Last year I made a business trip to Germany, and the Boss came along so we spent some time vacationing there and in Krakow Poland. One of the things that struck me the most about Germany was the general attitude of the people. Let me give you a couple of examples.
We purchased passes to use their public transportation system. We were on 4 different trains and 3 different buses. Not once were we, or anybody else I saw, asked to show proof that we paid. Never. Nada. No way, no how. A British man I talked to explained that it just wasn't in their ability to even conceive that someone would ride without paying for it.
Being an engineer, I spent some time with other engineers as well as management. I pointed out a fatigue design flaw to a mechanical engineer, and he replied that it's the way he was instructed. His supervisor was not a mechanical engineer, but this guy didn't even question the decision. He just did what he was told like a good little worker bee.
The point is that the people are apparently trained from birth to never question authority, regardless of the consequences. They toe the line, day in and day out. Does that sound familiar? Does that sound like the 'left' in this country. They get flustered, even outraged when confronted with someone that doesn't follow the leader. It's beyond their comprehension that someone might think for himself, have an independent attitude or thought.
Ever watch Obama doing one of his 'convince the masses' speach? It's obvious to me that he just can't comprehend why everybody just doesn't follow his lead. After all, he is the leader and he knows everything, what's best for everyone.
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2 comments:
they might follow the law, but they also drive way too fast, and love to drink good beer, as long as it was brewed in accordance with the Reinheitsgebot. :D
While I was in Germany (three weeks about 20 years ago) it was very easy to cheat the buses on your fares. However, even as little as I rode them I saw a fare checker get on and check everyone while we rode to the next stop.
One thing to note was that it was an on-the-spot fine of something like $100 if you were cheating. If you can't pay the man, he calls for the cops to come take you to the station to lock you up.
From what I was told, the odds of getting caught were high enough and the fine high enough, that it didn't make economic sense to ride without paying properly. You wouldn't come out ahead, so hardly anyone did it.
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