As a native-born Seattleite who's been living in Germany since 1988 and in Munich since 2000, I plan on occasionally commenting on German and American culture and politics, from the perspective of one with a foot in each country.
" Wie geht es dir ?" "How are you feeling?" These questions are probably heard in every culture. The answers, and how mild illness is dealt with, varies between Germany and America. Mir geht es schlecht - I'm not feeling well. Really. Since Thursday I've been lying in bed with a low fever, racking cough, stuffed up nose and sneezing. A typical February complaint. What do I have? For an American, the answer is probably simple - either a cold or the flu, perhaps with a touch of bronchitis. For a German the answer is not quite so clear cut. The German is aware that real flu (influenza) is characterized by a sudden high fever, chills, and aches and pains - in addition to the typical upper respiratory symptoms. I don't think I have influenza - my fever, at around 100°, just isn't high enough. And I don't have any aches and pains. But a cold? Well, does a cold come with a fever? It might, I guess, in English. But the Germans have a special word fo
Comments
I was speaking with Shawn Hicks and he mentioned that you'd attended Whitman in the late '70s?
I was there for one year, '76/'77.
Did our paths cross?
I was studying with Jose' Rambaldi (Theory and History) and Kay Gainocopulos (Sax and Jazz Band)....
Chuck Thomas
chuckt@tmaf.com
I was a freshman in September 1976 (graduated in 1980). So our paths may have crossed. I had piano with José, and was in the concert band with Gus Gainacopulos.
John
jlweb@gmx.net