Lifestyle

Take snow glasses along when buying a ski helmet

Munich  - Winter sports enthusiasts should take along their own ski glasses when buying a ski helmet because not every helmet can be worn with every pair of glasses, said a German ski safely foundation and the German ski association.

The glasses should be flush with the helmet across the face. They should not press on the bone of the nose and neither the helmet nor the glasses should impair the skier's vision.

Whether a skier wears a half-skull or full skull helmet is a matter of taste, experts say. Half-skull helmets differ in many ways, including their soft ear pads, which can be removed on warm days. Children and skiers who race should wear the half-skull model, according to the foundation and the association.

Junior German managers say bosses do not listen to them

Hamburg  - A survey among junior managers in Germany has found that a majority believe their bosses do not listen to what they say.

Only one in six (17 per cent) described their superiors as "very good listeners," according to the poll taken among 400 managers by the Management Leadership Academy in the town of Ueberlingen on Lake Constance.

Many of the managers said work appraisals by their bosses were poor. Only one in eight (12 per cent) was completely satisfied with feedback from the top. Around 44 per cent said feedback was "good".

Senior citizens avoiding playgrounds for over-60s; study finds

Senior citizens avoiding playgrounds for over-60s; study findsFrankfurt, Germany  - Franz Simon, a senior citizen from Frankfurt, enjoys using his local playground every day.

When going for a stroll, the 80-year-old likes to use a foot rocker in a forest playground for children and elderly people that has been a public amenity since 2007.

"I immediately fell in love with the foot rocker because old and young people can use it together," said Simon of the "cross generational exercise machine."

New Year's Eve fireworks harbour serious accident risks

Hamburg  - New Year's Eve fireworks attract people of all ages into the streets to ring in the coming year with colourful fountains of fire, glittering, noisy displays and loud bangs.

However, the festive spirit turns dangerous every year when many a firecracker explodes too close to someone in the crowd. Burns, eye injuries and trauma caused by the blasts are among the most common outcomes. But some of these accidents can be avoided.

"Despite all the instructions and warnings, firecrackers are consistently handled wrongly or carelessly. Typically, alcohol and the heightened mood of the evening are contributing factors," said Klaus Gotzen, director of a German association representing the pyrotechnic industry.

German New Year's Eve ritual involves dead English music hall comic

Hamburg  - Millions of Germans will settle down in front of their TV sets on New Year's Eve for what has become an annual ritual - the airing of an ancient British comedy sketch starring a long-dead, music-hall comedian.

This year is the 45th anniversary of the broadcast which has become as much a part of New Year's Eve for Germans as singing "Auld Lang Syne" is in English-speaking countries. The 15-minute sketch, acted by Freddie Frinton and May Warden, this year will be televised by every major regional public-TV channel in Germany and by a scattering of commercial networks as well.

Taiwan to welcome New Year with fireworks, prayer and pandas

Taipei  - Taiwan is to welcome 2009 with fireworks, prayers and the arrival of a pair of giant pandas China gave the island nation as a symbol of peace.

A spectacular fireworks display will be mounted from the top of Taipei 101, the world's tallest skyscraper, during the countdown to the New Year, the press officer Michael Liu said Friday.

Some 16,000 fireworks will be exploded, 4,000 more than last year, Liu said.

Since its opening in 2004, tens of thousands of Taiwanese have gathered around the 508-metre building to watch the New Year fireworks and enjoy all-night concerts at the foot of the skyscraper.

Pages