A superb incentive to avoid illegal parking: quote the price! (seen in France, Fontainebleau, haven't seen in Germany yet)
Tag: english
What you pay (to the state) when you go shopping in Germany?
How is the German State financed? Of course, like any other state, foremost by taxes. There are two main points where the state takes his share: When people earn money (income tax) and when people spend money (consumption tax). The biggest of the latter is the value-added tax (also called purchase tax) which reaches a … Continue reading What you pay (to the state) when you go shopping in Germany?
How the Germans invest their money
The Germans get richer year by year. In the first quarter 2014 they had financial assets of 5,2 trillion Euro according to a press release of the Deutsche Bundesbank (German Bundesbank), the national central bank. But in which types of investments do the Germans keep their money and try to keep it safe and/or increase … Continue reading How the Germans invest their money
“Ente” is still alive
In Germay you don't see this specific looking car anymore. It was very famous in my childhood (in the 70s and 80s) and everybody just called this car "die Ente" ("the duck"). I was pleasantly surprised that in France (where I am on vacation) you still find the Citroën 2CV (French: "deux chevaux", lit. 'steam … Continue reading “Ente” is still alive
Millions for millionaires: What I don’t like at german public-service broadcasting
Germany has a huge public-service broadcasting system (mainly ARD, ZDF, Deutschlandradio), which is financed by a mandatory contribution called "Haushaltsabgabe". Every houshold has to pay 17,98 Euro per month. Foremost with that system the public-service broadcasting collects about 9 billion Euro a year. Alone the ARD - with a national television station (Das Erste), several regional … Continue reading Millions for millionaires: What I don’t like at german public-service broadcasting
Don’t link an vaccination topic on social media in Germany
Don't put a link about the topic "vaccination" on social media. It starts a battle. At least in Germany. I posted on Facebook. I should have known better. There are two sides firmly convinced standing on the right side. On the one side the wisdom of the conventional medicine who claims one of the greatest … Continue reading Don’t link an vaccination topic on social media in Germany
Is Germany a secular state?
For many people Germany is a secular state. But is it really? The Roman Catholic Church and the Evangelical Church are linked to the state in many ways. They run social institutions like hospitals and kindergartens financed by public authorities. They employ hundreds of thousands. And for employment prospects many stay members of the church. The taxpayers finances … Continue reading Is Germany a secular state?
All you want to pay: Large price range for a haircut
Is there another service sector in Germany with such a large price range as in the hairdressing industry? I just paid 27 Euro @Haareszeiten- 24 Euro (price increase since my last visit: 2 Euro, maybe because of the statutory minimum wage of 8,50 Euro starting from 01.01.2015) plus 3 Euro tip. I guess 24 Euro is above … Continue reading All you want to pay: Large price range for a haircut
Compulsory Education: Signs of change in Germany
School attendance in Germany is mandatory. Not only education ist compulsory but also visiting a school (for 10 years). Beside Sweden Germany is the only country in Europa with such a strict law. But there are some signs of change, for example the establishing of the Bundesverband Natürlich lernen e.V. The Association calls for "Learning … Continue reading Compulsory Education: Signs of change in Germany
One question to…: Why aren’t bicycles thief-proof?
Dear bicycle industry, you surely want to sell your chic, sophisticated and (sometimes) expensive bikes. But the bicycle thefts are high (for example 26.513 in Berlin in 2013). That high that I sometimes wonder that I find my bike where I placed it. Maybe the thefts are the biggest hurdle to buy a new and expensive … Continue reading One question to…: Why aren’t bicycles thief-proof?
Pixelökonom 