Stupid Germans

[sasguru]

Firstly, they insist that Greece uses 6% of income to pay off debts, yet when that same percentage was required by the Versailles treaty, they said it was too onerous.
They've done to Greece what was done to them: driven them into a corner.

Secondly, they insist the risks of moral hazard are worse than the risks of systemic collapse.

Thirdly they seriously misunderstand the utility (and nuances) of "printing money" due to their Weimar experience.

Fourthly, the Euro has been responsible for most of their success by making their exports cheaper, so they should really try to save it, at whatever expense


With growth rates in China and India contracting, and the US very sickly, the Germans will soon find that no one is buying their Beemers and Mercs.
Indeed production has started to contract and their unemployment rate started to creep up according to the latest figures.

Why is it that the Germans have always made the wrong call, historically? Their history is littered with bad judgement.

[EternalOptimist]

I dunno, I quite like the Germans and their funny square-headed, sausage munching ways

[sasguru]

I dunno, I quite like the Germans and their funny square-headed, sausage munching ways

So do I.
Although as a culture, they seem to do day-to-day life very well but are prone to losing their heads in crises and periodically going mad.

[Doggy Styles]

Firstly, they insist that Greece uses 6% of income to pay off debts, yet when that same percentage was required by the Versailles treaty, they said it was too onerous.
They've done to Greece what was done to them: driven them into a corner.

And you know what happens then - the Greeks come out fighting. Armed with discus-grenades, wooden horses (probably aluminium these days) and Gods.

[Mich the Tester]

So do I.
Although as a culture, they seem to do day-to-day life very well but are prone to losing their heads in crises and periodically going mad.

Got home yesterday to find the latest consignment of Deidesheimer Riesling Spatlese 2008 just behind the garden gate; very good, could well rest for another couple of years. Not quite the '98, but worthwhile nonetheless. Stupid Germans would have drunk it themselves if they had any sense.

[darmstadt]

Got home yesterday to find the latest consignment of Deidesheimer Riesling Spatlese 2008 just behind the garden gate; very good, could well rest for another couple of years. Not quite the '98, but worthwhile nonetheless. Stupid Germans would have drunk it themselves if they had any sense.

Nah, they're letting there's rest for another couple of years unlike Brits who just whack it straight down regardless

[sasguru]

Got home yesterday to find the latest consignment of Deidesheimer Riesling Spatlese 2008 just behind the garden gate; very good, could well rest for another couple of years. Not quite the '98, but worthwhile nonetheless. Stupid Germans would have drunk it themselves if they had any sense.

I'm being serious. The Germans have a habit of self-immolation on a point of misguided principle.
Can you imagine if what the UK would do in a similar situation: pragmatism would rule.

[Mich the Tester]

I'm being serious. The Germans have a habit of self-immolation on a point of misguided principle.
Can you imagine if what the UK would do in a similar situation: pragmatism would rule.

Are you sure this is a habit or not just a phase they went through for a century or so?

[BlasterBates]

I found a Riesling in my Cellar, which had been lying around for several years. I think I'd tried to open it and the cork had broken, anyway several years later managed to get it open because I really fancied a glass of wine, g*d it was good.

Definitely recommend letting Riesling mature for several years.

[sasguru]

Are you sure this is a habit or not just a phase they went through for a century or so?

Either way, are they over it yet?
I hope so. They must know that the EUro collapsing would be an economic catastrophe for everybody, not least themselves, yet they seem stuck on points of principle.