Be warned! This is not a travel guide. Nor is it a cross-cultural manual for business people. And it is certainly not a deep, psychological treatise on the German psyche. But have you ever wondered why the Bavarians drink beer at breakfast, or why the car is the ultimate German status symbol? Why do Germans smile when asked "Same procedure?" and how can you learn to speak fluent German, instantly? This book gives the answers, and reveals a multitude of other secrets for all those wanting to better understand what makes Germans tick.

This book candidly reports the experiences of one middle school principal for 160 consecutive days with little or no editing. The material is much more than the typical case study. The events are presented in context; the results of actions taken are seen in the daily lives of all affected.