Initially, the author David Sedaris found the German language to be quite jarring. He felt that the way people spoke, especially when placing an order, was overly direct and almost severe. Their requests seemed to convey a sense of urgency or harshness that he found startling. The example of someone ordering cake struck him as being particularly forceful, evoking a dramatic and theatrical image.

This reaction highlights the differences in how languages can convey tone and emotion. Sedaris's humorous take reflects his discomfort with this unfamiliar linguistic culture. It underscores the idea that language shapes our perceptions and experiences in surprising ways, revealing his struggle to adapt to the starkness of German expression.