Happy New Year!
Tuesday, January 1. 2008
And all that. Smoke-free Berlin begins today. (Theoretically).
A slightly surprising find in the balcony net: detritus from last night.
A slightly surprising find in the balcony net: detritus from last night.
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Haven't been out and about yet to see this non-smoking in action. Is the word on the street that it's being strictly enforced?
Haven't been out much myself, yet. Passing through the Allee-Arkaden I was pleased to note none of the cafés there had ashtrays out, and no-one appeared to be smoking; but there were no prominent "Rauchverbot" signs or similar (in contrast to the UK).
I bet I've told you that a friend of mine had to put up a sign in her office, where only she ever bees, and she doesn't smoke, to tell herself not to smoke and someone came from the council to check she'd done it. I can't bear all the signs and announcements in the UK now. Did you see the immigration VIDEO when you flew in with images of nasty non-whities being arrested and sent back to where they came from? Or signs telling you that busking was anti-social and (potentially) dangerous? Or hear an announcement telling you not to give to beggars and, indeed, to shoot them on sight? (Or words very roughly to that effect?) And... and...and... Can't remember what else.
I saw a large poster at immigration with a fingerprint on it and a stern, almost threatening message of some sort that nasty foreign people's fingerprints may be taken if deemed necessary. I also noticed the nice new trains had nice glass doors at either end of the carriage, and smack in the middle of each door was a prominent message in the usual health'n'safety red "DO NOT PLACE YOUR HANDS ON THIS GLASS DOOR OR YOU WILL DIE AND WE WILL BE LIABLE". Clashed with the rest of the decor.
The village appeared to be somewhat saner, but it now seems if you are building a house and have scaffolding, you have to put giant bean-bag type things all around it in case someone falls off.
The village appeared to be somewhat saner, but it now seems if you are building a house and have scaffolding, you have to put giant bean-bag type things all around it in case someone falls off.
I heard an interview on Radio 4 with a London Fireman, about what they have to check out before allowing a public firework display these days in say... Green Park in London. (It was to do with Händels Royal Firwork Music, which was first perfomed there in 1749).
The fireman started explaining and suddenly his voice changed tone to an almost mechanical sound as he explained in gobbledegook all the things that have to be checked out..
The point I wanted to make is.... Is that the Land of Hope and Glory that I grew up in? Or perhaps they are all suffering from the first symptoms of BSE?? I really find it all very unnerving. It's as if the whole country has been taken over by aliens.. who I can't understand.
Has anyone else noticed it..?
It first started with.. waiters saying "there you go" when serving food.. then everyone started saying everything was "brilliant" or "please bear with me".
Or maybe we so-called "ex-pats" have been living under a cheese-glass and are stuck in 1985-1995?
The fireman started explaining and suddenly his voice changed tone to an almost mechanical sound as he explained in gobbledegook all the things that have to be checked out..
The point I wanted to make is.... Is that the Land of Hope and Glory that I grew up in? Or perhaps they are all suffering from the first symptoms of BSE?? I really find it all very unnerving. It's as if the whole country has been taken over by aliens.. who I can't understand.
Has anyone else noticed it..?
It first started with.. waiters saying "there you go" when serving food.. then everyone started saying everything was "brilliant" or "please bear with me".
Or maybe we so-called "ex-pats" have been living under a cheese-glass and are stuck in 1985-1995?
The UK is getting to be like Germany as I imagined to be it before I first came here, i.e. full of rules and regulations. OK, Germany has its moments (right now I have a letter from a Behörde in best threatening Behördenspeak telling me that I owe them some money and that I should pay it back and please take note of these 1½ A4 pages of extracts from the SGB, but also that they will send me another letter about how to pay it back), but I could if I wished go out into the street, buy and drink a beer (in a glass bottle), then go and strip off in the park and dive into the lake, and as long as I'm not causing too much disturbance no-one's going to care in the slightest. For example.
(Disclaimer: not that I would ever do any of these things, at least in winter, but do watch the Abendschau for pictures of naked people going for a swim in icy waters).
(Disclaimer: not that I would ever do any of these things, at least in winter, but do watch the Abendschau for pictures of naked people going for a swim in icy waters).
Yikes, I had to deal with all those signs in Britain for a few days in August, and now I have to go there for a few days again, this February. It'll be there as a nagging thought in the back of my mind constantly until then: I have to go to the country of too many signs and people in uniforms who are total "job's worths". I don't like people in uniforms who feel they have the right to bully members of the public, especially when they have the authority invested in them by... Railtrack!
Ah, jobsworths. Where is Esther Rantzen when you need her?
