Musings From My Desk ... This month's newsletter is special as we welcome a guest contributor. Melissa Petri, an expatriate who has lived in the US, Hong Kong, China and Korea, has made Frankfurt, Germany her home for the past six years. Melissa, who travels around the world for business and leisure, chronicles the life of a Road Gladiator on her blog of the same name. I thought it therefore quite appropriate to approach the road warrior herself to ask her to share a few tips on Germany for those of you in particular who are heading to FIFA World Cup to see Trinidad and Tobago's team, the Soca Warriors, in action: 7 Tips if you are Heading to Germany for FIFA World Cup.
By the way, who was it that once commented to me about the Caribbean, "seen one island, seen them all?" Okay, I won't name names, but I recently shared the comment to which I received a uniformed gasp and a barrage of comments. As almost all of you know, I am an island girl, from the beautiful island of Jamaica. Traveling throughout the Caribbean, it has always been clear to me that there are certain things about our neighboring nations that make each island truly unique, whether it’s the people, our dialects or accents, our foods, customs and mannerisms, or our history and even the topography. If you take Antigua for example, it is an island that markets itself as having 365 beaches, one for each day of the year. Of course, even I would have my doubts about that, but simply standing on the deck of the Blue Waters Hotel, I could count as many as four for myself.
This month, rather than having our monthly destination spotlight, my musings will be a little longer as I want to share with you some experiences from my trip to Antigua. Over the few days that I was there, Pam Arthurton of Carib-World Travel (our DMC partner) personally took me around the island as we visited several hotels, restaurants, and venues. Although the country has a long history of tourism, it is clear that the destination continues to reinvent itself, and people like our DMC are helping to make that happen. Take for example my first night on the island and the invitation that I received to attend a special event. The function for a group of 150 was held on the lawns of the Arthurton's home, with scenic views of St. Johns and the north Atlantic coast, and overlooking one of the two 18-hole championship golf courses on the island. Talk about a unique venue.
We visited several high-end and boutique properties, just a few of which actually close their doors to guests in the summer to redecorate and revamp for the following season. Among those that we inspected, two were at the time prepping for incoming incentive groups. One of the two included Jumby Bay, a private island resort located two miles off the coast, where they were, that day, expecting the arrival of a group that had reserved the entire island for an exclusive buy-out. Wow!
Although nothing like a 3-night stay at Jumby Bay, I too experienced my own little wows here and there throughout the visit, like watching the night sky blanketed with stars as we made our way back from dinner at Dian Bay Resort, or visiting the wine cellar at Curtain Bluff (which I had mentioned in last month’s newsletter). My most favorite, perhaps because it was so unexpected, was when we stopped in at Pineapple Patch Cuisine to see Chef Richard. Sitting on the deck where he shares his culinary skills with guests, he welcomed us each on that warm Caribbean day with a glass of chilled Taittinger Champagne.
Cheers to Pam and her team who really showed how DMCs use their local knowledge, creativity, and connections to make things happen, from concept to execution!
Simone
simone@sncdestinations.com
7 Tips if you are Heading to Germany for FIFA World Cup
By Melissa Petri
The image of beer drinking, sauerkraut eating, dirndl/leder hose-toting, non-smiling people seem to be what is in the minds of a lot of people when we talk about the Germans. In addition, we have those tasteless jokes about that mustache and salute which was made famous by that infamous German, who is actually Austrian. But, let us not get into that.
Unfortunately, the Germans have been judged and are still being judged based on prejudices and stereotypes. But, how are the present Germans really like?
After 6 years in Germany and to have been fully integrated into the society, I can say that I have learned a lot about the locals. Perhaps my observations could help you during your visit, to try and understand the face behind the most misunderstood race in the world:
• Germans are brutally honest. If you want to know the truth and nothing but the truth about your present weight problem, ask a German. And if someone tells you that it’s okay, it really is okay. Sugar coating and hemming & hawing are just not done. Whether it is negative or positive, at least you are sure that you are getting an honest reply. People here are not offended if their opinions differ from, say, yours.
• Despite the fact that steps are being taken to encourage the locals to smile more often ("A Time to Make New Friends" is actually the World Cup's official slogan), do expect some people who are not that keen on smiling at strangers. Germans find that smiling at someone for no apparent reason as being insincere. Believe me, when they do find a reason to smile, they will.
• Should you head off to your hotel's sauna, prepare yourself. If you find someone in there wearing a swimsuit, chances are, he/she is foreign, like you. Germans do not feel awkward at all even when they are in their birthday suits. They are not exhibitionists, though. It's just how things are done.
• Yes, the Germans drink Beer. They are, however, trailing behind the Czech Republic and Ireland for the title of having consumed the most beer. Note that the picture of people binge drinking does not happen all over. If you’ve seen copious amounts of beer being chugged, it’s probably an image of someone at the Oktoberfest. Germans do drink but they are not drunks.
• Feel free to blow your nose anywhere. Germans do it all the time.
• If you drive on the German autobahn, you will understand why Michael Schumacher has been, for many years, in the Formula 1. Try to keep your cool and stay on the right lane. Expect BMW and Mercedes Benz drivers to expect you to stay on the left. And if you do experience road rage, avoid giving that other driver the dirty finger. He/She might just call the police. You will get fined.
• As for the stereotypical German look of dirndl-clad ladies and leder hose on men, you would have to head out to the region of Bayern. A few of the locals will indulge you as they don these traditional clothes when they party/drink.
Of course, there will always be exceptions to the rule – be they nicer than expected or just different than what you are used to. Just do not forget that you are visiting their country. Try to avoid thinking that people should behave this or that way. You are the visitor, you should adjust. If you keep the above in mind, you would enjoy your time more.
In any case, with the number of people heading to Germany for the World Cup, chances are, the people you meet on the street are visitors, too.
To find more cross-cultural tips visit our blog, Something Extra. For more information on our cross-cultural workshops and presentations, visit our web site.
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