Cars, Cars, Cars!

Even though they have one of the best public transport systems in the world, a lot of Germans own a car. They love cars - just think of famous brands such as BMW, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, and the Autobahn where you can drive at 300 km per hour!

This goes especially for German men. Listen, in the pub, to men discussing how they take their cars for repair; an engine fault, a broken windscreen wiper is described with as deep concern as the broken ankle of a daughter. Women swap the telephone numbers of doctors and cosmeticians. Men – German men – discuss the merits of their mechanics. Only the very best are trusted with their cars. If a German man had the choice he would be buried with his Audi.

The Volkswagens, the Porsches, the Mercedes, the Audis, the BMW's- all German made. It is hard for Germans to fathom downsizing these precious cars to their environmentally-friendly brother and sister cars. How ever would Germans measure their masculinity? Despite the fact that cars have become a national identity for Germany, the damage they are doing to the environment is becoming an issue. One that most Germans are content with ignoring, as long as they get to drive their cars.

So when packing for your trip to Germany, leave your bike at home if you wish to fit in!