Who knows Germany?

It seems that some characteristics of Germans can be seen more clearly in comparison with other nationalities. There are two stories, that is, comparing the Germans with ourselves. It might be fun to tell them. One is that an Arab met a Japanese, a German and a China man with a pot of fish on the train. The Japanese asked the Arabs, "Please tell me, can your fish breed in Japan? What are the conditions for raising this kind of fish? Is it expensive? " ; The German asked the Arab, "Please tell me what kind of fish you belong to in zoology? What are its scientific and common names? " ; China asked the Arab, "Please tell me, is your fish delicious? Is it steamed or braised? " .

In this short story, Japan's problems vividly show the keen economic tentacles of our east neighbors, while Germany's problems seem to tell us that this nation is a bit stiff and pedantic. Of course, our problems in China-obviously others are being sarcastic. As we all know, Chinese food is very good. Can there be a Chinese restaurant at the ends of the earth on this small earth? This is a German problem. It's so difficult that people can't answer it at once.

One story is asking for directions. It is said that one of our compatriots came to a city in Germany and asked a German for directions: "Excuse me, sir, how can I get to a street?" How long will it take? "The Germans stared and said nothing. China people left angrily. After a few steps, the German caught up with him and said kindly, "Wait a minute, sir. You want to go to so-and-so street Go straight ahead and turn right at the first crossing. According to your walking speed, it will take 8 minutes. China people don't understand and ask, "Why didn't you tell me just now?" "Because you asked me how long I was going, I didn't see you go. I don't know the speed at which you walk, so I can't tell you. " .

The story is that Germans never say such things as "maybe ...". Although asking for directions is a piece of cake, they must calculate accurately and refuse to be sloppy. Germany also has a deep understanding of this. No matter big or small, Germans are always serious. They do what they have to do. There is no flexible work style that we in China say that we should stress principles on major issues and flexible work style on minor issues. How can we German China people not understand this? Needless to say, let's talk about the German kitchen. In the German kitchen, in addition to the necessary daily necessities, there are several things that are absolutely indispensable. One is that you must have a clock, and you must do it strictly according to the book for more than one minute and less than one second, so it is absolutely indispensable. Secondly, there must be a thermometer, and there are requirements in the book. Third, there must be a scale to weigh things, whether it is a fashionable electronic scale or an ancient balance, every family must have at least one. Before cooking, all kinds of raw materials, such as rice, flour, sugar, salt, or those creams, juices, powders, preparations and even ordinary water specially used by Germans, should be measured and calculated with measuring instruments, and then put on a pot to burn, step by step, without leaving the prescribed procedures. Always use a thermometer when cooking, and always look at the accurate clock, all of which should be refined to the point. This kind of German food cooked according to scientific experiments is also unique in the world. Delicious or not is second. In any case, the Germans stick to their strict principles.

I remember reading a book in college, which contains a short story of "A Finney", which has something to do with the German temperament. Now I might as well tell it. It says that when people ask a Frenchman what he would do if he had an ass, the answer is that he would use the money to buy a bunch of roses for his lover. For the same question, the British answer is to buy a book, the Italian answer is to buy a pizza, and the German answer is to take it to the bank and save it. This story was written by Britain to prove the characteristics of the customs of the four major European nations. In the eyes of the British, the French are romantic, the Italians are greedy, and they love academics, while the Germans are too frugal. The story proved to be the best legend about Europeans. The first one is the best. Europeans themselves say that the best thing is to live in England, eat Italian food, work in France and marry a German wife. The worst relative evils are eating English food, living in an Italian house, marrying a French wife and working in Germany. The British have a long history of development and a long time to implement social welfare policies, so not only the rich have a good life, but also the poor have a not too bad life. The disadvantage is that the cold weather has hindered the development of diet in this country. French people are not nervous about their work. But people are too romantic, especially women are too romantic, and the stability of marrying from here is the worst. Italian Kyle Poirot ate delicious food from China, but the city was terrible and the housing was generally poor. Germans are naturally serious, and it is more reliable to marry a wife here; However, working under the Germans, in addition to dealing with the relationship between the general boss and employees, but also suffering from their serious work. No matter big or small, we should follow their rules, never be careless, and work hours should be scrupulously observed. So working in Germany is probably the hardest thing in Europe. Germany is recognized as a powerful country in the automobile industry. Germans love cars and cars, and they can't do without driving. The automobile industry plays an important role in their national economy. As early as the beginning of this century, famous German automobile companies such as Daimler-Benz and Porsche emerged. Even in 1938, even Hitler's Nazi rulers showed their enthusiasm for cars. They raised funds from the whole society, claiming to produce cheap "Volkswagen" cars for ordinary people at Volkswagen Company in Wolfsburg.

