If anyone needs a crash course explaining the differences between American and European cultures, pay attention to this post about taxis. American cabbies are generally considered beasts behind the wheel–especially in New York City, where driving their yellow death machines poorly is not only acceptable, it is encouraged. Cab rides are expensive in American cities, so the drivers try to seduce any possible fare into their jail-like backseats. In Europe, cab drivers are more underdressed chauffeurs than maniacs. The cars are smaller, more energy-efficient, and not always driven by Formula 1 wannabes.

These stereotypes, while not always true, make the latest news out of Dusseldorf, Germany, seem par for the course. Grey Worldwide Dusseldorf and Seat Germany created “The Seat Taxi Fare,” a technology that results in a decreased fare every time a cabbie uses the brakes. In the land of awesome architecture, this brand of savings is acceptable; in America, there would be cabbie riots.

The above video gives viewers a chance to see how passengers responded to “The Brake Energy Recovery System.” From a consumer’s perspective, this campaign is fantastic other than the fact that Seat’s slogan is “Enjoyneering.” After I covered last week’s Nissan Juke n-tec, it may be time to save creatives from themselves with an automotive naming intervention. Credits after the jump.

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Powerful, startling, strange or whatever adjective you’d throw out after viewing the above clip, we were somewhat affected by this effort from Germany’s Wuppertaler Kurrende Boy’s Choir  on behalf of the International Children’s Fund. Why was there a reason for this rendition of “Mad World,” a song made famous by Gary Jules on the Donnie Darko soundtrack but originally written by Tears for Fears? Well, today, Nov. 20, just happens to be Universal Children’s Day and the message here from Grey Dusseldorf is to make all of us aware of the fact that every three seconds, a child dies, be it from malnutrition, disease, etc. There’s nothing to be politicized with this group of vocal talents, just a reminder of a global plight. Credits after the jump.

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