a culture of things that make me like Berlin
shops
So many independent, and no feeling of corporate death-hold on expression
Plenty of variety, and far less pointless plate-glass repetition
Friendly people, both buying and selling in the shops
quiet curtesy
People give way on pavements
Cars give way and watch out for the crowds of cyclists
People speak in soft tones: it doesn’t feel repressed, just not boisterous
Simple respectful gestures
dogs
Many people walk a dog with them
They seem normal in a big city
kids
Families seem more normal than in London
Many children, shouting in German and pointing at dogs while their folks are dressed for work, they seem to slot into their lives
