Bravo, Westerwelle, Bravo: When in Germany.....

I had a hard time masking initial shock upon seeing this. For those of you who don't speak German, the BBC British reporter asked newly appointed German Foreign Affairs Minister Westerwelle whether he could answer his English asked-question in English. Westerwelle answered and I translate:

"As it is the case that one speaks English in Great Britain, it is also the case that one speaks German in Germany."

Westerwelle further adds jokingly that he would love to meet after the press conference for some tea where they could speak in English. But, he interjects, in the end: 'Es ist Deutschland hier.' This is, after all, Germany.
Indeed!!

Seriously BBC guy, you must have been joking! One cannot be shocked that one chooses to speak German in one's own country.

Was ist denn das?!

View the exchange here:

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German Elections and Cable Talk

A favorite thing of mine is news commentary and cable talk. The thing becomes even more enjoyable to me when I follow German commentary. The coverage of the last election which resulted yesterday in Merkel winning was quite gripping.

Those of you who do German will undoubtedly get a kick out of the 'bias' in this Merkel v Westerwelle commentary. By way of context, Merkel is a conservative and Westerwelle is a liberal. The openly gay leader of the FDP allied with Angela Merkel who will continue to be chancellor. Westerwelle will most likely be vice chancellor and Foreign Minister.
Quite a marriage, indeed!
Ah, also the caption of the video on Spiegel TV says: "Hochzeitsnacht: Westerwelle kuschelt, Merkel mahnt." Translated, "Wedding night: Westerwelle's cuddling whereas Merkel is exhorting."
Hmm. Tough to pick up on bias there.
Watch this. I found it oddly entertaining.

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