Ja, they literally stop traffic and as we reflect on 35 years since the Fall of the Wall we do still have Ampel time for East German signs.
And other quirky stop-go ways of keeping motorists and pedestrians in sync around the world.
Berlin, East German and all Deutschland life today moves to the beat of the spritely little figure in the straw hat.
Which is for all its austerity the most resounding legacy of the GDR.
Along with the statues and wall reliefs of Communist icons in the German capital, Dresden, Leipzig and Chemnitz (Karl Marx Stadt) to remind the citizens of their history.
Put a straw hat on it
The Ampelmannchen, like much despite the interference of politicians, survived because of its popularity with the public.
He had been astride the East since traffic psychologist Karl Peglau came up with the idea in 1961.
With Ampelmannchen’s distinctive straw hat a nod to a summer photo leader Erich Honecker.
A small victory one would think for the oppressed East Germans to immortalise their Communist leader in bourgeoisie couture.
Capitalising on GDR icons
Come reunification there was clearly much to organise.
And despite the famous Teuton efficiency it was overlooked that there was a difficulty with differing signs and fonts between the two Germanys.
With the Western figure oddly more pencil-straight, regimental than the quirkier East German fave.
So while Westernisation swept over the East, the East hung on to their traffic signs and the West absorbed them.
The Ampelmannchen clearly would not be moved.
And as the ultimate signal of capital’s hold the Ampelmannchen has become synonymous with modern German life.
With shops proliferating around Berlin and around Germany, selling the little man with the straw hat.
Anything from ironically stationery to stickers to mugs to fridge magnets to mouse mats.
With mine taking pride of place at home now.
Signs of the times
Now I’ll clearly always have Ampel time for East German signs.. and their people.
And make instant judgements on a people by which quirky signs they choose to guide us on our way around their towns and villages.
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