Why is the German economy such a success.

finnbow · #1 07-14-2014, 07:55 PM

As someone who lived there for 11 years and has traveled back often, there are several factors. The Germans are smart, educated, no-nonsense people who believe (for the most part) in the common good. They work hard, play hard and are honest folk. Their management/labor relations are probably the best in the industrialized world, as are their vocational/apprenticeship training programs. All work is accorded a certain level of dignity and is rewarded with full vacation and health benefits. Crime, by our standards of measure, is damned near nonexistent.

On the other side of the ledger, their culture tends to be more rigid than ours with less innovation, risk-taking and openness to new ideas.

All in all, I love the place. It's my second home and I have a lot of dear friends there. We can learn a lot from each other, though both countries are a bit reluctant to admit it.

BlueStreak · #2 07-14-2014, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by finnbow

As someone who lived there for 11 years and has traveled back often, there are several factors. The Germans are smart, educated, no-nonsense people who believe (for the most part) in the common good. They work hard, play hard and are honest folk. Their management/labor relations are probably the best in the industrialized world, as are their vocational/apprenticeship training programs. All work is accorded a certain level of dignity and is rewarded with full vacation and health benefits. Crime, by our standards of measure, is damned near nonexistent.

On the other side of the ledger, their culture tends to be more rigid than ours with less innovation, risk-taking and openness to new ideas.

All in all, I love the place. It's my second home and I have a lot of dear friends there. We can learn a lot from each other, though both countries are a bit reluctant to admit it.

I hear the rest of the world has everything to learn from us, 'cuz we're the best!

Yeah, I know that's bullshit too. And, it's a shame, because we truly could be if some of us would stop swallowing such lies.

Dave