Toytown Germany

Germany's English-speaking crowd
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Welcome to Toytown Germany, the English-language community website for Germany. Over 8,000 English-speakers are currently active members. Read the introduction, view the members map, or jump right into the chat forum.

Germany | Berlin | Munich | Other cities | ...all cities

Trademark for DDR and its symbols revoked - The German Federal Patent Office decided this week (German link) that the emblem of the DDR, i.e. the German Democratic Republic, and the three letters “DDR” are not negotiable items. The hammer and compass surrounded by a stylized wreath of grain interwoven with the black-red-gold colors of the first German revolution, the symbol of the Laborers’ and Farmers’ state (Arbeiter- und Bauernstaat), and the name of the state that it stood for cannot… read more…

Obama to speak at Berlin's Siegessäule today - Via Spiegel.de: Barack Obama is considering a major speech in front of Berlin's Brandenburg Gate. Germany's ambassador to Washington, Klaus Scharioth, has reportedly worked for weeks to convince Obama's campaign that the candidate's only large European appearance should take place in Berlin. Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier talked to Obama by phone last April and learned that he might visit Germany. In the meantime, according to SPIEGEL… read more…

Always launches stress incontinence products - Wandering around Müller Drogerie last night, I noticed a new product launch from Procter & Gamble's wildly popular Always range: Envive. Point-of-sale posters are going up and it probably will take many people a little time to work out what this product is for. The delicate term used is for the "sensible Blase" (sensitive bladder). Yes, you've guessed it: it's stress incontinence pads, aka Tena Lady. Now what is stress incontinence?… read more…

Germany wakes up to the obesity problem - The German government has a new health initiative to address the rising rate of health concerns associated with obesity here. According to the government statistics cited in this article "two-thirds of all German men between 18 and 80 are obese and almost half of all women have a weight problem". According to this article, just like other places in the world, this problem is attributed to societal concerns, poor nutritional choices, lack… read more…

Cannonball Run Europe 2008 - The little green elves have been at it again interfering in the right of way of people to cross Germany. German police said Wednesday they had seized five luxury cars and confiscated the owners' driving licences to halt an illegal cannonball run across Europe. The miserable sods even stopped the racers indulging in an unorthodox pitstop routine. Later, when the owners tried to obtain top-of-the-line cars at a car-rentals agency, their licences… read more…

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Free refills on softdrinks at Pizza Hut - I notice that Pizza Hut have recently started advertising free refills for softdrinks. Free for just €0.50 surcharge. This offer isn't valid at every store throughout Germany, but it is valid at all four Pizza Huts in Munich, and many in other cities too. See the full list here: Pizza Hut restaurant addresses in Germany Free refills are one of the great things about American diners. I'm happy to see the culture finally making it's way over to Germany.… read more…

Volkswagen unveils prediction of cars in 2028 - From Gizmodo via Yanko via Autoblog Volkswagen thinks they know what cars from 2028 will looks like (which is probably fair, since they can basically make the whole thing one big self-fulfilling prophecy). Still, it's exciting to see the designs. The one pictured here is Ego. It's a sporty two-seater without a front window (no, not because people in the future can see with their minds, but because it will be loaded with all sorts of cameras and… read more…

Photos found of German cities before WWII bombing - As published in The Guardian: Pictures of German cities from the air before they were bombed by the allies during the second world war. A set of negatives has been discovered in an attic in the Harz region, showing German cities from the air before they were bombed by the allies. Commissioned by the Nazis, the photos were taken at an unusual diagonal angle to give a sense of the full sweep of the cities. They were meant to assist in Hitler's wish… read more…

Major League Baseball roadshow during July 2008 - From July 2nd to August 4th the MLB Roadshow will tour through Germany with lots attractions, shows and music. From the blurb on the website: Fun, games, and action are guaranteed at this interactive Baseball event. It includes Power-Pitcher, Homerun-Hitter, Mini-Field aswell as a colorful program of music, attractions, and lottery games. The MLB Roadshow 2008 is the baseball experience for you and your friends. Simply come by and take part. Participation… read more…

Adolf Hitler new at Madame Tussauds in Berlin - Adolf Hitler is back in Berlin. This time as a wax figure at the Madame Tussauds museum. According to an article in the Times, Berliners may threaten to take their children to see him if they don't behave. The Jewish community is uncertain whether it's appropriate to display such a villain here as the museum's primary purpose is to entertain, not to educate. Times Online: Adolf Hitler finally returns to Berlin. See the Times' archived news article… read more…

German marriage get laws watered down - After 133 years of dispute and confrontation initiated by a law issued under Bismarck stating that civil marriage is the sole legal union the government has caved in and will recognize marriages solely performed by the church (German link) as well. This means that couples may now choose between three alternatives: civil marriage only, civil marriage with a church ceremony afterwards, or church marriage. Ok, one would think, as long as the union is… read more…

4th of July 2008 celebrations in Germany - In the United States, Independence Day (commonly known as the 4th of July) is a federal holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, picnics, baseball games, and various other events. Here we list some of the celebrations that are happening throughout Germany. In Berlin: Amerikafest,… read more…

Latest topics from the lo-fi chat forum:

Shipping things from home - because two suitcases just arent enough
Importing a replica Rolex into Germany by post - Customs regulations o...
Why people sprint in vain to catch a bus or U-Bahn - Exercises in futi...
Always launches stress incontinence products - So an embarrassing prob...
Any chance of refund for a missed flight - Train was 1hr late
Laws on medical cannabis use in Germany - How to get hold of it, legal...
Turning in a driver's license to get a German one - Do I really h...
Bringing a car to Germany for a few months only - Rules for coming fro...
German words for a "dress form" - Sewing and dress-making te...
Altering a marriage contract - Legal requirements and other advice
Rules on bringing home made food from the U.S. - Regulations when taki...
Germany wakes up to the obesity problem - €30 million health initiat...
Children saying "alles naher" to each other - Or something s...
ITV seeks British expats for a TV programme - Preferably the homesick ...
Office parties thrown by new employees - Strange German custom of &quo...
Organising a fun company event - Ideas on what activities to do
Cannonball Run Europe 2008 - Illegal automobile race, cars confiscated
Language proficiency after a degree in German - How fluent were you wh...
Birthday presents for a baby boomer - Cool and not cheesy gift ideas
Using an EU Blue Badge in Germany - Regulations for disabled car parki...
English translations of "LWS Syndrom" - Update: We think it ...
Cancellation fees for a holiday apartment rental - Legality of these i...
Validity of Tengelmann bottle deposit tickets - Update: Yes, they'...
Online booking of Deutsche Bahn rail tickets - Advice on using credit ...
Regulations on shipping vitamin supplements etc. - To Germany from els...
Getting a cat chipped and registered - Info and advice
Remember to cancel your BahnCard in time - Six weeks before expiry els...
Advice on replacing a shower head - Recommended brands, compatibility ...
Advice on helping a partner learn German - When you yourself are not n...
Security options for a woman living on her own - My sister-in-law saw ...