The really nice guy doesn't really like baseball. Last year around this time, in our pre-dating phase, I had two free tickets and could only talk him into going to the last home game of the Reds (and his first ever!) by promising to stop at Hooters before. My free tickets turned out to be for seats way up and in the last row, the game wasn't that interesting (I don't know if that's a fair statement, we couldn't really tell from the distance...), and the really nice guy saw himself confirmed: Baseball is boring.
I, however, like baseball. Not being born in this country, I nevertheless have the feeling that I understand at least half of what's going on on the field, and I like the atmosphere in the stadium. I enjoy watching the constant movement of people in search for hot dogs, peanuts, and beer. Unfortunately, I haven't been to a single game the whole season so I knew this weekend was my last chance. Yesterday, I mentioned to the really nice guy that it would be great to go to the last home game again. "Huh," he says. "So that's kind of an anniversary thing?" Yeah, it sounds really charming when you put it this way. Even the idea of going to Hooters before the game doesn't seem convincing anymore. I guess he already considers that a package deal and there will be no baseball without Hooters in our future. I had to find another bait. "You said that you haven't driven your motorcycle forever. We could take it to go to the game," I suggested and luckily, he agreed.
So we make it to Newport, some of us have wings at Hooters, we take the ferry to the stadium and find our way to the ticket booth, since I don't have any free tickets this time. We are just about to buy tickets when a couple approaches us. "Are you buying tickets?" asks the guy. "Take these for free," he says and hands us two tickets. Now, how often does something like this happen? According to Alanis Morissette never - isn't it ironic?
But sometimes, nice things do happen. We have free tickets once again, are already happy, and almost freak out when we find out from where we will be watching this game... Our tickets turn out to have a value of $50 each and we sit right behind the Phillies' dugout. And what a difference it makes! The really nice guy starts to really get into the game, and we have a blast.
The Reds lose, but the real downfall is the way back because in the meantime it had started to rain. I'm not a huge motorcycle fan in the first place, and the idea of riding back in the pouring rain isn't really what I was hoping for after the game. We are soaked when we get back but the really nice guy assures me that I am a real biker now. "You raced the elements!"
So that's all it took? I will not have to buy a Harley Davidson leather jacket and get tattoos after all?
I'll keep you posted.
Bis bald,
SAPgirl
Sunday, September 25, 2005
Saturday, September 24, 2005
CULTURE: The Art of Small Talk
The Americans are small talk artists. If there were Olympic Games they would be coming in first without any training whereas we Germans would still not qualify no matter how many Small Talk 101 classes we took.
They are just naturally good at it. At the super market, at the line in front of rest rooms, even in the emergency room, they are able to start a conversation. "I really like your shoes. They are very pretty." - "Thank you. I try not to bleed on them."
As a German, the talent for small talk just isn't in my genes. Another reason might be that I thought everything I said had to be well-thought out and meaningful (and that's even more difficult if you have to say it in another language). As a result, my small talk was not just bad - it was non-existent.
I decided that is was time to work on my issue. My first attempt led me to the local book store where I browsed the self-help section. I found a promising title called "The Art of Mingling : Easy, Fun, and Proven Techniques for Mastering Any Room" by Jeanne Martinet. I bought it and felt immediately happy: Obviously, I'm not alone with my problem - and then, the book was on sale, too. I couldn't wait to get home and reveal the secrets of the perfect small talk. I found quite some useful advice and thought I hit a gold-mine when the author suggested to use accents when feeling uncomfortable in a social situation. "That is it right there," I started to hope, "the solution to all my small talk problems!" Even after quite some time in the States I still haven't managed to get rid of my German accent - something that usually bothers me but now looked like it came in handy. Was I glad!
It was time to use my new found knowledge. The next time when I went to the gym, instead of just sneaking in and staying in the back of the class I was going to talk to someone. So, in my best German accent (since I was feeling a little bit uncomfortable) I said to the woman next to me, "I really like this class. The trainer is great." No reply. The woman tilted her had, frowned and gave me this astounded look as to say, "She really looks American but she sure doesn't sound it." Then, she turned to the guy next to us and asked, "What did she say?" And to me, "I'm sorry. I take it you are not from around here?" I was relieved that the class started at this moment.
