Berliners follow orders

They wouldn't make it in Cleveland...

Good Germans follow orders

When I was in Berlin I was warned that walking against traffic signals or failing to have proof of payment for public transportation can result in immediate arrest and incarceration until a heavy fine is paid. That's different than getting a jay-walking ticket and fighting it in court.

When I was in Berlin I was warned that walking against traffic signals or failing to have proof of payment for public transportation can result in immediate arrest and incarceration until a heavy fine is paid. That's different than getting a jay-walking ticket and fighting it in court.

I've crossed against traffic in Europe before (not Germany, though) and cop saw and immediately pulled me aside to yell at me. He seemed flabbergasted that I'd done such a thing but was nice enough not to write me a ticket.

Seems in most socialist societies, one is expected to toe-the-line

It's a completely different culture. People look and act very similar so you expect them to be the same. But we can't fathom how different they are. I don't know where to start with this. It's not socialism, it's the way people are. Nudity is nothing to them. To Americans it's embarrassing unless you have a perfect body. Europeans are not ashamed or self conscious.

Germans are not big fans of rule breakers like people in the US who are applauded for their I individuality. When I was in the Army we were told don't get in trouble with the polizei. They don't have rules on police brutality and are famous for kicking the shit out of drunken sods.

Watch out too that it appears to me that when lights are red in Berlin cars that are turning the corner are still allowed to go if they look first that nobody is crossing.