Quote:
Originally Posted by Fbone
I'm surprised. The British usually respect your privacy especially if you appear busy. Unless they had a pint that loosened them up.
Although during my visit I found it unnecessarily difficult to strike up conversations and in Germany even more so.
At the grocery store today I chatted with a customer at the deli counter, beneath the canned pineapple, two in check-out line and one in the parking lot. Plus several employees. And I'm generally not outgoing.
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In Germany it is indeed rather difficult to get into a conversation with someone; in the North more so than in the South. Although from my point of view people usually are really happy if they can find a friendly face to talk to, especially when waiting. I had that several times, where people seemed like they wanted to talk but were super nervous about it, until I just said "Hi!".
Although someone working on a laptop or reading for that matter - that indeed seems rude if you just interrupt that person.
I have to add though: with the classic book you could just check the front cover and know what the person was reading (maybe you have the same interest?
). These days it gets harder with eReaders. Maybe they should introduce a screen on the back displaying the cover?
