Oktoberfest
Monday, 18. September 2006, 16:47:38
In Germany the fith season begun.
The Oktoberfest
Most of the germans do not visit this beer-orgy anymore because we feel kind of lost there.
If you want to order a beer in german the waiter might not understand you because the officiall languages are english, japanese, french and italian.
Also we germans have a sort of problem getting the correct Oktoberfest-equipment here. I am talking about those funny hats with goatbeards and the leather trousers. There might be one or two shops in some dark corners of Bavaria, who carry them, but they are really hard to find. On the oter hand there seems to be a massive industry for that kind of outfit outside Germany, because thousands of English, French, Italian and Japanese are dressed with it. So wearing your usual outfit (jeans and t-shirt) we feel very much out of place there.
Only every now and then we feel like beeing in Germany. This is when you by chance meet a policeman or a guy from first aid. They still seem to possess the german language ability. And of course the members of the bands. They are all germans but it is almost impossible to talk to them, because they are busy 18 hours a day and after that completely drunk.
Another big problem for us germans comes up, when we do not know the correct lyrics of the beersongs. Sure you find a lot of songtexts spread on every beertable, but when we want to use them we have to find out that they are printed in perfect phonetic english (except the headlines) Here an example:
“Ein Prosit der Gemütlichkeit” reads “ Eye'n pro sit dare gay mort lick kite". – very confusing for germans!
We also do not really understand why people travel thousands of miles just to double their bodyliquor with beer. They could do that a home as well, couldn’t they?
And why do Australians fly half the world, just to get tremendously drunk and then thrashing New Zealanders ("Fuck you, Kiwi") until the blood runs off their noses.
And why would you like to have your beer here
Instead of sitting in a nice litte bar next door?
There must be something special about it, which we germans did not find out so far. Please let me know if you have a clue.
Prost
Uwe
The Oktoberfest
Most of the germans do not visit this beer-orgy anymore because we feel kind of lost there.
If you want to order a beer in german the waiter might not understand you because the officiall languages are english, japanese, french and italian.
Also we germans have a sort of problem getting the correct Oktoberfest-equipment here. I am talking about those funny hats with goatbeards and the leather trousers. There might be one or two shops in some dark corners of Bavaria, who carry them, but they are really hard to find. On the oter hand there seems to be a massive industry for that kind of outfit outside Germany, because thousands of English, French, Italian and Japanese are dressed with it. So wearing your usual outfit (jeans and t-shirt) we feel very much out of place there.
Only every now and then we feel like beeing in Germany. This is when you by chance meet a policeman or a guy from first aid. They still seem to possess the german language ability. And of course the members of the bands. They are all germans but it is almost impossible to talk to them, because they are busy 18 hours a day and after that completely drunk.
Another big problem for us germans comes up, when we do not know the correct lyrics of the beersongs. Sure you find a lot of songtexts spread on every beertable, but when we want to use them we have to find out that they are printed in perfect phonetic english (except the headlines) Here an example:
“Ein Prosit der Gemütlichkeit” reads “ Eye'n pro sit dare gay mort lick kite". – very confusing for germans!
We also do not really understand why people travel thousands of miles just to double their bodyliquor with beer. They could do that a home as well, couldn’t they?
And why do Australians fly half the world, just to get tremendously drunk and then thrashing New Zealanders ("Fuck you, Kiwi") until the blood runs off their noses.
And why would you like to have your beer here
Instead of sitting in a nice litte bar next door?
There must be something special about it, which we germans did not find out so far. Please let me know if you have a clue.
Prost
Uwe
WIDGETIZE
momable # 19. September 2006, 18:48
Why do people do it anywhere? Hey, what is wrong with it? You have an atmosphere, and fun!!! You get in a big crowd and enjoy!! It is totally different than being in a bar.
Why come to Germany? Germany invented it!!!!!! You are at Beerfest Ground Zero!!!! Supposed to be the best one in the world!!
How interesting to here your viewpoint.
I would be mad, too, that the words to the songs weren't in German!
Write your legislature!!! Make sure both phonetic and German versions are available, if written!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Way to go Fatherland!!! I too have German Blood!!!
KayFour # 19. September 2006, 21:26
Thanks!
K4
ALLY_G # 20. September 2006, 09:09
now I have to speak some serious words with you...
The Oktoberfest is a grand party. A visit there, with a group of nice friends, can be very funny. I've been there (years ago) 2 times in my life and I had a lot of fun.
But it's important to know some rules. Here are my does and donts:
1. Don't visit, if you have claustrophobia
2. Don't visit, if you are shy
3. Don't visit, if you are searching for a boy/girl friend
4. Don't visit, if you are in bad mood
5. Don't visit, if you are without money
6. Don't visit, if you have headache
7. Don't visit the fairground after 9.00 pm
But you will get some fun, if you
1. don't forget to eat something before you drink your first beer!
2. also love it to drink some coke, coffee or mineralwater
3. don't forget to eat something!
4. take control of your beer level
5. don't forget to eat something!
6. want to try the different sorts of beer
7. don't forget to eat something!
8. don't drink all sorts of beer in one day
9. are looking for some prominent guests
10. leave the fairground before you get totally drunken
Elke
bfdolphin # 20. September 2006, 14:14
Hi Karen, you are right, you better come to our own, private Oktoberfest
Hi Elke, I forgot to mention, that Oktoberfest seems to be by far tooo much food
Thank you all for your comments
Uwe
volkuro # 21. September 2006, 00:31
Dudley # 25. September 2006, 20:27
I still have a few beer glasses from that event.
As my foggy memory recalls, very large pretzels, beer, chicken, beer, amusement rides, beer and people. Oh, did I mention beer!
I went to every beer tent and tried a sample of each brand of beer. Ist gut.
The two phrases I practiced in German was
1) Ein Bier bitte
2) Wo die Toilette ist
After the beer, phrase #2 becomes very important!
I never became drunk, but paced myself as to enjoy the event.
One of the best memories was meeting a German couple and they invited my friend and I to a small jazz nightclub. That was the best part, meeting others.
I suppose like many traditional festivals, it becomes very commercialized and may lose the charm it once had and the "locals" tend to avoid it.
bfdolphin # 26. September 2006, 03:54
Andy: You are right. It becomes more and more a glamorous pary for the top hundret VIPs. But I'm glad you found that couple and the club and had a nice time in München
Iris59 # 17. October 2006, 13:14
this is fantastic Germany,full of beautiful bear and beautiful football!
I'm willing to visit Germany,maybe after my graduation from high school,maybe now!
bfdolphin # 18. October 2006, 03:21
Iris59 # 19. October 2006, 08:42
my dad learnt German in his college life, but then he gave up.
what a pity,isn't it?
bfdolphin # 19. October 2006, 10:44
So why do we not all speak english
Iris59 # 20. October 2006, 12:04
but i didn't realize it useful untill i set up my opera blog!
bfdolphin # 21. October 2006, 06:01
Iris59 # 23. October 2006, 09:59
Alles Gute!