with 10 fillings, warmed up in the microwave ... On the other hand, we will eat less flour.
Huge variety of fresh rolls on every corner
What do you want to do when you see the police? That's right, to cross the road and bypass, you never know what the power of the doomed will think of. Here you can forget about such feelings. When we spent the night at the Berlin airport, we were glad that a patrol was walking nearby and guarding us. People really mind their own business.
Police officers in the Munich subway
Another feature of Germany is its behavior on the road. Well, what normal and self-respecting person will slow down when he sees a car with a turn signal on? After all, it will slip forward! No, in Germany it is definitely difficult to drive - they let you go everywhere, they don’t honk when you interfere with the traffic, they don’t cut short, changing from row to row. And besides this, everyone observes the speed limits and stands in a traffic jam and waits for their turn. So after all, you can completely forget how to drive a car, and adrenaline does not enter the blood..
The most important feature of Germany, although certainly the whole of Europe, is the politeness and smile of people. And that's why the question is asked? Why should a shop assistant smile? Especially if you are in a bad mood. After all, it is much better to get nasty, because then the day will not be lived in vain. But no, these strange Germans still ask about life, they say, how is health, how is life, where are you from. They have gone completely crazy, they are being bullied! But nothing, we endured this friendliness for 4 weeks while we were in Europe. And when we flew to Vnukovo, border control turned out to be a balm to our hearts - the border guards met us with such disgusting faces that something fluttered joyfully in our chest, feeling the return to our Motherland. But the realization that the agony of being in Europe was over came only in our Russian supermarket - they cheated and threw change - now we are at home!
And finally, a little photo of provincial Germany
Provincial Germany
Small towns Germany
Small towns Germany
Small towns Germany
P.S. Yes, the patriots of Russia will forgive me, but this article was written in the first days after my arrival from Europe, and then the contrast was very noticeable. A little later, as usual, you stop noticing it all. And yes, I perfectly understand that there are a lot of disadvantages in Germany, but I'm afraid for many such disadvantages are better than those in Russia or other CIS countries..