Anyway, anyone you meet claiming to be vested in authority by Railtrack is lying, because Railtrack went bankrupt a few years back and is now delaying trains under another stupid name (Notwork Rail or something).
Anyway, anyone you meet claiming to be vested in authority by Railtrack is lying, because Railtrack went bankrupt a few years back and is now delaying trains under another stupid name (Notwork Rail or something).
Probably with Mollie Sugden, Doc Cox (what a winker) and Gavin Campbell wearing a stupid hat with a 'J' (for Jobsworth) and a feather on it. God, I even watched the German version of That's Life once.
Wirklich?? Des iz Leben..???
We can sense the anticipation and excitement taking control over your mind and body...
Macht's gut nachbarn.......
We can sense the anticipation and excitement taking control over your mind and body...
Macht's gut nachbarn.......
Und jetzt ein Bild, das Herr Müller-Lüdenscheidt aus Gelsenkirchen eingeschickt hat, das diese suggestive Möhre aus seinem Kleingarten zeigt:
(...)
Und nun - Herr Doktor Doktor.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=7OfbpHLbFUI
(...)
Und nun - Herr Doktor Doktor.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=7OfbpHLbFUI
Having watched that, two things I noticed:
that 'Swiss Toni' (the car salesman character played by Charlie Higson) is clearly based on that pub landlord;
that 'That's Life' was basically a broadcast version of 'Eulenspiegel' as published in the GDR. Nonsensical press clippings, complaints (sorted out - sometimes - by the journalists from an important national medium), lots of double entendres, the occasional serious bit, and some stuff about dogs (and skateboards). Rantzen and Wilcox - helping the masses let off steam in Thatcher's Britain?
that 'Swiss Toni' (the car salesman character played by Charlie Higson) is clearly based on that pub landlord;
that 'That's Life' was basically a broadcast version of 'Eulenspiegel' as published in the GDR. Nonsensical press clippings, complaints (sorted out - sometimes - by the journalists from an important national medium), lots of double entendres, the occasional serious bit, and some stuff about dogs (and skateboards). Rantzen and Wilcox - helping the masses let off steam in Thatcher's Britain?
I'm pleased to say that what the German version was called is not something that was in my brain - until now. Damn Wikipedia. "Wie bitte?!" on RTL, from 1992 to 1999, the format was licenced from the BBC, "Pannemann" seemlingly being German for "Jobsworth". I'm sure the programme was very useful for my GCSEs (or not), but it made a change from the soft porn RTL and Sat 1 broadcast that could be received on old BSB receivers (and the 'somewhat' harder stuff that seemed to fill the French Canal+, available through the same box, at the time).
„Pannemann“
Nach einigen Jahren ging die Sendung mit der Verleihung des Pannenmanns, durch den eigenen Außenreporter Theo West, auf direkten Kontakt mit den jeweiligen Firmen. Der „Pannemann“ stellte einen Preis für ein unfähiges, bzw. unfreundliches Serviceangebot dar.
What with there being (even in the mid-90s) around 7 million German television channels, I doubt whether "Pannemann" has made it into the Duden, though "jobsworth" is in my Concise OED...
„Pannemann“
Nach einigen Jahren ging die Sendung mit der Verleihung des Pannenmanns, durch den eigenen Außenreporter Theo West, auf direkten Kontakt mit den jeweiligen Firmen. Der „Pannemann“ stellte einen Preis für ein unfähiges, bzw. unfreundliches Serviceangebot dar.
What with there being (even in the mid-90s) around 7 million German television channels, I doubt whether "Pannemann" has made it into the Duden, though "jobsworth" is in my Concise OED...
Oh yes, before you go do take some time to familiarize yourself with the latest cabin bag rules:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7174012.stm
(I am sure this is a cunning strategy to confuse the Terrorists™).
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7174012.stm
(I am sure this is a cunning strategy to confuse the Terrorists™).
The new thing to do in UK is to allow your kids to climb trees and PLAY and stuff. It was decided by Someone that They're getting too mollycoddled.
Oh I'm so glad smoking is banned in Berlin.
What about Austria? Can I go there yet?
Oh I'm so glad smoking is banned in Berlin.
What about Austria? Can I go there yet?
Who,What,FAQ
Who
Mount Penguin is technically British, but has lived in Berlin for like yonks.
What
This is a blog of odd stuff he comes across in everyday life, etc. Bit of a lucky dip really.
FAQ
I did originally intend to put together what one day might be the ultimate Berlin FAQ. Due to global warming that hasn't yet happened, but nevertheless if you have any questions about Berlin, feel free to ask them here and I'll see if I can find an answer...
