Sad Schland and their Soccer

Spotted morning after the loss to Italy

When Germany lost to Italy in the Euro Cup Halbfinale a few weeks ago, one of my American friends who hates soccer sneered, "Well good, let someone else in Europe win at something for once." I'll admit a teensy (teensy!) part of me wanted Greece to beat Germany in an earlier game, but I love Germany during soccer tournaments, and honestly, I think they deserve any and all soccer success and more importantly, all the excitement that goes along with it.

Pringooooooals

Not all German snacks are American

Here's why. Germany has a dark, horrid, and painful history, and as a result, is very averse to signs of patriotism. Insert requisite comment about them deserving it entirely. Soccer is the one safe outlet Germans have to put up flags, eat patriotic snacks, and cheer for their fellow countrymen- what Americans do every freaking day.  So yeah, it warms my heart to see cars with those red, black, and gold covered rear-view mirrors and baby flags and people wearing jerseys and screaming "Schland!" and "Schweinsteiger!" Oh wait, that last part was just Daniel.

This is about as intense as it gets

Watching the game from a Thai restaurant

Another thing I like is that game viewing is such a public affair here. In the US, sports viewing seems somewhat private. Especially big games like the Superbowl, which people tend to exclusively watch at home with friends and family.  (I'm sure public drinking laws play a large role here.) The Euro Cup in Germany was like an extended outdoor party. Berlin's immense amount of bars and restaurants with outdoor seating were packed with people for every game. Not to mention the "Fan Mile" by the Brandenburg Gate.

Euro Cup eggs

"Fan Mile" for public viewing

But man, even after a goal (and lots of beer) the cheering is pretty subdued compared to American standards. So I ask you to let the Germans have their soccer. They need it.

Yes, that'll be all.

Something I've noticed, and come to appreciate, about Germans is a lack of judgement in the grocery store check-out line. Or at least no visible judgement, nor embarrassment about purchases. My very scientific deduction of this theory consists of watching multiple people check out with only beer bottles, or miniature white wine bottles, in their baskets. At 10am. On a workday. In the US, I feel this would garner some looks. But here, it's no big deal. Just like seeing two guys in work uniforms drinking beers. At 2pm. On the metro. Like I did today.

Upon further reflection, maybe it's because they are often individual bottles instead of 6-packs. With a 6-pack one might think, oh, he might be taking that to a party later. When it's 6 various loose bottles rolling around the conveyor belt I just picture the guy leaving the store, turning a corner, and drinking them all on the street within half an hour. Another factor to consider is that in Germany and Europe in general, people walk to the store and make multiple smaller trips a week than their American counterparts. So to go out just for some beers is really not so strange when you'll be back less than 24 hours later for your bread and milk.

In this spirit of non-judgement, my purchase tonight consisted of two things: a bar of chocolate and a bottle of red wine. I felt I was entitled, considering it is Friday and yesterday's trip to the fruit and veggie stand was much more virtuous.

Cheers!

Photo taken on a trip to Berlin in 2008- the bar I bought tonight was assuredly not the size of my face.