Germany is a totally different country from the US. <gasp> I know right? They do things a bit differently, which causes some Americans grief. Most of what they do makes perfect sense. Germany is, to me, police-enforced politeness. Flipping someone off is illegal for instance. While people sometimes seem cold and distant, there are too many people here to put effort into ones you do not know. People aren’t rude, they just don’t paint a fake smile to appear friendly to strangers, but they are often some of the nicest people you could meet.
Germans are less-likely to own a car than an American….by a lot! Public transportation is awesome! I can catch a tram every 5 minutes at peak hours and 10, 15, or 30 minutes during off-peak times. While it may take a few more minutes than driving, it is easier and less-expensive.
Having fewer cars and heavier public transit has increased the focus on bicycles and pedestrian accessibility. We have run across a lot of road construction here and each time a clear path has been left for the pedestrian traffic. Blocking a pedestrian walkway just doesn’t happen. Let’s not forget the health benefits of encouraging pedestrianism either.
Drivers, being accustomed to pedestrians, are always paying attention. It took us quite a bit of time to not feel like we were going to get run over if we weren’t careful. German drivers stop well before a pedestrian enters the intersection. Cutting it close hasn’t happened, at least not in Cologne.
German drivers have a point system on their licenses. 17 points and you lose your license. Considering that it costs thousands of Euros to get in the first place, nobody wants to lose it. Coupled with the laws keeping drivers from aggressively honking, tailgating, or any other number of crappy things that make driving in the US a nightmare, drivers here are very courteous and attentive. If someone does lose their license, public transportation is sufficient to get them where they’re going unlike the US where the inability to drive often constitutes an inability to support yourself.
I do not fear theft here. Crime still happens, and there’s no point doing stupid crap, but little things don’t seem to be a problem. No restaurant has seemed in the least concerned that anyone would walk out on their bill. I’ve even seen bikes left completely unlocked.
The parks….oh the parks. These aren’t your namby-pamby quarter block parks with a swingset. These parks are huge and beautiful. Beethover Park is almost half a mile by half a mile and is connected to another park by bridge. I don’t think anyone lives more than a mile from a park, if that.
The Pfand
Now this is awesomeness for the conservation-minded. Every plastic and glass bottle sold has a deposit on it that they call a “pfand.” Grocery stores all have machines that take these bottles and give you a receipt to get your money back. You do not need to go back to the store you got the bottle from to return it. This system encourages recycling and reduces litter because any bottle left outside or even tossed in the trash is quickly grabbed by the next passerby. I’ve seen people in suits dig bottles out of the trash. At 25 cents for a plastic bottle you can bet they get recycled.
Little things:
Locally grown food is big here
Recycling is mandatory
Windows that open in every building, even huge office buildings
