h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Well I didn't know she had been chat up by someone either.

Oh, good. I thought I was again trhe only one who never realised.

She'll have to tell us what exactly happened there then.

I would like to know as well - I was sitting in the right direction but missed it as well

And I missed it! especially when Mum said she'd have bought me a ticket!!

Sounds like you had a fantastic day, but then that is the beauty of HooToo, and what makes Meets, major or Minor, such fun...

And yes, it does feel as though you have known each other for years, at least it does for me...

Myabe I'll make it for the next one...



MMF

I didn't know anyone before MMF - not even here, since I am quite new on Hootoo

But yes, it was great fun and it would be great if you joined us next time

(I think the latest we should meet would be one of the christmas markets, shouldn't we - but of course some time earlier would be great as well...)

Tina, we intended to meet and go to a Christmas market - last year. We finally met yesterday. Took us nearly a year to plan it. That's what I'd call German thoroughness. And yes, I count Sho and TC in here, as they're Germanised.

MMF, we thought of you.
I know you'd have loved to come. Maybe next time, when it's not at such short notice.

that only means we have to do the planning bit a bit faster

*should try to find out where there are christmas markets*

the one in Düsseldorf isn't all that interesting, so that's out....

there is one in Cologne as far as I know, and they should have the medieval christmas market again (but they would cost an entry fee)

We have one in Frankfurt but I never go there because it's so crowded. There's one in Hanau which I really like, but the problem would be to go there with a group of more than seven (that's how many fit in out car).

so we have to see how it can be done, at least I like the idea....

I'd prefer to go somewhere where I wouldn't have to drive - apart from the fact that the car isn't too reliable at times, I couldn't even have a Glühwein as the driver.

Aachen Weihnachts Markt (you Germans! try to use the correct term please ) is lovely and not too crowded.

I didn't really get chatted up, but when I went to the bar to ask the waitress for the bill, there were two guys sitting with their backs to us who were watching the footie. The one nearest me, I was sort of round a pillar from them, was just staring down my clevage (which isn't easy to miss, let's face it) and asking me if I was local, and how i was and all that

MMF, it would have been lovely to have you here but maybe another time.

I have heard that the Aachener Weihnachtsmarkt (better Sho?) is nice, I believe I even have been there once when I was still a kid...

But that could be a bit far for Bel and TC? Or is it easy to reach as well? (Don't know which ways the DB goes)

I guess it is a bit of a hike for TC and B'Elana. For me, you and Malabarista (and any Dutch, French or Belgian researchers near the border) it's pretty easy to get to.

There is even a direct train from where Mal lives, through where I live to Aachen. And there aren't many trains that do that, trust me.

I am quite convinced that where I live is called "Erkelenz-where's-that?" (which is marginally a step up from "Waldfeucht? as in 'wald' and 'feucht'? Where's that?")

What about christmas market in Strasbourg? I know that there are organised and cheap tours there from Frankfurt.

Strasbourg is a lovey city - should have a look what it would cost from here.

Sho- at least noone denies the existence of Erkelenz (compared to Bielefeld, I not really convinced it really exists )

Sounds like a lovely day!

A final fling is when you err spend the night with someone else before getting married

Serephina!

Seraphina! That is not quite true!

The true tradition was that the bride-groom had a 'Stag-night' with his mates which was his last night of freedom, and originally involved a hunt, to show his prowess, along with a Bacchanal, to send him on his way, as well as a few females to sway him from his chosen course. He would have a 'Best Man' chaperoning him, to ensure that he didn't change his mind and, to ensure that happened, if the groom did not turn up, the Best Man had to marry the bride by proxy and, if he still didn't turn up, became the Spouse!

Be warned any of you chosen as Best Man... I've been there four times and read the books.

As it was meant to be the last day of freedom, it was held the day before the wedding,. and all his single friends would attempt to get him drunk so he was unfit to attend, and as mentioned, lascivious entertianment was laid on. Many forfets were imposed.

One I experienced was the guy being to a lampost on the central reservation servicing Manchester and Liverpool, naked, with a po (Porcelain, gessunder or chamber pot... i.e. ceramic toilet pot that went under the bed in 'olden times') on his head. No-one took a blind bit of notice until 08:00, when his mates freed him to get ready for the wedding at 14:00.

The young ladies, not to be outdone, (as you know B'El, being at VV's do), felt a bit miffed, and started arranging 'Hen Nights' which, from my experience, are more outlandish and cringe-worthy! (except VV"s which seemed to involve a lot of plaiting 2leg's hair, and covering him with lipstick kisses)

Today these rights-of-passage tend to happen about a month before the event which, as a traditionalist, I find very sad as it does not encompass that 'last day of freedom' thing , but having avoided that long walk (there is still time ladies, and I can't anymore... ) down the aisle, I cannot say whether that is a bad thing...

I hope, despite that being very long-winded, that that may explain the tradition here in the UK!

MMF

In the US, back on the east coast, we liked to get the groom-to-be well and properly drunk, take his wallet, and put him on a train to Baltimore. There were other mischiefs as well, I'm pretty sure.