Sunday 9 February 2014

Some First Impressions

On Being Aged in Hong Kong

Respect for the aged reminds me of Hong Kong where I offered proof of my age for my Octopus pass only to be told that that wouldn't be necessary.  On jokingly saying that I didn't think I looked that old the young lady said that I didn't look old I looked like someone to be respected for their seniority.  I just love the people of Hong Kong! 

On meeting the German Police

The first time we went to Germany (we being my wife and I and our two sons who were then still knee high to a grasshopper) we went by car.  It was getting towards dusk when we arrived on the outskirts of Braunschweig (Hannover) prior to entering the then heavily guarded transit route through the DDR (Deutsche Demokratische Republik) generally called East Germany.  Berlin (our destination) was too far to travel that night and we decided to find a hotel.  Unfortunately we hadn't anticipated that and didn't know our way round once we left the autobahn. So we stopped at a police post.  As we pulled up an immaculately dressed police officer in a 'different' uniform emerged from a police Porche carrying a machine gun in one hand and a brief case in the other and went inside.  Rather apprehensively I followed and was met by a sergeant at the desk.  I told him in my faltering German that we needed a hotel and asked if he spoke any English.  "Nein" came the immediate response "aber ich spreche sehr gut Deutsch.".  And with that he beckoned me to follow and we got a police escort to a nearby hotel where he explained everything, made sure we were settled in and promptly disappeared.

16 comments:

  1. Lovely vignettes Graham - which reminded me of the occasions where I've encountered similar goodness on my travels. I've always been tempted to attribute a cultural cause but then remember that the examples that make me smile are examples of compassion, kindness and generosity of spirit - the human values that are important to me. Friday in Kelvingrove's lovely cafe was one example - made me so happy to be in Glasgow and to be surrounded by the warmth and self-deprecating banter of Glaswegians. This in turn reminded me of the 'banter' of Pamplona and the sudden 'outbreak' of dancing in a tapas bar; the generosity of the Granadinos who helped me when I got lost; the Yaya on the beach who offered up her last empanadas; the policemen in Santa Pola who ordered my Mother and I a taxi when we asked for help... Given the opportunity I think people would rather do good.

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    1. Yes Yvonne there is so much kindness around but we tend to forget it and just remember the stuff that is 'newsworthy' which is rarely good. In NZ the Sunday TVONE News always ends with a 'Good Sorts' story of someone nominated by friends, family or the community for the good that they do. I like that.

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  2. People can be so kind. I was only talking about this with my daughter this afternoon, It is then all the more sad that fearful mythologies have arisen in recent times - such as "beware of strangers" and "look after number one". There is still a lot of kindness out there and in my turn I try to do kind things whenever the opportunity arises. Spread the love man, spread the love.

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    1. I'm with you there YP. We have become a world of fearties though when it comes to doing so many things. When a doctor on a plane won't admit to being one in case he is sued (his insurance won't cover him outwith the area of his practice). When you can't hold the hand of a lost toddler and try to find his Mum for fear of being accused of abduction (or worse). When...... I could go on but I get depressed.

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  3. So the moral of the story is that a respectable looking guy gets treated well. I'll bet that's happened all your life...old or not!

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    1. I have been singularly fortunate Red although I'm not sure I always looked respectable. Mind you I did drive a Volvo and anyone who drives a Volvo must be 'respectable' mustn't they? After all a gangster driving a Volvo would just get laughed at.

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  4. So many people are kind and friendly, given the chance... but sometimes, taking that chance is not rewarded, and so people eventually stop being kind and just go about their own business. Sad, but true. Also true is that there is still a lot of it around, and often much depends on how we approach people.

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    1. As you say Meike sad but true. I have found that if I smile at people they usually respond in kind.

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  5. I studied German in college under a heavily accented but very patient woman named Frau Diewald. The first day of class, as she was asking "get to know you" questions of us, she entered upon the subject of music. "Was Music sie horen?" (Or something like that, my German is rustier than a saw that has been left out in the elements for a year... and where is the umlaut key anyway?) The standard genres were mentioned: Rock, Rap, Country, etc. But then she asked if we liked "chess music." Not wanting to seem rude, each of us I'm sure searched our minds desperately for a type of music that would accompany chess... classical? At some length, the answer hit us: "JAZZ music." Although, come to think of it, jazz would make for a fair pairing.

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    1. Loved that little story! There is a rather funny advert for a language school somewhere on youtube: A German receiving a distress radio call from a ship. They call "Mayday! Mayday! We are sinking! We are sinking!" The German, seemingly puzzled by the call and not being sure what reaction he is supposed to give, replies after a while (speaking with a very thick German accent): "What are you thinking about?"

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    2. Thanks for adding to the story Nathaniel and Meike.

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  6. Nice little story GB, and very heartwarming for me....I thrive on kindness and doing good.
    For the record, I think you have a distinguished look, and I think that's what the lady in Hong Kong saw too....

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    1. I know that you are one for kindnesses Virginia because one of our first encounters was when you helped me out with a logistical problem. As for the rest you have me blushing.

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  7. They seem to have got good first impressions of you too! :)

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    1. I hope so Monica. Being pleasant to people costs nothing but can give so much.

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  8. You do have that air of "should be respected" about you... it reminds me of my wonderful father! (although I am sure you aren't quite so aged as he is. :)

    Oh, and I forgot to mention; I love that I often have you reaching for Mr Google when I post out day trips. I'm glad to see that someone is interested enough to check the geography. Thanks Graham. :)

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