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.
Showing posts with label Germany Trip. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Germany Trip. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Sunday, May 25, 2008
A Different Mind-Set
Before embarking on our trip to Germany we purchased train passes for 2 days since our plans included some travel by train. We were on 4 different trains and not once did anybody ask for tickets. The perception is that train travel is free to all, except that at one train station I saw others purchasing rides. It was the same way with the busses we rode.
I mentioned this to our Brit host at the guest house in the village of Seebach. He explained that it’s no surprise because the German society is an ordered society and no one would think about not paying or checking that others pay. Upon reflection I noticed that our parent company in Germany does business in the same strictly ordered manner. Everything is done precisely to the rules without fail. If I ask for information, I can’t get it unless that part of the project is complete. There’s no way they’ll send any advance information because it might change later. They can’t stand the idea of anyone knowing a mistake was made. It’s sort of high personal ego overshadowed by high organizational ego. It’s a group mindset with little personal initiative.
With the exception of union members, the US tends to be the opposite. The whole (original) philosophy of this country is individualism. The individual is ultimately responsible for himself. The individual drives the group, in a way.
I wonder if this basic difference is part of what drives our own society struggles here in the US. The Democrats tend to be socialists similar to the Europeans, and the Republicans tend to be individualists like the founders of this country. It’s an entirely different mind-set as to how society should be.
Personally I favor individualism, capitalism and a limited federalist government over all others. This combination has helped the US explode into a world economic, political and military leader. And the individual can become a Bill Gates or a homeless street bum depending on his level of ambition.
I mentioned this to our Brit host at the guest house in the village of Seebach. He explained that it’s no surprise because the German society is an ordered society and no one would think about not paying or checking that others pay. Upon reflection I noticed that our parent company in Germany does business in the same strictly ordered manner. Everything is done precisely to the rules without fail. If I ask for information, I can’t get it unless that part of the project is complete. There’s no way they’ll send any advance information because it might change later. They can’t stand the idea of anyone knowing a mistake was made. It’s sort of high personal ego overshadowed by high organizational ego. It’s a group mindset with little personal initiative.
With the exception of union members, the US tends to be the opposite. The whole (original) philosophy of this country is individualism. The individual is ultimately responsible for himself. The individual drives the group, in a way.
I wonder if this basic difference is part of what drives our own society struggles here in the US. The Democrats tend to be socialists similar to the Europeans, and the Republicans tend to be individualists like the founders of this country. It’s an entirely different mind-set as to how society should be.
Personally I favor individualism, capitalism and a limited federalist government over all others. This combination has helped the US explode into a world economic, political and military leader. And the individual can become a Bill Gates or a homeless street bum depending on his level of ambition.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Airport Security
Back in the early 90s I went to Austria on a business trip. At the time I was impressed with the striking difference in airport security there to here in the US. In the Frankfurt Germany airport there were roaming security personnel in groups of 2, usually with a dog. At least 1 of the 2 carried a submachine gun. And then in Graz Austria we were guarded by men carrying submachine guns until cleared by customs. That was significantly more security than here at the time.
On this recent trip to Germany and Poland I was once again impressed by the difference in airport security. Only this time the security appeared to be a bit lax compared to the past. I didn’t see any armed roaming security. We went through the standard metal detectors and someone looked at our passports, but no questions were asked and there was absolutely no customs inspection. The only arms I saw were in Poland where each metal detector crew had 1 individual with a pistol.
I suppose we here in the US are the targets now, making most of Europe feel a whole lot safer.
The security here probably makes the uninformed feel safer and may actually be somewhat effective in stopping the less than smart terrorist, but for the most part it's just an expensive feel-good operation.
On this recent trip to Germany and Poland I was once again impressed by the difference in airport security. Only this time the security appeared to be a bit lax compared to the past. I didn’t see any armed roaming security. We went through the standard metal detectors and someone looked at our passports, but no questions were asked and there was absolutely no customs inspection. The only arms I saw were in Poland where each metal detector crew had 1 individual with a pistol.
I suppose we here in the US are the targets now, making most of Europe feel a whole lot safer.
The security here probably makes the uninformed feel safer and may actually be somewhat effective in stopping the less than smart terrorist, but for the most part it's just an expensive feel-good operation.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Seebach, Germany
Seebach is a little village in the Black Forest. The name is pronounced "Zabock".
We were there there a couple days without a car so we strolled around seeing the sights and simply 'chilled out'. I was told the population is about 1300, and about 300 distilleries, a couple are licensed to sell. They produce snapps, or what I prefer to call 'rocket fuel'.
We were there there a couple days without a car so we strolled around seeing the sights and simply 'chilled out'. I was told the population is about 1300, and about 300 distilleries, a couple are licensed to sell. They produce snapps, or what I prefer to call 'rocket fuel'.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Concentration Camp Near Krakow Poland
The part I'll never forget for the rest of my life was the guided tour through the first(?) Nazi concentration camp in Poland. It’s where the evil men perfected their methods of abuse and mass murder. When the Nazis invaded Poland, with help from Russia on the west, they incarcerated all clerics, politicians, academics and scientists in an old Polish army military base. Just wearing glasses to see was cause to be imprisoned because they made you look like an academic. Later they added Jews to the mix. Prisoners were stripped of all their belongings, including their hair that was used to weave fabric for the German military. That’s also where gas chambers were developed.
