Friday, October 17, 2008

germans being funny

In the Google Munich office. I'm temporarily sitting in an office with two German engineers.

Me: [dialing a number into the phone] "Hello? Oh, I'm sorry. I got the wrong number."

Munich Googler #1: [overhearing] "Did you dial 7 to get to an outside line?"

Me: "Yes, but it didn't work. I'm trying to call this number: 4916..."

Munich Googler #1: "Replace 49 with 0. You are in Germany, so you don't need the top-level namespace."

Munich Googler #2: "Why don't you just say 'Don't dial the country code' like a normal person?"

Munich Googler #1: [confidently] "This is more understandable."

I thought it was cute.

7 comments:

  1. Being Dutch I find the title of this post completely uncomprehensible. Dutch, English and I guess most Europeans think Germans lack a sense of humor or to say the least are very good at conceiling it.

    So, the title triggered me to read the post and well it gave me a faint smile, but the story does not contradicts the statement I amde above.

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  2. Hey...we Germans are funny! Well..sometimes...;-) But I think it's quite funny. Referring to it as top level namespace is pretty cool ;D Always thought there are only 'freaks' at Google ;-)

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  3. Germans can be funny but they are really afraid to offend someone.

    (I'm also Dutch)

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  4. heh it's weird though; in the US, we DO dial our TLN of "1".. are we the only country to do so?

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  5. That's hilarious!

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  6. Niniane, if Obama were single would you consider boning him? Be honest!!!

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  7. anonymous just gave me a great laugh in the niniane will you marry me series, i have to admit :-)
    I guess it would be roughly equal to endorsing him for most commenters
    ---
    I guess most Europeans think Germans lack a sense of humor or to say the least are very good at conceiling it.

    >> It's just more subtle. You may have not even noticed it :-)

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