in knots over knots
lately i’ve found myself getting frustrated by what i perceive as rigidness in other peoples’ habits, particularly Ulrich’s. it feels over-simplistic to characterize it like this but i suppose there’s a hint of a “german vs. american” cultural clash - i.e. the german idea that there’s a “proper” way to do everything versus the american love of breaking rules and turning conventions on their head (because that, supposedly, is what innovation is all about!). it was in germany that i learned the “correct” way to eat spaghetti (which involves twirling your noodles into haystacks using a fork against the surface of a spoon, a method i was oblivious to while living in the states), or that there’s a type of drinking glass uniquely suited for wheat beer, which is different from an IPA or a pilsner glass.
sometimes i get so frustrated by this perceived german rigidity that i get very grumpy and tied up in knots, convinced that the limits on most germans’ imaginations makes living here feel uninspiring and dull.
and at other times - like right now, when my mood appears to have shifted for no apparent reason - i think: how nice and grounding it must be, to always know and expect what is appropriate, to feel tidy and refined when digging into a pile of saucy red spaghetti. besides, i like the way the tines scratch against the surface of the spoon when i spool my fork up with noodles.