Kultur 1 - Kalli Barrone

The article about Aldi really hits the nail on the head. I frequently shop for my groceries at the Aldi here in Ann Arbor, and I can honestly say I have experienced all of the things that are mentioned. I've never though about it before, but the lay-out of the store itself is painfully simple. I understand simplicity, but it almost seems a little lazy that the temperature of the produce isn't controlled and that the food it just stacked on boxes on the floor. This article brought up things that are completely true and completely annoying, but I had never specifically noticed before. Specifically, the way you have to snake through the whole store to get to a specific section instead of just selecting an isle. Even though these negative things are true, I still really enjoy shopping at Aldi. The prices really can't be beat, and sometimes simpler is better. I don't have to spend 20 minutes deciding what type of apples to buy because they only offer one kind! I can understand why Germans frequently choose to shop in specialty shops with fresh produce and other goods. If I were to make daily trips to a store, I don't think Aldi would be the one I would choose.

The article about driving in Germany is relatable in a similar way. After visiting Germany last year and having to ride in the backseat while my Dad navigated the roadways, I decided I never want to drive a car in Germany. As foreigners, we were unaware of a few rules of the road but anger drivers around us were quick to honk or motion to point out that we were making fools of ourselves.  The article says that Mercedes and BMW drivers "always have the right of way" and suggests that they are kings of the road. However, I felt like I saw a lot of BMW and Mercedes. Actually, I thought a majority of the cars were from those two manufacturers. Maybe it was just me, or maybe it was just the part of Germany I was in. I visited the Mercedes Benz museum, which the book mentions in located in Stuttgart. Since I was staying around this area, perhaps that's why there was so many of those cars.