Berliner Schnauze, mon amour!

Talking to my friend Ilka, a German girl I consider part of the family, I always have to complain about how pissed and mad I am at people in Berlin. She always agrees with me.

By now I know a bunch of nice and friendly people and I like them very much, BUT there is always the "public place experience" which leaves me - almost everyday - visibly upset.

People complain a lot. Doors do not get opened for you (me, usually pushing a stroller and carrying more than one bag), nobody gives you his or her seat in the train, queues are not respected and if you ask for information, most probably you will receive a bad look.

Let's don't talk about being a mother, or let's talk about it: someone would always tell you how are loud your kids are or will give some unrequested advice - and if when it comes from a man (mansplaining)  I can tell you: I lose it!

So, with all the pretty things to see and do that there are, the one I never miss while abroad is this annoying attitude.

The reasons why people are so unnerving are still obscure to me; is it the stress from wanting to being always be on time? The perfectionism? Or pure selfishness?

I know at this point I would make my German readers unhappy, but I believe it is time to change!
What about a friendly smile?What about a more positive state of mind?

This, believe it or not, can make the difference in one's life.

My husband, himself a born Berliner (but generally a lot friendlier than the stereotype I described above) would always tell me to complain directly to the people who cause my unhappiness, but - as in the best cases of bad communication between man and woman - while I would try to make him feel sympathy for my dissatisfaction, he would get angry because I don't do anything to solve the problem.

Point is that, apart from being myself, kind and caring and smiling, I can't do much to solve the problem, and here is where conversations with Ilka help soothe my anger.

*little update: I don't live in Berlin any longer and when I go back I have the right distance, which helps me appreciate if someone is nice to me and not to care too much when people are nasty.