How close are you to Pilsting?
Two years ago, I took part in a cultural exchange program between American and German students. I spent most of time in Stuttgart and the surrounding area. However, on the weekends, my host and I would leave for Bavaria. I immediately fell in love with the area and the people of Pilsting. I hated going back to Stuttgart on Mondays, I wish I could have spent the entire time in Bavaria. Everybody treated me like a celebrity, always wanting to talk or buy me beer. It was great! The hardest part was learning how to talk like a Bavarian when in Bavaria and then speak like a resident of Stuttgart when in Stuttgart. There are definitely differences in simple things like greetings and toastings.
Funny story...when my German host, who was Bavarian, and I went to a bar in Stuttgart, a man asked him if he was the "American", he replied "no" and proceeded to inquiry why this man had thought he was the American and not me. The man replied, "because your German is terrible." lol Apparently, there is a little animosity between citizens of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg.
Toward the end, I just adopted the Bavarian lifestyle and spoke more like them. In fact, when people ask if I have ever traveled abroad, I respond yes, "I have been to Canada, Mexico, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, and Bavaria."
So, how close is Pilsting to you?
