Today I was hoping to get down to a game in Bavaria, but I can’t – because of train strikes. Thus I am stuck in Cologne and am having to “repeat” a stadium. This kind of thing has happened to me a lot recently- because – believe it or not- GERMAN TRAINS ARE SHITE.
We British seem to have an ingrained stereotype of Germany, or more correctly, Germans, that includes ruthless efficiency, technical perfection and meticulous micromanagement. This stereotype has persisted stubbornly despite the overwhelming evidence to the contrary when you actually come here.
I wish I had a quid for every time someone, who, on finding out that I commute to Germany by train every week, says something along the lines of ‘ah – they know how to do it properly there, don’t they?’
To which my answer is – no, they don’t.
Just to be clear – the physical trains themselves are fine. The staff are almost universally lovely. The beer (and even the food, also) is top notch. The problem is THE TRAINS DON’T BLOODY TURN UP.
And it’s not just trains. On anything to do with the internet, e-commerce or related areas, they are miles behind. Lots of places insist on cash. They still use bloody fax machines FFS. Not even kidding.
Anyways – I’m stuck in Köln because there’s no bloody train. So I’m going to see 7th vs 8th in the Regionalliga West (4th tier).
Should be quiet today, as the FC first team have a derby game away at Borussia. Let’s find out…..
