Three biggest surprises in Europe
Jul 10th 2005, 4:12 pm
#61
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Posts: n/a
Re: Three biggest surprises in Europe
"Ralph Holz" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> But you knew that, of course (at least I choose to read your post that
> way). However, I was referring to the federal constitution which
> Bavaria did never sign. Instead, they chose to reject it in their
> constitutional parliament but voted that they would adopt it if 2/3 of
> the other states would ratify it. Which is what happened (everyone
> else ratified). So Bavaria joined in without actually ever voting *in
> favour* of the constitution. They left the decision to others. :-)
> I know this is a travel group, but hey, it's a tiny folkloristic
> detail worth knowing when you're travelling. ;-)
> Ralph
Especially worth knowing if you happen to be in a Munich pub when
there's a putsch .....
news:[email protected]...
> But you knew that, of course (at least I choose to read your post that
> way). However, I was referring to the federal constitution which
> Bavaria did never sign. Instead, they chose to reject it in their
> constitutional parliament but voted that they would adopt it if 2/3 of
> the other states would ratify it. Which is what happened (everyone
> else ratified). So Bavaria joined in without actually ever voting *in
> favour* of the constitution. They left the decision to others. :-)
> I know this is a travel group, but hey, it's a tiny folkloristic
> detail worth knowing when you're travelling. ;-)
> Ralph
Especially worth knowing if you happen to be in a Munich pub when
there's a putsch .....
Jul 10th 2005, 4:12 pm
#62
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Posts: n/a
Re: Three biggest surprises in Europe
"Martin" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Bavaria should take action against those, who carbonate water and call
> it Bavaria Pils in NL.
> --
> Martin
That's a typo -- the label actually says "Bavaria Piss" ....
news:[email protected]...
> Bavaria should take action against those, who carbonate water and call
> it Bavaria Pils in NL.
> --
> Martin
That's a typo -- the label actually says "Bavaria Piss" ....
Jul 10th 2005, 4:24 pm
#63
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Three biggest surprises in Europe
David Gee wrote:
> Especially worth knowing if you happen to be in a Munich pub when
> there's a putsch .....
The last one was the beergarden revolution in 1995. It was about a
different set of values, however.
Jens
--
Wegen ungünstiger Witterung fand die deutsche Revolution in der Musik
statt.
Due to inappropriate weather, the German revolution took place in music.
(Kurt Tucholsky)
> Especially worth knowing if you happen to be in a Munich pub when
> there's a putsch .....
The last one was the beergarden revolution in 1995. It was about a
different set of values, however.
Jens
--
Wegen ungünstiger Witterung fand die deutsche Revolution in der Musik
statt.
Due to inappropriate weather, the German revolution took place in music.
(Kurt Tucholsky)
Jul 10th 2005, 4:42 pm
#64
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Posts: n/a
Re: Three biggest surprises in Europe
Noises Off wrote:
> Tom Peel wrote:
>
>> We asked our visiting Mexican students. The answer was:
>> 1. In Germany, the mustard.
>> 2. In Italy, the cover charge in restaurants.
>> 3. In London, traffic from the right.
>
>
> Does anyone else find this sad beyond words? At one time travel was
> thought to broaden the mind. People used to risk life and limb and
> endure terrible hardships to sample other cultures. Here we have a group
> of, presumably young, people who are amazed at trivia like traffic and
> mustard. Do they really find they world so grey?
>
> The responses have in their way been equally depressing. Dull
> point-scoring over obscure brands of mustard, feeble attracts on other
> country's food and the usual ignorant American attacking the UK.
>
> Noises Off
>
A surprise is per definition something you don't expect.
You expect the Louvre, the Matterhorn, the Eiffel Tower etc. etc. to
be impressive, so when they are impressive, it's not a surprise, right?
T.
> Tom Peel wrote:
>
>> We asked our visiting Mexican students. The answer was:
>> 1. In Germany, the mustard.
>> 2. In Italy, the cover charge in restaurants.
>> 3. In London, traffic from the right.
>
>
> Does anyone else find this sad beyond words? At one time travel was
> thought to broaden the mind. People used to risk life and limb and
> endure terrible hardships to sample other cultures. Here we have a group
> of, presumably young, people who are amazed at trivia like traffic and
> mustard. Do they really find they world so grey?
>
> The responses have in their way been equally depressing. Dull
> point-scoring over obscure brands of mustard, feeble attracts on other
> country's food and the usual ignorant American attacking the UK.
>
> Noises Off
>
A surprise is per definition something you don't expect.