The proportion of German families owning cars is among the highest in the world, and most German families own cars. In fact, Germans can own one or several cars according to their income and needs. Generally speaking, low-income families usually buy an extra cheap car made by Volkswagen, Opel or other countries, such as Fiat, Renault and Mazda. Company employees, university teachers, doctors, government civil servants, small business owners and other middle-class families often own two cars. They buy cars in a wide range with different grades, but generally speaking, they often buy a mercedes benz c or E car, a BMW 3-series or 5-series car, an Audi 80 or 90 car and other mid-range cars, as well as imported cars with the same grades as Saab 9000, Volvo 850-960, Toyota Land Cruiser and Mazda RX-7 sports car. , the price is. Such families generally use two kinds of cars according to their needs. For example, when traveling, going to work for a long distance, visiting relatives and friends, and attending parties, they usually drive a good car, while when going to work for a short distance, seeing children off, and shopping, they usually drive a bad car.

Rich families in Germany, such as industrial and commercial entrepreneurs, sports stars, singers, famous doctors, barristers, professors and senior government officials, have diversified views on the use of cars because of their personal hobbies and accomplishments. Some people pursue luxury, high-end and trendy cars because of ostentation and extravagance, but many people don't care about these and drive their own mid-range cars. Generally speaking, the high-end car owners owned by this class include Mercedes-Benz S-type luxury cars, SL-type luxury cars, convertibles, BMW 7 Series luxury cars, 8 Series sports cars, Porsche sports cars and imported Jaguar luxury cars, Ferrari sports cars and Mitsubishi high-end sports cars. The price of these cars is between 80,000 and 200,000 marks. Rolls-Royce cars and American-made extra-large luxury cars are also available, but pragmatic and confident Germans think they are neither necessary nor appreciated, so these cars are not common in the streets.

In fact, in Germany, Western Europe and other developed countries, high-end cars are not the most valuable things. Compared with the expensive land price and house price, even Rolls-Royce cars and Mercedes-Benz SL600 cars are dwarfed. Take Munich as an example. The simplest one-bedroom apartment costs 200 thousand marks. The price of a three-bedroom apartment is more than 500,000 marks, and the price of a small independent house with a garden is more than several million marks. So in Germany, it is sometimes difficult to judge the identity and status of the owner by the grade of the car. A young car chaser with a low income may rent a humble apartment, but he drives the latest convertible BMW850 sports car, which is worth about10.8 million mark, and will be paid in installments.

As a big automobile producer and one of the richest countries in the world, Germany has a very high automobile renewal rate. A car that has been used for five or six years or seven or eight years will be eliminated into the used car market. Some people who pursue fashion and wealth often change to a new car in a year or two. Therefore, Germany's used car market is also very developed. There are several editions of used car sales advertisements in large and small newspapers, with many brands and prices. A car with an original price of 40,000 marks will be discounted by nearly half after driving for five years or100,000 kilometers. Cars over ten years old can only sell for two or three thousand marks. Many college students (including international students) can buy an old car like this and drive it after working for one month. Interestingly, some Germans advertise in newspapers and give away old cars that they want to get rid of but can't sell much. Of course, driving such a car also costs money to repair.

In addition, foreigners and foreigners can rent a car after paying a certain deposit. The charging standard is calculated by day, week and month. The longer the time, the cheaper it is. Take one day as an example. It costs about 60 Domagk to rent a cheap car. Rent a mid-range car and pay about 100 Domagk; It costs 100 to several hundred marks to rent a high-end car.

Before going to Germany, a friend who came back from Germany said that all taxis in Germany are Mercedes-Benz cars. I thought it was a joke. When I arrived in Germany, I found that my friend's words were a little exaggerated, but overall they were not bad. More than 80% of beige taxis running all over the street are Mercedes-Benz cars, and the rest are mid-range cars, such as Audi and Volkswagen. It is difficult for shabby and narrow cars to stand in the taxi queue. According to German friends, taxi drivers have average income and hard work, so most people engaged in this profession have no other better way out. Incredibly, some doctors of philosophy can't find suitable jobs for the time being and live in the taxi industry for the time being.