Germany is completely driven by order. They're known for efficiency, as you likely know, but more than that, there's a sense here that everything must be done properly. NO ONE, for example, crosses the street on red, even if there's not a car in sight. There's even a state office here for order and discipline. Everything has it's place, and nothing is out of order.
Well, yesterday I learned that Germany also has a Ministry of German Behavior. Their most recent mandates are 1) that people are not supposed to say "entschuldigung", i.e. "excuse me", after sneezing, because sneezing cannot be controlled, and one should not ask to be excused for something one cannot control, and 2) people are not supposed to say "gesundheit" after someone sneezes, as it reinforces the pity the sneezer might feel for having sneezed. I'm completely serious.
Also, Germany has a new Finance Minister. Here's his name: Karl-Theodor Maria Nikolaus Johann Jacob Philipp Wilhelm Franz Joseph Sylvester Freiherr von und zu Guttenberg. Seriously, I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried...
Hope you're all doing wonderfully well. I'm having a traditional Spanish meal tonight at the house of one of my classmates. I'll be sure to update you !
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3 comments:
my name seems so boring by comparison...
I heard someone in my office sneeze yesterday and I sat in silence and so did he. He must've gotten the memo about sneezing.
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