NationStates Jolt Archive

Teaching Berlin How to Smile


Germans don't smile enough. But with the World Cup fast approaching, that should soon change. Numerous campaigns have been launch to turn German frowns upside down. But a smiling Berlin cop? It's enough to make one grumpy.

"Smile! Smile!" The shout sounded almost desperate as it pierced the frigid air in central Berlin on Monday.

"It's too cold," came the answer. "I need to do some sport to warm up!"

The protagonists were Klaus Böger, Berlin's senator for education and sport, and Christine Schoknecht, a player on Germany's women's youth national soccer team. And smiling was the name of the game. After all, Monday saw the kick-off for an ad campaign which will see Schoknecht's face -- along with that of 11 other Berliners -- adorn 465 billboards across the city in the five months leading up to the beginning of the World Cup. The poster's tag line? "The Nicest Smiles for Our Guests."

Germany's reputation is hardly that of a world leader -- neither in friendliness nor in customer service. Indeed, Germans themselves often refer to the country as a "service desert." But with the World Cup offering Germany a once-in-a-generation opportunity to turn on the charm for the world, the German tourism industry is desperate not to pass it up. Indeed, with the launching of several "friendliness initiatives," the World Cup has already become a powerful excuse to get Germans, and especially the dour-faced Berliners, smiling early and often. ...

http://service.spiegel.de/cache/international/0,1518,390118,00.html

Is it just me or is that a bit odd indeed? A campaign to get people to smile more often?
I sure would feel laughed at...

If it was cold as hell, and some asshole was telling me to smile for our guests... Oooh... *ornery* I'd backhand him.. :)

I doubt that its just the cold...its cold in Britain yet people smile a lot and are incredibly polite. Many warm nations are also sorely lacking in politeness and friendliness. If anything, it could be the culture of the nation.

How do you get a german to smile?

Dress up like Poland and let him invade you. :D

How do you get a german to smile?

Dress up like Poland and let him invade you. :D

*roflmao
One might just let them win this silly World Cup, but I like your idea as well...

How do you get a german to smile?

Dress up like Poland and let him invade you. :D


Would you let him cross your Rhineland?

Would you let him cross your Rhineland?

Depends on the size of his schnitzel.

I was in Berlin for a short while and I thought everyone was pretty nice. I have to admit though Germans don't have much of a reputation for smiling or laughter. I think it is because they are meticulously engineered inside custom made Mercedes wombs. :D

I was in Berlin for a short while and I thought everyone was pretty nice. I have to admit though Germans don't have much of a reputation for smiling or laughter. I think it is because they are meticulously engineered inside custom made Mercedes wombs. :D
*nods* Smiling just isn't efficient.

Depends on the size of his schnitzel.


You know, I cant help but snicker everytime I hear the word "schnitzel"

Play a David Hasselhoff album?

You know, I cant help but snicker everytime I hear the word "schnitzel"

*nod* "size" and "schnitzel" *snicker*

buy another round?

how do you get a german to smile????

line up the french army on the border

How do you get a german to smile?

Dress up like Poland and let him invade you. :D

*Giggling at my desk*

Don't throw his towel in the swimming pool.
Challenge him to a Drinking Match (he smiles just before he slithers to the floor giggling)
Come back to England proudly waving a piece of paper in your hand as you get off a plane photographed by the worlds media.


How do you make a Maltese Cross?
Poke him in the Eye.

You just don't. Smiling Germans are scary.

Is it just me or is that a bit odd indeed? A campaign to get people to smile more often?
I sure would feel laughed at...

Just when I was thinking of going to visit Germany for break, they pull something like this! Wait, it doesn't sound too bad. Eh, being forced to smile would piss me off.

Ve Haf Vays of making you smirk!

That's how.

http://www.classiccitybrew.com/blind_mixed8_DAB.jpg

So geht das.

has noone else noticed that the senator's name was 'Boger'. now if that doesn't get you smiling nothing will.

These Germans are smiling... http://www.a-human-right.com/s_monopoly.jpg

Would you let him cross your Rhineland?

No, but I'd appease his Fuhrer.

Ho ho ho.

