How Polite Are We?

Wow, this is interesting.

I've had my share of extremely rude people. :(
 
My family and I made breakfast converstion yesterday about this subject here.

Accord my hubby:

He agreed that Germans complaint but he has to correct that it's not just Germans but Netherlands as well. Both Germans and Netherlands obessed the exact description.

My eldest son told me that he was taught at school to watch the exact description that's it should not missing. Yes, he is right... because we taught my sons the same, too. We were taught to open our mouth up when something we disagree or missing... (it's not only Hotel but anything in general way). My son was surprised and :confused: with his impression *pulled his face and :roll:* that the people from different countries consider it as arrogrant/rude and then said that it's not okay for people to open their mouth up if they disagree or see something missing?...then staff will take advantage out of people who didn't open their mouth up... Yes I agree with my son and also remind my sons that the people from different countries have different menatilty and view...

I suggest them that it could be that people's rude/harsh behavior toward Hotel Staff? My hubby said that he don't see the sense and don't beleive that it's ALL Germans act like this. If something missing then remind Hotel staff in friendly way because it could be that they forget to add something... No problem. If they denied then check with the people from Travel Agency. I told them to not worry... Just let people judge whatever they likes... All what we do is stay we are, if they don't like then is their problem, not us... :D
 
Sometimes it's the way people say things that makes a difference.

People can stand up for their "rights" and still be courteous.

Southern people don't let others take advantage of them. They stand up for their rights. But they smile, add "Sugar" to the request, and they always leave a polite escape route for the other party.

Southern tourist calls front desk:

"Ah always enjoy staying at this hotel, Sugar. I know you are sooo busy here with all us tourists. :) I'm sure it was unintentional, and maybe I just overlooked it, but Honey, I couldn't find that lil' ol' mint on my pillow. Do you mind sending someone up with it? Ah truly appreciate that.

Now you have a blessed day Sweetie. :) "

Housekeeping arrives with mint:

"Thank you soooo much, Honey. Ah just couldn't go to sleep without my bedtime mint! You are a lifesaver! This is why I love staying at this hotel; your staff is sooo patient putting up with lil' ol' me! :) "
 
I found the USA to be very friendly and well mannered especially NY here in UK shop workers are so rude and ill mannered. I travel to France often as we have a holiday home there and I find the shop girls so polite they always wish you a good morning and always say goodbye to customers.
 
Liebling:-))) said:
Very true...

I don't live in Berlin and only claim what I know from medias, TV etc about druggies, etc.... I think Sunladyshine will answer better than me because she born and raise in Berlin before move to live in Bavaria at years ago.
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Hey Liebling, I am back... I agree I live in south Germany (Heilbronn),right now! I think I ive here about 15 yrs.

wow.. interesting reading.. so i would tell you. I can´t imagine that Berlin is 4th place.
4th place--> Nevermind!!!!
I am grew up in Berlin, I saw many time with ppl. they are rarely of courteous.. Where else? I never have seen it, true. PLENTY Nazi´s , PUNK and Turkey lives in Berlin, it is very friendly?.. unfortunately NO!!! When i am visited in USA. American ppl are friendly and courteous than in Germany. Here is too much arrogant and aggressiv. I say, Austria should have in 4th place. I do like Austria, there is too much nice than Berlin...

What you means about Medias, druggies... I need to clear explain :)
 
Sunshinelady said:
Hey Liebling, I am back... I agree I live in south Germany (Heilbronn),right now! I think I ive here about 15 yrs.

wow.. interesting reading.. so i would tell you. I can´t imagine that Berlin is 4th place.
4th place--> Nevermind!!!!
I am grew up in Berlin, I saw many time with ppl. they are rarely of courteous.. Where else? I never have seen it, true. PLENTY Nazi´s , PUNK and Turkey lives in Berlin, it is very friendly?.. unfortunately NO!!! When i am visited in USA. American ppl are friendly and courteous than in Germany. Here is too much arrogant and aggressiv. I say, Austria should have in 4th place. I do like Austria, there is too much nice than Berlin...
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Yes I'm agree that a big cities like Austria or Sinpagore should be 4th place, not Berlin Germany.

