I have never lived in West Germany for any length of time so I can't say what it's like to try and start a business there. The differences between east and west are still to be seen. They are obvious even to the passive observer. I don't want to dive into those differences at this time, though. The purpose is to let people who are thinking about moving here and starting a business know what challenges they will face.
One important thing to know is that if people here can't justify spending money on the product/service that your business supplies, then you will fail. There is no doubt about that. What they can justify spending money on is the question. This answer is still not known to me. I watch and pay careful attention to what people buy, when and ( if possible to find out) why. This is my form of market research.
I know that people here don't earn as much as their West German counterparts, but the cost of living is a lot less here, too. The question is, of course, is the pay in line with the cost of living. I think it is, so with that being said, the next question is 'what do they think is important?'. Okay, I know beer, sausage, and nice (read expensive) cars are important to everyone here. There are enough black Audi A3's, Beamers of every variety, and Porsches to prove that point. It also seems that expensive 'Jack Wolfskin' everything is in. I've seen people dressed from head to toe in the stuff, so they don't mind spending money on nice clothes.
They will take a bottle of water to a restaurant, though, to avoid having to buy drinks. I don't understand this. Why pay top dollar for clothes and cars and save a few euros on a drink in a restaurant?
The laws governing work are complicated, too. Employers are required to provide their employees with at least 28 days of paid vacation. Sick time is paid up to 6 weeks and then it's only minimally reduced. If the employee has a problem, let's say with alcohol, the employer can't fire him/her until all efforts have been made to rehabilitate the employee. This is definitely something to consider before you start a business here.
It seems that if you have a good idea and your good idea is needed here, then getting a business license isn't that complicated. A lot of paperwork, yes, but it could be worse.
Okay, I've told you about the comical things that could prevent you from taking your idea to the next step, let me give you some encouragement. The people here are awesome. Not to say that you don't have jerks, but the people you meet who like you will be loyal to you no matter what and lend a helping hand at every turn. They'll go above and beyond the call of duty. I have made extraordinary friends here who have helped, encouraged me and even given me a shoulder to cry on when I needed it. The friends you make here are genuine, not the 'good weather' friends who leave you the first time it rains.
I can only offer my encouragement here. If you really are serious about moving here and starting a business, do it. Weather the business is successful or not, you will leave with a whole new perspective on life and a lot of new friends.
Monday, April 28, 2014
Sunday, April 6, 2014
Abortion Rights in the United States
I've been holding conversation groups at the TU here in Dresden and often have time before or after the meetings to peruse the bookshelves for interesting reads. The bookshelf closest to our meeting room happens to have lots of books in English about the American government and political issues that are also controversial. I found a book there last week that I'm currently reading called Bearing Right: How Conservatives Won the Abortion War.
I was an avid supporter of Dr. Carhart in the States and my views on abortion and women's rights haven't really changed since I moved to Germany. By the way, it's legal here and you don't hear much about it. One thing has though, I had a miscarriage last year and since then have felt a sense of loss; a hole in my heart, if you will. I wanted to be pregnant and losing it was heart-wrenching. So it's now my opinion that it doesn't matter how far along you are in your pregnancy when you either miscarry or choose to have an abortion; it's still a loss. Yes, with abortion the woman chooses to end the pregnancy, but the feelings of loss are there. The difference is the way she is treated afterward.
I know that the world as a whole doesn't think abortion is right, but stop for just a moment and put yourself in a woman's position. A woman who has 2 or 3 children at home, not far apart in age and thinks her tubes are tied, because that's what the doctor told her after her last delivery. She's not taking birth control because she thinks there's no need for it. Then a few months later, she finds out she's pregnant again. Her husband has a good job, but she stays home with the kids and they just can't imagine having another mouth to feed.
Imagine being a woman who has tried for years to get pregnant and hasn't been successful, until one awesome day in her 30's, and being absolutely thrilled, until she and her partner learn in her 26th week that the baby doesn't have a brain that is developing normally, or who has tested positive for Down Syndrome. She knows her life has changed forever. No matter what decision she makes, it's heart-wrenching.
