Reply #96: I live in Germany...

[oldironside]

... and I have to say that my experiences are totally different. In my ten years here I've been asked for my ID card once. I drove British cars here for two years without ever being stopped, and now have a German car with a similar lack of problems.

Airport security here (I live in Hamburg, by the way) is very low key and much less invasive than at, for example, Heathrow. I've never had to show the holes in my socks flying out of Hamburg.

And as for the police presence, less obtrusive than London, apart from the fact they're armed here. The only time they gather together in abundance is when HSV (the local football team) are at home, or there's a carnival or parade. I find that comforting.