You expect the Louvre, the Matterhorn, the Eiffel Tower etc. etc. to
be impressive, so when they are impressive, it's not a surprise, right?
T.
Jul 10th 2005, 10:43 pm
#65
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Three biggest surprises in Europe
On Sat, 9 Jul 2005 11:55:55 +0200, "andy" <[email protected]> wrote:
>Uzytkownik "Tom Peel" <[email protected]> napisal w wiadomosci
>news:[email protected]...
>> 3. In London, traffic from the right.
>right, it's so uncommon to know, there's left side traffik in the UK
>BIG surprise!
I was lucky enough to have a friend give me a few lessons on "driving
in the UK". It was invaluable. I have since driven all over England
and some of Wales by myself, with just a roadmap, my wits and some
common sense. It was fun.
The hard part wasn't learning to keep left; the hard part was
associating destinations mentioned on the roundabouts with the correct
exit. Sometimes the exit that's destined for Bristol is marked as the
exit for West Snotshire. I mean, WTF? Do British civil engineers name
roundabout exits after towns their great-aunt grew up in? Or is there
some method to the madness?
I do exaggerate - most roundabouts are logical and easy to navigate
(provided you have a brain). But I would occasionally get waylaid by a
particularly perplexing exit. No biggie. Just find a safe spot to do a
180, then back to the roundabout for another go.
The hardest part about driving in the UK is coming back home. For
some odd reason, driving on the left seems "normal" to me, so
unlearning it is difficult and dangerous.
- TR
- keeping right. Mostly.
>Uzytkownik "Tom Peel" <[email protected]> napisal w wiadomosci
>news:[email protected]...
>> 3. In London, traffic from the right.
>right, it's so uncommon to know, there's left side traffik in the UK
>BIG surprise!
I was lucky enough to have a friend give me a few lessons on "driving
in the UK". It was invaluable. I have since driven all over England
and some of Wales by myself, with just a roadmap, my wits and some
common sense. It was fun.
The hard part wasn't learning to keep left; the hard part was
associating destinations mentioned on the roundabouts with the correct
exit. Sometimes the exit that's destined for Bristol is marked as the
exit for West Snotshire. I mean, WTF? Do British civil engineers name
roundabout exits after towns their great-aunt grew up in? Or is there
some method to the madness?
I do exaggerate - most roundabouts are logical and easy to navigate
(provided you have a brain). But I would occasionally get waylaid by a
particularly perplexing exit. No biggie. Just find a safe spot to do a
180, then back to the roundabout for another go.
The hardest part about driving in the UK is coming back home. For
some odd reason, driving on the left seems "normal" to me, so
unlearning it is difficult and dangerous.
- TR
- keeping right. Mostly.
Jul 10th 2005, 10:53 pm
#66
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Three biggest surprises in Europe
Citizen Ted <[email protected]> wrote:
>The hardest part about driving in the UK is coming back home. For
>some odd reason, driving on the left seems "normal" to me, so
>unlearning it is difficult and dangerous.
I react the same way when I come back to Ireland from France. I think
that most drivers quickly become habituated to driving on the other
side of the road, and that it's about as difficult to revert to one's
home habit -- just more surprising.
--
PB
The return address has been MUNGED
>The hardest part about driving in the UK is coming back home. For
>some odd reason, driving on the left seems "normal" to me, so
>unlearning it is difficult and dangerous.
I react the same way when I come back to Ireland from France. I think
that most drivers quickly become habituated to driving on the other
side of the road, and that it's about as difficult to revert to one's
home habit -- just more surprising.
--
PB
The return address has been MUNGED
Jul 10th 2005, 10:55 pm
#67
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Three biggest surprises in Europe
On Sun, 10 Jul 2005 15:43:19 -0700, Citizen Ted
<[email protected]> wrote:
>On Sat, 9 Jul 2005 11:55:55 +0200, "andy" <[email protected]> wrote:
>>Uzytkownik "Tom Peel" <[email protected]> napisal w wiadomosci
>>news:[email protected]...
>>> 3. In London, traffic from the right.
>>right, it's so uncommon to know, there's left side traffik in the UK
>>BIG surprise!
>I was lucky enough to have a friend give me a few lessons on "driving
>in the UK". It was invaluable. I have since driven all over England
>and some of Wales by myself, with just a roadmap, my wits and some
>common sense. It was fun.
>The hard part wasn't learning to keep left; the hard part was
>associating destinations mentioned on the roundabouts with the correct
>exit. Sometimes the exit that's destined for Bristol is marked as the
>exit for West Snotshire. I mean, WTF? Do British civil engineers name
>roundabout exits after towns their great-aunt grew up in? Or is there
>some method to the madness?
