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

I finally found this clip on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXRKZzPjYV0

You may not understand each word, but you'll get the gist.
It demonstrates nicely that we (Germans) can poke fun at ourselves.

Those who are German (or speak it) will probably know Loriot That's his nom de plume) and his sketches with the Hoppenstedts.

One of the best known pieces is this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtRUrxVNC6k


Yesterday, there was a young man in our shop, wanting to buy a certain brand of bread. Unfortunately, there was none there, so I asked him whether I should reserve one for him for Thursday. He said yes, so I asked for his name. When he told me the name was Hoppenstedt, I spontaneousy said: Oh, that reminds me of Loriot.

He replied: yes, it is my family name Loriot uses. My great-grandfather was in the same sports club as Wilhelm Busch (a famous poet who also illustrated his books), and Wilhelm Busch once drew a banner featuring Mr Hoppenstedt for said sports club, and it was after that banner that Loriot shaped the Hoppenstedts. (Or at least I think that's what he said, I was busy writing down the order and hadn't expected his reply).
I was baffled, I never thought it was a real name, let alone indeed connected.

Ooh

I'll have to tell me mum aunts and uncles

Interesting story! There's some of Busch's poetry online which was translated into English by a h2g2 Researcher. I'll see if I can dig out the link.

(I've heard Brits complain about poor customer service in Germany - but I've never been asked before if I want to reserve bread for the next day because it's out of stock. )

Do they know any Hoppenstedts? I really can't get over the fact that that's a real name.

We always do that; KB. We're a small shop and only order a small amount of any sort of goods, so it's good to know whether to order a little more and then put it away for the customer.

I don't think they know any (but me dad knows a Knigge).

--

It reminds me of "Candide", where there is a Westphalian Baron called Thunder-Ten-Tronck, and generations of schoolboys learn about Voltaire's imagination and spirit of caricature and whatnot. Until I found out that it was an actual name of some real guy of that time

I had to bite my tongue not to ask him whether he had been the model for Dickie.

I read an interview with the child who played Dickie (a girl, in case you were wondering) about a year ago.

(And I found a men's boutique called "Pfaff" in Wuppertal - close enough, right?)

I saw that interview, too. I think it may have been part of one of Loriot's birthday specials, but I'm not sure.

I don't see the connection with Pfaff? It's a sewing machine.

The only reason anyone's ever heard of Wuppertal is because it's where the Pope and Erwin Lindemann's daugher are going to open their boutique

Yes, I know that sketch, but I still don't get the Pfaff - oh, you mean pfaffe=pope?

nice clipmy type of humour (taking Michael)
humour holds no bordersand if more was around, the world would benefitand I'll help as much as I can

I'm sure of that, prof.

This is the stuff that makes live worth living..unexpected pleasures in living.

and I'm free B'El

True, it's the sum of small things which makes life interesting.

small thingshas someone been talking

Also,it seems that you are doing well at your job...that is most pleasant,yes???

What interesting customers you have in your shop, Bel


Do they talk in intercontinental too?

Was Wilhelm Busch the guy who wrote Max und Moritz?