# Take This Short Quiz and Vindicate Me **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 15, 2000, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-this-short-quiz-and-vindicate-me/22455 "2000-06-15T06:43:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![tatertot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c37758/32.png) [@tatertot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tatertot)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2000, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-this-short-quiz-and-vindicate-me/22455/1 "2000-06-15T06:43:55Z")
The purpose of this test is to prove that my Brother in Law is indeed an idiot and that I am not “snobby”. Even if you don’t know the answers, take it anyway, just to make it fair. **No Cheating** 1. Heidelberg, Germany is famous for \_\_\_\_\_\_ (two acceptable answers) 2. The currency used in Holland is the \_\_\_\_\_\_ 3. Munich is in what country? \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Bonus Question: Explain how it is possible that it takes longer to get from Heidelberg to Berlin than Heidelberg to Amsterdam, even though Amsterdam is in a seperate country. Thank you for your time. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Alpha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Alpha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpha)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2000, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-this-short-quiz-and-vindicate-me/22455/2 "2000-06-15T06:52:07Z")
1)The ruins, or the college 2)Guilder 3)Germany 4) Trick question. The premise is false. ---
**Author:** ![Danielinthewolvesden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce7236/32.png) [@Danielinthewolvesden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danielinthewolvesden)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2000, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-this-short-quiz-and-vindicate-me/22455/3 "2000-06-15T07:00:05Z")
Fencing/sabre duels Guilder or Euro Germany Dumb question. It takes longer to go 10 miles on a gridlocked freeway than it does to go 80 miles on I5. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2000, 7:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-this-short-quiz-and-vindicate-me/22455/4 "2000-06-15T07:57:42Z")
1. Don’t the make Heineken beer there? 2. I have no idea 3. Germany Bonus) I have no idea ---
**Author:** ![tatertot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c37758/32.png) [@tatertot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tatertot)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2000, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-this-short-quiz-and-vindicate-me/22455/5 "2000-06-15T08:00:01Z")
Re: The bonus question. It does indeed take between 1-2 hours longer to get to Berlin. Trust me on this one. The reason I threw it in is because I spent a full 1/2 hour trying to explain this to my brother in law, with no luck. He seems to think that all cities in the same country are automatically closer to each other than to a city in a bordering country. In his little world of ignorance, Seattle is closer to Miami than Vancouver. So, the idjits went ahead and tried to make a day trip out of it, got as far as Frankfurt when somebody decided to open a map and they saw for themselves that is wasn’t a pleasant little drive. Daniel, while fencing is not the answer I was looking for, I will accept it because they still do something like that in the fraternities here. It seems a sword slash scar on the cheek is a mark of honor, much like the branding they do in some US frats. **And no fair opening and not answering! I promise I won’t think you’re stupid if you get one or two wrong. There are many, many more reasons I think BIL is an idiot. And if more people get them wrong than right (which I really doubt will happen), I will gladly admit to being “snobby”.** ---
**Author:** ![Spiny\_Norman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@Spiny\_Norman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiny_Norman)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2000, 8:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-this-short-quiz-and-vindicate-me/22455/6 "2000-06-15T08:10:47Z")
Among EuroDopers, Heidelberg is gloriously known as tatertot’s home city. OK, Heidelberg is famous for the university and the “mensur” fencing duels practiced among the students of said institution. Dutch currency: The guilder, or, in my mother tongue, “gylden”. Munich was in Germany last time I was there. The beer is great, BTW. It’s a shorter distance to Amsterdam than to Berlin (OK, had to check a map for that). tatertot, don’t you worry - EVERYBODY’s brother-in-law is an idiot. S. Norman ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2000, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-this-short-quiz-and-vindicate-me/22455/7 "2000-06-15T19:25:20Z")
::quickly scrolling down to “reply to thread” with eyes closed:: 1. Heidelberg, Germany is famous for student princes and beer taverns 2. The currency used in Holland is the …guilder? 3. Munich is in what country? Germany. Do I win anything? ---
**Author:** ![Edwardina](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Edwardina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edwardina)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2000, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-this-short-quiz-and-vindicate-me/22455/8 "2000-06-15T19:50:03Z")
1. College, fencing/duels, (and apparently taverns) 2. Call me dumb, I thought it was the German mark. 3. Munich is in Germany. ---
**Author:** ![vandal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/858c86/32.png) [@vandal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vandal)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2000, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-this-short-quiz-and-vindicate-me/22455/9 "2000-06-15T19:53:07Z")
1. Beats the hell out of me. 2. Hell if I know. 3. Germany. 4. No clue. Now what? ---
**Author:** ![Delta-9](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3be4f8/32.png) [@Delta-9](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Delta-9)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2000, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-this-short-quiz-and-vindicate-me/22455/10 "2000-06-15T19:54:29Z")
I only knew number three. Does that make me an idiot? FWIW, I am somebody’s brother-in-law. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![jayron\_32](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/41988e/32.png) [@jayron\_32](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayron_32)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2000, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-this-short-quiz-and-vindicate-me/22455/11 "2000-06-15T20:23:25Z")
