The Real Leaders

Captain's Blog: Stardate 21082007
Before I came to Germany I knew that the country was politically run by the Grand Coalition between the Social Democrats and the Christian Democrats. What I did not know what that this country is socially run by retirees. The retired people of this country have seemed to be the elite cultural soldiers. For anyone who has been here before, the retired population of Germany hold nothing back when they are letting you know that you are doing something wrong (which is completely un-German). If you are walking too close, going the wrong way, taking too long packing your groceries, or anything else that doesn't fit in you are made to know this in one of two very intense ways. First, you can be told of your mistake (if you're lucky you will be told in English). The second (and most frightening method) is the most intimidating glare that you could ever imagine. This "Death Stare" lets you know, in no uncertain terms, that you are in breach of the social contract that you tacitly agreed to when you landed at Frankfurt International Airport. The "Death Stare" also lets you know that you had quickly try to correct your behaviours or risk your immortal soul. I have gotten this look directly on two specific occations and have, since then, silently tried to repent for the sins that I comitted early in my travel. I found vindication for my hard work, when on two different occations, an old German lady sat next to me on the bus. Right now I'm pretty sure this is their way of saying that they are not yet unhappy with my progress. While I haven't been upsetting the social fabric of Saarbrucken, I've noticed the look when it was given to others. The lucky people can ignore this look, but I still stay clear of those who upset the elders (I don't want to be found guilty by association). By the way (here is another helpful hint) I have found no way to give a look that can repair the social infraction.