Like any self-respecting country, Germany has its own national anthem. Because I studied classical music with an outside field in German, I actually had to learn all twenty gazillion verses. Hurray.
But, in all honesty, after living in the country for over a decade (gasp!), I believe that there should be an unofficial national anthem. And it should be Ludacris' "Move… Get Out the Way".
Seriously, no matter where I've been, this is either what the person in front of me is saying or I'm thinking. While I can't exactly call myself a Harlem Globe Trotter (for myriad obvious reasons), I have been blessed to travel to many places. Germany takes the cake when it comes to people getting in your way with a subconscious determination to stay there.
Example 1: On a narrow sidewalk, there is only room for two people to walk parallel. What do you do? Walk on one side while the person in the opposite direction continues on the other side? Well, if that's your answer, then you must not be German. The resounding answer for any real German - or Germanized person, mind you - is to walk in the middle.
Example 2: You sense someone walking behind you with a sense of urgency. What do you do? Shift slightly to the side so that he or she may pass? Well, if that's your answer, then you must not be German. Instead, you will slow down to show him or her that you aren't the type of person who will be rushed. Gotta show 'em who's boss, you know.
Example 3: There's nothing more painful than a group of oblivious people who are determined to walk in a pack. A normal group would simply stagger their positions, allowing others to pass by them. The packs of people refuse to budge, despite being three or more people walking on the sidewalk side by side. It doesn't seem to matter: Young or old, males or females, too many of them love walking in packs. Some of them even link their arms to form a chain. What the heck, people? Is this some kind of protest that everyone else just doesn't know about?
No wonder everyone is body checking you left and right.
Here’s to a great week with wide-open spaces.
xoxo CountryEuroCityMouse
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