My German Impressions

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September 5, 2009

I can’t lie. I love Munich and all the crazy Germans in it. In my first post about traveling through this country, I joked around about one guy being really rude. And then I went on to say that everyone else we met has been really nice. Well, we’ve since encountered more exceptionally rude people (and by that, I mean someone actually made a loud snorting noise when I asked him for help in English). But, since I don’t live here and I’m just passing through, rather than being something to complain about, it simply becomes hysterical.

I did have my first little encounter with anti-Americanism yesterday. We were at a kebab place in the Arab part of Munich and when we asked if the guy behind the counter spoke English he then proceeded to ask Seba where he was from. Seba said, “Chile,” and the guy grinned from ear to ear and in a thick accent responded, “WWEEEEEEEEELCOME TO MUNCHEN!!!” He then turned to me and I said, “the U.S.,” and the guy shook his head and disapprovingly said, “Ooooooooooh,” and started clucking his tongue at me. Then said, “Bush!!!!” very angrily, with more head shaking and clucking. I was trying to keep the friendly conversation going though and I said, “I’m from Michigan,” which put a smile back on his face, I think because it was a blue state. Seemed kind of silly to me. If you’re going to judge someone for their political views — and while I probably shouldn’t say this, I’m actually OK with judging/being judged by people’s political views — why not ask the individual who they voted for, right?

And while we’re talking about stereotypes — all Americans are stupid imperialists who support George W. — let’s bust this one out, “Europeans are stinky.” While all Americans are not imperialists, all Europeans aren’t stinky either — but we’ve definitely come across a way larger percentage of the population here than in Chile or the U.S. with SEVERE body odor issues. Americans might be stupid, but DEODORANT IS SMART.

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9 Comments

  1. :) I have to admit that most of the people I've met with body odor issues were European…

    Comment by uniquelyordinary — September 5, 2009 @ 8:52 pm

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  2. Hahaha, deodorant is very smart

    Comment by emilyinchile — September 6, 2009 @ 7:15 pm

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  3. hhahaha kyle this was great

    Comment by kacy — September 6, 2009 @ 9:47 pm

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  4. Haha, this is too funny! I hate ignorance. :(

    Comment by GlobalButterfly — September 8, 2009 @ 11:32 am

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  5. i love it. :)

    Comment by Haley — September 8, 2009 @ 12:11 pm

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  6. This one had me laughing out loud. You are correct. BO = big issue in that part of Europe.

    Although I don't desire to be disliked just because I'm from the US there is a part of that which is appealing to me when it comes to Europe. Frankly, they don't care what we do which when it comes to food and health (my favorite topics) means they are likely to hold on to their cultural (read awesome) practices. It's very different from Brazil where I feel so many want so badly to be like, act like and adopt practices in the US. And as we know, when it comes to health practices this is not a postive thing.

    Comment by lori1329 — September 10, 2009 @ 5:14 am

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  7. Haha. Kyle, I've missed your sense of humor. I'm so happy that you and Seba are having a great time.

    We are living in Cape Town, South Africa, for a month and then returning to Argentina for another month or so. I'm sorry I haven't been a regular visitor recently, but I will be again soon.

    Cuidate! Un besito.

    Comment by Still Life in South America — September 10, 2009 @ 6:48 am

    Reply

  8. This one had me laughing out loud. You are correct. BO = big issue in that part of Europe.

    Although I don't desire to be disliked just because I'm from the US there is a part of that which is appealing to me when it comes to Europe. Frankly, they don't care what we do which when it comes to food and health (my favorite topics) means they are likely to hold on to their cultural (read awesome) practices. It's very different from Brazil where I feel so many want so badly to be like, act like and adopt practices in the US. And as we know, when it comes to health practices this is not a postive thing.

    Comment by lori1329 — September 10, 2009 @ 12:14 pm

    Reply

  9. Haha. Kyle, I've missed your sense of humor. I'm so happy that you and Seba are having a great time.

    We are living in Cape Town, South Africa, for a month and then returning to Argentina for another month or so. I'm sorry I haven't been a regular visitor recently, but I will be again soon.

    Cuidate! Un besito.

    Comment by Still Life in South America — September 10, 2009 @ 1:48 pm

    Reply

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