Culture surprise!

At this point in our stay in Germany (a little over half-way), I'm finding it unexpected to be experiencing culture - not shock, exactly, more surprise. Yes, culture surprise. Situations that leave me thinking things ranging from "Hm, what an odd way to think/behave!" to "Now why would you do that?" and finally to "Oh no you di'n't!"

Zum beispiel (For example):

1. Butting in line
This keeps happening to me. If there's a line, I stand directly in front of the goal, behind the person who is actually paying or putting away their step (in step class at the gym). Inevitably, someone cuts in from the left or right, standing beside the person in front of me at the cash. I suppose they are physically closer to the cashier, but then they actually have to step in front of me, who has been there longer.
When it happened at McDonalds (and got between me and my child's food), I, a Canadian (here's how I know I've been here for a while), said something! And here's how we know we're not in Canada: it was all very pleasant. They smiled apologetically, and said, "Oh well, look, here's our
food - we didn't make you wait very long!" I smiled and wished them a good day. In Canada we would probably have settled for dirty looks and cold shoulders (after I apologized for standing in their way!). I think I might prefer this pleasant confrontation instead of unpleasant politeness. (I would have said something the other day to a lady who butted in line, but Kaia had just fallen into her change room and caused a bit of a ruckus, so I let it go. Sometimes, it's better that way.)

2. Birthdays
Birthdays may not be celebrated in any way before the actual date of birth. Very important. This is causing some difficulty for us since Lia's will happen in the first 4 days of holidays. I wanted her to be able to celebrate her birthday at Kindergarten. So, I talked it over with a friend, and said that maybe I could just send the cupcakes (NOT cookies - cookies are only for Christmas time. The crazy Canadians sent maple leaf cookies on July 1st, can you believe it?! What is this, Christmas in July?) during the last week of kindergarten, less than a week ahead of her birthday. However, it can't be done. I inquired as to why, and from what I gather, it's just considered bad luck. But I'm not superstitious and neither is my friend. Still, she said, "But really, you can't do it." Shade!

3. Pigeons - the rats of the air
Neighbours beside us (we can just see their roof), have a multitude of pigeons living on their roof. We felt so sorry for them. The noise. The smell. The pigeons!! Ick. I wondered what could be done for them. Then one night, we were sitting enjoying a steak grilled on our charcoal grill (apparently propane BBQs are for old people nearing death - but I much prefer them), when we heard a strange sound above the pigeon ruckus. It sounded almost like someone calling to the pigeons. Indeed, we stood up and saw an arm reaching out of one of the windows, and the pigeons all gather around the window. And then - horrors - the pigeons went IN THE HOUSE. I almost screamed.

The next day I told my German teacher about this awful scene, and she said, "Oh, pigeon racers!" She told me all about the poor man's horses. They raise pigeons to race. They have special clocks in which they place the fastest pigeon's ankle bracelet, and then bring the clocks to a special location where they drink a beer and figure out who wins and give each other tips on how to care for their rats - I mean - pigeons.

Wow. I just looked up pigeon racing, and there are so many links. Here's a few to enjoy:
www.speedpigeon.com
www.purebredpigeon.com
www.pigeonnetwork.com
http://forum.pigeonbasics.com/m-1225393326/

And of course, Wikipedia explains how it works: Competing birds are taken from their lofts and must race home. The time taken and distance are recorded and the fastest bird is declared the winner. Races are generally between 100 and 1000km in distance. To compete in a race, it must wear a permanent, unique numbered ring or band that is placed on its leg at about 5 days of age. For a race to be conducted, the competing pigeons must be entered into the race, usually at the organisation's clubhouse, and taken away from their home to be released at a predetermined time and location. The distance between the bird's home loft and the racepoint is carefully measured by GPS and the time taken by the bird to return is measured using one of the two acceptable timing methods. Here's a picture of an old-style timer.

So, I can imagine how the racing is interesting and fun, and that it's gratifying to be part of a worldwide community etc, etc. Sure. But at the end of the day, when you have rats living in your attic (and I spoke to witnesses who say it STINKS), you gotta ask yourself if maybe you should get another hobby. Or at least locate them in an outbuilding!

So the pigeon racing isn't actually a German culture surprise, exactly, since they do it all over the world, but I heard of it here first. And in Canada, they sure wouldn't be living in your attic.
Oh, Germany! What will you think of next?