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> shrug .. Oktorberfest Germans are exceptionally good at kicking back, drinking a few beers, and disconnecting from the real world, even if it is just for 6 o

> shrug .. Oktorberfest Germans are exceptionally good at kicking back, drinking a few beers, and disconnecting from the real world, even if it is just for 6 or 8 hours or so. They can do it with an extraordinary insouciance that I do not believe is easily observable, elsewhere in the Western sphere. I remember, arriving for my first year of many in a German town, to the raucous cacophony of a Karnival (im Rührgebiet) wherein a mass of teenagers, whom I would ordinarily have deemed far too irresponsible for the drunkenness and tomfoolery on display gleefully smashed their freshly emptied bottles of local beers in the village streets for all and sundry to enjoy. It was extraordinary - definitely not a riot, but rather a very well organized and town-supported explosion of pent-up energy. The glass was all impeccably removed within hours of the jubilations' end. This was a regular thing, a kind of festival, and nobody really minded the puke. The Rührpott weather would sort it out, ho ho. And its the same throughout the German state, which is accustomed to so much gloom but yet produces so much beauty, life and vitality. I dare you to find the fertility of Münich or Köln or Frankfurt, in summer time, elsewhere .. it is palpable.

FirmwareBurner 3y ago
>I dare you to find the fertility of Münich or Köln or Frankfurt, in summer time, elsewhere Your take feels weird, as if only Germany has great nightlife. I don't get what you were trying to prove with this point. Most big European cities are vibrant in the summer, some even all year round, and some even better than the German cities you mentioned. Even Belgrade is friggin awesome to visit and party in.
dgellow 3y ago
> I dare you to find the fertility of Münich or Köln or Frankfurt, in summer time, elsewhere How can you not mention Berlin? Splendid city to experience in spring and summer.
tetris11 3y ago
German drinking culture is certainly different. Pubs don't exist. Yeah sure you might have a Kneipe or a Biergarten here and there, but mostly, you go to your friends house to drink there or you sit around in a circle on the pavement (but never on the kerb…) outside a closed bar. There's a weird street energy there, but it's not intense, just conversationally pleasant. Maybe you get a Kebap on the way home, but only if you're waiting for your train. The UK by contrast has a different energy. Pubs almost every corner, fancy ones with fireplaces and sofas, high heels and bare legs no matter the (often chill-inducing) weather, kebab shops surging with a strange camraderie, singing in the streets, and most importantly, people sitting on the kerb.
- nicbou 3y ago
  Pubs don't exist? In what universe?
  - tetris11 3y ago
    Compare a kneipe or a biergarden with an english pub. Huge difference in tone. The Irish pubs you might find dotted around are more aimed at tourists/students/rich city workers, instead of the depressing hole where the locals come to forget themselves. I know it sounds like I'm gatekeeping here, but it just feels wildly different. It would be like you going to beergarden in London, to be greeted with patrons wearing lederhosen with the flag of bayern flying everywhere and everyone speaking in funny-sounding fake german accents. It's not accurate, the tone feels forced, and any actual germans passing through would likely feel compelled to stay away.

FirmwareBurner 3y ago

>I dare you to find the fertility of Münich or Köln or Frankfurt, in summer time, elsewhere Your take feels weird, as if only Germany has great nightlife. I don't get what you were trying to prove with this point. Most big European cities are vibrant in the summer, some even all year round, and some even better than the German cities you mentioned. Even Belgrade is friggin awesome to visit and party in.

dgellow 3y ago

> I dare you to find the fertility of Münich or Köln or Frankfurt, in summer time, elsewhere How can you not mention Berlin? Splendid city to experience in spring and summer.

tetris11 3y ago

German drinking culture is certainly different. Pubs don't exist. Yeah sure you might have a Kneipe or a Biergarten here and there, but mostly, you go to your friends house to drink there or you sit around in a circle on the pavement (but never on the kerb…) outside a closed bar. There's a weird street energy there, but it's not intense, just conversationally pleasant. Maybe you get a Kebap on the way home, but only if you're waiting for your train. The UK by contrast has a different energy. Pubs almost every corner, fancy ones with fireplaces and sofas, high heels and bare legs no matter the (often chill-inducing) weather, kebab shops surging with a strange camraderie, singing in the streets, and most importantly, people sitting on the kerb.

nicbou 3y ago
Pubs don't exist? In what universe?
- tetris11 3y ago
  Compare a kneipe or a biergarden with an english pub. Huge difference in tone. The Irish pubs you might find dotted around are more aimed at tourists/students/rich city workers, instead of the depressing hole where the locals come to forget themselves. I know it sounds like I'm gatekeeping here, but it just feels wildly different. It would be like you going to beergarden in London, to be greeted with patrons wearing lederhosen with the flag of bayern flying everywhere and everyone speaking in funny-sounding fake german accents. It's not accurate, the tone feels forced, and any actual germans passing through would likely feel compelled to stay away.