cultural differences

Dublin Water Restrictions (rant)

Back in the middle of December, and again 10 days later (through the new year) Dublin experienced alot of snow. This area doesn’t usually get snow (before the a single snow dusting in the winter of 2009, most areas had been snow-free for over 18 years!) and the winter sees mostly rain. The result has been interesting – especially for a girl who has lived in other areas of the world that get alot of snow (Utah, Russia, Germany) plans for it, deals for it, and each person takes responsibility for their “area”.

Things I’ve learned about snow in Ireland – just since these two snow storms – which amount to cultural differences (in most cases):

a) There’s only one snowplow for all of Dublin

b) There are only 2 snow plows for all of the Greater Dublin area

c) There is just not grit/sand here for the roads – let alone the sidewalks, so while major streets may get cleared/salted – nothing else is.

d)  Culturally, people don’t/won’t clear their own personal walkways in front of their houses (this includes steps).  I don’t know if this is because they are lazy, don’t care, don’t know how to, or simply don’t have the “equipment” to do it.  (I removed my snow by a stiff broom – and did so repeatedly during the last storm.) It’s made transportation – and yes, even walking dangerous when there’s snow/ice on the ground.

e) My property management for my apartment complex won’t clear the snow either.  In fact, they sent out notices saying that the maintenance crews would only “grit” the places on the road where people turn in off the main road – and they didn’t get paid to clear the roads, sidewalks or etc.  On the same notice that they sent – they were stating that the fees that were paid (how they were spent), and how the insurance cost for the complex was very expensive.  (Really? and it’s not negligent to leave the sidewalks/parking areas/streets uncleared and dangerous to walk – someone falling because of this doesn’t raise your property insurance? Wankers!)

f) The government isn’t being held accountable/responsible (see more below), and they’re not holding anyone else responsible.  Regarding points d/e – The Taoisech (Prime Minister) of Ireland recently made a statement saying that property owners can’t be held liable for claims on their property due to injury during snow this winter – because it was a natural “happening” and as long as their due diligence had been done, then there could be no lawsuit.  The problem is – that due diligence here, is obviously NOT due diligence where some of the other places I’ve lived is concerned.  (Due diligence here in Ireland being that it’s snow, people shouldn’t go out in it until it’s melted, if you do, it’s your own risk… and other places being – let me shovel my own walk – so that people that might cross my property aren’t at such a high risk!)

g) There’s no public water for several hours each day because of poor planning, so make sure to have extra water on hand.  aka – Water restrictions?!? Really? Who the HELL Turns off their water on the coldest nights of the year?!? (Warning Rant below)

Back during the first snow storm – in the middle of December, there was a heightened use of water in Dublin – as we ran up to Christmas – as people were turning on taps to keep pipes from freezing, took extra showers to get warm, cooked more food, and had relatives in town, etc.  Because of this, the Dublin water council and many of the surrounding districts began removing pressure from the pipes.  The result was that the reservoirs were slightly re-filled.  However, not enough, and soon reached “critical” levels.  So, they began turning off the water between 7pm and 7am on different nights according to a schedule that they released only a matter of a few hours before they actually turned off the water.

The thing with turning off the water is this – it’s not just the water to my tap that’s getting turned off.  Much like most of the homes here, my heat is tied into my hot water boiler system.  Basically, how the system works is that the water fills up a tank and the tank gets heated.  The pressure of the water flowing through the system moves that hot water around and heats the flat.  The excess water from this system then either goes out as steam or is dripped out an overflow pipe into my front garden and/or back into the water tank itself.  In summary, when there’s no water pressure, the boiler won’t kick on – so not only is there no hot water, there is no heat.  (Luckily, I do have a gas fireplace to heat my front room – it doesn’t heat much much beyond that, but it does heat the front room.)  So, the result is that it’s not only turning off my water – when the water is turned off – it’s turning off my heat too. AARG!!

