Germany vs. USA
Now that my time in ze faschaland is drawing towards a close, it's time to do a little wrap-up. It's a grudge match 60 years in the making!
Public Amenities
Germany has, hands down, a better countrywide mass transit system than the US. There isn't a place you can't go with some euro and a little sprechen ze deusch (and even then, most places have at least one person who speaks passable english to help you out). Certain other amenities, the kind you take for granted in the US like free restrooms and water fountains, are virtually non-existant. You have to tip or outright pay for these kinds of things.
Advantage: Tie
Shopping
Usually, Everything except restraunts and bars shut down by 1900. 1300 on the weekend. And most places aren't open on Sunday (and even the restraunts have a "day off" where they're shut down, usually a slow day like Monday or Wedsday). If you're a procrastinator, didn't fill up your gas tank, or like to sleep in, you're screwed.
Advantage: USA
Scenery
In contrast to the US, with it's blocked-out spacious landscaping, Most German towns consist of a gaggle of older buildings bunched up together with irregular roads, and a lot of wilderness. Large sprawling lawns with gaudy decorations are pretty rare here. Cities are sorta the same, with some newer buildings sharing space with older ones. A lot of private residences and buildings (especially the older ones) have biblical murals painted on the outsides. It's really neat if you like that sort of thing.
Advantage: Germany
Personal Accountability
You remember that story of the lady who sued McDonalds because she spilled hot coffee on herself? Yeah. They would have thrown it out of court here. Germany is really big on personal responsibility and accountability. If you bring your kids over to someone's house and they, say, spill something on the rug...you can be fully expected to pay for that rug. You can drive as fast as you want on the Autobahn, but get into any infraction over the recommended speed limit and you are the one responsible even if it isn't your fault. Don't get me started on drunk driving. Basically, it's up to you and no one else to cover your bases. You're allowed a lot of freedom but the penalties can be high if you screw up. Compare this to America where people want to hold cigarette companies responsible for their chain smoking.
Advantage: Germany
Movies, Video Games, and other Media
America has a (somewhat flawed) self-regulated video game industry. Germany still has insanely strict video game laws. America is the world leader in motion pictures. Germany still has a love affair with David Hasselhoff.
Advantage: USA
Beer
You know what? American Beer is a joke in germany. Most Germans don't even consider it real beer. I don't think i can drink an american beer again.
Advantage: Germany
Miscellaneous
Germany has Apfelschorl, But you have to make a point of ordering non-carbonated water. Most of the restraunts are really good, but service varies. Expect to tip for everything in germany. Internet is very expensive (I pay about E89 for medium service broadband, which is over a hundred ten american). there's less obesity over here, but mein gott i think it's required by law that every woman within a certain age range has to get a nose stud. And although the women are pretty there's a higher concentration of "Dead rat on head" hairstyles. I've heard landlords can be assholes.
Advantage: USA (Because i'm more used to it, really)
The Winnar: TIE.
There you have it. Germany is neither better or worse than the US, just different. The right place, and the right company, and a yank could settle down here and be pretty damn happy. The wrong personality type or having the wrong job can make someone miserable as fuck. Definitely a place i wouldn't mind spending a year or two in if i wasn't in the military.
Public Amenities
Germany has, hands down, a better countrywide mass transit system than the US. There isn't a place you can't go with some euro and a little sprechen ze deusch (and even then, most places have at least one person who speaks passable english to help you out). Certain other amenities, the kind you take for granted in the US like free restrooms and water fountains, are virtually non-existant. You have to tip or outright pay for these kinds of things.
Advantage: Tie
Shopping
Usually, Everything except restraunts and bars shut down by 1900. 1300 on the weekend. And most places aren't open on Sunday (and even the restraunts have a "day off" where they're shut down, usually a slow day like Monday or Wedsday). If you're a procrastinator, didn't fill up your gas tank, or like to sleep in, you're screwed.
Advantage: USA
Scenery
In contrast to the US, with it's blocked-out spacious landscaping, Most German towns consist of a gaggle of older buildings bunched up together with irregular roads, and a lot of wilderness. Large sprawling lawns with gaudy decorations are pretty rare here. Cities are sorta the same, with some newer buildings sharing space with older ones. A lot of private residences and buildings (especially the older ones) have biblical murals painted on the outsides. It's really neat if you like that sort of thing.
Advantage: Germany
Personal Accountability
You remember that story of the lady who sued McDonalds because she spilled hot coffee on herself? Yeah. They would have thrown it out of court here. Germany is really big on personal responsibility and accountability. If you bring your kids over to someone's house and they, say, spill something on the rug...you can be fully expected to pay for that rug. You can drive as fast as you want on the Autobahn, but get into any infraction over the recommended speed limit and you are the one responsible even if it isn't your fault. Don't get me started on drunk driving. Basically, it's up to you and no one else to cover your bases. You're allowed a lot of freedom but the penalties can be high if you screw up. Compare this to America where people want to hold cigarette companies responsible for their chain smoking.
Advantage: Germany
Movies, Video Games, and other Media
America has a (somewhat flawed) self-regulated video game industry. Germany still has insanely strict video game laws. America is the world leader in motion pictures. Germany still has a love affair with David Hasselhoff.
Advantage: USA
Beer
You know what? American Beer is a joke in germany. Most Germans don't even consider it real beer. I don't think i can drink an american beer again.
Advantage: Germany
Miscellaneous
Germany has Apfelschorl, But you have to make a point of ordering non-carbonated water. Most of the restraunts are really good, but service varies. Expect to tip for everything in germany. Internet is very expensive (I pay about E89 for medium service broadband, which is over a hundred ten american). there's less obesity over here, but mein gott i think it's required by law that every woman within a certain age range has to get a nose stud. And although the women are pretty there's a higher concentration of "Dead rat on head" hairstyles. I've heard landlords can be assholes.
Advantage: USA (Because i'm more used to it, really)
The Winnar: TIE.
There you have it. Germany is neither better or worse than the US, just different. The right place, and the right company, and a yank could settle down here and be pretty damn happy. The wrong personality type or having the wrong job can make someone miserable as fuck. Definitely a place i wouldn't mind spending a year or two in if i wasn't in the military.