1. The University of Heidelberg 2. Guilders or Florins 3. Germany 4. What on earth do political boundries have to do with linear distance. I’d much rather drive the 6 hour trek from Boston to Montreal than the 72 hour haul from Boston to L.A. and yet Boston and L.A. are in the same country… ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2000, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-this-short-quiz-and-vindicate-me/22455/12 "2000-06-15T20:37:46Z")
1. Maybe the birthplace of someone famous. Bach maybe? 2. Thought it was the mark - WAG 3. Germany 4. No idea, but am guessing that its closer. Kansas City, Kansas is much closer to Kansas City, Missouri than it is to Stanley, Kansas. ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2000, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-this-short-quiz-and-vindicate-me/22455/13 "2000-06-15T21:01:35Z")
jayron: and once you get here, you are very welcome. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2000, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-this-short-quiz-and-vindicate-me/22455/14 "2000-06-15T21:20:56Z")
I guess I overlooked the extra-credit question. Oh well. Anecdotally speaking, our family had visitors from Europe who mentioned that as long as they were here (“here” was New Mexico) in the U.S., they wanted to take their rental care and go see some of the choice visitor’s attractions on the west coast during the last couple weeks before they returned to Belgium–they figured they’d go due west and do Disneyland (Pasadena CA) for the kids, hike in Yosemite National Park (huge area starting around Sacramento CA), visit Yellowstone (Wyoming) and the Grand Canyon (Arizona), see Mount Rushmore (S Dakota) and then return to Albuquerque for the return plane home. They wanted to know if they should do a quick little dip down to Carlsbad Caverns (Carlsbad NM) before doing Disneyland, or perhaps nip down there upon their return before hopping the homebound plane. The Atlas on hand only had miles, not kilometers, so we superimposed a map of Europe on the area they were discussing. ---
**Author:** ![Danielinthewolvesden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce7236/32.png) [@Danielinthewolvesden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danielinthewolvesden)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2000, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-this-short-quiz-and-vindicate-me/22455/15 "2000-06-15T22:14:35Z")
Ahunter: umm, Disneyland is in Anahiem, in Orange County, 3-4 hrs South from Pasadena. Ps, where is my prize? ---
**Author:** ![obfusciatrist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4af34b/32.png) [@obfusciatrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obfusciatrist)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2000, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-this-short-quiz-and-vindicate-me/22455/16 "2000-06-15T22:33:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*\* > In his little world of ignorance, Seattle is closer to Miami than Vancouver. > \*\* Well, if you want to blow his mind, explain to him how Seattle is about halfway between Vancouver and Vancouver. BTW, I knew all four but also saw the answers in Alpha’s post before I could hit reply. This doesn’t help you, though, because I _am_ a snob. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2000, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-this-short-quiz-and-vindicate-me/22455/17 "2000-06-16T02:12:33Z")
> [@](#): > > Ahunter: umm, Disneyland is in Anahiem, in Orange County, > 3-4 hrs South from Pasadena. Hmmph! What kind of Mickey Mouse outfit would locate in Anaheim and try to leave me convinced they were in Pasadena? Oh, …mm, OK, fair enough… ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Angel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d26b3c/32.png) [@Johnny\_Angel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Angel)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2000, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-this-short-quiz-and-vindicate-me/22455/18 "2000-06-16T02:37:52Z")
1. The currency used in Holland is the _Dutchmark_? ---
**Author:** ![lee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lee/32/7455_2.png) [@lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lee)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2000, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-this-short-quiz-and-vindicate-me/22455/19 "2000-06-16T02:40:12Z")
No Cheating 1. Heidelberg, Germany is famous for _Young men with scars from fencing, big printing presses, the absolutely great little spring on the side of the hill near the tower that gives water that tastes great and even Germans drink it straight. (no sign that says kein Trinkwasser! amazing!)_\_\_\_\_ (two acceptable answers) 2. The currency used in Holland is the \_ **guilder, and it is quite pretty. I think they should have Euros soon.** 3. Munich is in what country? Muenchen is in _**Germany, formerly West Germany in the laender of Bayern. Oddly when i was there Bayern had an embassy [sic] in Bonn the capital. I was there. My advice, Beware the liver dumpling soup it looked like a can of tender vittles overturned in a bowl of urine. I honestly think that a can of tender vittles overturned in a bowl of urine would taste better, I am not willing to do a taste comparison because i won’t try that soup again.**_\_ Bonus Question: Explain how it is possible that it takes longer to get from Heidelberg to Berlin than Heidelberg to Amsterdam, even though Amsterdam is in a seperate country. Well, it is further away. When I lived there it was also restricted and it was much easier to take the train. While in Heidelberg we were looking at a small castle that had an empty moat that was a full storey below street level. Some ppl were playing frisbee and a dog jumped up and back to catche the frisbee and landed, safely, in the moat. Since the castle was closed that day there was no immediate solution. The dog was really confused. ---
**Author:** ![CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crankyasanoldman/32/11670_2.png) [@CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrankyAsAnOldMan)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2000, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-this-short-quiz-and-vindicate-me/22455/20 "2000-06-16T14:55:42Z")
1. No idea. My college german profesoor would kick my ass. We do have a local bar/german restuarant by the same name which is known for serving minors. Do I get bonus points? 2. Guilder. As in yelling “Ich Habe Kein Guilder!” over my shoulder as I flee the restroom after stiffing the attendant. Grammar may be off, but basic idea was gotten across. Bad Cranky. Bad ugly american 3. Munchen is in Southern Germany, I think. I mean, I know GERMANY, but not sure if South is right. 4. No idea. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-this-short-quiz-and-vindicate-me/22455.md?page=2)