2012-06-12T23:28:03Z https://www.treffpunkteuropa.de/Wie-das-Wasser-nur-sprudelnd-versus-Haben-Sie-auch-was-ohne-Schnecken,05005#comment13718 2012-06-12T23:28:03Z

<p>Dear Laura,</p> <p>some of these experiences may be a little bit exaggerated or stereotyped. However, they are not intended to be scientific or academic, but to present some differences in daily life in a rather entertaining way. Europe is united in diversity, and this diversity is also reflected in rather irrelevant aspects of life, such as meeting with friends, taking the train and going to the restaurant. * Is it really a problem for European integration to know that French like to kiss each other whereas Germans prefer to hug ? * Is it really an obstacle to European integration to know that French prefere to have two direct TGV links a day and do not mind that the platform is communicated last minute, whereas German prefer to be able to have a train every hour leaving from the same platform and do not mind changing three times ? * Is it really a problem for European integration to know that in France you get tap water in restaurants whereas in Germany you have to order and pay bottled water ? Probably not. And as the conclusion of this article lets intend, these difference tend to narrow. French habits can be taken over by Germans if they make sense, and the other way round.</p> <p>What these articles do, is to present cultural differnences in a quite humourous perspective in order to show that something like is not worth to be taken seriously, but that can make Europe a more interesting place.</p>

2012-05-31T15:42:40Z https://www.treffpunkteuropa.de/Wie-das-Wasser-nur-sprudelnd-versus-Haben-Sie-auch-was-ohne-Schnecken,05005#comment13535 2012-05-31T15:42:40Z

<p>Every time I read your « articles », it fills me with consternation. You spent one semester or something in France and figure yourself that you know everything about us, which is absolutely not true. That would not be a huge problem( no one forbids you to be convinced of absurdities) if you didnt use your « knowledge » to make fun of us, but you do, and last but not least, in a « european » magazine ! Quel comble ! Do you think its european to spread stupid stereotypes about other nationalities ? Do you think its professionnal to assert as obvious facts false crappy informations ?</p> <p>For example in « Einmal non stop nach Paris » : - « Wer dagegen zu Lande reisen möchte, der nimmt den TVG. Der rast dann nonstop einmal durch die ganze République ». 1) the TGV is absolutely not the only option and doesnt go everywhere. For example Nantes, one of the biggest city of the country, doesnt have a TGV connection with Paris. Given your fine knowledge of our trains, I'm surprised that you didnt speak of the TER, which is more popular than the TGV. 2) it doesnt go non stop, unless its a very short distance. The Paris-Strasbourg stops several times, and its normal that the train coming from Germany doesnt, because its a special train. 3) Almost no one takes Air France to travel through the country, or only for business reasons 4) Most people actually take their own car or do « covoiturage »</p> <p><span class="spip-puce ltr"><b>–</b></span> « die Gleise erst fünf bis zehn Minuten vor Abfahrt des Zuges bekannt gegeben werden ». 1) Its not true. Its 15 minuts before departure, 10 at the latest when there is a problem 2) Its normal. When you have 20 Gleise, and many trains coming and leaving, maybe late, you have to be flexible, as you point out. 3) The weird behaviour is rather yours. Whats the point of arriving 45 mins before departure ? => Stupid and useless remark, I dont see the interest of making fun of us on that point !!!</p> <p>I could go on and quote more and more absurdities you wrote on your articles, which makes me very angry everytime, and somehow, humiliated. You should be ashamed of such results after an amazing opportunity to discover others. Now, before writing a book thinking of yourself as a french specialist, make a thesis in French mentality. Ou alors, ferme la, ce qui me semble être un option raisonnable. Danke schön.</p>