Monthly Archives: June 2010

Work, work, work…

June 10, 2010 By in Habitudes, Hysteria Tags: , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

While watching World Cup at work, work, work.

You got to set your priorities, I guess. And when it comes to the soccer (some say football) World Cup starting this weekend, Germans have clearly set theirs. Even the head of the national employers’ association believes his countrymen should be allowed to watch the World Cup on television at work without getting into trouble with their superiors.

This is a sensible thing to say, I think, because they’re going to be watching it one way or the other anyway.

“Watching soccer together encourages team cohesion and staff motivation.”

Unfair?

June 9, 2010 By in Higher Education Tags: , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

The German education system? Hell yeah, it’s unfair. Only one in ten immigrant children ever make it the Abitur (the general qualification for university entrance).

But that’s not all that bad an average really, if you stop and think about it. Only one in three Germans ever make it that far either. Like I said, unfair.

Bei lediglich 2,9 Prozent der Studenten in Deutschland handle es sich um Ausländer, die in Deutschland Abitur gemacht haben.

Go for the Gauck

June 8, 2010 By in History Tags: , , , , , , 4 Comments

Grassroots political activism in action – again.

Not particularly interested in Christian Wulff, the presidential candidate the current ruling coalation is pushing through, German internet activists are activating the Internet for Mr. No Chance in Hell Joachim Gauck instead.

More power to ya, folks, but he’s just too impartial and unconnected and doesn’t have a chance, like I said. But hey, do the right thing. You never know. Like the German saying goes: You don’t have a chance, so use it.

“Gauck has a rich life story shaped by the Cold War. At the age of 11, his father was arrested by communist authorities and sent to the Gulag in Siberia. After the Berlin Wall fell, Gauck ran the state-run archives on the Stasi, earning recognition for exposing the crimes of the dreaded East German secret police.”

What, me worry?

June 7, 2010 By in Hard Facts Tags: , , , , , 3 Comments

When it comes to fussing and worrying, one country in Europe stands out far ahead of all the others. No, not Monaco.

It’s Germany, of course. Statistically speaking, Germans have on average 3.2 worries to worry about each and every day. The French and the Austrians are worried too, but they’ve only got 2.3 worries available.

The Swedes only have 1.1. And I bet 1.0 of those is worrying about the bottle not running out. Hardy, har, har.

„Auffällig ist dieses Jahr, dass die Zahl der Sorgen, die genannt werden, praktisch explodiert.“

Speaking of German cars…

June 3, 2010 By in Heconomy Tags: , , , , , , , , 2 Comments

Americans sure like buying them – again. Germans aren’t all that interested in them anymore, though (no more cash-for-clunkers).

Orders abroad are up 22 percent in May compared to a year earlier – with China and the United States providing the demand. We’ve been through this before, haven’t we (and again and again)?

“Die Bedeutung des US-Marktes nimmt wieder zu.”

Lena for president?

June 1, 2010 By in Hysteria Tags: , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Why not? The job’s available now and everybody likes her enough.

And then there’s that touchy question about the enormous cost for next year’s Eurovision to be held here in Germany. It could be taken over by the state, see? You know, like a broadcasting bailout?

Each year the winning county is required to host the following year’s grand finale.