Hofbrau House

Everyone told us not to go into the Hofbrau House, that it was a tourist magnet, impossible to get into and had a raucous, rowdy crowd. So after a full day of resistance, we lost our resolve and wandered into the huge, cafeteria-style beer hall.
I suppose it was lacking in some of the "authenticity" we saw in the other tents, and there was a sort of "bad smell" permeating the late morning air, but we enjoyed ourselves once some litres had been downed. Then, much to the amusement of the frat-boy types around us, we ordered pickles. Now, 3 girls ordering pickles from a man walking around with a small wooden barrel is a wacky enough image- now add 2 picnic tables full of grown men, cameras drawn and ready to capture the spectacle. What is it about beer that makes us lose all accountability for our actions? I believe we ordered a pretzel as well, but also from a wandering salesman- so the menu is just for show.