Franconian Beer Message Board

OT: Driving
Posted by Mike B. on 2012-03-09 07:47:14
Mark, I really don't understand why you have taken such vehement exception to what was intended as nothing more than one person's take on Nick's observation: "You Americans and your car addictions." I certainly did not single you out, even though you seem to feel otherwise. From what Nick said about you later, I do not believe that you refuse to use public transport. Frankly, the only thing you ever said that I would take strong exception to is: "... Unless I'm flying into Munich to go to Bamberg. Then I'll rent a car every time." If there was not regular or otherwise adequate train service between those cities, perhaps your statement would be more understandable. However, there is very good service between those cities and it left me wondering why you would prefer to drive when there was cheaper, faster and more convenient transport service available. Americans and driving: I agree with Nick. Why is it, do you think, that all the major US auto-rental companies have facilities all over the world? Here in Amsterdam, the major auto-rental companies are Hertz, Avis, National, Budget and Enterprise. Why is that if not to service US customers? Yes, there are also local customers, but do you really believe that Budget would spend the money to open an office in the most expensive city in a distant country on the expectation that local people would make it financially worth while? Your trip to Scotland: I am tempted to accept your challenge, however, as you may or may not know, the previous British government has done it's best to foul up public transport in the UK. Aside from that, Scotland is very sparsely populated in some regions and, never having looked, I really have no idea whether transport services exist there or not. How about this: I'll give it a try on the condition that we have a beer or two either here or in Germany sometime?
 
Followups:
                                         OT: Driving by DonS on  2012-03-09 10:30:49
                                         OT: Driving by Mark Andersen on  2012-03-09 10:19:12
                                           OT: Driving by Mark Andersen on  2012-03-09 10:53:23
                                             OT: Driving by Uncle Jimbo on  2012-03-09 13:07:27
                                               OT: Driving by DonS on  2012-03-09 13:32:52
                                         OT: Driving by Nick B. on  2012-03-10 02:24:56
                                           OT: Driving by Mark Andersen on  2012-03-10 06:04:07
                                             OT: Driving by Mike B. on  2012-03-11 03:05:00
                                             OT: High Speed RE Munich-Bamberg by Nick B. on  2012-03-11 04:57:29
                                               OT: Driving by TreinJan on  2012-03-11 06:14:51
                                               OT: High Speed RE Munich-Bamberg by TreinJan on  2012-03-11 06:17:39
                                                 OT: High Speed RE Munich-Bamberg by Nick B. on  2012-03-11 08:23:15
                                                   OT: High Speed RE Munich-Bamberg by Nick B. on  2012-03-11 08:34:13
                                                     OT: High Speed RE Munich-Bamberg by TreinJan on  2012-03-11 09:53:30
                                                       OT: High Speed RE Munich-Bamberg by TreinJan on  2012-03-11 09:56:41