Way of life in Germany

Cash is still the preferred form of payment,

Water has to be ordered - still - I mean STILL - not sparkling if you don't like incessant bubbles in your drink - there are no free lunches for sure but not even free water (except in Starbucks - go USA),

Speaking of - there are more bier gartens than Starbucks - go Germany,

Beer in general is cheaper than water - go Germany,

People buy what they need - because they do not have cars (they export them all - go (to) USA) to haul away a 48 pack of anything,

People answer questions as they are asked and answer them literally - a slight mispronunciation makes them think you do not know what you are talking about and they will walk away,

Not much new construction going on in any town we saw - except maybe Stuttgart - leads me to think there is zero population growth,

In spite of the beer everywhere culture it is rare to see a guy or gal stoned out,

Smoking is permitted in many parts of the country - so much so that there is a Raucher (smoking) and Nicht Raucher zone at each train station. Of course remember you can always ABFAHRT!

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Of chocolates

I like chocolates. Godiva Dark with Almonds - not sure of the naked woman on the horse to be the icon of some choice cocoa based products but tastes good. Started in Belgium but now owned by some Turks. Cadburys - Fruit and Nut Milk Bars - awesome combination of dried fruit pieces along with a medley of nuts makes your toungue dance - started by a Brit now owen by Kraft USA. Lindt Hazelnut spheres - made by a Swiss confectioner are divine balls that melt in your mouth with a lingering nutty taste Ghirardelli Milk Crisp Squares - crunchy and light these milk squares are easy on the palate but pack some serious calories - all good I say! Originally founded by an Italian who moved around till he landed in SF Bay today also owned by the Swiss Lindt empire.

Columbia SC

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Cost of entrepreneurship

Last night I attended a guest lecture on the subject of disruptive technology and entrepreneurship. Lecture was free but it was used as a pitch by the University that hosted it to attract new customers. The speaker was somewhat respectable fellow who happened to hail from India and spoke eloquently. One of the key message was around how the professors in this university were ranked among the very best money can buy. Cost of the MBA program mere $110,000 and oh we also buy some dinner if you have late class. So now the math is simple- is learning to be entrepreneurial worth the cost of entry? That is assuming you end up being one. What of those that do not? or the ones that are not successful at being the entrepreneur? Is that being a pessimist before even being handed the glass. What I found strange is that people will bet big money on the glimmer of hope that they might just make a entrepreneurial debut and hit it big. The unive...

Brown Motion

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