B.T.W

By Eileen Yu

By the way, ZDNet Asia has more to say

The German rule of order

Posted in By The Way by Eileen Yu on Friday, December 19 2008 04:51 AM

I'm back in Germany for another stopover this week, after catching a quick flight from Vienna, and staying with some friends in Cologne.

It's my first visit to the city, the fourth-largest and one of the oldest in Germany, founded by the Romans in 38 BC. It was here that the term Eau de Cologne originated, and it is here where one of Europe's biggest street carnivals is held--the Cologne carnival season commences each year on Nov. 11 at exactly 11 minutes past 11am.

Cologne is also renowned for its beer, or Kölsch, and during this time of the year, the local bars extend their menus to include a traditional drink called Glühwein, or glow wine. Commonly available during the Christmas season, Glühwein is typically prepared from a concoction of red wine, cinnamon, vanilla, citrus and sugar. It is served hot, hence, the term "glow" as the wine illuminates in the heat, and also gives those who've had a drink or two a rosy glow.

But, in spite of their intoxicating love for beer--and the seasonal hot wine--the Germans, as most of us would know, are incredibly efficient, reliable and organized. Some locals attribute the orderly life to the many laws and rules that govern the German life.

As my friend puts it: "There's a law for every s*** here."

In that way, Germany isn't that much different from Singapore, which has been so aptly dubbed a "fine" city for the numerous penalties it imposes when rules are broken.

I can't speak for the Germans, but as a Singaporean, I've come to accept the laws and regulations as a small price to pay in exchange for security. There aren't many countries today where women, or men for that matter, can feel safe walking alone on the streets in the middle of the night.

That said, though, I also believe that as a country's population matures, it needs to learn to live with fewer rules and allowed to develop on its own. It needs to be able to evolve by its own rationale and make its own decisions--both right and wrong.

Some ground rules are necessary to provide the basic guidelines, but beyond that, we should all be capable of thinking for ourselves, rather than wait to be told to do what's good for us.

I remember standing at a pedestrian crossing one day with a friend, waiting for the little red man to turn green. After checking for any oncoming traffic, I started my way across the road, leaving my friend still standing at the crossing. It was a small road with little traffic--I wouldn't dream of doing the same for a major junction--but still, my friend was indignant.

When she chided me for breaking the law, I replied: "Rules are made for those who can't think for themselves." I told her that there was clearly no traffic a mile away, and as clear-thinking adults, we can easily rationalize that it's safe to cross the road. So why wait for a little green man to tell us that?

In the business realm, rules can lay the ground for much-needed corporate governance, especially in this post-Enron era. However, too much regulation can be prohibitive and damaging to business development.

On top of that, innovation cannot flourish when it's constrained by excessive rules and restricted by unnecessary boundaries.

And hopefully, one day, the Singapore government will learn to trust its people to realize for themselves why chewing gum and subway trains don't go well together, and lift the country's ban on the latex candy.

Until then, at least, I count the small blessing that there's no law in Germany restricting the amount of Kölsch and Glühwein I can consume during my stay here. So, here's wishing one and all happy days...Prost!

Disclaimer:
Views and opinions expressed in this blog are the author's, and do not necessarily represent those of ZDNet Asia.

Talkback 4 comments

The German rule of order
I beg to differ on your comment on crossing the road when it is little red man at a crossing. Even though if there isn't a car in sight from a mile way, it is a safety precaution. You never know when a crazy driver decides to appear out of nowhere, comes speeding down the road, and knocks you down when you are crossing on a little red man. If you value your life, you would take this precaution, regardless of how silly it is to wait for the little man to turn green. If you do get knock down on whilst crossing on a little red man, it is unlikely that you will get any sympathy in court because the little man was red, and not green.

I was in Germany on a business trip 3 years ago, and the drivers will stare at anyone who doesn't cross when the little man turns green.
Posted by anonymous on Friday, December 19 2008 01:05 PM

The German rule of order
Being from Germany I can assure you that there is a law against crossing the street at a red light - and you will get fined. Don't get me wrong, I agree with you on most points, but the simple reason why we wait for this green man is that we simply don't want to pay the fine, not because of some crazy driver that might appear out of nowhere...and probably would have run you over anyway, green light or not, given that he's crazy and speeding in the city.
Let me add that while you are allowed to drink as much as you like or can, there is a law against taking part on traffic when drunk. In Germany you are considered taking part on the traffic even so you are riding a bike or walking.
You can actually loose your drivers license for walking drunk through the city, as ridiculous as it might seem. Be on the safe side and take a cab.

Prost!
Posted by Phate on Tuesday, December 23 2008 05:22 AM

The German rule of order
The little green man is there for a reason. :-)

Next time anyone crosses the road, regardless of where the lights are, ask yourself this question, "Do I value my life?" :-)
Posted by anonymous on Wednesday, December 24 2008 11:06 AM

Hitler and Hirohito: Products of Sheep-Herding
Giving up in Singapore your freedom for safety (in large numbers of sheep) is a truly cowardly way to live.

Arrive in a Singaporean airport, young man with an unruly haircut, and you may not be admitted to the country. Author, does that make you feel safer?

Germany's Ordnung produces citizens who appear cold, tight, anal-retentive, and rule-bound. It's not surprising that their humor and porn are often scatological.

Japan's culture of facade is so stifling that, even today, there exist not only infinite honorifics but also a specialized language subset of Japanese used just to hide one's true feelings and offer a polite, correct response.

Next, for the sake of safety order, Singapore may demand wrist barcode tattoos, to expedite identification.

All for a sense of Ordnung.
Posted by Big Brother on Tuesday, December 23 2008 08:12 AM

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About the blogger

Eileen Yu

Eileen Yu began covering the IT industry when Asynchronous Transfer Mode was still hip and e-commerce was the new buzzword. These days, she gets stirred up over issues concerning Internet regulation, intellectual property rights and software patents, online privacy and data protection. Eileen is senior editor at ZDNet Asia, where she oversees the business tech news site.