ordinarily there

More often than not, Americans are criticized as being ignorant of other cultures and peoples.  Yet Europeans or Germans can be just as ridiculously ignorant (obviously).  Some examples collected from German PhD students this past week:  - Really, Japanese food and Thai food are the same... right?  Rice and stir fry, right? - All Asians smile when they have no clue - I didn't know there was a difference between Japanese and Chinese - I thought they could speak to each other While at lunch with colleagues, I was told that Vietnamese and Thai people were essentially of the same culture.  Actually, a negative stereotype was being perpetuated.  I attempted to explain that they have different histories, and are separated by Cambodia and Laos.  Why bother?  I was shot down in the vain of 'Americans are so politically correct all the time'.  Oh well, maybe they're right.

I took the plunge, and upgraded a 7 + year old flip phone to a smart phone.  I swore I wouldn't.  Pros: - I can hear (the audio on the flip was a bit fuzzy) - All the keys (or the screen in this case works) - Skype - Android 4.0 - Size - almost just as small as the flip phone Cons: - So far, none

The Mensa (cafeteria) at German universities are subsidized by the state.  While quality and variety differs from school to school, the one in Goettingen rocks.  Okay, it's still mass-produced food.  But here, they provide full meal options for: grilled food, a meat meal, a lighter meal option, vegetarian, and vegan.  Each 'menu' comes with an entree and two small sides (starch and veggies).  In addition, there's a salad bar, yogurt bar, and fresh fruit.  There's also an endless option of beverages - including beer. Here's an example of what you can get under the 'lighter meal' option for €2.50 ($3.10).  Trout with spinach, potatoes, salad, and a small serving of chocolate pudding.

Stephan Klasen (Prof at the University of Goettingen) interviewed Joseph Stiglitz (Nobel laureate and Prof at Columbia University) on his new book, The Price of Inequality , at the Deutsches Theater in Goettingen.  One of the many stops on his back-to-back European tour (a friend saw him in Heidelberg on Fri, and I heard he was in Frankfurt aM on Sat).  I was originally reluctant to attend the event because: 1. It seemed illogical to pay €12 / $16 to hear someone repeat a speech that I saw online at DemocracyNow .  And as predicted, the man did in fact stay close to the script. 2. It seemed unfair and not consistent with the spirit of his book to demand that the public subsidize his PR and Marketing cost to sell more of his books.  Hard covers were available for just € 24 / $32. In the end, I caved to peer pressure, and gave up 2 hours of my life and $16 for a mediocre presentation, but a fairly interesting conversation on the EU economic crisis (thanks to Klas...

When I lived Germany about ten years ago, Mohnmarzipan (poppyseed marzipan) was one of my favorite yogurt flavors.  Searching for it in recent visits over the years has been futile.  But alas!  Happy to report that I found a jar at Te Gut.  Yogurt in Germany comes in jars.  Compared with American yoplait, it's more dense, and less sweet.  I love the texture of the poppyseeds in yogurt.  Yum. The percentage you see next to the yogurt - 3.8% always represents the amount of fat in the product. I also found Sauerkrauftsaft .  Yep.  It translates to sauerkraut juice.  Not sure if it would be sour, refreshing, or vomit-inducing.  Will lay low until I get some proper recommendations/reviews from the locals. Okay, a quick google search and I found that this drink is high in: Milchsäure (lactic acid - but why would you drink lactic acid?) Vitamin A,B,C,K Mineralstoffen (minerals)

This blog article is specific to new PhD, Post Docs, and Researchers at the University of Goettingen.  Having semi-successfully navigated this process, I hope that I can share some of my lessons learned: 1. DS.   Find the department's secretary (DS) - they will not proactively point you anywhere, but you might get an answer if you ask the RIGHT question. 2. Admission by Dean.   If you are a PhD student, submit an actual application of PhD admission to the Dean's Office.  Contact your dean's secretary (for the Econ Dept, contact Editha Niemann).  Even if you have already been admitted by your professor, you will also need this document - and it can often take 6-12 weeks.  This is because the Dean has to review your application with the admissions committee.  Without an official admission letter, you cannot register as an official student (and you forgo many of the benefits that come with being a student).  For details on the documents you need ...

