Germans should stop moaning and realise how lucky they are. That was how the German President wished his citizens a happy Christmas yesterday, like a stern father to his spoiled children.
"Sometimes there is far too much complaining in Germany," said Mr Johannes Rau to Bild am Sonntag newspaper yesterday.
"There are people with reason to complain, but many people have let themselves be infected by the current mood."
On the surface, there's little reason for cheer in Germany this Christmas: the economy is skirting recession, unemployment is pushing 10 per cent and a general strike is likely in the new year.
Mr Rau stirred up a row yesterday by saying he thought Germans weren't living in reality.
"Travel bookings have jumped and retailers are thrilled with a 5 per cent jump in turnover," he said. "We don't live in a valley of tears. In my opinion, the picture of Germany drawn in the last months contradicts the reality.
"Our country has problems but we have the strength to solve them," he said. "In spite of all this stupid talk we still have a great country."
Mr Rau forgot to mention the best reason for some festive cheer in Germany. The discount supermarket chains Aldi and Lidl are selling their beer for as little as 5 cent a can in the countdown to Christmas.
They want to empty their shelves before a new law next month that puts a deposit on cans and obliges retailers who sell cans to take the empties back.
"German foams over with joy!" is how one newspaper announced the bargain.
The day the cheap beer flowed, one of the most prominent shoppers out and about in Berlin was none other than President Rau himself. No word if he nabbed some of Aldi's own-brand beer or their famous €10 bottles of champagne.
But whether Germans want to toast their country or drown their sorrows, real or imagined, there's never been a better time to raise a beer. Prost!
