HALLO ALLERSEITS !

BY DAN MILLER
(originally posted October 19, 2004)

My 4 day trip to Germany was a good one. How could it not be? My daughter Jennifer and her growing family are beautiful and happy.

Just a few sentences down, I'll explain that 2nd picture accompanying this column.
The first picture shows my wife carrying our daughter through the picturesque streets of Mainz.

Now, some unscientific personal observations and generalities about Germany.
As an American, accustomed to our way of life, I noticed some not-so-subtle differences.

By U.S. standards, German stores and businesses remain behind the curve.
I saw plenty of old fashioned cash registers and display cases that are, frankly, reminiscent of our country in the 1950's and 60's.

Older apartments and buildings in Germany are, as often as not, lacking safety and convenience equipment we take for granted, like smoke detectors and even elevators.
I saw no provisions for handicapped or disabled people.

On the plus side, the preservation of old buildings and neighborhoods is remarkable. The older sections of Wiesbaden, where my daughter and her family live, are stunningly beautiful.

Also, from my observations, there are few people in Germany noticeably overweight. It appears to be a nation of fit and trim citizens. Maybe that's because they climb so many stairs in those elevator-less buildings.

It also appears almost everybody there is a smoker.
They smoke everywhere, apparently with no restrictions.
I never once saw a no-smoking section in a restaurant or building.

In fact, while the U.S. has taken great steps to limit access to cigarettes by teenagers and children, there are no such limits in Germany.

You'll find cigarette vending machines (the second photo) on street corners in business districts and even in family neighborhoods. Any child with a little cash has unlimited access to cigarettes.

Parts of the airport in Frankfurt smelled like an ashtray, with unrestricted smoking everywhere.
It reminded me of how public places were in this country before we put limitations on where you can smoke.

Coming home to Nashville's airport was like a breath of fresh air, literally.

Germany is a beautiful, historic country that's dealt admirably with unhappy circumstances over the years.

They've emerged from the horrors of war and misguided leadership to become a progressive nation, whose policy is now aimed at peace, cooperation, and fighting global poverty.

Now, if they'd just do something about exposing their children, and my grandchildren, to all that smoke.

Auf Wiedersehen

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