I can't image that Berlin, Germany is 4th place... *scratch my head* Yes I beleive that arrogant and aggressive everywhere in some cities like Berlin, Frankfurt, etc.. My hubby visited there and don't like people's behavior there which total different as Bavarians.

Yes true, many muslims live in Berlin.

I never visit America in my life. I'd like to see what American culture menatily alike in America. But I work together with Americans every day at work for over 21 years... Oh yes, I have see many Americans go and come. Some of Americans are arrogant and have no manner and talk in harsh way... parniod, and offense easily over a little things... Some Americans are very nice and open mind. Like what I said in my previous posts that it's not just German or American but the people from every countries in the world also have good or bad behavior as well...

I choose to live in village with good enivorment and go shopping in small town where the friendly people are around...




What you means about Medias, druggies... I need to clear explain :)
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Medien (Zeitung, Fernsehen, Radio, usw.), Drogensüchtige... Viele Leute sind Drogensüchtig. Wir benutzen dieses Wort „druggies“ (Drug addiction) als Abkürzung.

Translation:
Medias (newpapers, TV, radio etc), Drug addiction (short word for druggies)... Many people are drug-addicted. We use this word "druggies" (Drogensüchtige) as an abbreviation.


Is it clear? I will be happy to explain again if you don't understand... I can explain in German if you like to... :)
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Oh yes, I forget to add my post, Sunshinelady...

You know that I was at 5 weeks spa in Bad Berleburg, North Germany last year. I left Bad Berleburg to get 6 hours train to go home. I stopped at Frankfurt station. I have to wait for other 3 hours to get other train to go home... so I decided to go city in Frankfurt for a walk, shopping spee and have my lunch... I has to honest with you that I don't like Frankfurt.... :ugh3:

I feel good when I left Frankfurt to go home....

The town in Bad Berleburg is such friendly and lovely people...
 
Reba said:
Sometimes it's the way people say things that makes a difference.

People can stand up for their "rights" and still be courteous.

Southern people don't let others take advantage of them. They stand up for their rights. But they smile, add "Sugar" to the request, and they always leave a polite escape route for the other party.

Southern tourist calls front desk:

"Ah always enjoy staying at this hotel, Sugar. I know you are sooo busy here with all us tourists. :) I'm sure it was unintentional, and maybe I just overlooked it, but Honey, I couldn't find that lil' ol' mint on my pillow. Do you mind sending someone up with it? Ah truly appreciate that.

Now you have a blessed day Sweetie. :) "

Housekeeping arrives with mint:

"Thank you soooo much, Honey. Ah just couldn't go to sleep without my bedtime mint! You are a lifesaver! This is why I love staying at this hotel; your staff is sooo patient putting up with lil' ol' me! :) "
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Sugar?... :giggle: that's something new...
 
Reba said:
I confess that I've never lived in NYC, only visited (mostly Broadway theaters and the old Madison Square Garden) and driven thru several times (my family lives in CT). I loved being on foot in NYC. I hated driving in NYC traffic. Just that change in perspective makes a huge difference.

Anyone who has a negative feeling about New Yorkers should recall how that city's people responded on 9/11. NYC clearly showed its heart that day, and following.