What do germans use for birth control? There sense of humour:p :p :p :p

Is it just me or is that a bit odd indeed? A campaign to get people to smile more often?
I sure would feel laughed at...not odd at all, they did that in singapore a few years ago (dunno if they still do), where they had plastered the whole city with "Smile Singapore" billboards.Behold, the Smiling Land, if People Follow Orders

December 13, 1996, Friday
By SETH MYDANS (NYT); Foreign Desk
Late Edition - Final, Section A, Page 4, Column 3, 1067 words

DISPLAYING FIRST 50 OF 1067 WORDS -If you see an immigration official smiling the next time you arrive in Singapore, he may be smiling at himself. As part of a new $1.5 million ''Smile Singapore'' campaign that is intended to make free-spending tourists feel loved, immigration officers have been provided with small mirrors in which...http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F10C1EFB3C5A0C708DDDAB0994DE494D81

You just don't. Smiling Germans are scary.

Or SS members:p

Beer. Gets me every time :)

Though I'm not German.

Still.


BEER:D

Just noticed it only took only four posts for the innuendo to creep in. I'm slightly disappointed it took that long.

Beer. Gets me every time :)

Though I'm not German.

Still.


BEER:D
Its a North European thing I guess :p

Its a North European thing I guess :p


Irish thing definately ;) drinking is the national past time here you know

Irish thing definately ;) drinking is the national past time here you know
Heh I noticed the same thing in England though :p Though wherever you go in N. Europe, you will see people love beer.

Blonde German girls are hot

Blonde German girls are hot

French girls are soo much hotter.

French girls are soo much hotter.
Yeah, if you wanna get into this discussion, start a poll thread.

PS: Germans are hotter :p

French girls are soo much hotter.


Oh really?

Maybe one of my grandfathers knows ;)

Tell him his sausage is delicious.

Tell him his sausage is delicious.
Will do :p

Oh really?

In my opinion. I actually like my girls to be feminine, not teutonically masculine. For any Brits, try the Renault Clio advert for my benchmark.

In my opinion. I actually like my girls to be feminine, not teutonically masculine. For any Brits, try the Renault Clio advert for my benchmark.
German women may be big built, but they definitely are some of the prettiest...

Blonde German girls are hot


Again, makes me smile:)
But we're supposed to be making the Germans smile. I know a couple of Germans that the phrase 'Germany 5 England 0 world cup final result' would bring a smile to their faces.

Blonde German girls are hot

Redhaired ones aren't? :(

Redhaired ones aren't? :(


All German girls :fluffle:

PS back to my superficial best baby :p

I laugh at your feeble attempts to make me smile.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y223/GermanNightmare/ZeeGermansarecoming.jpg

I laugh at your feeble attempts to make me smile.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y223/GermanNightmare/ZeeGermansarecoming.jpg


disturbing. funny but disturbing

http://www.german-jokes.com/

Again, makes me smile:)
But we're supposed to be making the Germans smile. I know a couple of Germans that the phrase 'Germany 5 England 0 world cup final result' would bring a smile to their faces.

The ROI national side could watch it in O'Neills:p

Anyway, its going to be England 4 Krauts 1

All German girls :fluffle:

PS back to my superficial best baby :p

Well, you got this here German smiling :)

The ROI national side could watch it in O'Neills:p

Anyway, its going to be England 4 Krauts 1


Naww, the Ireland team will be made watch it in the dunce's corner for not qualifiying. Dumbasses. *bitterness rising*:mad:

Well, you got this here German smiling :)


WooHoo! Mission accomplished! :D

this is a rarther racist thred, i have a german friend and hes siles a hell of a lot and is one of the funneyest guys i know.

this is a rarther racist thred, i have a german friend and hes siles a hell of a lot and is one of the funneyest guys i know.

And somehow, I think I know what he smiles about... :D

That's how.

http://www.classiccitybrew.com/blind_mixed8_DAB.jpg

So geht das.
Ah, it's the great DAB beer!
:D :D *big smile* :D :D
See, it works! :cool:

And somehow, I think I know what he smiles about... :D
Nasty :p

Ah, it's the great DAB beer!
:D :D *big smile* :D :D
See, it works! :cool:


*nods* Yep like I said beer. Gets em everytime. Now, where'd I leave that Hoegaarden?

this is a rarther racist thred, i have a german friend and hes siles a hell of a lot and is one of the funneyest guys i know.

Can he spell as well?:p

And somehow, I think I know what he smiles about... :D

well, his sence of humor does seem to revolve around taking the piss out of evryone elce, its still funny, until he starts on me :D

In my opinion. I actually like my girls to be feminine, not teutonically masculine. For any Brits, try the Renault Clio advert for my benchmark.

Dude, wait a second. WHile there are huge manly type Germans that you are refering to, the other end of the spectrum if filled with hot blonde girls.

I entered this thread with a straight face.

I read this thread full of bias and prejudices with a puzzled look on my face.

I will now leave this thread before my non-existing smile turns upside down.

