On the way to the grocery store today I came across another unique German phenomenon, kiddie bicycle tests. These were little kids, and I learned that even in primary school they must go to bicycle school and pass the test I saw today: riding in traffic.
The kids are only 10, but must learn all the traffic signs, which in Europe are cryptic little symbols that mean important things (who has right-of-way, which is totally odd here - it's always the car on your right, even if you're going straight ). I've almost been hit on a bike here because I didn't know that. Like back home, bikes must follow all traffic rules.
It made me nervous to drive behind a line of little kids in green vests, doing their best to give arm signals and not tip their bikes over. There was a cop on the street directing them, and every so often a parent or teacher was standing on the sidewalk, I learned later they are actually grading the kids.
Here is a link to some images of the thing I saw today.
As I drove my silent car very politely beside/behind them, I recalled the hand signal we use while trail riding. And I started wondering if it's ubiquitous in America, and if it exists at all here. You know the one?
The person trotting/cantering in front of the group raises his left arm in what looks like a right turn request. It means he's going to make a downward transition and wants the people behind to be warned so they don't run into him. I thought I'd ask you guys if this is common everywhere in America, or just the PNW.
When I was checking out at the grocery store, something strange happened. First time in 8 years, the clerk started a conversation with me, rather than vice versa. As you know, I always talk to clerks because I'm American and it's what we do. I very rarely say nothing at all. But finally she looked at my cans of kidney beans and cans of tomatoes and said, "What will this be?" I was so astonished, but I answered, "Chili!" Then I was embarrassed because chili is considered low class/junk food here. I heard someone say once that chili isn't a proper meal.
Then I asked the clerk about the kiddie bike school and she said it's actually a test, and she had to take it when she was young, and then again in high school. I was surprised. I will have to ask J if he did it. I said, "Do the kids like it?" She answered, "They get out of school, and it's better than Math or German class!"
When I got home and checked my email, I got another surprise. The Ariats I sold on ebay arrived at their destination .....in less than 24 hours! The German post office is lightning fast.
I am sad that I had to sell those Ariats (Terrains, in black leather) but they were the most painful shoes I've ever owned. I wonder if the buyer will have legal right to return them to me if they give her blisters too. I really love being able to sell things that I'm not using. I got 38E for them!
Oh, I almost forgot. Just like the kids have to go to bike school, kids here have a certification process for learning to ride horses. So you have levels even for tiny kids to work their way up. I guess it's a way for a kid to generalize their knowledge/ability level regarding horses. So cute.
I just found out they have a certification program for pleasure riders too. I swear, everything in life here is regulated and everything must be provable with a piece of paper (and it costs money) I wonder what level I'm at. Well, I'm not curious enough to pay money to find out!
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5 comments:
Yay, I can read your blog again!! :)
(just emailed you, I have the gray Arab that I just sent you pics of.) See, I get the whole privacy thing too!! ;)
That's fascinating about the levels for bike riding...and learning to ride horses! I guess that in turn makes it easier to regulate riding instruction too?
That signal is everywhere. :) We use it on the East Coast too. I use it on trail when riding with others and I have seen other riders use it on trail here too, both at endurance rides and on casual trail rides in groups.
Wow I've never in my life seen anyone use hand signals on horseback lol. I haven't done much ground riding though. In the arena it's faster horse on the outside and slower horse on the inside, so no need for signals. I learn something new everyday!
That's so weird about Germans and their tests. For bikes and pleasure riding?? Wow they take things so seriously!
I use my right hand for the signal, usually, I like to keep my left somewhere near the reins... :-)
But I'm sure I'd recognize it on either side.
Monica puts unsweetened cocoa in her homemade chili. It's good that way.
We always talk to supermarket cashiers and courtesy clerks too. We look at their name tags and use their names when making small talk and thanking them. It's a hard job, and it's important that people not treat them like they are robots.
Piece of paper thing... I've been living in my current county for three years now and just found out I have to license my dogs. I've never lived anywhere where that was required. Other places just consider the rabies vaccination paperwork as your license. But this county wants us to pay a fee on top of that for a piece of paper.
I remember taking a bicycle road rules class in elementary school, but I don't think we were graded, and we certainly weren't licensed.
Oh yeah, and apparently, I'm supposed to pay for a permit to ride the bridle trails I've been riding on for the past three years. The problem with permitting is that once you get into the system, the government starts contacting you to pay the annual fees, even if you don't have that dog or that horse you ride anymore. Next thing you know you're being investigated. My husband had to get permits to fly his model rockets, and when he no longer participated in that hobby, the government agency involved in the permitting process kept sending letters threatening to fine him if he didn't pay for another permit. I remember it was a huge hassle for him to get them to remove him from their computer and leave him alone.
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