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Post by JustJohn or JJ on Sept 18, 2012 3:49:10 GMT -7
Is Berlin The World's Rudest City?
Posted: 09/15/2012 10:50 am
Berlin
Berlin is an increasingly popular destination for travelers, particularly for younger travelers looking to get weird. While locals don't mind the influx of cash, they do mind the influx of chaos and this week has seen anti-gentrification and anti-tourism protests from locals tired of listening to visitors party until the wee hours of the morning.
The question is now what course Berlin will take. The art-friendly city may now be the rudest city in the world as far as travelers are concerned.
Though Burkhardt Kieker, director of VisitBerlin, has been quick to point out that his city hasn't had as long as Paris or London to build up tourist infrastructure and that the anti-tourist sentiment may not be widespread, the fact is that many cities simply never learn to get along with tourists. Even New York, which welcomes roughly 50 million visitors annually, has often struggled to overcome a reputation for brusqueness. Tourists who dare to walk slowly are pushed out of the way and cursed at creatively. This is part of the New York experience.
But standoffishness and rudeness can become a major problem for a city's dependence on tourist dollars, which is why the posters telling tourists to stay away will be taken seriously in Berlin. Germans, it turns out, already have something of a reputation.
Earlier this year, an international poll conducted by Skyscanner determined that travelers have the worst opinion of Parisians as hosts and, well, the French in general. Other nations with particularly unfriendly people included Russia and U.K.
Germany ranked quite high on the list. Apparently the locals are determined to keep their spot.
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Post by karl on Sept 18, 2012 9:17:11 GMT -7
J.J. As a person, I am not that fond of Berlin, primarily for the size, Berlin is a very large city {3.5 million}. Once over the shock of the immensity, and with some knowledge of the street and Autobahn access areas {It circles the city centre {Mitte} even with the heavy traffic is not so difficult. But, to paint all of Berlin people as rude, I am not so sure. Each individual though will incur a different experience. I think perhaps it is in a combination of expectations and attitude. Personally I do not mind the tourist, they are spending their time in our country, so what? For they have used the money they saved for travel and to experience an adventure of sights for their individual Holiday time, with this, I believe they needs be provided the respect they deserve. Berlin is so very large, it is difficult to speak of the various differences that are the districts and, it is a city under constant change. But with this, it is not that difficult to use the public transport system, simply have some idea of where the person wishes to go. But, Berlin is also expensive. Just know what to expect and stay away from the expensive tourist trade hotels and accommodations. Berlin though, is very historic through out time from the Prussian time to present. The dialect they speak is some what different, more or less Prussian, but who cares... Personally, as a person, I do not care so much for the East sector of Berlin that was East Berlin, for it still carries much crime and is very dull for the most part. Although with the constant in-progress construction {or destruction} changes are an expectation. The following url is an assistance of familiarity of Berlin. www.gpsmycity.com/tours/berlins-government-district-walking-tour-2052.htmlwww.inyourpocket.com/germany/berlin/Berlins-districts_54822fKarl |
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Post by JustJohn or JJ on Sept 18, 2012 10:13:17 GMT -7
J.J. As a person, I am not that fond of Berlin, primarily for the size, Berlin is a very large city {3.5 million}. Once over the shock of the immensity, and with some knowledge of the street and Autobahn access areas {It circles the city centre {Mitte} even with the heavy traffic is not so difficult. But, to paint all of Berlin people as rude, I am not so sure. Each individual though will incur a different experience. I think perhaps it is in a combination of expectations and attitude. Personally I do not mind the tourist, they are spending their time in our country, so what? For they have used the money they saved for travel and to experience an adventure of sights for their individual Holiday time, with this, I believe they needs be provided the respect they deserve. Berlin is so very large, it is difficult to speak of the various differences that are the districts and, it is a city under constant change. But with this, it is not that difficult to use the public transport system, simply have some idea of where the person wishes to go. But, Berlin is also expensive. Just know what to expect and stay away from the expensive tourist trade hotels and accommodations. Berlin though, is very historic through out time from the Prussian time to present. The dialect they speak is some what different, more or less Prussian, but who cares... Personally, as a person, I do not care so much for the East sector of Berlin that was East Berlin, for it still carries much crime and is very dull for the most part. Although with the constant in-progress construction {or destruction} changes are an expectation. The following url is an assistance of familiarity of Berlin. www.gpsmycity.com/tours/berlins-government-district-walking-tour-2052.htmlwww.inyourpocket.com/germany/berlin/Berlins-districts_54822fKarl MYFOXNY.COM - A recent survey by Travel + Leisure magazine ranked New York the dirtiest American city. The online poll of 50,000 people found that rats, funky odors and trash heaps were the main factors for the dubious distinction. If there isn't enough dirt for you, it also "won" the survey for being the loudest and rudest city in the country. It also ranked worst for affordability. 35 American cities were rated. New York City did receive additional number one rankings, for more positive features including theaters, stylish locals, diversity, classical music options and luxury stores. A New York City Department of Sanitation report gave the city's streets a 95 percent cleanliness rating up from 70 percent in the 1970s, according to the Daily News. 50-million people visited NYC last year. Read more: www.myfoxny.com/story/19571033/nyc-dirtiest-us-city#ixzz26qHn0gr1 |
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Post by kaima on Sept 18, 2012 11:02:43 GMT -7
I only know Old Berlin, if I may call it that. The divided Berlin that was still occupied by the victorious parties until reunificaton in the early 90's. My work took me there regularly from 89 to 91 or so. I was there on the day the Wall opened up. I chipped away at the Wall, and was chased politely away by the German police; I was also forbidden from chipping away at the wall by the Americans, the Americans who escorted VIP;s to the Wall so they could chip away at it.
I have a bad American attitude that if generals and politicians can do something, a Standard Citizen can do it as well, both morally and legally.
I have no memory of Berlin being rude; but then again, that was a different world and 25 years ago.
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