This is my list of things which are typically German but just won't make it or be introduced into the US.
1. Wine and beer consumption at age 16. The Germans don't see a problem with this. Go try and convince some American community to allow it.
2. Unlimited speeds on interstates. Germans allow on approximately fifty percent of all autobahns....unlimited speeds. Because of the vehicle inspections and standards set....it works. In the US? Never.
3. Massive use of trams. I'd take a guess that about forty major urban areas of Germany use trams as part of their public transportation. Various suburbs are closely connected to major cities. In the US, very few urban communities want to utilize the idea.
4. Multi-party politics. The Republicans and Democrats don't want anything to threaten the system they have in place. The one key feature of the German system is that you tend to find a party that will fit your comfort zone on 90-percent of platform features. Most Republicans and Democrats will admit....there's always a third of their party's platform which they simply cannot be happy about. The other unique feature to this is that you have to build coalitions to run a government, which means you have to limit the amount of insults that you use in some political campaign.
5. Kinder-eggs (the chocolate). Americans freak out that these toy pieces might be eaten by a two-year old kid.
6. Tough TUV car inspections. It's hard for a 15-to-20 year old German car to pass a vehicle inspection unless the owner really makes an effort to keep up the car. Americans would freak out if the same stringent rules fell into place and they had to go and spend $1,200 to make it qualified for another two years on the road.
7. Two cops in a patrol vehicle. You just won't find one single German cop in a patrol vehicle by himself. They travel and patrol in pairs. American communities would cite the cost of too many cops and it's just too much for a community to plan around and pay for.
8. Tough laws on DWI. When you get cited for a DWI, there's virtually no defense you can offer.....you will lose that license under the German system. Even if your work is 40 miles away.....tough luck. Go and suggest the same stringent system in the US and watch how everyone gets hyped up against that kind of system.
9. Liberal drinking standards. You walk into any German cafe, restaurant, or imbis.....and they offer up beer and wine options. The most that German communities might limit is the opening or closing hours. There is simply no such thing as a dry country in Germany. Go and try to suggest that across the US.
10. Mandatory chimney inspections. If you live in a German village or town....their standards for fire safety will require you get a chimney inspection on a routine basis. A guy will come out and you have to allow him access to the roof and the chimney has to inspected and possibly cleaned. Go try and mandate to a US community.
2 comments:
With the recent killing of the police, a lot of cities and communities are now having two police officers per car, also they are waiting for backup before proceeding.
I am bummed we can not get KinderEggs in the States. I used to have a place that got them but their supplier was busted at the port and well...
The other thing about drinking that will never catch on in the States is the idea that it may be ok to have a beer at lunch. I remember so many times seeing construction workers having a beer at lunch time while I lived in Wiesbaden. Not a big deal for them.
Oh yeah, and beer at McDonalds. I doubt that will ever fly here.
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