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Normally I hate reading these blogs, because they are so negative. They really are just a long list of complaints. For example, in the first piece, we read (amongst other complaints): 

"Apparently the designer (if there was one) was going for that 'nuclear fallout shelter' look . . .  

"There are four or five aisles that are arranged in such away that you have to follow your way around like a rat in a maze . . . 

"Some items I recall as being labelled 'American style' are (I swear I’m not making any of this up) bread, toasters, cookies, ice cream, and even rice . . .

"Once you have everything you make your way to the register, of which there are not enough -- and some of them are usually closed . . . 

"The split second they have announced the total their hand shoots out expectantly, even though it’s obvious to all and sundry that you’re still putting your groceries into the trolley."

But, I decided that tonight I'm going to focus on the more positive aspects of the reading. 

One of the articles on the next page - "Jerky: Das kaut der Cowboy – und der Deutsche!" - focuses on the German fascination with the Wild West (Lucky Luke is just one example!). It's also quite informative. I learned "woher kommt Beef jerkey" and why beef jerkey became so popular in the west; apparently the meat is well-preserved as jerkey:

"Das 'Pemmikan', die energiereichen dünnen Streifen dunklen Dörrfleisches, war ein idealer Proviant für die Jagd. Durch Trocknen in der heißen Sommersonne oder Räuchern über dem offenen Feuer wurde das Fleisch haltbar und unverderblich."

The next article - Take it from a German: How Not to Die on German Roads - was still negative, but I've decided to focus on the positive points in the article. At least this one has a sense of humor:

"Don't drink and drive! I hear that German jails have even more rules."

The authors tips should be followed everywhere. These aren't bad points. They'd make driving much better.

1. "Don't ever drive on the left lane of the Autobahn unless you really know what you are doing or unless you have a death-wish. People really do drive 200 kph or faster and don't like it when slower moving cars block their test tracks."
2. "Don't forget to use your turn signal, otherwise you'll get a ticket. It's not optional as it is in Italy or America."

In the next article - What Discipline?: Of German Lines and Pythons - I just liked the picture. 

And, I do hate when people do this! (maybe not so positive after all - maybe blogging turns the writer negative; who knows)

"Another little trick to watch out for is the tendency for people not to stand directly behind you in line, but slightly to your side. As the line progresses, they will gradually advance until they are beside you and then, before you can say Überschallgeschwindigkeit, actually ahead of you. A polite Entschuldigung ("excuse me") may resolve the issue, though throwing a tantrum helps too."

The reading in the book wasn't super interesting, but here are my thoughts:

• Student ticket for discounts: Studentenausweis - do you still get this is you're over 26?
• People shop in small neighborhood grocery stores - since I just came back from shopping in a zipcar, that's sounding pretty good
• Article doesn't mention Handball, which I had never really seen until I traveled to Germany, but it seems pretty popular there. 
• Munich is amazing. Here are some of my favorite pictures! It really is incredibly close to the mountains and lakes. And, somehow I'm feeling more positive again. :-)

Rub the gold ring for good luck!