Way to go, folks! You guys still need to learn a lot if you want to make this German smile.

(No, I ain't smiling yet. I don't have a fucking reason to do so. I will now go back to work on how I can take over ze vorld.)

P.S.: How do you upset a German? Try to make him smile!

well, his sence of humor does seem to revolve around taking the piss out of evryone elce, its still funny, until he starts on me :D

Does he make you write down stuff often? :D

Dude, wait a second. WHile there are huge manly type Germans that you are refering to, the other end of the spectrum if filled with hot blonde girls.
They aren't petite feminine though...they tend to be tall and well built. As well as beautiful.

I entered this thread with a straight face.

I read this thread full of bias and prejudices with a puzzled look on my face.

I will now leave this thread before my non-existing smile turns upside down.

Way to go, folks! You guys still need to learn a lot if you want to make this German smile.

(No, I ain't smiling yet. I don't have a fucking reason to do so. I will now go back to work on how I can take over ze vorld.)


Taking over ze vorld seems like fun.
C'mon, you can crack a smile over that surely?

All German girls :fluffle:

PS back to my superficial best baby :p


I'll second that

*nods* Yep like I said beer. Gets em everytime. Now, where'd I leave that Hoegaarden?

Sure does.

Here's free Krombacher Pils for this congregation of Basil Fawltys. :D

What concerns World Cups, it's 3-0. 1966 doesn't count, that wasn't a goal.

And don't anybody dare mention the war.

Does he make you write down stuff often? :D


Ohh, nasty:p

They aren't petite feminine though...they tend to be tall and well built. As well as beautiful.

I take it you haven't ever met my best friend... :D

I'll second that


:confused:

Wait, the all German girls are pretty bit, or the I'm superficial bit??

Ohh, nasty:p

I don't get it

Ohh, nasty:p

I just can't help it... I seem to be a nasty person today... :D

*nods* Yep like I said beer. Gets em everytime. Now, where'd I leave that Hoegaarden?


Now youre talking; HOEGAARDEN!!

I take it you haven't ever met my best friend... :D


If she's a former East German weight lifter you've just ruined a perfectly good fantasy :)

I take it you haven't ever met my best friend... :D
There are exceptions to everything :p My German teacher was one of the tiniest women I have ever met, even if she was beautiful. But she would be a rare case, a hobbit if she was to return to Germany :p

Taking over ze vorld seems like fun.
C'mon, you can crack a smile over that surely?
While it may sound like a lot of fun, it actually iz hard vork!

But no, I can't crack a smile over zat for two reasonz:

1) I stated that. I rarely smile because of something I said or did unless it's IRL and with a bunch of people who accept my dry humor.
2) Evil mad scientist's giggle vould be more like it.

Does he make you write down stuff often? :D

yeah, alrite, im dislexic, thares no need to take the piss :(

Now youre talking; HOEGAARDEN!!

Damn straight! One thing Belgians know how to make its beer... and chocolate... wait, that's two things...

If she's a former East German weight lifter you've just ruined a perfectly good fantasy :)

She' not, not at all. I've got one pic of the two of us here... but that would get me in trouble with the mods, I'm afraid...

Damn straight! One thing Belgians know how to make its beer... and chocolate... wait, that's two things...
And lace from Brussels.

While it may sound like a lot of fun, it actually iz hard vork!

But no, I can't crack a smile over zat for two reasonz:

1) I stated that. I rarely smile because of something I said or did unless it's IRL and with a bunch of people who accept my dry humor.
2) Evil mad scientist's giggle vould be more like it.

Not more of a cackle?

yeah, alrite, im dislexic, thares no need to take the piss :(

And I'm German. I can be as racist against my own folks as I want ;)

If she's a former East German weight lifter you've just ruined a perfectly good fantasy :)

American-German girls are not fat or well built. Many of them in my school are very feminine, don't know how that compares to the fatherland's chicks, but, meh.

If she's a former East German weight lifter you've just ruined a perfectly good fantasy :)

American-German girls are not fat or well built. Most of them in my school are very feminine, don't know how that compares to the fatherland's chicks, but, meh.

yeah, alrite, im dislexic, thares no need to take the piss :(
Dyslexia doesn't really have all that much to do with bad grammar, you know... :p

Dyslexia doesn't really have all that much to do with bad grammar, you know... :p

I still maintain its damn cruel naming a condition wherein spelling is difficult so eleborately:p

Damn straight! One thing Belgians know how to make its beer... and chocolate... wait, that's two things...
Damn you :( You made me feel like Belgian chocolate.

