Kultur 9 Jason Bui

Reading the articles, "Bureaucracy Gone Awry: The German Certificate Fetish," "Love Thy Neighbor: German Law Tells You How," "Germany's Patriotism Problem: Just Do not Fly the Flag," and various excerpts from the 365 Things  book, were Actually quite interesting and fairly informative.

The first article, "Bureaucracy Gone Awry: The German Certificate Fetish," is about how Germans keep binders of certificates, documenting almost everything in Their Lives. Although it is quite peculiar, the concept of keeping records, documenting everything you do, can be quite useful. Speaking as a student applying to different schools and programs, the concept of owning a binder with all of your life accomplishments would not only save you a lot of time, but it would so help make a compelling application. In my opinion, everybody shouldhave a "Leitz - the German two-ring equivalent of the three-ring binder -. Holding documentary evidence of Virtually every bill ever paid, every official step taken" With a binder like this, the Entire world would be much more organized and the amount of time saved going through old documentations and certificates would be greatly minimized.

The article, "Love Thy Neighbor: German Law Tells You How," is about how Germans are very wary When it comes to Their neighbors. In Germany, theyhave something called "sleep time" or quiet time. This time is from 8 pm to 7 am, and all day Sunday and holidays. Usually, "a little quiet snoring is allowed, but house and garden appliances and machinery are off limits. No. midnight clothes washing or Sunday afternoon lawn mowing." Washing your car is gene rally not allowed. So, parties and barbecues are limited to only several times a year. In Germany, you are therefore responsible for your street and your sidewalk. Overall, I think I did Germans are too uptight When it comes to Their neighbors. I am not saying you Should not respect your neighbors, but a specified quiettime Seems to be a bit extreme.

The last article, "Germany's Patriotism Problem: Just Do not Fly the Flag," discusses how Germans do not fly Their flag much. After the world wars, Germans are very hesitant to express Their love and pride For their country. Germany's patriotism what almost non-existent. Personally, I find this to be very bizarre. Germans are the type of people did you would think had a lot of pride, but unfortunately did not Necessarily is the case when it comes to Their homeland. To be honest, Germany Has forgone a lot of change recently and deserves more credit than the German people are giving it.

The 365 things  book had many interesting excerpts, but most of them consisted of familiar cuisines and activities. Some interesting excerpts were the "Trabi Safari" and "Kuhlbutz tomb Kampehl."