Peter Rhodes on winter in Venice, hard work in Germany and demographics at a family party
New Year headline: “British women top the list for the world’s biggest female binge drinkers.” Who says we don't lead the world in anything?
![](https://www.shropshirestar.com/resizer/v2/5EZNLXDFTRHVLOFCXATNEPOKNI.jpg?auth=f029a6c803485e2263bee4fd474bab5a0dd14c78b4b2e3db35cbd3901687e0fb&width=300&height=224)
Germany, home of hard work, boundless initiative and peerless manufacturing industries, is now in the economic doldrums and may not even be able to match the growth of the over-staffed, chronically idle, WFH-obsessed economy of the UK.
I recall some years ago a politician singing the praises of Germany who told me : “You know, Britain can't build an economy on people selling burgers to each other.” But maybe we can. Especially when we are so addicted to take-away grub.