In many countries, a kiss on the cheek is a polite way to greet a friend or colleague. But to the Germans, specifically etiquette watchdog group the Knigge Society, cheek-kissing in the workplace is a no-no.
Unfaithful politicians and celebrities have been blowing up the news lately, thanks to the wandering eyes of a certain former action star—ahem, Schwarzenegger! But high status men and women aren't the only ones who cheat, and no matter where you are in the world, acts of infidelity are hard to ignore.
Brad Pitt may have referred to his wife and kids as possessions, but is ever the gentleman when discussing his sex life.
Prostitution is just too fun of a topic to just get rid of. Today in global prostitution: a brothel in Germany gives discounts for eco-friendly customers. Plus, in New Zealand, it's not easy training for the Olympics. That's why a Tae Kwon Do star has invested in a brothel to raise money for the 2012 London games.
At a mere 173 square feet, the "Eh'haeusl" or "marriage house" has quite a large reputation. The Bavarian hotel, built in 1728, is a fixture in South Germany's history, according to Reuters. What does 173 square feet get you? Three stories, actually: The first floor is the entryway, the second floor the bathroom, and the third, the bedroom. The structure was built by placing a front, back, and roof between the tiny space between two existing buildings. Voila: a cozy home for two. Actually, the space served many a newlywed, as it's name "marriage house," implies: According to 18th-century law, couples who intended to marry needed to own property to do so. The tiny house was quickly constructed and passed from couple to couple to allow lovebirds a way to the altar.
Germany's aghast at Wetlands, a sex-drenched new novel by super-cute TV personality, Charlotte Roche. In the novel, the 18-year-old character, Helen, enjoys anal sex and gets off on...avocado pits? (Yes, you read that correctly.) As the New York Times put it, "It is difficult to overstate the raunchiness of the novel, and hard to describe in a family newspaper." That's the best endorsement ever, right?
