Vending Machines Of The Week
It is always gratifying to find a nation confirming the stereotypical image of themselves.
Take the Germans, for example. They seem to like nothing better than a wurst and have a whole range of sausage delicacies to nosh on. But if you have a craving for a Bratwurst, Knockwurst or a Bockwurst in the middle of the night, where do you turn to?
With typical efficiency, the Germans have come up with the answer and it is simplicity itself. A vending machine. According to reports, these sausage vending machines are springing up all over the country, particularly in areas which are not well served with out of hours shops.
As well as a variety of bangers, the machines dispense that indispensable accompaniment to a wurst, the potato salad, in a punnet of course. Other out of town machines provide a range of other essentials such as milk and eggs. It makes the staple fare of our vending machines, the healthy products that are fizzy drinks and chocolate, look rather tame.
I wonder, though, if they have solved the problem of the coin sticking in the works, always a source of frustration to me if I am ever tempted to use one.
