Monday, November 27, 2006

Corruption scandals improving Germany’s image

Taking many Germans completely off guard, recent allegations that Siemens has links to an embezzlement scandal involving a Nigerian dictator and the long-running bribery investigation at Volkswagen have actually improved Germany’s standing in the international business community.

“Wow,” said one American mega-manager who wished to remain unnamed. “I never figured that the Germans were this sleazy. I mean, you know, they’ve had to carry around this squeaky-clean image with them for years and years like that and I suppose that after a time, they actually started believing that nonsense themselves. It was a self-fulfilling prophecy kind of thing, I guess. It’s good that someone has finally developed the courage and the backbone to break out of such a vicious circle of pathological denial like that. I’m so happy for them.”

The unnamed captain of industry, also wearing a dark hood, then went on to explain that to the best of his knowledge, these two spectacular scandals are actually just the latest in a long series of disgraceful and unethical German misbehavior which has taken place in recent years.

“These guys aren’t in the Enron league or anything,” he said. “But give them a couple years and you might see some stellar performance. They’re hungry, you know? Like locusts. And a real pleasure to watch. Everybody likes an underdog. Or underhund, I guess they call them over there.”

Wir können auch anders.

Kommentare auf Deutsch? Her damit! 


PS: Thanks for the link, Daniel.
Posted by clarsonimus at 08:59:57 | Permanent Link | Comments (3) |
Comments
1 - Thanks for your nice quote!
http://www.ecolot.de/index.php?id=start
http://ecoblog.blog.de/2006/11/27/skandale_sind_gut_fur_deutschland~1373618 (Comment this)

Written by: Daniel Lenz at 2006/11/27 - 12:24:03
2 - I was among a group of Amis who worked for a large Leverkusen-based chemical firm back in the early 80's. A friend personally met people with a briefcase full of cash to buy business contracts. At least at the time in Germany, it wasn't illegal to bribe, er, pay foreigners for business contracts. It kept up employment levels. If people are surprised about this, they're terribly naive. (Comment this)

Written by: Jabba the Tutt at 2006/11/30 - 00:17:48
3 - I was fooled in thinking Germany was squeaky clean, only to invest my life savings in a property scam, through a crooked Notary. I am still fighting this case, and nothing surprises me about Germany being as sleazy as any other Third world Country. (Comment this)

Written by: Mark at 2006/12/13 - 23:04:15
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