Switzerland is not Germany, and Germany is not the US. Why I am making the progression is basically because of a culture shift that happens. Of course, culturally Switzerland and Germany are more similar than they compare with the US. When I say that the US is perhaps the most friendly among the three, it becomes clear what am I referring to.
Of course, any of these regions are pretty big, and the level of friendliness is different depending on where you are. Even then, Berlin is traditionally supposed to be very open among all the cities: it is a different Germany, as is often called. As I have been living in the city for some time now, I am a little qualified to speak about it, always being careful as not to generalize too much.
While Berlin is supposed to be very open, at the same time, people outside and inside Berlin have sometimes called the people to be very direct, even arrogant at times. That is how some of my (German) friends described Berlin to me. Personally, even though I have several German friends, very few of them have actually grown up in Berlin. Those who have, perhaps don't really make a good statistical ensemble. Anyway, too many perhaps, lets get on to the business with the Pizza Slices?
One fine day we planned to get together at my place for a pizza and a movie. An innocent plan soon gave way in my head to a house-warming party which I'd been wanting for half-a-year now. But, that was more of a surprise, so I had go and get the pizza (and uh, we needed food; I wasn't really planning for cooking for 10 people). Then, I found this place in Kreuzberg which made pizzas the American style (at the New York style), and a huge ones --- the ones that would cover three or four usual ones.
Huh, I ordered this online, and was unfortunately the only one as well going to pick it up. And with those two absolutely huge pizzas with me, it was an effort and also a thing to come back home. I can safely say that on the way back home, I did get the most attention, perhaps ever, in a long looong time. Remember that I was using the party metro (the U12) and the party tram (M10) and passing through the party capital, Warschauer Str. And there were a huge number of young people around. There was a guy at the Warschauer Str. station, who just shouted out "Pizza", the moment he set his eyes on the pizzas! :) And I could make out people remarking about pizzas all around me. What fun! Finally, close back home, there were a group of three, who even remarked on how big the pizza was, and how much they cost.
The incident was not big, or long, but it does tell a lot about the Berliners. Seemingly reserved, they can be open minded, they are willing to make an effort to make conversation. I don't know exactly why, but I was sweetly reminded of the over-friendly people from the US after this incident. I think it was quite sweet!
Of course, any of these regions are pretty big, and the level of friendliness is different depending on where you are. Even then, Berlin is traditionally supposed to be very open among all the cities: it is a different Germany, as is often called. As I have been living in the city for some time now, I am a little qualified to speak about it, always being careful as not to generalize too much.
While Berlin is supposed to be very open, at the same time, people outside and inside Berlin have sometimes called the people to be very direct, even arrogant at times. That is how some of my (German) friends described Berlin to me. Personally, even though I have several German friends, very few of them have actually grown up in Berlin. Those who have, perhaps don't really make a good statistical ensemble. Anyway, too many perhaps, lets get on to the business with the Pizza Slices?
One fine day we planned to get together at my place for a pizza and a movie. An innocent plan soon gave way in my head to a house-warming party which I'd been wanting for half-a-year now. But, that was more of a surprise, so I had go and get the pizza (and uh, we needed food; I wasn't really planning for cooking for 10 people). Then, I found this place in Kreuzberg which made pizzas the American style (at the New York style), and a huge ones --- the ones that would cover three or four usual ones.
Huh, I ordered this online, and was unfortunately the only one as well going to pick it up. And with those two absolutely huge pizzas with me, it was an effort and also a thing to come back home. I can safely say that on the way back home, I did get the most attention, perhaps ever, in a long looong time. Remember that I was using the party metro (the U12) and the party tram (M10) and passing through the party capital, Warschauer Str. And there were a huge number of young people around. There was a guy at the Warschauer Str. station, who just shouted out "Pizza", the moment he set his eyes on the pizzas! :) And I could make out people remarking about pizzas all around me. What fun! Finally, close back home, there were a group of three, who even remarked on how big the pizza was, and how much they cost.
The incident was not big, or long, but it does tell a lot about the Berliners. Seemingly reserved, they can be open minded, they are willing to make an effort to make conversation. I don't know exactly why, but I was sweetly reminded of the over-friendly people from the US after this incident. I think it was quite sweet!