>I do exaggerate - most roundabouts are logical and easy to navigate
>(provided you have a brain). But I would occasionally get waylaid by a
>particularly perplexing exit. No biggie. Just find a safe spot to do a
>180, then back to the roundabout for another go.
You really must try this one for size..... :-)
http://www.swindonweb.com/life/lifemagi0.htm
>The hardest part about driving in the UK is coming back home. For
>some odd reason, driving on the left seems "normal" to me, so
>unlearning it is difficult and dangerous.
>- TR
>- keeping right. Mostly.
Keith, Bristol, UK
DE-MUNG for email replies
<[email protected]> wrote:
>On Sat, 9 Jul 2005 11:55:55 +0200, "andy" <[email protected]> wrote:
>>Uzytkownik "Tom Peel" <[email protected]> napisal w wiadomosci
>>news:[email protected]...
>>> 3. In London, traffic from the right.
>>right, it's so uncommon to know, there's left side traffik in the UK
>>BIG surprise!
>I was lucky enough to have a friend give me a few lessons on "driving
>in the UK". It was invaluable. I have since driven all over England
>and some of Wales by myself, with just a roadmap, my wits and some
>common sense. It was fun.
>The hard part wasn't learning to keep left; the hard part was
>associating destinations mentioned on the roundabouts with the correct
>exit. Sometimes the exit that's destined for Bristol is marked as the
>exit for West Snotshire. I mean, WTF? Do British civil engineers name
>roundabout exits after towns their great-aunt grew up in? Or is there
>some method to the madness?
>I do exaggerate - most roundabouts are logical and easy to navigate
>(provided you have a brain). But I would occasionally get waylaid by a
>particularly perplexing exit. No biggie. Just find a safe spot to do a
>180, then back to the roundabout for another go.
You really must try this one for size..... :-)
http://www.swindonweb.com/life/lifemagi0.htm
>The hardest part about driving in the UK is coming back home. For
>some odd reason, driving on the left seems "normal" to me, so
>unlearning it is difficult and dangerous.
>- TR
>- keeping right. Mostly.
Keith, Bristol, UK
DE-MUNG for email replies
Jul 10th 2005, 11:54 pm
#68
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Three biggest surprises in Europe
Donald Newcomb wrote:
> "Noises Off" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>
>>Does anyone else find this sad beyond words? At one time
>>travel was thought to broaden the mind.
>
>
> I'm just glad they didn't ask American students the same question.
> 1. "Well, like the malls really suck."
> 2. "Why do they speak those funny languages, instead of English."
> 3. "The women don't shave their legs, how grody."
>
> I presume these Mexican students were teen agers and like 99% of teen agers
> (when taken as a gaggle) they will tend to be a tad parochial in their world
> view.
And, if you'll read the original post, no cultural
criticisms were implied, just an amusement at what the
students found "surprising".
>
> "Noises Off" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>
>>Does anyone else find this sad beyond words? At one time
>>travel was thought to broaden the mind.
>
>
> I'm just glad they didn't ask American students the same question.
> 1. "Well, like the malls really suck."
> 2. "Why do they speak those funny languages, instead of English."
> 3. "The women don't shave their legs, how grody."
>
> I presume these Mexican students were teen agers and like 99% of teen agers
> (when taken as a gaggle) they will tend to be a tad parochial in their world
> view.
And, if you'll read the original post, no cultural
criticisms were implied, just an amusement at what the
students found "surprising".
>
Jul 10th 2005, 11:59 pm
#69
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Three biggest surprises in Europe
poldy wrote:
> In article <[email protected]>,
> Tom Peel <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>
>>2. In Italy, the cover charge in restaurants.
>
>
> On a travel show, Americans were advised to use bathrooms at restaurants
> in Florence because the public toilets were bad in her opinion.
Some of the "public" toilets in the U.S. wouldn't win any
prizes for hygiene, either - I'd call it sound advice,
wherever you are traveling. Those in restaurants, museums,
concert halls, etc. are far more likely to be properly
maintained than those in public parks.
> In article <[email protected]>,
> Tom Peel <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>
>>2. In Italy, the cover charge in restaurants.
>
>
> On a travel show, Americans were advised to use bathrooms at restaurants
> in Florence because the public toilets were bad in her opinion.
Some of the "public" toilets in the U.S. wouldn't win any
prizes for hygiene, either - I'd call it sound advice,
wherever you are traveling. Those in restaurants, museums,
concert halls, etc. are far more likely to be properly
maintained than those in public parks.
