Turn the air-con off and sell ice-cream

That's how Deutsche Bahn is making up for lost profits due to train breakdowns.

For Germany any temperature above 35 degrees is stinking hot. Very few buildings have air-conditioning and those who've spent a lifetime eating wurst and drinking beer are sweating profusely. Raining sweat.


On the already crowded ICE trains at peak-hour each day, 500 or more people pile in. One could be forgiven for thinking you had teleported to a third world country and travelling with people on the roof and people strung from the windows. It's standing room only for many as some give up their seats for mothers and elderly people. Well, that's what you expect. I witnessed today a young pale skinned red haired kid playing at his computer reply to a stressed and tired mother asking if she could take his seat for her young crying child by saying "I need to go to Ulm too" and turned back to war-craft or whatever.

The genius of the Deutsch Bahn was to have the air-con "break down" and set forth their mobile money collectors with cooler bags selling ice-cream. Like kids in a candy store, the Germans went mad for their favourite 'eis'. Kids were instantly calm, over-worked bankers were relaxed, grandma's saw respite and the Bahn saw dollars. Win win.

A cool change swept though Mannheim this evening. The air-con should be working tomorrow.

** Disclaimer: I'm sure the air con break down was not intentional, although the timing was as impeccable.