In my latest visit to Germany last week after 5 years of absence I can still enjoy and get surprised with many new developments that make a stark contrast to the realities of Amman and other Arab cities. Here are a few reflections that some of you may find boring (especially if you already live in the west) or find intriguing:

1-     Civilization means no littering: If there one single indicator to measure the civilization of a nation I think it will not be democracy, science, technology, art or infrastructure as much as the civil behavior of people which can be measured by littering. In Berlin I have never seen anyone littering in the streets, or from car windows or even through cigarettes. I have not seen police or cleaning employees chasing after the citizens like in Amman. The behavior is clearly embedded in the mind and chain of values. No one is contributing to make the city dirty and as much as we hear propaganda of loyalty from our people it is clear that we can easily litter and make our streets dirty with no sense of responsibility.

2-     Mobile phones are for work: During my four days stay I have never met a German who sets on a chair and puts his/her mobile on the table to show off. Although Germany is one of the most highly industrialized countries and home to big companies like Siemens people use mobile phones only for business or important communication rather than spending time nagging and laughing. The efficiency is very high and mobile phones are a tool for production and not an indicator of "social ranking".

3-     Organized Traffic: Germany is known for its big share of car production and use. Yet the traffic is very organized and drivers are very polite and commit to the regulation. It is very rare to hear the noise of traffic and to have irresponsible driving. Car accidents are at a low rate and they take each one seriously. I witnessed a very minor accident when one car's bumper was broken but yet two police cars came with special technicians to probe the incident and assess the hit car (photo 1). In Jordan this type of accident happens tens of times with no quick action.

4-     Walking is a joy: Berlin and major Euro cities are a joy for walkers. The pavements are wide, clean and continuous with no debris, trees or chairs or objects falling from above to interrupt your walk. I walked an average of  5 km each day with outstanding scenery. (photo 5)

5-     Smokers are marginalized: One of the most remarkable things in Europe is the marginalization of smokers to the level of "insult" that they deserve. They are always on the margin in a small corner in the street and thrown out of all public places like a disease. Oh I wish to see this in Jordan soon.

6-     Respect of history with modernism: Although Berlin is a very modern city with a variety of remarkable designs, it still maintains its historic spirit. Old and historic places that survived the war are very well structured and maintained and make the majority of tourism attractions. Modern places like Potsdamer Platz are breathtaking and a paradise for designers but the overall balance is evident between history and modernism.

7-     Not a consumptive society: maybe I am generalizing here but I have seen Germans buy pieces if melons, not more than 5 apples and very well calculated spending behavior is evident. (photo 2) Although rich and industrialized they seem to be more practical in their consumption that the poor and developing Jordanians!

8-     A Plethora of Cultural events: I was amazed with the number of cultural events taking place in Berlin on daily basis. Countless museums, theaters and display areas are open and provides a remarkable presentation of the rich German, European and global cultures that make Berlin such a magnificent place for a culture loving person with some extra time at his/her disposal.

9-     Graffiti: one of Berlin and Germany's most attractive features. Graffiti is really creative and sometimes drawn on very unusual places. This form of art is sometimes seen as vandalism and in 2006 the EU urban committee decided to implement new policies to forbid and clean Graffiti. (photo 3 and 4)

10- Erotic displays: Such a fascinating attraction especially for Arab and Muslim visitors where the clash between cultures is at its most crystallized form. The conservative visitors are somehow highly attracted to erotic displays and entering erotic museums to get acquainted with the various erotic objects and tools displayed. One of the guys in the meeting was over excited to get into one of those displays to discover that he is in a gay's complex. Everyone came back at night with some reflections and stories. Naturally, after describing everything in details they would say "well, those guys really have no ethics"!

   Regardless of erotic dimensions, I found ethics everywhere in Germany I wish I can find in Jordan!