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Original poster

**German Chat**everyone welcome* - macht es euch gemütlich

979 replies

ZZZen · 23/04/2009 09:19

reden wir weiter...

OP posts:
ZZZenAgain · 08/07/2009 11:41

well being me, I would refuse to pay the fine saying it was clearly unjustified since I had a valid ticket which had been stamped and the time had not run out as clearly demonstrated by the evidence (ticket enclosed, trip in question highlighted with a marker pen)

Then being me and being sick to death of this kind of thing, I would also write a personal complaint about that particular ticket inspector to really drop her in the sh*t

Schulte · 08/07/2009 11:46

Ernest - does that mean you stamped Streifen 9 for your first journey, then Streifen 7 for your next and so on? If you stamp Streifen 9 it automatically makes all Streifen with lower numbers invalid. I guess for all the ticket inspector knows, you might have gone on a long journey, using up all 10 Streifen, then tried to get away with reusing the same ticket by stamping it again. That MAY be what she thought?

Schulte · 08/07/2009 11:48

And rules and Germans... I've had some fun with British people banging on about rules too!

ErnestTheBavarian · 08/07/2009 12:09

I guess that's it schultze, but you can see from the stamps that I've got return trips all going to and from the same stops. and from the ticket, the hard printed facts it's clear that I'm telling the truth.

so do you think it's worth trying? My ticket has been checked before and it's never been picked up on before. I even asked someone when I first came how to do it and they told me it was right, I guess they weren't paying close attention to the order of stamps either

ZZZenAgain · 08/07/2009 12:09

IME there isn't any other country I can think of which has the same kind of attitude to imposing and following the rules as Germany. Every single foreigner I ever met in Germany from a host of different countries gagged at it so I think without any doubt that is something very specific to Germany since they were obviously not used to that approach in their various countries of origin.

Possibly China is similar in that way (but for other reasons), I don't know. Have no first hand experience of it.

ErnestTheBavarian · 08/07/2009 12:16

ok, go in write letter, forget about it and just pay up?

bloody cow.

ZZZenAgain · 08/07/2009 12:16

I don't know how resilient you feel ernest and how toughened up you are yet so I don't know if it's worth it for you. If they just say what Schulte said, are you going to walk away satisfied or feel even more annoyed? You could ask at the ticket office where you ordinarily get tickets if you do that at a counter not via a vending machine.

ErnestTheBavarian · 08/07/2009 12:20

that's just it, there is no ticket office, only vending machine, so no real person to ask. OK, i will challenge it, just for peace of mind, as in I have sought justice, not just taken this, as it feels unfair. I guess goin in will be a quicker end to the saga, then if they are beligerent, I can just pay there and then and forget about it.

Schulte · 08/07/2009 12:25

Yes Ernest that's what I would do too - question it, but don't be upset if they don't accept that you were in the right.

Now Zzzzen do I get into an argument with you or not?

...

I think not

ZZZenAgain · 08/07/2009 12:33

You can get into an argument with me if you like Schulte. Feel free to speak your mind. I can give as good as I get though.

Schulte · 08/07/2009 12:41

No thanks Anyway I'm not saying Germans don't love their rules, it's definitely true and we know how to make fun of it ourselves. But as a German living in the UK, I have also come across rules and regulations that were completely OTT or just plain stupid, and would be unheard of in Germany. Health and Safety anyone? What's that all about?! So, my point is, when living abroad you'll always come across these silly things that you just don't get while the locals take them for granted. I usually try to see the funny side rather than get annoyed about it.

Frosch · 08/07/2009 12:52

Can I rant too? I've just come back from my Frauenartz check-up and got stopped in reception by some random woman who said that I couldn't park where I'd parked because I hadn't paid for a ticket. Seeing as I'd just loaded the machine with ?1.20, I just stared at her as she kept repeating that I coudn't park there. What with people stopping me in the street and telling me what DD should/shouldn't be wearing or whether her kinderwagen is killing her spine or not, I'd just had enough, so I shouted "Ich habe ein f*ing parkschein!"

Everything went quiet until the receptionist loudly suggested I go pee in a pot, so off I went with my cup ranting "Anyone else want to give me their f*ing opinion!?"

Argh. I've had it with German rules and regulations and being told what I can and can't do. Ernest, appeal. Hell, I'll even come to the office with you and snarl menacingly until they give you your money back.

ZZZenAgain · 08/07/2009 12:57

LOL at suggesting LOUDLY that you go pee in the pot!
sorry
You're not pregnant again already are you?

Frosch · 08/07/2009 12:58

Schulte's right; UK Health & Safety is a joke! DH loved that programme on Channel 4 about the Health & Safety Inspectors.

ZZZenAgain · 08/07/2009 12:58

did you really say f*ck?!
(asks in awe) or did you say verdammten?

Frosch · 08/07/2009 13:00

No, not pregnant. It's part of the six-week check-up thingy. Well, I thought it was. Maybe it was just a ploy to remove me from reception....

ZZZenAgain · 08/07/2009 13:02

so they could run out and check whether you really had a parking ticket?

Frosch · 08/07/2009 13:03

I said the f-word but DH says that it's no big deal here. Oh god, I hope he's right!

Well, in the UK, I suppose I would have been arrested for "verbal assault" or suchlike!

ZZZenAgain · 08/07/2009 13:09

wouldn't worry about it, think your dh is right

ZZZenAgain · 08/07/2009 13:09

so long as the woman in the Frauenarzt surgery doesn't turn out to be your dc's school teacher that is!

Frosch · 08/07/2009 13:14

Nah, it was another elderly lady trying to impart wisdom on an ungrateful Auslander. My patience is non-existent at the mo, what with the weather, no sleep and chewed nipples!

ZZZenAgain · 08/07/2009 13:18

elderly woman didn't understand it anyway. I will admit that I have often at times thanked people very graciously for proferring their unasked for advice. It is entirely sarcastic but they don't pick up on that. It helps me let off steam. And they will smile and say, yes , yes but you must not do this or that or whatever it is and I thank them again for taking the trouble to bring it up

And we both go off happy. It requires sleep and unchewed nipples though

Schulte · 08/07/2009 13:20

ROFL Frosch, that's beautiful. Well done for telling them. Okay so this IS a German thing, that complete rechthaberische strangers think they can tell you what to do / not to do. It's bloody annoying, I agree.

Schulte · 08/07/2009 13:22

By the way, nowadays I find the self importance of elderly German ladies and Zollbeamte quite endearing.

Frosch · 08/07/2009 13:27

Yes, that a better approach. I guess it's the German way; I would never dream of approaching a stranger and telling them how to dress a kid or park a car (unless it was naked in winter or parked really wonky). I know they do with good intentions but sometimes it's really unwarranted!

Anyway, rant over. I feel better now.

Schulte - how are you getting on with your little one?