I don't give up that easily so I was trying a different approach. I started scanning TV shows for usable small talk pieces, thus not only having the line but also getting a possible reaction to it. I found one of those dating shows to be an excellent provider. In one episode, the guy was building his own restaurant and invited the girl to have a look at it. As they walk through the rooms, the guy points to the bar and says, "This will be the bar area." - "So this is the bar," says the girl and the guy is smitten. Not only is the girl really pretty, she is also very smart - didn't she notice that there actually was a bar in the bar area?
Well, easy enough. I can do that, too. I knew that one of my American friends had bought a new PC. Next time when I was invited to his house I saw the computer, pointed at it and said, "So this is your new computer." But instead of acknowledging my smooth try to start up a conversation, he gave me a weird look and said, "No, it's my vacuum cleaner. What's wrong with you, SAPgirl? Of course, that's my new PC!!!!"
After these experiences I decided that I had to give it some time. Practice makes perfect and I started to put myself into situations where talking to people I didn't know was inevitable. I volunteered to paint houses, sold tickets at a local music festival, was 'beer babe' at the Party in the Park, took a CPR class - all the time hoping that I somehow become a better small talker. And I think all these hours of practice are finally starting to pay off. I'm still in training but was told recently that I have improved.
I'm only wondering what will happen when I use my American small talk skills in Germany. If I compliment anyone there on their shoes they'd probably think I have a shoe fetish, or that I would really like to have them. Their pair. And immediately. I will definitely get more weird looks.
I'll keep you posted.
Bis bald,
SAPgirl
They are just naturally good at it. At the super market, at the line in front of rest rooms, even in the emergency room, they are able to start a conversation. "I really like your shoes. They are very pretty." - "Thank you. I try not to bleed on them."
As a German, the talent for small talk just isn't in my genes. Another reason might be that I thought everything I said had to be well-thought out and meaningful (and that's even more difficult if you have to say it in another language). As a result, my small talk was not just bad - it was non-existent.
I decided that is was time to work on my issue. My first attempt led me to the local book store where I browsed the self-help section. I found a promising title called "The Art of Mingling : Easy, Fun, and Proven Techniques for Mastering Any Room" by Jeanne Martinet. I bought it and felt immediately happy: Obviously, I'm not alone with my problem - and then, the book was on sale, too. I couldn't wait to get home and reveal the secrets of the perfect small talk. I found quite some useful advice and thought I hit a gold-mine when the author suggested to use accents when feeling uncomfortable in a social situation. "That is it right there," I started to hope, "the solution to all my small talk problems!" Even after quite some time in the States I still haven't managed to get rid of my German accent - something that usually bothers me but now looked like it came in handy. Was I glad!
It was time to use my new found knowledge. The next time when I went to the gym, instead of just sneaking in and staying in the back of the class I was going to talk to someone. So, in my best German accent (since I was feeling a little bit uncomfortable) I said to the woman next to me, "I really like this class. The trainer is great." No reply. The woman tilted her had, frowned and gave me this astounded look as to say, "She really looks American but she sure doesn't sound it." Then, she turned to the guy next to us and asked, "What did she say?" And to me, "I'm sorry. I take it you are not from around here?" I was relieved that the class started at this moment.
I don't give up that easily so I was trying a different approach. I started scanning TV shows for usable small talk pieces, thus not only having the line but also getting a possible reaction to it. I found one of those dating shows to be an excellent provider. In one episode, the guy was building his own restaurant and invited the girl to have a look at it. As they walk through the rooms, the guy points to the bar and says, "This will be the bar area." - "So this is the bar," says the girl and the guy is smitten. Not only is the girl really pretty, she is also very smart - didn't she notice that there actually was a bar in the bar area?
Well, easy enough. I can do that, too. I knew that one of my American friends had bought a new PC. Next time when I was invited to his house I saw the computer, pointed at it and said, "So this is your new computer." But instead of acknowledging my smooth try to start up a conversation, he gave me a weird look and said, "No, it's my vacuum cleaner. What's wrong with you, SAPgirl? Of course, that's my new PC!!!!"
After these experiences I decided that I had to give it some time. Practice makes perfect and I started to put myself into situations where talking to people I didn't know was inevitable. I volunteered to paint houses, sold tickets at a local music festival, was 'beer babe' at the Party in the Park, took a CPR class - all the time hoping that I somehow become a better small talker. And I think all these hours of practice are finally starting to pay off. I'm still in training but was told recently that I have improved.
I'm only wondering what will happen when I use my American small talk skills in Germany. If I compliment anyone there on their shoes they'd probably think I have a shoe fetish, or that I would really like to have them. Their pair. And immediately. I will definitely get more weird looks.
I'll keep you posted.