Sure, it has its "seedy" underbelly and low lifes; every large city does. It also has the most colorful, lively (dare I say, "diverse") community in the USA. :D
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i agree with you... ever since that heart wrenching incident... people have become more appreciative and friendlier towards others!!! i can see the difference because in the past, people were very rude, snobbed people off that stopped to ask for help (thinking they were looking for money or something), and so forth... so i am not surprised that it is now RANKED #1 THE MOST COURTEOUS city in the world...

my sister thinks chicago is one of the most friendliest cities she has ever been to... my dad backed up on that too... i kind of agree with them... :D

i thought beijing, china was one of the worst cities i have ever been to!!! :eek3: we didn't have time to go to hong kong... but i :fingersx: to go there someday!

i felt like i was swammed with millions of ants there! (that's how big their population is! that made me APPRECIATE NYC MORE!!! :thumb:) and their people smoked and would smoke in your face or leave their ciggy in their hands not being aware you are nearby (without burning others!) :ugh3:, they also blew their noses!>>> (READ THIS BECAUSE I AM NOT KIDDING!!! REALLY GROSS- they didn't use tissues... just their fingers... holding one nostril closed and then blow out the snot out of the other nostril!!!- :jaw:- i saw a mid-aged man do it and the snot landed on the ground.. luckily it didn't land on somebody!!! :barf:) :barf:, people don't say excuse me, smash into to you while walking by, stalk you, beg for money, people driving/riding their bikes ALL OVER THE PLACE.. (no fooking lanes or sidewalks!) :eek3:
 
FeistyChick said:
...they also blew their noses!>>> (READ THIS BECAUSE I AM NOT KIDDING!!! REALLY GROSS- they didn't use tissues... just their fingers... holding one nostril closed and then blow out the snot out of the other nostril!!!- :jaw:- i saw a mid-aged man do it and the snot landed on the ground.. luckily it didn't land on somebody!!! :barf:) :barf:
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I believe you. They do that in the Philippines, too. I guess they can't afford tissues.

I knew some Filipino moms who did the same thing with their kids, too. Instead of wiping their noses with a tissue, they "pinched" the snot with their fingers. As soon as the kids are old enough to walk, they go "bottomless" to save money on diapers. If they are too poor, I can understand that but it still grosses me out.
 
Reba said:
I believe you. They do that in the Philippines, too. I guess they can't afford tissues.

I knew some Filipino moms who did the same thing with their kids, too. Instead of wiping their noses with a tissue, they "pinched" the snot with their fingers. As soon as the kids are old enough to walk, they go "bottomless" to save money on diapers. If they are too poor, I can understand that but it still grosses me out.
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are you kidding me!???
especially with a big yellowish/greenish snot "shooting" out right of their noses in front of "world" ... don't they have manners, at least!!!? :confused:

i would be so GROSSED OUT too--- if i see "hershey kisses" in the crack of their rumps? :shock: :barf:

EDIT: what about GERMS!!!!???? :ugh:
 
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*goose bumps* after read Reba´s and FeistyChick´s posts... :cold: :barf:
 
A Indian guy positive about Berlin, Germany and love to live in Berlin... :eek3: I think different as him about Berlin... Oh Well... :ugh3:

Like what I said before that each person who have different view what she/he think of different countries...





Joydeep Bagchee: On Heidegger and Homosexuality | Germany | Deutsche Welle | 05.03.2007

Joydeep Bagchee was in India when he first came across the German philosopher Heidegger, who brought him to Berlin and opened a new chapter in his life.

DW-WORLD: Joydeep, when and why did you come to Germany?

Joydeep Bagchee: I came to Germany at the end of 2004 as part of an exchange programme at the Humboldt University in Berlin. My research focussed on the German philosopher Heidegger and I wanted to read him in the original.

Are you still in Berlin?

No, I am in Freiburg now. After finishing my German course at the Humboldt, I applied for a DAAD fellowship to be able to continue my research here. I chose Freiburg because this is the university where Heidegger himself taught. After one year in Berlin, I came to Freiburg where I was accepted as a doctoral candidate.

What attracted you to Heidegger in particular?

When I was first introduced to his texts, back in India, I probably understood little of what I was reading in translation, but I was fascinated by the language and the force. Now that I know him well, I would say the methodological questions interest me the most. Because Heidegger really asks the question: "What is philosophy?". And he really tries to understand what life is. Specifically, he observes its historicity and its finitude. He tries to analyse what is it for human beings to be born and to live for a period of time and then to die. The question of mortality is something I find very interesting.

