an irrational fear of foreigners, probably justified, always understandable. an irreverent look at the beliefs and foibles of nations, almost guaranteed to cure Xenophobia.
All roads lead to Czechia. The Czechs seem to believe that the Earth is the center of the Universe, Europe is the centre of the Earth, and Czechia is at the centre of Europe. Reality Czechs. The ability to put up with a situation adjusting as needs must has been elevated to an art form. Chuckling Czechs. Czech humor is distinguished by mad screams, breast and thigh slapping, and uncontrollable braying. Top of the Czech list. The Czechs would like to be seen as the cauldron in which all that's good from West and East melts; and if not the best, then at least one of the top nations in the world.
Teutonic torment In every German there is a touch of the wild-haired Beethoven striding through forests and weeping over a mountain sunset, grappling against impossible odds to express the inexpressible. This is the Great German Soul, prominent display of which is essential whenever Art, Feeling, and Truth are under discussion. Angst breeds angst For a German, doubt and anxiety expand and ramify the more you ponder them. They are astonished that things haven't gone to pot already, and are pretty certain that they soon will. Longer must be better Most Germans apply the rule that more equals better. If a passing quip makes you smile, then surely by making it longer the pleasure will be drawn out and increased. As a rule, if you are cornered by someone keen to give you a laugh, you must expect to miss lunch and most of that afternoon's appointments. Angst breeds angst Because life is ernsthaft, the Germans go by the rules. Schiller wrote, ?obedience is the first duty,” and no German has ever doubted it. This fits with their sense of order and duty. Germans hate breaking rules, which can make life difficult because, as a rule, everything not expressly permitted is prohibited.
