European vacation part 3

[tenaya]

I forgot to mention the Arnold Effect. While in Germany, we soon realized that admiting we were California would earn us big happy smiles. Arnold Schwarzenegger winning the governorship was big news there and they were very proud of him. Of course, I refrained from enlightening them to how I saw the situation, and just nodded and smiled along with them. And when Arnold took the oath of office, it was telecast live on German TV in prime time.

The world really is a very peculiar place.

Comments

[sg1scribe.livejournal.com]

I thought Arnie was an Austrian? How very odd.

[tenaya.livejournal.com]

He is Austrian, so it was one of those double take things at first.
I suppose this would tend to show that the Germans feel very close to the Austrian neighbors if they are feeling that proud of one of their native sons. And I mean the word "California" ALWAYS got big grins and excitement.

As an aside, as I was writing that entry, I was listening to Arnold's press conference on the tv, just letting us know everything was being cut way back, like health care to the poor and elderly...oh, that's right, those were just being 'capped.' Personally, I would have rathered paid triple my car registration rather than gut these programs.

Enough of that. I'm off to visit some SG friends in a bit, so time to get happy!