On 03/02/2012 14:29, Hans-Joachim Zierke wrote:


Although Germany is generally thought of as an obedient nation,

So Germany has a much lower crime rate than Britain? Or does it just
happen, that the writer couldn't be bothered to check facts?

Is says "thought of", not "is".

Britain isn't entirely full of red phone boxes, Routemaster buses and
people drinking tea with the Queen, but a significant number of
outsiders seem to think it is.

--
Arthur Figgis Surrey, UK

Arthur Figgis schrieb:


Britain isn't entirely full of red phone boxes, Routemaster buses and
people drinking tea with the Queen, but a significant number of
outsiders seem to think it is.


In this case, stereotypes are very convenient: If managers of British
transport companies operate at higher cost, it's not their lazyness
or incompetence, or their inability to understand, why it works in
Germany and doesn't in Britain - it's the national character of the
British, which requires operating at a higher cost level! And thus, it's
not the manager's fault!


Hans-Joachim

On 04/02/2012 12:06, Hans-Joachim Zierke wrote:
Arthur Figgis schrieb:


Britain isn't entirely full of red phone boxes, Routemaster buses and
people drinking tea with the Queen, but a significant number of
outsiders seem to think it is.


In this case, stereotypes are very convenient: If managers of British
transport companies operate at higher cost, it's not their lazyness
or incompetence, or their inability to understand, why it works in
Germany and doesn't in Britain - it's the national character of the
British, which requires operating at a higher cost level! And thus, it's
not the manager's fault!

But how often does anyone suggest British transport company managers are
*not* incompetent, etc? People have hated railway management and assumed
they are evil since, well, forever.

--
Arthur Figgis Surrey, UK

Arthur Figgis schrieb:


But how often does anyone suggest British transport company managers are
*not* incompetent, etc? People have hated railway management and assumed
they are evil since, well, forever.

Perhaps people are right?

An exception, which springs to mind, is the widely respected Dieter
Ludwig.



h.