Turning away from philosophy, what do you like most about Germany?

It's clean, it has high environmental standards and lots of sports facilities. I get along well with most Germans, and I also love the public transport system. And I love cycling -- in the cities and in the countryside.

Is there anything you dislike about the country?

The Germans are very environmentally-conscious, but when it comes to cars, they're almost blind. They would never give them up. And the other thing that we have in the rest of the world are anti-smoking laws for cafes and restaurants, but in Germany they've not passed such a law, as the tobacco lobby is very strong.

How do you feel as a South Asian in Germany?

I don't really identify myself as a South Asian. My family was always westernised. English is my mother-tongue -- we always spoke it at home. But of course we have strong ties to Indian culture and I would never deny coming from India. My father, Sandeep Bagchee, is an Indian music expert. He has written two books on Indian classical music and has a very large collection. So, Indian classical music was always played at home. I do miss my home at times -- mostly when I'm lonely. I miss my family, the mountains and the north Indian winter. I also miss the forts and monuments in Delhi and the rain. I miss the rain very much.

But Germany has mountains, winter and also rain.

You know, one grows up with the land. Physically, no two countries are similar. The Himalayas are something else for me -- I used to wander in the hills with my father.

Are there many differences between your lifestyles in India and in Germany?

While in India I use to read a lot of books. I used to stay at home. But here in Germany, I read less. Now I do a lot of sport. To be able to concentrate so much I need to have a free mind -- sport helps me to find a balance.

What do you plan to do when you finish your PhD? Will you return to India?

I am a little divided about this because I think if I go the academic route, my best chances would be to go back to America, as I am still aiming to take a double degree from New York and Freiburg. But that would obviously mean leaving Germany. If I stay on in Germany, then I hope to enrol in a trainee programme with the German NGO BUND or another environmental organisation. I am very passionate about the environment. But whatever happens, New York or Berlin, I will not return to India for sure. Because of my sexuality -- I am gay and it's too difficult to be gay in India.

Why?

It's still a conservative country. There is still a law against homosexuality. Which doesn't mean, of course, that there are no gay men in India. It's just that they get married and have sex with men on the side. That's not what I want for myself. What I want is a relationship. What I want is to able to hold hands with someone and show my affection and for our relationship to be recognised. India is still not ready for this. This is one of the main reasons I left India, although I was very confused -- even in New York I continued to be unsure about my sexuality.

When did you understand it?

In some sense you always know -- I've known since I was 11 or so but it's not something I was always willing to deal with. And that contradiction between what I was feeling and what I was allowed to express at some stage became so difficult. But when I was living in Berlin, I had friends who were nice and open and they showed me a whole new world. They drove me around, took me to clubs and I had loads of fun. And I found out that there was absolutely no problem -- I could be who I was and have people around me who cared about me. From then on, my life became much better, much easier.

Do you think Germany will give you space to be yourself and happy?

I don't know many Indian people here and that's good for me -- I can be Indian in my own way. There are no rules which I have to accept from my culture, from my background. Here, there's no pressure to follow the traditional immigrant path. I think at least there is a chance here to be happy. But sometimes I have doubts. Sometimes I wonder whether I could really be in a relationship where I couldn't express myself, where I couldn't talk about my childhood. It may be difficult to have a fulfilling relationship here because my partner may not know where I come from -- he may not know about my roots, my culture, my kind of music. That kind of deep understanding may only be possible with an Indian. I may not find somebody here who will sing me Ghazals or explain the words to me. One never knows where life will lead. I'm almost 30 and by now I've learnt that one should just live and enjoy the present. I am positive and would love to live in Berlin which I love more than any other city. If anyone has a job for me in Berlin please write to me!
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Reba said:
Interesting link. About half the posters complained that the Americans were rudest, and the other half complained that the Japanese were rudest! I guess it all depends on viewpoint and personal experiences.
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Yes, that's why I show the examples where the people from different countries have different views on other countries where they visit and shares their experiences.
 
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