Meanwhile...
Do come and visit my other blog where there's likely to be more hot penguin action.
Comments
about IKEA Shelving Festival!
Thu, 20.11.2008 12:17
Deutschland-Schweden Out of Europe "Best" war ein N ordallianz ml Europa, Russland und Japan (große Kriege [...]
Thu, 20.11.2008 12:17
Deutschland-Schweden Out of Europe "Best" war ein N ordallianz ml Europa, Russland und Japan (große Kriege [...]
about Penguin's Autumn Sale
Tue, 28.10.2008 15:51
Yes indeedy. There's one tomor row (Wednesday), at Osswald, w hich I'm not sure I can make t hough. But I'll keep you [...]
Tue, 28.10.2008 15:51
Yes indeedy. There's one tomor row (Wednesday), at Osswald, w hich I'm not sure I can make t hough. But I'll keep you [...]
about Penguin's Autumn Sale
Tue, 21.10.2008 20:45
Dear Mr. Penguin, I think I kn ow someone who could do with t hat chest-of-drawers, and mayb e the fridge. I'll get b [...]
Tue, 21.10.2008 20:45
Dear Mr. Penguin, I think I kn ow someone who could do with t hat chest-of-drawers, and mayb e the fridge. I'll get b [...]
about Notice of Blog Suspension
Fri, 07.03.2008 14:42
I don't know what you're smoki ng, but I'm sure a lot of peop le would be interested to find out.
Fri, 07.03.2008 14:42
I don't know what you're smoki ng, but I'm sure a lot of peop le would be interested to find out.
about Notice of Blog Suspension
Fri, 07.03.2008 12:28
HOW DO YOU DO… BEING A BERLIN ER Wanna swastika shaped be er mug? Like climbing walls? Stay in the UK Histo [...]
Fri, 07.03.2008 12:28
HOW DO YOU DO… BEING A BERLIN ER Wanna swastika shaped be er mug? Like climbing walls? Stay in the UK Histo [...]
about There's nothing like the taste of home
Sat, 01.03.2008 14:31
I hope the squids and whales d idn't get you. It's March 1st and there is a distinct lack o f blogs.
Sat, 01.03.2008 14:31
I hope the squids and whales d idn't get you. It's March 1st and there is a distinct lack o f blogs.
about There's nothing like the taste of home
Mon, 11.02.2008 12:50
Welcome in your new job as the Japanese Ambassador to Blackp ool... eh lass, let's go üü p tüüer..
Mon, 11.02.2008 12:50
Welcome in your new job as the Japanese Ambassador to Blackp ool... eh lass, let's go üü p tüüer..
about There's nothing like the taste of home
Sun, 10.02.2008 23:11
Hmm, yesterday I went past whe re the whale place was but for got to look out for it. I'll l et you all know in the r [...]
Sun, 10.02.2008 23:11
Hmm, yesterday I went past whe re the whale place was but for got to look out for it. I'll l et you all know in the r [...]
about There's nothing like the taste of home
Sun, 10.02.2008 23:02
....and hope you enjoy the "sc ientific" whale steaks!.
Sun, 10.02.2008 23:02
....and hope you enjoy the "sc ientific" whale steaks!.
about Cheesecake at 30,000 feet
Sat, 09.02.2008 21:06
The fish contains soya sauce. You can buy them for a few cen ts at the Asian supermarket in the Alexanderhaus on Al [...]
Sat, 09.02.2008 21:06
The fish contains soya sauce. You can buy them for a few cen ts at the Asian supermarket in the Alexanderhaus on Al [...]
about Cheesecake at 30,000 feet
Sat, 09.02.2008 21:03
Nope, made the plane - but onl y just due to late departure f rom Tegel (a broken-down airpl ane tug) and Charles de [...]
Sat, 09.02.2008 21:03
Nope, made the plane - but onl y just due to late departure f rom Tegel (a broken-down airpl ane tug) and Charles de [...]
about Cheesecake at 30,000 feet
Sat, 09.02.2008 01:25
What's in the fish? Is it perhaps Whalemeat juice?? Gathered of course, under "lab oratory conditions" and [...]
Sat, 09.02.2008 01:25
What's in the fish? Is it perhaps Whalemeat juice?? Gathered of course, under "lab oratory conditions" and [...]
about Cheesecake at 30,000 feet
Fri, 08.02.2008 22:26
Nein, nein, no comprendo. Blog ging? From a PLANE? No, you mi ssed the flight, didn't you?
Fri, 08.02.2008 22:26
Nein, nein, no comprendo. Blog ging? From a PLANE? No, you mi ssed the flight, didn't you?
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