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Berlin be like...

So multicultural that they need a new word for multicultural. You're more likely to leave
the flat and hear Arabic, Chinese, Spanish, Swahili or French being spoken than German.
Punctual. Blunt. Nothing is wasted. Everything is composted. Plastic is banned. I was told
off for crossing the street during a "no-cross" signal and I never felt more alive!
Honour-driven. The metro doesn't have ticket stalls you need to punch your way through.
You simply by a ticket and ride. You'd be unlucky to get caught by an inspector, though it
does happen [I've seen it twice now].
The German way of flirting goes something like this: *eye contact* I find you attractive
and would like to get to know you. Can I have your number? This happens everywhere,
and women are often the instigators. Men don't appear intimidated.
Berlin feels like New York would have in the 1980s, or maybe Paris in the 1920s. It's
brimming with youth, counter culture, art, ideas and promise. If you're a creative with a
sense of adventure and an open mind, you will find a community here and thrive.
There is a real sense of individuality where it's accepted that you can be a corporate
professional and still have full-sleeve tattoos, or work as a surgeon and moonlight as a
dominatrix. There's nothing wrong with it as long as you're not hurting anyone. What's
more is that it's celebrated and seen as a unique characteristic of Berlin life. I saw a mom
with a full-face tattoo breast feeding on a train bench as she chatted happily with what
appeared to be a nun who looked on adoringly. Things like this make me smile all day.
It's a small city with a BIG attitude. There is also a kind of filth which I find oddly
appealing, because people aren't trying to make the city look impeccable, as long as it's
run efficiently and ethically. I can't argue with that.

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