Now, logically, (returning to the water rant)  if you know anything about turning off the water to a district, there may not be water going to my tap, but there is still water left sitting in the wall, in the mains, and so on.   And because it’s no longer moving – even a little bit – the water left behind expands and cracks the pipes… right? Right.  The result, is that when the water comes back on or when the weather warms up – those pipes begin to leak (thus using more water).  Then the second storm hit – dropping between 8 and 10 inches of snow on Dublin -with yet several days of hard freeze.  And what happened?  These bright councils – they kept turning off the water to different areas, extending the “off” times from 6pm – 10 am every other night, and then again from 6pm – 12 noon.

Well, what’s the result?  The weather is went above freezing for 3-4 days – and … Water chaos has commenced.  There were broken water mains everywhere, the water is leaking out of homes and businesses, water mains and etc – and the water reserves are staying at critical.  They originally said oh – we’ll have everyone back on normal water starting on New Year’s Day.  Then, they said by the 5th of January.  Well, now they’re saying another 2 weeks (after having endured this for a month).

Thing is that the people here don’t seem very outraged or annoyed by it.  They’re filling up buckets, pots and pans, bath tubs, and water bottles each night before the water’s cut off.  And when it comes back on?!? What do you think that they’re doing with that water?  Um.. They’re opening the bath tub to drain the water (So they can bathe later), they’re dumping out the buckets into the toilet, and effectively – using more water than what they might have….  And don’t see the fundamental problem about it being wasted.

This weekend, Dublin is preparing to have water restrictions – still – and guess what?  We’re about to have another multi-day cold snap. Somehow, the logic of the councils turning off the water on the coldest days of the year (as they originally did) defied them – and at this rate, there’s no end coming soon for the water restrictions.

Oh – and if you think that I’m ranting just to rant, let me put in here, that in Germany, Russia, Utah, and Georgia – we had water restrictions in the SUMMER – but never in the winter, so if these other places can figure out that things FREEZE when it’s cold…  I would expect that people here could too.  (Note that  in Germany, the trains break in the winter.. trains … water.. trains.. water.  Umm – I can admit I was annoyed by the trains, but the water thing… you don’t need trains to live – you do need water… )

Oh well.

What do I know – the Pub is warm (from the masses of bodies packed in there), there’s plenty of Guinness to drink, plenty Guinness stew to eat, and “football” on the tele.  Maybe I should just go to the Pub, and deal with it like the Irish do.  Sláinte!

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I’ve been so bad about blogging….