American-German girls are not fat or well built. Most of them in my school are very feminine, don't know how that compares to the fatherland's chicks, but, meh.
American-Germans would be different I guess.

Not more of a cackle?
No, no no, no. No. No no no no no. Giggle. Ze "hehehe, hihi, mwahaha"-kind.

*You have just been awared a bonus point for making this German smirk oh so lightly*

No smile, though.

Damn you :( You made me feel like Belgian chocolate.

Nothing wrong with chocolate, if used properly....;)

And I'm German. I can be as racist against my own folks as I want ;)
and you do it as often as you want ..;)

Nothing wrong with chocolate, if used properly....;)
The only use I'd assign it right now is eating it...I'm starving :p

Damn you :( You made me feel like Belgian chocolate.


*heeheeee mawhahaw!* I likes being evil I does :p

I still maintain its damn cruel naming a condition wherein spelling is difficult so eleborately:p

The dyslexics got of easy. At least they don't have to be cursed with hippotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia.

No, no no, no. No. No no no no no. Giggle. Ze "hehehe, hihi, mwahaha"-kind.

*You have just been awared a bonus point for making this German smirk oh so lightly*

No smile, though.

:cool: Halfway there and living on a prayer

*heeheeee mawhahaw!* I likes being evil I does :p
There's a special place in hell for people like you...and I'm sure there's no Belgian chocolate there...only the cheap imitations :p

The dyslexics got of easy. At least they don't have to be cursed with hippotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia.


Stop it! I'm afraid of long words.

The only use I'd assign it right now is eating it...I'm starving :p

Ho hum, worth a try anyway:p

always preferred Thornton's myself

Ho hum, worth a try anyway:p

always preferred Thornton's myself
You wouldn't say worth a try if I told you I'm a guy ;)

Cadbury's isn't too bad itself. Or Lindtt...ok I should shut up :p

There's a special place in hell for people like you...and I'm sure there's no Belgian chocolate there...only the cheap imitations :p


Oh there is. And its full of Belgian chocolate, espcially the white chocolate *mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm*

But unfortunately, in hell, I'll be allergic to chocolate and won't be able to eat it :( to pay for my sins against mankind

Oh there is. And its full of Belgian chocolate, espcially the white chocolate *mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm*

But unfortunately, in hell, I'll be allergic to chocolate and won't be able to eat it :( to pay for my sins against mankind
Haha that does sound like what Hell would be like :p

You wouldn't say worth a try if I told you I'm a guy ;)

Cadbury's isn't too bad itself. Or Lindtt...ok I should shut up :p

*shudders* has a sudden compulsion to wash neurotically

Lindt makes me very ill, and Cadbury's is not a patch upon Galaxy anyday

*shudders* has a sudden compulsion to wash neurotically

Lindt makes me very ill, and Cadbury's is not a patch upon Galaxy anyday
Damn, maybe you are in hell and just don't know it :eek:

*shudders* has a sudden compulsion to wash neurotically

Lindt makes me very ill, and Cadbury's is not a patch upon Galaxy anyday


Cadbury good.

Galaxy too much milk makes it too, sickly

Cadbury good.

Galaxy too much milk makes it too, sickly
Oh either is good :p Maltesers are just fine too...

Meh, chocolate's chocolate.

Nah, some chocolate is better than other chocolates...no such thing as equality for chocolates...

:cool: Halfway there and living on a prayer
If only the other corner of my mouth wasn't stuck rigid in non-smile-mode I just might.
But this thread annoyed me more than it made me smile.

How do you get a German to smile?

Tell them you have perfected the cloning of David Hasselhoff.

Heh. Well, this thread made me smile just reading it when I logged in.

I've lived in Berlin for more than 11 years now and they really are a grumpy bunch here, much more so than in, say, Southern Germany.
Ever so often, I'll overhear two people fighting (like a bus driver and a passenger, or a cashier and a shopper) and be all uncomfortable and look away and fidget - only to realize they're just having a normal, friendly conversation. I'll never get used to that. Never.

Berlin humour is very, very understated, incredibly dry, and by law has to be delivered completely deadpan. You kind of have to convince yourself it's really there.

How do you get a German to smile?

Tell them you have perfected the cloning of David Hasselhoff.
http://flamevault.com/~meeks/emoticons/lame.gif

http://flamevault.com/~meeks/emoticons/lame.gif


:p

best I could come up with on short notice - I saw much better replies after I started reading others.

:p

best I could come up with on short notice - I saw much better replies after I started reading others.
No harm done. Quite the contrary: You actually make me chuckle and before I realized - BAM! - there's a smile. :p