It is not that I mind but...experiencing British politeness

I have noticed how much time is spend on politeness in everyday life. It is a major principle of British interactions and communication to give each other cushions of comfort and as a very first priority to anything else, ensure that the person you are interacting with is feeling highly comfortable within the verbal and non-verbal interaction he is having.

It means to first have a good portion of initial small talk about all kinds of topics, before one actually gets to the initial concern which would be packaged with much caution:

"I have noticed you aren't using the dishwasher - (with a hasty added)

NOT that I really mind, but...."

When researching a bit about British culture I found a hilarious article about the British, called British Teeth: An Apology and an article on how to deal with Germans.

Rules for Dealing with Germans
Everyone is not alike!

1. Remember that Germans really hate rule breakers!

2. Germans and Americans do not think and act alike in social and business situations – especially in first encounters. Get over the myth that "we're all basically alike." It sounds good, but this mind-set is counterproductive.

3. Germans tend to be blunt , frank, and – to Anglo-American eyes – tactless in certain situations. They tend to correct you when you don't want to be corrected. That's because they are primarily concerned with exchanging facts and information, not "warm fuzziness." Since they also do this with other Germans, try to understand that you have not been singled out for special treatment.

4. Germans aren't into "idle chatter." They don't really care if you "have a nice day" (an expression they view as a symbol of American "superficiality"), and they don't want to talk about (a) their jobs, (b) their kids or family, or (c) the weather with a stranger (i.e., anyone they haven't known for at least a year or more.) Such
conversation is reserved for close friends.

5. Both the German language and the Germans draw a clear line between Freunde (du/ihr) and Bekannte (Sie), between private (home) and public (work). You are a Bekannte(r) ("acquaintance") and on Sie terms until your German counterpart says otherwise. This is one of the most difficult rules for easy-going, just-call-me-Bob Americans to truly grasp and internalize.

6. Germans have been known to smile, but unnecessary smiling is frowned on. A German needs a good reason to smile. In fact, excessive smiling for most Europeans is an indication of weak-mindedness. Don't overdo smiling around Germans. At heart Germans are pessimists, and they enjoy their pessimism*...Corollary to Rule 6: Never try to tell a joke in German. Leave this to
Harald Schmidt or Germans who have had too much to drink.

7. Learn and accept Rules 1 through 6. Don't think you can (or should) change people. Learn to adjust to them, rather than expecting them to adjust to you!

There are a few Germans who don't fit the preceding rules, but all six of them are now living in the United States or Canada.

From: Hyde Flippo, When in Germany, Do AS THE GERMANS DO, Chicago etc 2002, p. 32

For the German or Eastern European readers who would like to read on about how to practise politeness, by running through a couple of "Politeness Exercises" and learn about how to overcome their bluntness check out this helpful guide by the Uni-Bielefeld!

Being in Moscow...

St. Basils Cathedral

Red Square and Kremlin on the left hand side

Red Square and the GUM a big shoping centre across the Kremlin.

The day I arrived in Moscow and got to see the Red Square and Kremlin for the first time coincidently was also the 50th anniversary of Hungary's anti-soviet uprisal (22.10.1956)

Seeing the vast Red Square and the different coloured lines on the ground that are still used for the army to be able to position themselves accordingly for their parades left me rather with sad feelings and incomprehension. Since both my parents grew up in the soviet lead communistic environment I was too familiar with the sort of opression and fear people lived their lifes during these years.

Max, a Russian speaking collegue from the U.K. and the biggest Russian fan I have ever met, was so nice to show me around that day and provide me with numerous stories of what he loves about life and unlimited opportunities in Moscow, the women, the freedom one experiences at this place and much more... By the time we he have known each other for a couple of minutes, initial politeness was replaced by serious conversations of whether freedom of press is given or not and how to interpret life and politics in Russia. We managed to let these sort of discussions bubble up every here and then. At some point we must been quite entertaining to the rest of the crew following these debates throughout the week.

Moscow is indeed an incredibly dynamic and lively place with 8 lanes roads both in the center as well as outside. Something great about the countless cars is that all of them can function as a cab. Whenever we needed to get somewhere we were giving a hand sign to the passing cars as if there'd be a cab. Instead of waiting ages the immediate next second there would be a private car stopping and taking you along for 200 Rubels or less which is always good money for them and hardly anything if you come from a Western country.

LONDON

This is probably the most sightseeing that I have experienced so far. Getting lost on my way to view a flat and on the frustrating walk back to the right bus across the river when I realised I actually happen to pass a quite famous sight.

I suppose I will be a tourist for a quite a while still, with or without camera. I actually - for once - prefer to take the buses to be able to see how I am getting to the places and how different districts are connected. Fortunately the high buses give you a great view around and every once in a while I pass by another pretty looking pub (never seen more cute pubs before) or a georgious park, which there are so many around.

Some other good sides I have encountered so far is

• the weather in the four weeks so far, has been mostly sunny and nice very contrary to its bad reputation of the cloudy and rainy London
  
• the fact that I can bike and pretend not much has changed, still riding my same old bike to work. If there wouldn't be the hassle of remembering which lanes I can turn into or not.
• the variety of food, i am indulging myself most of the times with good Indian cuisine or some organic "fast food creations", but also came across so many great polish specialities, like Bigos or Pierogies in countless variations. It is amazing how many aisles of fast food there are in the supermarkets, you can literally get anything to be heated in microwave and served right away which is rather worrying than comfortable right now.
  
• Lastly people keep saying the Londoners are rude, though I really found them polite and friendly so far, suppose it is always a treat when you come from a further eastern country ;)

New beginnings ...

End of September I finally got rid of my long lasting burden to write this neverending thesis about an increasingly boring topic. The same day I handed it in I was supposed to move out of my 60 qm flat, expecting some true friends to come over and help carry down 40 boxes which at that time haven't even been packed yet. It was incredibly hectic, almost as if I needed to make sure that I am only slowly decreasing the portions of major stress to help me transition back into normal life again. Nevertheless despite all hard work, it was lots of fun and great to have so many helpful hands!

After some little break in Amsterdam I ultimately landed at my new destination in London where I am working now for the last 3 weeks on organisational development in a leadership consultancy.

London, from the very little I experienced so far has a truly metropolic touch which sometimes seems rather threatening to swollow you. At the same time there seem to be so many great diverse individuals around, like Lizzie - my new flatmate - who is a violinist and always up for some great conversations inbetween the routine of living both our hectic lifes. Entrance on the pic leads to my new homeplace.