Gib mir mein Ampelmann zuruck! (Give me back my traffic light man!)

Strange German Culture #3. In former East Germany (GDR, which includes Leipzig), the traffic lights have quite distinctive pedestrian signals. Let me explain.

During GDR times, the East Germans developed their own ampelmann signs. Here are some pictures of the red and green Ampelmann.

Ampel = traffic lights. Mann = man. Notice the cute hats and unique walking style.

When East and West Germany were united, East Germany was more or less absorbed into West Germany. One of the changes was the replacement of all the old Ampelmann with the West German standard. Sometimes people just go too far. There was an uproar.

"You can take away our industries, take away our jobs, take away our government... but you can't take away our ampelmann!".

With such an impassioned plea as this, how could you say no. The East German Ampelmann was brought back out of retirement to adorn the streets yet again.