nochwas vom "Dick"
[ Das KARMANN Ghia Forum ] Geschrieben von Jörg Müller, KGCS am 18. Februar 2001 18:23:58:
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> Truth be known, I owe at least two apologies myself: The Karmann Ghia
> Owners Club of Great Britian and the Club Karmann - Ghia De France have
> BOTH offered support. I realized that my message inadvertently left them
> out, but I "hit send" a moment too hastily and had no chance to fix my
> message as I got involved in a business meeting a few minutes thereafter
> which lasted until 1AM - this is my first sitting at the keyboard since
> making that feaux pas... SO to these two clubs I apologize for my haste
> and raise a glass in appreciation of your support...
>
> ...There was a very large collection of KG people at Karlsruhe last summer
> and we held a meeting to garner support for the 100th celebration. Some of
> the attendees - more than a few - may have thought I didn't understand
> them as they openly made derogatory remarks in German (mostly) about the
> celebration but they didn't hide their views. While my German isn't very
> good, I did pick up a very large percent of what they were saying and I
> confirmed my interpretation of their remarks by interviewing others at the
> meeting. My comments yesterday do accurately reflect what they openly
> said. Sad but true; If there is any us/them, it's in THEIR head. From my
> perspective, we're all Karmann fans and we should try to work together.
> ...There's an old phraise: many hands make light work. If they would have
> been in support of the celebration, I think things would have gone
> smoother earlier on.
>
> Like you, Mark, I also have great respect for my German colleagues -
> that's a large part of why I've taken some time to learn German! But the
> one thing about their culture that runs exactly counter to my own personal
> view is their hierchical, overly ridgid structures regarding people. In
> Germany, there are very strict rules of society regarding who may talk to
> whom about what. I don't pretend to understand it all - I tend to break
> their view of the rules. Maybe that's part of why they were so cold: Was I
> supposed to try to make it their idea and see if they'd pick up on the
> celebration and run with it? Believe it or not, I tried that! I asked them
> about it and they were planning nothing and cared not about planning
> something. Sounds to me like they should be grateful someone was trying to
> do something or at least politely stand aside. ...Frankly I'm not upset or
> angry or anything, just frustrated; RIGHT NOW we need volunteers AND
> organizational help too. If _anyone_ wishes to become involved, I will
> rejoice in their decision and we can work together to make the August '01
> event the best it can be.
>
> Now, if you wish to criticize me for being open about all of this, perhaps
> you're right. I've made plenty of mistakes and I'll make more,you can be
> sure! But I'm out there swinging for the fences on behalf of all of
> us. The only ones who don't make any mistakes are the ones who don't try
> to do anything.
>
> ...Probably more than enough said...
>
> Kindest Regards to all, and again, my apologies to KGOCGB and CKGDF - you
> guys are great!
>
> Richard
>
> --
> Richard Troy, Founder & current President
> The Karmann Ghia Club of North America
> -----------------------------------------------------< Schnippel off
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