This is part 4 of the story of how Roxana and I found our new apartment in Munich. As you read, you may notice a Usain-Bolt-worthy coat of arrogance over the story’s substance. I imagine you’ll want a barf bag handy in case the eye rolling makes you dizzy.
Ryan’s Wednesday Afternoon, part 2 – Meeting the Agent
I’m 20 minutes early to our appointment. Nobody else is here. Looking good so far, Ryan.
Examining the area, I’m becoming a believer in this place (reminder: it’s maybe 3 blocks from where Roxana and I currently live in central-ish Munich). Right downstairs is an Austrian bar called Eins. Through the window, it looks larger than most Munich bars (so it’s a bit larger than most dorm rooms)–tables that sit 4+ people and a section in the back that I can’t quite see. The floors are wooden and the room is full of shades of black and brown–a new bar with a fondness for old-school ambience. Outside are the street-side tables–easily the best way to drink at a bar in Munich. I’m reminded of McClaren’s Pub, so I smile and move on.
Slightly farther down the street are a large German bar–Schwabinger Wasserman–a sushi restaurant, a Greek restaurant, and a Mexican restaurant/bar (the name, “Tacos y Tequila,” roughly translates into “Hey Ryan, give us your money”). Looking really good so far, Ryan.
Mentally, I venture back to where my body is standing, right outside the apartment building’s front door. Now, I’m aware of a man’s voice and a woman’s voice in the flower shop next door. I’m curious, so I peek inside. The woman is facing me, opposite the man. She looks up at me, inspiring the man to turn around and do the same. “Oh!” he says, surprised that I’m there. “Are you here for the appointment?”
“I am!” I say, trying to muster all the enthusiasm I can. Truthfully, I’m not thrilled about this appointment. I expect that we won’t get the apartment and that we’ll have to visit 50 or 100 like everyone else before things work out. I guess what I’m feeling is pessimism.
“Ah, great!” he exclaims. Then, he turns back to the woman and says some things which I can’t hear. She says some things, but the only part I hear is “Ahhhh, Amerikaner!” Looking really good so far, Ryan?
He returns to me.
“I’m Ryan! Nice to meet you.”
We shake hands and smile at one another. “Nice to meet you, too. I’m Wolfgang,” in an accent that’s very politely German. In fact, everything about this man is extremely polite. He’s wearing slightly faded blue jeans, a grey-ish blazer, some kind of scarf and a dress shirt (I wish I could remember more detail so I could do this guy’s politeness justice). He’s combed his short grey hair immaculately. He’s maybe in his late forties, and he genuinely smiles while he speaks.
Wow, that’s the most German name I’ve heard since I arrived in Germany, and my teacher’s name is Reinhardt. “I’m here to view, but Roxana’s name is probably what you have on your list.”
He checks his list. I see about 7 other names on it. Wow, this is a small group, if everything I’ve heard about apartment viewings is accurate. “Ah, yes, perfect!” and then “When should we expect her to arrive?”
“She has to be at the office during this viewing, so she can’t make it,” I apologize.
“Oh, okay sehr gut. We’ll just wait a little longer, then.”
I assume we’re waiting on the rest of our viewing group, so I just start making tiny statements. You know–small talk and whatever.
“This area is pretty cool.”
“Ah, yes. You can see there’s a flower shop next door. It’s called ‘PurPur,’ so you can imagine they’re friendly people.”
I pause, wondering what that means. “What does that mean?”
He pauses, probably wondering what I mean. “The name?”
“Yeah.”
“It’s purpur. You know–purpur. Like rot, gelb, orange, blah blah.”
“Oh, purple!” I exclaim, ecstatic that I get it, now.
“Ah, yes, sorry. In English you would say ‘purple.'”
I laugh “Yeah. Sometimes I’m amazed how different English and German look, even though they sound so similar.” I’m pretty stupid when I’m small talking.
Now we’re silent, so I blurt out “I see this block has a lot of bars and restaurants on it. Eins, for example,” pointing at Eins. “Pretty cool!”
A friendly chuckle, and then “Yes, Eins is pretty new, actually. Owned by an Austrian guy, I think. I haven’t been.” Then, “So you are the boyfriend, and you are looking for a room for the two of you?”
“Yep! Now, we’re in a temporary place a few blocks over. We’re looking for our first real place. This is pretty strange, though–viewing apartments and competing for them.”
That polite laughter again, “Yes, Munich is very competitive. Where in the US are you from?”
“Texas.”
“Texas! You don’t have an accent.”
I return the polite laughter. “Yeah, sometimes I hear that, and other times I hear I have a strong accent. I have no idea why.”
“And Roxana is Spanish?”
“No, she’s Mexican.”
“Mexican! And the two of you are here in Germany! I’m sure that’s an interesting story.”
“It definitely is,” I smile. But I don’t get into it. I just met Wolfgang.
“Are you here for work?”
“Eventually, yes. Aber jetz ich lerne Deutsch im Tandem.” I beam a cheesy, prideful grin, hoping “im” was the right word in that sentence. I’m three and Mom just heard me count to one hundred.
“Ah, sehr gut!” Wolfgang exclaims, sort of like Mom did when I was three.
Then “Hmmm, it’s very close to 3pm. Should Roxana be arriving soon?”
“We’re waiting for Roxana? I thought we were waiting for the rest of the group? No, Roxana can’t make it–she has to be at work, now.” I’m hoping he remembers my telling him that earlier so that things don’t get awkward.
“Oh, no! We’re viewing this privately. I like to do this individually. Much more personal. I get to know you better, the tenant doesn’t have to let 20 people into their apartment at once, you can ask all of the questions you want without fighting the other applicants to do so…”
“Wooow, Wolfgang. I’m extremely grateful for that. That’s an awesome approach.”
“Ah yes, thank you,” he offers a humble smile and turns a little red.
“How long have you been a broker?”
“25 years! I’ve been doing this for a long time,” he laughs.
“Whoah man, that is a long time. You must like this then, huh?”
“Oh yes I do, very much. Shall we go in and have a look?”
“Absolutely.” And then, he shows me through the door.