PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - View Single Post - Sharing my recent European observations with my fellow Forumers

pcmaher · #12 07-28-2004, 01:27 PM

Dear stevey,

I remember as a child (over 30 years now) my first ride in a Mercedes. It was in Germany, and it was an E class taxi. I was amazed at the Spartan interior, and was very confused by it. Back in the States, a Mercedes was supposed to be the lap of luxury....yet here was this car with plastic interior and crank window handles! So, even to this day the accomodations are very different. I would be very surprised if there were any BMW's or MB's (at least within the last 10 years) that don't have A/C and power everything in the US market.

I realize youmade your comments as tongue-in-cheek, but your region's perception of the typical American may not be that far off. We are rapidly becoming the most obese people in the world. If one pays attention, you will notice many over-weight people in our society. This observation really became apparant to me during a trip to Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Scotland in 2001. I couldn't put my finger on it, but something was different as I people-watched over there. About 5 days into the trip, I saw a very heavy woman, and suddenly realized that she was the first obese person I saw during the trip! I saw several more later, but nowhere near the number as in the States. You don't seem to have the weight problem we have over here.

As far as the A class is concerned, the second I saw that thing, I knew it would roll in an emergency lane change, or similar manuever. No thanks!!