Saturday – Stereotypes

My view of Ireland

Stereotypes are a funny thing. You think they are not fair, and then are slapped in the face with the cold hard fact, that they are there because most of the time there is a truth in them. Our flight to Europe was a two stepper, one flight to Ireland, and then to Munich. now, I have an open mind, mind you. And never have been to Dublin, and to be fair, this was a short visit to the Airport only. Have I made enough disclaimers? Okay, I walk off the plane, and right into a huge mall thing at 5AM and there is a huge crowd…… at a bar! Really? A BAR! We thought it was too get coffee, nope! That was wide open. Got a cup in two seconds. But if you wanted a pint of whatever, that was going to be some time. Did I mention it was 5AM, not PM, AM!

Now, we went to our gate and waited, very nice. It’s dark outside still, so maybe the people at the bar thought it was 5PM? As the light came up. YUP, stereotype 2, cloudy and rainy and cold. So, we are in Dublin for 2 hrs and the only things we saw was rain, clouds and people drinking. I am not going to say anymore, because I know there is a bigger and magnificent life there, I just found it humorous that in such a short time that’s all one would be exposed too.

Beer Garden in Munich. It hasn’t changed in the 50 years I have known it.

English Garden across the street from where I grew up.

The street I grew up on Königinstraße from 1964-1968

My fathers office building, The American Consulate in Munich still there

So what does this have to do with Woody Boats. Woody Boater is about that stereotype right? Well, we also are burdened by stereotypes. The biggest one is that a Woody Boat is a maintenance magnet. And that people think, they sure are beautiful, but no way, and they need soaking up and so on. And just like Dublin, there is some truth in it, but its a false quick view of it all, and like Ireland, which is a stunning place, with amazing people that live wonderful lives, our Woody Boats are the same. I don’t need to go into it all, because it’s just a reminder to myself, that many times, when you believe in stereotypes, they can, if you don’t look beyond all that, you miss the the real magic of the wonderful things in life. Like today in Germany, which by the way is amazing, beautiful parks, fast cars, and Beer Gardens. But you already knew that!

Okay, some are true, the cell phone adds a twist though

10 replies
  1. m-fine
    m-fine says:

    I spent 24 hours in London once and never saw anything more than 15 feet away. I learned that London Fog was not just a brand of jackets for old people.

  2. Bob Kays
    Bob Kays says:

    They were sll Englishman just off the plane. A real Irish would never be caught at a airport bar, they have their local.

  3. Cameron
    Cameron says:

    I visited the Audi factory in Ingolstadt as a teenager and noticed the forklift truck drivers had a beer holder cut into their dashboard to put their beer into after lunch break. I was assured the beer was low alcohol though!

  4. John Rothert
    John Rothert says:

    great to see the place where you grew up and learned to spell…..in german.
    have a safe trip and keep up the reports!!
    Tell the boatress I said ….whatever “hi there pretty lady” is in german?

    John in Va.

  5. Rick
    Rick says:

    Was in Prague a couple of years ago and was told more beer consumed there than anywhere else, and I believe it, had a terrific time there. Beautiful, clean city with very friendly people.

  6. Mark
    Mark says:

    Number one question asked of me at boat shows – how much time do you spend on maintenance ?

    Hugely distorted opinion out there. After a total restoration it is minimal.

  7. Sean
    Sean says:

    Ireland is a beautiful and civilized place. They have a law that if you are staying in a hotel you must be able to be served (alcohol) 24 hours. On my last trip we stayed at an old castle that was a B&B. They had a fully stocked bar and were on the honour system after 2AM. In my Dad’s home town. (Athlone) my brothers and I drank tall-boy Heinekens until 6:30 AM when we boarded a bus to Dublin for the Guinness tour. Guess what we did when we got there. Yep, we saw haw Guinness was made…. and sampled a wee bit. Civilized.

  8. Mark in Ohio (sometimes da U.P.)
    Mark in Ohio (sometimes da U.P.) says:

    Guten Morgon! I think that is how you spell it. Munich is Beautiful. Drink some FRESH Spaten. Don’t forget to visit the Hoffbbbrau house. We will keep the boats floating while you are “across the pond”

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