August 10, 2005

Viel Glück - Viel Spaß

Germans use two words very commonly - Viel Spaß and Viel Glück. The first means Lots of Fun and the second Lots of Luck literally. Viel Spaß (pronounced feel-shpas) is used whenever we take leave or at the end of a work day. Viel Glück (pronounced feel-gleeck) is used to wish some one good luck, as one may have easily deduced.

I used to wish my friends either of these two whenever they were about to take an exam or some other endeavour. I always wish some one Viel Glück if he has worked hard and prepared well, coz the poor guy needs all the luck so that his efforts do not go waste. On the contrary, if he has not prepared anything, I wish him Viel Spaß, coz what else can the poor bugger do at the exam hall without any preparation, other than just staring at the question paper? It is only apt that I wish the guy some fun with his exam, as there is nothing else for him to do there!!!

The other day I was asking my chef at the coffee shop where I do my part-time job, what the usual greeting in Germany was, when some one got married. He was confused, coz he could not remember a single greeting that was common throughout Germany, at least not at that particular moment. It was then that I got a brainwave. I suggested that they normally say Viel Spaß to the bride, and Viel Glück to the poor bridegroom. It took some minutes for the laughter to die down at my workplace. Come to think of it, isn't it true? And apt? God bless the couple. Amen!!!

3 comments:

Unknown said...

So how many more years/months wil it be before somebody wishes U 'Viel Gluck' ?? or have I guessed wrong!! 'Viel Spass' for now though!!

Bhuvan said...

It is worth noting that the poor girl will have to be wished Viel Glück, and it is Viel Spaß for all the others watching the two of us in marital accord. God bless the poor dame!!!

Anonymous said...

Hey Bhuv,
Altho it seems like an interesting coincidence...this was one of the usual sarcastic jokes that the gr8 G.B. Shaw penned long back. Really nice one...
and ya...whn u decide 2 tie the knot...make sure u wish me Viel Spaß...
ciao,
Reuben...