Bis bald,
SAPgirl
Friday, September 23, 2005
RUNNING: Here we go again!
I joined a running group a year ago to prepare for my first 10K ever which was held Thanksgiving Day 2004. I had just started running at that time, didn't really enjoy it that much (I've done sports all my life and two minutes into running I'm gasping for air, feeling really out of shape and just wanting to spend the rest of the day on the sofa to recover from exhaustion...). I hoped the peer pressure of a group would help - in a misery loves company kind of way. It did - I finished the 10K and then some.
And a year later I am still running.
Now, last Saturday, the really nice guy and I had our first training with that running group together. Let me clarify something, though. Somehow, because we are dating a lot of people seem to think that I forced him to start running. How could I? First of all, I wouldn't want to date anyone who does everything I tell him and he is really not that type of guy. And black-mailing isn't really my thing, either: Honey, if you don't run with me I'll run away?!? Obviously, you haven't seen me running. At races, I get passed by walkers of the age group 60-65 (that has happened!). Not much of a threat there.
Back to Saturday.
The whole purpose of this training was to determine what group we belong in once the training starts. So we warmed up for ten minutes, ran another ten, and once we crossed the imaginary finish line everyone received a little piece of paper with a number on it that represented the group we made it into. You already know that I am not the fastest but at least I'm consistently slow and found myself in group 3 - again (with group 1 being the walkers...). The really nice guy made it into group 5. Really! I'd say it must have been my splendid training (we've been running together for a little bit over two months now) but he says that the real reason is that he has an athlete inside. I wonder what's inside of me then. A Sumo wrestler?!?
I'll keep you posted.
Bis bald,
SAPgirl
And a year later I am still running.
Now, last Saturday, the really nice guy and I had our first training with that running group together. Let me clarify something, though. Somehow, because we are dating a lot of people seem to think that I forced him to start running. How could I? First of all, I wouldn't want to date anyone who does everything I tell him and he is really not that type of guy. And black-mailing isn't really my thing, either: Honey, if you don't run with me I'll run away?!? Obviously, you haven't seen me running. At races, I get passed by walkers of the age group 60-65 (that has happened!). Not much of a threat there.
Back to Saturday.
The whole purpose of this training was to determine what group we belong in once the training starts. So we warmed up for ten minutes, ran another ten, and once we crossed the imaginary finish line everyone received a little piece of paper with a number on it that represented the group we made it into. You already know that I am not the fastest but at least I'm consistently slow and found myself in group 3 - again (with group 1 being the walkers...). The really nice guy made it into group 5. Really! I'd say it must have been my splendid training (we've been running together for a little bit over two months now) but he says that the real reason is that he has an athlete inside. I wonder what's inside of me then. A Sumo wrestler?!?
I'll keep you posted.
Bis bald,
SAPgirl
Saturday, September 10, 2005
Hello World!
Well, now that I have my own little piece of Internet - what am I going to do with it?
There are really a lot of things I could write about. My profession, for example. Those in IT may have already guessed that I am an SAP consultant - and surprisingly enough, after almost 10 years I still enjoy being one! Kind of geeky, I guess, but due to my job I also had the opportunity to work in Germany, Great-Britain, France, Brazil, Mexico, and the USA.
Which leads me to my next possible topic - a German working and living in the States. Who would have thought that there that many cultural differences - after all, you find a McDonald's at (almost) every street corner in Germany, too...
And last but not least I could publish about my life as a runner. That does still sound weird to me because I started running only a year ago. And even though I'm really slow I have since finished several 5Ks, a 4 Miler, a 10K, a 15K, a half-marathon, and even a marathon!!!
Well, I'll think about it.
Bis bald,
SAPgirl
There are really a lot of things I could write about. My profession, for example. Those in IT may have already guessed that I am an SAP consultant - and surprisingly enough, after almost 10 years I still enjoy being one! Kind of geeky, I guess, but due to my job I also had the opportunity to work in Germany, Great-Britain, France, Brazil, Mexico, and the USA.
Which leads me to my next possible topic - a German working and living in the States. Who would have thought that there that many cultural differences - after all, you find a McDonald's at (almost) every street corner in Germany, too...
And last but not least I could publish about my life as a runner. That does still sound weird to me because I started running only a year ago. And even though I'm really slow I have since finished several 5Ks, a 4 Miler, a 10K, a 15K, a half-marathon, and even a marathon!!!
Well, I'll think about it.
Bis bald,
SAPgirl
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