Shots pierced the air felling the vociferous crowd and a few hapless bodies. The Boston Massacre would further incite the rebellion that would lead to the American Revolution.
The Tiananmen Square Massacre brought the protests of the injustices being committed in China to a world stage.
Every May uncountable innocents are mercilessly hacked down, decorated and displayed; prompting bragging rights among the killers and the recipients of the offering. Yet, not an eyelash is batted at such savagery and utter disregard for life.
It is shocking to learn of such events from a country that not only prides itself, but also backs up the claims of being an environmentally sensitive and active nation. One cannot help but notice the abundance of recycling bins throughout Germany, the excellent deposit system that prompts people to return empty bottles or the meticulous way in which one must separate their trash.
Germans are quick to point to the atrocities of pollution and deforestation in the US and China, and rightfully so, but perhaps they should take a look at the stones they are haphazardly slinging.
Traditionally, on April 30th, men journey to the end of night searching for their victims. They will present their prey to their loved one or perspective loved one. Expectant lovers wake on May 1st searching for a decorated forlorn corpse that, in all likelihood, adorns their front door. Not a thought is given to the victims that unwillingly gave their lives to placate the recipients with their remains.
On May 1st one can walk the streets of many a German town and see carcasses of Birch trees that were chopped down to appease lovers, but nary a word is said of the environmental implications in this country of environmentalists.
Germany is one of the world leaders in the purchase of solar panels.
Would it not be better to present a lover with a newly planted tree, a symbol of life and things to come? Or is the dying tree truly a symbol of things to come?
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Saturday, January 5, 2008
III.
Given the task to describe fundamental aspects of different cultures in a few words what would you say? Which facets of culture would you choose?
This was the task given to a group of university students a few weeks ago. When it came to food and mealtimes one word appeared quite often for Germany and it resonated with shocking clarity and preciseness, the word: functional.
An event, long, several courses, conversation with food in between; these were the labels given to meals in France.
While I found the word functional both funny and true the harsh contrast between the two cultures didn’t hit me until I returned to France over the holidays.
I had messaged a few friends earlier in the day announcing my arrival in Paris and inquired about the possibility of meeting up for dinner. I was told we would meet at 20:00 at a friend’s apartment for dinner. He and his girlfriend would be cooking, and a few other friends would be joining us.
After walking around for quite some time and freezing a bit we decided to warm ourselves with a few beers and enjoy (suffer!) through one of the last days of smoking in bars with another friend. (Shockingly, smoking will be forbidden in cafés, bars and restaurants in 2008, forcing the majority of smoking patrons onto the freezing streets or to quit smoking. The horror, the horror! )
A little before 20:00 and we are supposed to be halfway across Paris in a few minutes.
In Germany this would pose a couple problems:
1) the dinner is supposed to start at 20:00
2) we have someone else with us, we either ditch the person or bring them along, uninvited
In France the decision was a bit easier. Obviously we finish our beers at a leisurely pace and bring our friend with us.
We showed up around 20:40 and were welcomed in without the slightest hint of a reprimand and an extra place at the table was quickly arranged.
I won’t try to give you a play by play of the dinner but it went something like this:
- open wine
- eat shellfish
- more wine
- eat pasta with salmon
- another person arrives and a plate is quickly arranged for him
- eat a salad
- eat cheese
- more wine
- around 23:30 we were finished.
Granted this isn’t how long meals always take, but you get the idea. Eating is an event to be shared with friends over conversation. If someone else arrives they are a welcome addition. Time is relative, obviously if you meet an old friend on the street you should not only have a coffee together, but they should accompany you to dinner.
I am not saying that Germans do not enjoy eating, the description “functional” was straight from the horses mouth; the French just do it differently. I personally prefer the French way, but does one always have the time for this? Or should they make the time for this? I guess it comes down to what is important to you. To each their own.
This, for me, is what makes different cultures so exciting, both the glaring differences and the nuances that define them.
This was the task given to a group of university students a few weeks ago. When it came to food and mealtimes one word appeared quite often for Germany and it resonated with shocking clarity and preciseness, the word: functional.
An event, long, several courses, conversation with food in between; these were the labels given to meals in France.
While I found the word functional both funny and true the harsh contrast between the two cultures didn’t hit me until I returned to France over the holidays.
I had messaged a few friends earlier in the day announcing my arrival in Paris and inquired about the possibility of meeting up for dinner. I was told we would meet at 20:00 at a friend’s apartment for dinner. He and his girlfriend would be cooking, and a few other friends would be joining us.
After walking around for quite some time and freezing a bit we decided to warm ourselves with a few beers and enjoy (suffer!) through one of the last days of smoking in bars with another friend. (Shockingly, smoking will be forbidden in cafés, bars and restaurants in 2008, forcing the majority of smoking patrons onto the freezing streets or to quit smoking. The horror, the horror! )
A little before 20:00 and we are supposed to be halfway across Paris in a few minutes.
In Germany this would pose a couple problems:
1) the dinner is supposed to start at 20:00
2) we have someone else with us, we either ditch the person or bring them along, uninvited
In France the decision was a bit easier. Obviously we finish our beers at a leisurely pace and bring our friend with us.
We showed up around 20:40 and were welcomed in without the slightest hint of a reprimand and an extra place at the table was quickly arranged.
I won’t try to give you a play by play of the dinner but it went something like this:
- open wine
- eat shellfish
- more wine
- eat pasta with salmon
- another person arrives and a plate is quickly arranged for him
- eat a salad
- eat cheese
- more wine
- around 23:30 we were finished.
Granted this isn’t how long meals always take, but you get the idea. Eating is an event to be shared with friends over conversation. If someone else arrives they are a welcome addition. Time is relative, obviously if you meet an old friend on the street you should not only have a coffee together, but they should accompany you to dinner.
I am not saying that Germans do not enjoy eating, the description “functional” was straight from the horses mouth; the French just do it differently. I personally prefer the French way, but does one always have the time for this? Or should they make the time for this? I guess it comes down to what is important to you. To each their own.
This, for me, is what makes different cultures so exciting, both the glaring differences and the nuances that define them.
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