“WHAT DO I WEAR?”
July 20, 2022“LOOK, THERE’S A SHEEP”
August 19, 2022.. which is not expressly permitted”
or
“Is everything allowed that is not expressly forbidden?”
If you are new to Germany, you will ask yourself at least one of these questions.
This can even be increased:
Forbidden, strictly forbidden, forbidden by the police.
Just don’t activate the allure of prohibition in yourself, for example to enter a property without permission.
Because bans here have consequences and a valid reason – partially.
Private is used here as a synonym.
You are probably thinking:
Such a shame about these properties and waterfront paths.
Fortunately, your German teacher explained the meaning of the word “prohibited” to you several times. She knew you were going to have problems with that.
It seems to you that it is the most used word when communicating with strangers.
Don’t get the idea of walking over a prohibition sign just because there’s no warden around.
Because here it is only teeming with unofficial police officers.
Everyone has the right to admonish you.
It doesn’t matter if he understands the reason for the ban. The prohibition sign gives him the right.
If he fails to admonish you, you risk an evil eye.
You have the feeling that people are grateful for bans.
Over time you will also understand complicated sentences such as “Where would we be if everyone did that”
At the beginning you wonder if Germany gets a bonus for bans from a high power…
You find the escalation to strictly or forbidden by the police amusing and at the same time frightening.
At some point you think they are so nice because they just want to prevent you from hurting yourself.
Years later you realize that it’s partly to do with liability – they’re not that nice to you after all.
Once you have arrived at the company, you will also encounter many rules that are sometimes no longer relevant.
But no one dares to question them.
It’s convenient to hide behind rules. Who wants to risk being the first to make a decision?
You create magical encounters if you want to understand the meaning behind the prohibitions.
Question the real reason and address it empathetically. people are grateful for that.
Despite this observation, the worst prohibition is what you inflict on yourself and project onto others.
You don’t have to point your fingers at prohibition signs.
The prohibitions in your head sometimes go very far back – to your country of origin or to your upbringing.
In other words: Don’t limit yourself, then you will see more possibilities than prohibitions.
So when I’m hiking, I find that a blocked access opens up better new paths.
What are you allowing yourself today?