1. Wohnanmeldung All residents need to register with local authorities ( Einwohnermeldeamt ) when they first arrive.  When you register, you receive a Meldebescheinigung .  This document is important, because you'll need it to open an account at a bank, purchase a mobile phone, register as a student or employee, or to get your residence permit.  For information on Goettingen's office, see this link (although it's only in German). Make sure you bring the following documents: 1. Official signed rental contract 2. Passport Local Residents' Registration Office Göttingen New Town Hall Hiroshimaplatz 1-4 Phone.: 0551 400-4044 Hours: Mon, Tue: 8.00 - 15.00 Wed, Fri: 8.00 - 12.00 Thu: 8.00 - 18.30 2. Aufenthhaltserlaubnis So, if you are from any country outside of Germany (and EU member states), you must apply for a residence permit ( Aufenthaltserlaubnis) within three months of arrival.  If you are here to study or work at the university, here a...

Source: http://stephaniemcmillan.org/2009/04/22/schadenfreude/ German bureaucrats love Schadenfreude (pleasure derived from the misfortunes of others).  If you are in the process of applying for a residence permit at the local Auslaenderbehoerde in Goettingen (or anywhere else in Germany for that matter) and are assigned Mr. Waldmann, I'm very sorry.  Mr. Waldmann will never disclose the full list of documents you need to bring him in order to process the application.   He has you come in over and over.  Maybe it's a compliment, and he just enjoys the company of non-German nationals? Here's how it works: Call or send an email requesting an appointment at your local foreign office.  In Goettingen, email: auslaenderstelle@goettingen.de.  If you email, they will not answer if you only write them once.  You have to write them 2-3 times - and you'll probably get a response within 10 days.  If you call, you'll probably try calling 6-...

Germans love to make and follow rules.  One that's known country-wide is that it's verboten to ride two to a one-person bicycle.  In fact, people are always sharing (reciting) rules to me.  As far as I can tell, the one rule that people seem to lightly toss out the window is the ban on smoking rule.  After the EU initiative to reduce smoking there was a ban on indoor smoking in Germany.  A few years later, people are back to smoking in restaurants, cafes, and pubs. The smoking in non-smoking venues is arguably at par with the Italians. Here's a guy who may or may not be smoking legally while on the job:

While called "Condomat", this German vending machine sells much more than just condoms.  In this one found in the ladies facility, you can find  a host of toys.  A little perplexed about the product selection.  Wouldn't floss and gum have higher turnover?  Whatever happened to basic female hygiene products? FYI: this was in the IKEA bathroom in Hannover.

It's amazing how large and global Starbucks has become.  Although I must admit that it does make me feel at home to see it abroad... even in this mutated form.  In Germany, to-go cups are still a relatively new concept.  Perhaps even trendy... (probably shouldn't dare to make such bold statements).  In a local grocery store, I found a Starbucks branded drink, Seattle Latte in a psuedo-to-go cup with a straw to boot.  I suppose this almost serves as evidence for my claim that to-go cups are still a new concept... For only €1.69 ($2), you can get a processed and preserved drink with a straw.  Or, you could get a real espresso or macchiato for the same price at a local cafe. And I must say that Germans make damn good coffee!

I love that "Yes We Can" has turned into an international idiom.  From Japan to Germany.  Although it can sometimes be super quirky.  In a Germany o2 cell phone shop, I found handmade signage announcing: Yes Du Can.  Yes you can sign-up for o2 flat-rate service - for as long as you want.

While I'm only maintaining this blog for myself, it looks like I've averaged exactly one post per year.  Oopsa. Last week, I came across a bakery that was selling Americans.  Well, they were selling Amerikaner s.  Not having a sweet tooth, I wasn't bold or curious enough to try it.  What would an American taste like anyhow?  In general, German bakeries are delightful.  Pastries are prepared with only a fraction of the sugar and butter of typical American baked goods, making for a firmer and drier texture.  Might sound awful, but it's perfect for savory-leaning folks who like occasional sweets.  I especially love the recipes with fresh fruit like the Pflaumenkuchen.  As far as I know, they are most common in the State of Thueringen.   Source: http://schrebrgarten.de/2007/08/12/pflaumenkuchen/

The Bureau of Labor Statistics recently published updated numbers on American livelihood. How are we doing? "Ten areas recorded jobless rates of at least 15.0 percent, while 32 areas registered rates of less than 5.0 percent. Two hundred forty-six metropolitan areas reported over-the-year increases in nonfarm payroll employment, 115 reported decreases, and 11 had no change. The national unemployment rate in April was 7.7 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 8.7 percent a year earlier." http://www.bls.gov/news.release/metro.nr0.htm Below, I've plugged the numbers into Tableau. Powered by Tableau