No Time of Day
Assholes abound. Left, right, next to the fountain, on the sidewalk, in the seat next to you in class. You can't escape. Not without drastic action.What's the prescription, doctor? Well son, you could move to Europe. It wouldn't cure things, but it might help damper the effects.
I'm not sure if asshole is the right word. I am sure, however, that there are more of them in America than Germany. I wonder how the numbers would spit out if you surveyed the number of people in both countries who would or wouldn't give you the proverbial "Time of Day". I'm willing to wager a Mass of German Hefe-Weizen beer that there are less jerks in Germany than the good 'ol US of A.
Why is that? Is it our hyper-active individualism coming across as inconsideration? I suppose I should make some finer points of distinction. If you've been to Germany, Bayern especially, you'll have noticed that customer service is ages behind that of America. Shopkeepers are just as likely to give you the look of death as a "Hallo". America 1, Germany 0.
This does not hold true in personal relationships. Germans are colder and harder to get to know than Americans. They are not, however, disrespectful. And that, my friends, is the difference. Speaking in the broadest of terms, Germans treat everyone more civilly than their American counterparts, especially at the University level. The stereotypical American asshole fratboy and stuck-up sorority girl just don't exist in Germany (or only in small numbers in big cities). I suppose that not having those institutions probably makes a difference. Here again I speak of stereotypes, as I personally know many considerate fraternity and sorority members. Let us not forget that most stereotypes exist for a reason.
Americans are easy come, easy go. Once assholes decide that you aren't of importance, your relegated to the same level as a median beggar. Its just easier that way.
This is your cue to say "Let he who is guiltless cast the first stone..."
posted by Jason @ 5:10 am
2 comments
