Don't mention the war!

I once read that it is exhausting to watch a German relax. I can say from experience that this is a very true statement.

The first time I really noticed this was coming back from USA to live in Sweden again. I had spent the last few days in USA frantically packing and saying farewell to my friends. I flew overnight to Sweden, arriving at about 7am in the morning completely exhausted and jetlagged. Dr. P came from Copenhagen to meet me, and to get there that early she had to get up at 4 am. When we finally got to my apartment about 9am, I thought maybe going to bed would be an option. I was so wrong. Before I knew it, I was in a supermarket buying paint and within 5 hours of touching down in Sweden we were painting a bookcase white.......

After meeting Dr. P's mother I realised this is a genetic trait. There should be something happening and there should be a plan. And the plan, well, it should be well-planned.

Dr. P's mother (Frau N) was going to Cambridge, and I was assigned the job of getting her to King's Cross station. She did not need to get a particular train, she just had to phone her cousin when she knew which train she was getting. So we started discussing when we should leave the house. I thought we should aim for between 8 and 8.30. But I forgot, that is not precise enough for a German. I was then asked, "will we leave at 8 or are we getting the train at 8?". For a quiet, life I answered we could maybe aim to leave the house around 8. Much to my surprise, Frau N was up having a shower at 6.30 am the next day. At exactly 8.00 hours and zero seconds she announced "I'm ready!". I don't think she was too impressed with me, as instead of running out the door, I actually finished brushing my teeth.....

Needless to say, all the way to King's Cross station a running commentary was demanded of how long the bus would take, how many stations the train would stop at, which platform the train would leave from. The funny thing is that she doesn't speak English and I don't speak German. So although she was nodding very contentedly that there was a plan, she didn't actually understand most of it......But at least there WAS a plan.