Now, what about the 16 year old girl who has been molested since she was 11, who decides it's time for her to find someone who loves her. She meets Mr. Right, has sex with him, because it's natural for her, she's been doing it with her molester since she was 11, anyway. This time she gets pregnant, because Mr. Right isn't trying to cover his tracks, like her molester is. She wants an abortion because in her heart of hearts she knows it's the worst thing that could happen at this point in her life. But she can't, because she needs a parent's signature to have the procedure done. Her father is molesting her, her mother is in denial, or doesn't know. Both think she's a whore. Should she be forced to have that child and raise it, or give it up for adoption because she made a mistake at 16? If you say yes, or that adoption is the answer, you are heartless.
If you still think that no woman has the right to end a pregnancy because it's murder, well, there are worse things which could happen in life. You could be raped and told by someone else that abortion is murder, so you have to bear that child. Now, you have to raise a child that you hate. Or because you can't bear the idea of carrying your attacker's child, you drink motor oil and induce the abortion yourself.
Life is full of choices that you make, everyday, without much thinking about it. There are others which give you pause. Difficult decisions. Decisions that no one else has the right to take away from you because they are personal and private. No matter if you have a family to support you, or not. The decision is still difficult and you, not me, or anyone else, must live with the consequences.
I would like to say that abortion isn't an emotional issue, it's medical and personal. But the reality is, that it's very emotional. No woman makes it lightly. The least any of us can do, is respect her right to choose and support her in any way we can through that very difficult time in her life.
I was an avid supporter of Dr. Carhart in the States and my views on abortion and women's rights haven't really changed since I moved to Germany. By the way, it's legal here and you don't hear much about it. One thing has though, I had a miscarriage last year and since then have felt a sense of loss; a hole in my heart, if you will. I wanted to be pregnant and losing it was heart-wrenching. So it's now my opinion that it doesn't matter how far along you are in your pregnancy when you either miscarry or choose to have an abortion; it's still a loss. Yes, with abortion the woman chooses to end the pregnancy, but the feelings of loss are there. The difference is the way she is treated afterward.
I know that the world as a whole doesn't think abortion is right, but stop for just a moment and put yourself in a woman's position. A woman who has 2 or 3 children at home, not far apart in age and thinks her tubes are tied, because that's what the doctor told her after her last delivery. She's not taking birth control because she thinks there's no need for it. Then a few months later, she finds out she's pregnant again. Her husband has a good job, but she stays home with the kids and they just can't imagine having another mouth to feed.
Imagine being a woman who has tried for years to get pregnant and hasn't been successful, until one awesome day in her 30's, and being absolutely thrilled, until she and her partner learn in her 26th week that the baby doesn't have a brain that is developing normally, or who has tested positive for Down Syndrome. She knows her life has changed forever. No matter what decision she makes, it's heart-wrenching.
Now, what about the 16 year old girl who has been molested since she was 11, who decides it's time for her to find someone who loves her. She meets Mr. Right, has sex with him, because it's natural for her, she's been doing it with her molester since she was 11, anyway. This time she gets pregnant, because Mr. Right isn't trying to cover his tracks, like her molester is. She wants an abortion because in her heart of hearts she knows it's the worst thing that could happen at this point in her life. But she can't, because she needs a parent's signature to have the procedure done. Her father is molesting her, her mother is in denial, or doesn't know. Both think she's a whore. Should she be forced to have that child and raise it, or give it up for adoption because she made a mistake at 16? If you say yes, or that adoption is the answer, you are heartless.
If you still think that no woman has the right to end a pregnancy because it's murder, well, there are worse things which could happen in life. You could be raped and told by someone else that abortion is murder, so you have to bear that child. Now, you have to raise a child that you hate. Or because you can't bear the idea of carrying your attacker's child, you drink motor oil and induce the abortion yourself.
Life is full of choices that you make, everyday, without much thinking about it. There are others which give you pause. Difficult decisions. Decisions that no one else has the right to take away from you because they are personal and private. No matter if you have a family to support you, or not. The decision is still difficult and you, not me, or anyone else, must live with the consequences.
I would like to say that abortion isn't an emotional issue, it's medical and personal. But the reality is, that it's very emotional. No woman makes it lightly. The least any of us can do, is respect her right to choose and support her in any way we can through that very difficult time in her life.
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