Jul 11th 2005, 12:02 am
#70
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Three biggest surprises in Europe
Martin wrote:
> On Sat, 09 Jul 2005 11:37:34 -0700, "EvelynVogtGamble(Divamanque)"
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>
>>[email protected] wrote:
>>>Tom Peel wrote:
>>>>We asked our visiting Mexican students. The answer was:
>>>>1. In Germany, the mustard.
>>>surprised, how ?
>>They probably were accustomed to the smooth, bright yellow
>>paste that is most familiar in the U.S. (and evidently
>>Mexico). Not only is the appearance of German mustard
>>drastically different, the taste differs radically, too.
>
>
> and they weren't surprised by the beer?
These were Mexican students - Mexican beer isn't nearly so
bad as American! (Also, depending upon their ages, in a
chaperoned group they may not have been exposed to German beer.)
> On Sat, 09 Jul 2005 11:37:34 -0700, "EvelynVogtGamble(Divamanque)"
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>
>>[email protected] wrote:
>>>Tom Peel wrote:
>>>>We asked our visiting Mexican students. The answer was:
>>>>1. In Germany, the mustard.
>>>surprised, how ?
>>They probably were accustomed to the smooth, bright yellow
>>paste that is most familiar in the U.S. (and evidently
>>Mexico). Not only is the appearance of German mustard
>>drastically different, the taste differs radically, too.
>
>
> and they weren't surprised by the beer?
These were Mexican students - Mexican beer isn't nearly so
bad as American! (Also, depending upon their ages, in a
chaperoned group they may not have been exposed to German beer.)
Jul 11th 2005, 12:03 am
#71
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Three biggest surprises in Europe
szozu wrote:
> Seville too, as well as having to look out for motor scooters up on the
> pavement and zipping down narrow pedestrian streets.
That seems to be common in Paris and Brussels, too!
> Seville too, as well as having to look out for motor scooters up on the
> pavement and zipping down narrow pedestrian streets.
That seems to be common in Paris and Brussels, too!
Jul 11th 2005, 12:08 am
#72
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Three biggest surprises in Europe
Martin wrote:
> On Sat, 09 Jul 2005 16:41:10 -0700, poldy <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>
>>In article <[email protected]>,
>>Tom Peel <[email protected]> wrote:
>>>2. In Italy, the cover charge in restaurants.
>>On a travel show, Americans were advised to use bathrooms at restaurants
>>in Florence because the public toilets were bad in her opinion.
>
>
> When is a toilet a bathroom?
In American parlance, frequently - I can't count the number
of times when asking "Where's the lavatory (ladies'room,
washroom)?" has elicited bewilderment from a store employee,
whereas "bathroom" is immediately comprehended. ("Toilet"
is likely to produce blushes from said employee.)
> On Sat, 09 Jul 2005 16:41:10 -0700, poldy <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>
>>In article <[email protected]>,
>>Tom Peel <[email protected]> wrote:
>>>2. In Italy, the cover charge in restaurants.
>>On a travel show, Americans were advised to use bathrooms at restaurants
>>in Florence because the public toilets were bad in her opinion.
>
>
> When is a toilet a bathroom?
In American parlance, frequently - I can't count the number
of times when asking "Where's the lavatory (ladies'room,
washroom)?" has elicited bewilderment from a store employee,
whereas "bathroom" is immediately comprehended. ("Toilet"
is likely to produce blushes from said employee.)
Jul 11th 2005, 2:44 am
#73
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Three biggest surprises in Europe
"EvelynVogtGamble(Divamanque)" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> In American parlance, frequently - I can't count the number
> of times when asking "Where's the lavatory (ladies'room,
> washroom)?" has elicited bewilderment from a store employee,
> whereas "bathroom" is immediately comprehended. ("Toilet"
> is likely to produce blushes from said employee.)
This is correct. "Bathroom" is a euphemism, something like "The necessary
room for gentlemen."
--
Donald Newcomb
DRNewcomb (at) attglobal (dot) net
news:[email protected]...
> In American parlance, frequently - I can't count the number
> of times when asking "Where's the lavatory (ladies'room,
> washroom)?" has elicited bewilderment from a store employee,
> whereas "bathroom" is immediately comprehended. ("Toilet"
> is likely to produce blushes from said employee.)
This is correct. "Bathroom" is a euphemism, something like "The necessary
room for gentlemen."
