My sister visited me years ago and after going
downtown shopping, came back very miffed and with this question, “Why can’t
everyone mind their own business?” Apparently, no matter what she did…walk down
the sidewalk (on the bicycle lane), cross the street (on a red light), or sat on
a seat in a bus (those meant for the elderly and handicapped), people were
always barking out instructions at her.
It is easy to see how she got this impression. People
will generally speak out if they see you doing something wrong. For example, heavens
forbid, you try to cross on a red light at a pedestrian crossing.
The other pedestrians will likely yell out
“Vorbild!” (role model). This one word translates to “You idiot! There are
slews of children here who saw that. An adult, crossing the streets on a red
light! With that one act, you have given them permission to commit anarchy. You
have potentially corrupted their poor innocent souls and now they will ignore the
years of, “Stop and look both ways” and just march blindly across every red
light they see in the future. What a horrible person you are. Completely
lacking in any sensibilities about civic duties…” This message goes on in your
head as long as it takes you to walk away from the maddening crowd of irate
pedestrians who were standing at the light you just crossed.
Therefore, you have to watch where you step in
this society of everyone minding everyone else’s business. It is usually about
safety though and trying to act the role of an upright citizen.
Admittedly, the bureaucracy here is atrocious. But, where isn’t it so? I
could tell you stories about German bureaucracy that would raise the hairs on
your back, but instead I want to say something positive in its defence. (I
can’t believe I am going to do this!) Even though it can be Kafkaesque at
times, it is also generally transparent.
You generally know who is
responsible for doing what when and where.
If you don’t know who is responsible for
handling you questions, you can call a number and the person on the reception
will give you the responsible person’s name and contact number. You are able to
talk to a person and not a machine. This is not the case in many other
countries. That is not to say the conversation you have with the civil servant
will be an enjoyable experience, but at least it is not anonymous.
There are rules to follow everywhere you look, but
not everyone does. And that is the art of living happily here. Knowing the
rules and knowing when not following them. When not following them will cause
no harm to anyone else … even those poor innocent children standing at red
lights with prepositions towards anarchy.
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