I’ve been so bad about blogging lately. I guess life’s kind of gotten in the way.
In short, I’m still currently with eBay – but I don’t know for how long. The company attempted to solve the situation with the coworker who is no longer a co-worker. (YEAY). It means we’re going to be even shorter staffed until September when they hire someone to replace them but… at least the work is getting done -and getting done right. I’m having to do overtime – but at least it’s expected and anticipated as the day goes on – and not dropped on me at 5:30 pm just before I leave. In that way, it’s an improvement.
Let’s see – Oh – Wednesday (June 4) was apparently the German “national day to be an asshole” anytime you see fit. I was in a great mood because it’s been sunny here for 3.5 weeks straight (yeah, knock me over) and in the 70’s and low 80’s. It’s just been beautiful, and a pleasure to go outside, ride my bike or walk. Heck, I’ve eaten my fair share of outdoors meals too – got to love the cafe, the umbrellas, and the pond at the office for that.
For the natives, however, it’s hot. My neighbor has been grumbling that it’s too sunny, too dry, and too hot. (for me, it’s just nice – but then I like to bake like a lizard on a rock in this warm weather…). It’s making me giggle – until Wednesday that is. You see, I came into contact with 4 complete assholes – doing rude stuff that well, even for here it’s considered rude and/or uncouth – and it was directed (in most cases) at me in some manner. I was like ok “what’s your issue” most of the time – but then, i guess it’s because they’re cranky because it’s “too hot”. (frigging complainers – wait until you experience over 100 degree temperatures for weeks at a time!) So what were they?
a) I’m riding my bike and have to merge into a round about. There’s no cars coming – and I merge in – then suddenly, there’s a new mercades behind me. I only have to go to the first street – so I pop in there and hop back onto the bike path as quickly as I can. The guy rolls down his electric passenger window, slows down and yells at me crap about having to merge into the round about (mind you i was RIDING IN THE GUTTER!). He was basically pissed that he had to slow down instead of blasting around it… god forbid, (asshole!).
b) I’m on the train into berlin, and holding onto the center pole between two doors. It’s rush hour, and there’s 4 of us where this is the only place we can get on/get off the train. Guy gets on, talking to his colleague. He holds on to the center pole, then decides to face her, and leans his complete back and body up against the pole (up his spine) crushing our hands, which we’re quickly removing saying OUCH! He looks at us, says “oh, excuse me” and then proceeds to do it again. We have to ride the train, hoping to not fall on the people next to us. (Asshole!!)
c) Headed home – have to take 2 trains back. It’s warm in the trains, and all the windows are open. I’m under one of them, sitting. Some girl from all the way on the other side of the train comes walking up closing the windows over all the other passengers (not just hers) the whole train car. Why? because it’s too noisy underground (it’s 2 stops and you’re in motion most of the time) . I was like get over yourself and re-opened the window over me – since she was clear at the other end of the train. Sure, it’s loud, but better to deal with 5 minutes of loud, than 30 minutes of hot, stinky, sweaty people (who won’t re-open a window if their life depended on it.) (RUDE!)
d) Second train home – i’m chatting on my cell phone with a box of dunkin donuts next to me. It’s a full car, so when some people get on, I politely move the box to my lap and keep chatting on the phone. Drunk teenager guy sits down next to me and starts making lewd comments in english (the other party can hear them) like suck my d**k, baby, don’t you wanna F**K, and so on. I replied with shut the fuck up – (does he talk to his mom like that?), and he continues on. I finally, rather than hanging up with the person I was talking to, step over the guy and move – finding another place further up the train. On his way out, he’s like walking past and trying to grab me. I shot him a bird.. but what an ASSHOLE!! (Is it any wonder I dislike 99% of German men?)
Tomorrow – pictures!
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Trying to get a New Apartment? Yeah Right.

Things I can tell you about moving to Germany and renting an apartment – now that I’ve done it… a comparison. Warning – complaint ahead – mostly due to cultural differences that maybe someone can clear up for why this is…..

*** First some background – in the USA, you only need to give 1 month of notice before moving, at most two. When you get your deposit back – they give it back within the month after you move – at most 3 months if you are getting it back. If not, they must provide you a letter for why they are keeping it. In Most states, the renter does not need to repaint, recarpet, or do any improvements to the apartment (in fact if you paint a different color wall – they will fine you!). There are no wires allowed to hang from the celings or anywhere else. Likewise, in the bathroom – a working toilet, bathing facilities and sink must be provided and in the kitchen, there must be a stove, refrigerator, and working sink. This is an “unfurnished apartment”. ***

In Germany….

a) You have to give 3 months notice before you move out. This has to be given by the 3rd or the 5th of the month before you move. This means if you hate the place, you’re stuck there for at least 3 months.

b) Unfurnished apartments have no lights (open wires from the celings), no kitchen (not even a sink, refrigerator, or stove), and the bathroom doesn’t have to have facilities for bathing – a sink and toilet are the only thing necessary.

c) You have to repaint the flat before you move – and maybe replace the carpets. At your own expense. The owner/landlord doesn’t expect that there is normal wear and tear on the place – or that they should have to do anything but collect your rent, do some paperwork, and just profit.

d) Don’t plan on getting your deposit back the month you move out either. Landlords here can hold your deposit – after you’ve moved – for 6 months to a 1 year after you’ve moved out.

e) If you do plan to move out – and find a new place – plan on 3 months rent (as a deposit) and your first month’s rent being how much you pay just to get in. In the case of a 600 Eur a month apartment, you have to come up with 2400 eur – just to move in…. that doesn’t count moving expenses (like renting a truck), repainting/ recarpeting the old apartment, or anything like that.

Ok folks, you’ve been warned. Welcome to Germany, you’ve found a flat, don’t ever move.

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