--
Donald Newcomb
DRNewcomb (at) attglobal (dot) net
Jul 11th 2005, 8:52 am
#74
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Three biggest surprises in Europe
On Sun, 10 Jul 2005 23:55:49 +0100, Keith Anderson
<[email protected]> wrote:
>On Sun, 10 Jul 2005 15:43:19 -0700, Citizen Ted
><[email protected]> wrote:
>>On Sat, 9 Jul 2005 11:55:55 +0200, "andy" <[email protected]> wrote:
>>>Uzytkownik "Tom Peel" <[email protected]> napisal w wiadomosci
>>>news:[email protected]...
>>>> 3. In London, traffic from the right.
>>>right, it's so uncommon to know, there's left side traffik in the UK
>>>BIG surprise!
>>I was lucky enough to have a friend give me a few lessons on "driving
>>in the UK". It was invaluable. I have since driven all over England
>>and some of Wales by myself, with just a roadmap, my wits and some
>>common sense. It was fun.
>>The hard part wasn't learning to keep left; the hard part was
>>associating destinations mentioned on the roundabouts with the correct
>>exit. Sometimes the exit that's destined for Bristol is marked as the
>>exit for West Snotshire. I mean, WTF? Do British civil engineers name
>>roundabout exits after towns their great-aunt grew up in? Or is there
>>some method to the madness?
>>I do exaggerate - most roundabouts are logical and easy to navigate
>>(provided you have a brain). But I would occasionally get waylaid by a
>>particularly perplexing exit. No biggie. Just find a safe spot to do a
>>180, then back to the roundabout for another go.
>You really must try this one for size..... :-)
>http://www.swindonweb.com/life/lifemagi0.htm
There's a similar one in Hemel Hempstead. The "Who dares wins" magic
roundabout.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/alabaster/A381089
http://www.hemelweb.demon.co.uk/history.htm
It has one more node than the Swindon roundabout.
--
Martin
<[email protected]> wrote:
>On Sun, 10 Jul 2005 15:43:19 -0700, Citizen Ted
><[email protected]> wrote:
>>On Sat, 9 Jul 2005 11:55:55 +0200, "andy" <[email protected]> wrote:
>>>Uzytkownik "Tom Peel" <[email protected]> napisal w wiadomosci
>>>news:[email protected]...
>>>> 3. In London, traffic from the right.
>>>right, it's so uncommon to know, there's left side traffik in the UK
>>>BIG surprise!
>>I was lucky enough to have a friend give me a few lessons on "driving
>>in the UK". It was invaluable. I have since driven all over England
>>and some of Wales by myself, with just a roadmap, my wits and some
>>common sense. It was fun.
>>The hard part wasn't learning to keep left; the hard part was
>>associating destinations mentioned on the roundabouts with the correct
>>exit. Sometimes the exit that's destined for Bristol is marked as the
>>exit for West Snotshire. I mean, WTF? Do British civil engineers name
>>roundabout exits after towns their great-aunt grew up in? Or is there
>>some method to the madness?
>>I do exaggerate - most roundabouts are logical and easy to navigate
>>(provided you have a brain). But I would occasionally get waylaid by a
>>particularly perplexing exit. No biggie. Just find a safe spot to do a
>>180, then back to the roundabout for another go.
>You really must try this one for size..... :-)
>http://www.swindonweb.com/life/lifemagi0.htm
There's a similar one in Hemel Hempstead. The "Who dares wins" magic
roundabout.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/alabaster/A381089
http://www.hemelweb.demon.co.uk/history.htm
It has one more node than the Swindon roundabout.
--
Martin
Jul 11th 2005, 8:54 am
#75
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Three biggest surprises in Europe
Following up to Citizen Ted
> Sometimes the exit that's destined for Bristol is marked as the
>exit for West Snotshire.
there's usually two levels of signage, the green ones are major
destinations, the white ones are local to places like pratts
bottom and piddletrenthide.
--
Mike Reid
Walk-eat-UK "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" <-- you can email us@ this site
Walk-eat-Spain "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" <-- dontuse@ all, it's a spamtrap
Photos of both "http://www.lawn-mower-man.co.uk"
> Sometimes the exit that's destined for Bristol is marked as the
>exit for West Snotshire.
there's usually two levels of signage, the green ones are major
destinations, the white ones are local to places like pratts
bottom and piddletrenthide.
--
Mike Reid
Walk-eat-UK "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" <-- you can email us@ this site
Walk-eat-Spain "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" <-- dontuse@ all, it's a spamtrap
Photos of both "http://www.lawn-mower-man.co.uk"