As thousands of Jews were rounded up, two more camps were built nearby. The second camp was huge. I’d guess it was at least 1 square mile, with living conditions that we’d consider cruel to animals. There were 3 large gas chambers and many furnaces for disposing of bodies. We were told that 3,000 people lost their lives each and every day for 5 years.
The Boss wanted to go there, but I didn’t, and I’ll never, ever go back to that place of such evil. I was fluctuating between extreme sadness and barely controllable anger throughout the tour. The only explanation for such cruelty is evil, pure and simple.
Anybody that doesn’t believe in evil people should visit that place. It becomes obvious that not only are acts evil, but people are evil. The only way to stop evil people is to destroy them. They can’t be rehabilitated.
Never, ever give up your right to self-defense. Never, ever give up your arms. Another Nazi regime is just a breath away.
Most all of the wooden barns were destroyed, but most of the brick buildingd remain. The 3 gas chambers were hidden way back in the trees.
As thousands of Jews were rounded up, two more camps were built nearby. The second camp was huge. I’d guess it was at least 1 square mile, with living conditions that we’d consider cruel to animals. There were 3 large gas chambers and many furnaces for disposing of bodies. We were told that 3,000 people lost their lives each and every day for 5 years.
The Boss wanted to go there, but I didn’t, and I’ll never, ever go back to that place of such evil. I was fluctuating between extreme sadness and barely controllable anger throughout the tour. The only explanation for such cruelty is evil, pure and simple.
Anybody that doesn’t believe in evil people should visit that place. It becomes obvious that not only are acts evil, but people are evil. The only way to stop evil people is to destroy them. They can’t be rehabilitated.
Never, ever give up your right to self-defense. Never, ever give up your arms. Another Nazi regime is just a breath away.
Most all of the wooden barns were destroyed, but most of the brick buildingd remain. The 3 gas chambers were hidden way back in the trees.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Our Trip To Germany-Poland
The Boss and I got home from our little trip to Germany and Poland yesterday, and are still fighting the effects of air travel and the 6 hour time difference. Thankfully the trip improved with time, as we were delayed leaving by 5 hours due to mechanical problems on the plane. We sat in the Cincinnati airport 5 hours before starting the 9 hour flight to Frankfurt Germany.
We were 2 days in Donaushidgen where I spent both days in business meetings. Then drove to Freiburg for 1 day and 2 nights. We left the rental car in Freiburg and traveled by rail to a little village in the edge of the Black Forest where we ‘chilled’ for a couple of days. Then again by rail to pick up another rental car and see a rather impressive castle and back to the village. The next day we drove back to Frankfurt and caught a plane to Warsaw, and then switched planes to Krakow Poland. We stayed in an apartment in Krakow near the ‘old Jewish quarter’. We were there 3 days and 4 nights. Each day we were on a tour of the old city section, Auschwitz (concentration/death camps), then the salt mines respectively. It was then 2 planes back to Frankfurt, spend the night, and home again.
We were on 6 planes in 12 days. I hate airplanes.
A few general thoughts about the trip.
Germany was a lot like the US in a lot of ways. Initially it was hard to tell the difference except for all the German cars and not being able to read signs or converse with a lot of people. The highway (autobahn) was better maintained, cleaner and lacking all the big advertisements that we see here. Even the older parts of the cities were well maintained and the people friendly and helpful when we got lost or asked for directions, which was frequently.
Poland on the other hand was dirty and not well maintained, even the newer sections of the city (Krakow). I always felt like I was walking through a ghetto, but the interiors of shops and restaurants were spotless and well maintained. I was impressed by the contrast.
If you’re sensitive to the heat, don’t go there during the heat of the summer. We stayed in 3 hotels, 1 guest house and 1 apartment, none had air-conditioning.
Oh, and the Volkswagen Passat we rented had no problem at all cruising at 180 Km/Hr (about 115 MPH) on the Autobahn.
We were 2 days in Donaushidgen where I spent both days in business meetings. Then drove to Freiburg for 1 day and 2 nights. We left the rental car in Freiburg and traveled by rail to a little village in the edge of the Black Forest where we ‘chilled’ for a couple of days. Then again by rail to pick up another rental car and see a rather impressive castle and back to the village. The next day we drove back to Frankfurt and caught a plane to Warsaw, and then switched planes to Krakow Poland. We stayed in an apartment in Krakow near the ‘old Jewish quarter’. We were there 3 days and 4 nights. Each day we were on a tour of the old city section, Auschwitz (concentration/death camps), then the salt mines respectively. It was then 2 planes back to Frankfurt, spend the night, and home again.
We were on 6 planes in 12 days. I hate airplanes.
A few general thoughts about the trip.
Germany was a lot like the US in a lot of ways. Initially it was hard to tell the difference except for all the German cars and not being able to read signs or converse with a lot of people. The highway (autobahn) was better maintained, cleaner and lacking all the big advertisements that we see here. Even the older parts of the cities were well maintained and the people friendly and helpful when we got lost or asked for directions, which was frequently.
Poland on the other hand was dirty and not well maintained, even the newer sections of the city (Krakow). I always felt like I was walking through a ghetto, but the interiors of shops and restaurants were spotless and well maintained. I was impressed by the contrast.
If you’re sensitive to the heat, don’t go there during the heat of the summer. We stayed in 3 hotels, 1 guest house and 1 apartment, none had air-conditioning.
Oh, and the Volkswagen Passat we rented had no problem at all cruising at 180 Km/Hr (about 115 MPH) on the Autobahn.
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