Politeness, social distance, dislike, all can be communicated in German depending on whether you use "Sie" or "Du", but can German grammar rules also prevent social awkwardness?
Inconvenience Culture
Shopping in Germany is rarely described as convenient. Supermarkets are hard to navigate, payment methods aren’t uniform and customer service is disinterested. Is Germany a land of inconvenience culture and could that actually be a good thing?
Complainers United
If there’s one thing that unites the UK and Germany it’s complaining. That being said, the approach to complaining is wildly different. What are the different cultures of complaining and why might having a cathartic moan lead to trouble in Germany?
The Coffee Conundrum
I can't imagine Germany without Kaffee und Kuchen, just as I can't imagine Britain without tea. Unlike the British though, Germans aren't judged on how they make their favourite hot beverage. Is this why coffee in Germany can be so hit & miss?
The Blame Game
Despite efforts in many German companies to create a “Zero blame” work culture, problems still persist. How does Germany deal with responsibility and does it have a problem with blame?
Land of the Rule Followers
Not only is Germany considered the land of rules but it’s also seen as the land of the rules followers. Prussian values, Martin Luther and hyperinflation have all been credited with shaping this ordered society. Are all Germans really obsessed by the rules and has the pandemic changed that perception?
Form a Disorderly Queue
Germany is seen as a land of punctuality and organisation. Although broadly accurate, there are areas where chaos is allowed to reign. Queuing is one such area. Why are German queues a contact sport and what does that tell us about the importance of timekeeping over organisation?
Friendship Restart
One of the most common questions for new arrivals in Germany is how to make friends with Germans. Having lived here a long time I thought I knew, but having children has changed my understanding. Why are the rules to making German parent friends so very different?
The Power Of No
Learning to deal with direct communication is key to living in Germany, especially if you come from a culture that avoids brute force bluntness, but what happens when you adopt the power of German directness?
No Limit
Learning to drive in Germany is no easy feat, but once you pass, the open Autobahn awaits. It can be exhilarating, but it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. What’s it like to drive on the Autobahn and why should you be careful when discussing speed limits?
My Kingdom for a Sandwich
Despite having all the essentials, Germany consistently fails to make a decent sandwich. This obviously comes as some surprise, given that bread is practically a religion. What’s the problem with German sandwiches and what do poorly constructed sandwiches tell us about work/life balance?
You can't go home, you can't go back
For expats, the question of home can be a contentious issue and can be a cause of an identity crisis. What is home and can we ever return to it?
Easter, Eastern, Ostern
Despite the chocolate and schools holidays, Easter isn’t really much of a celebration in the UK. Here, things couldn’t be more different. Whether it’s decorations, fairs or Ostermarkt, Germany seems to come alive at Easter. the only question is: Do you say Easter, Eastern or Ostern?
The Cult of the Spargel Eaters
Tis the season to eat Spargel in all its many and varied forms and you better believe Germany takes Spargelzeit very seriously. This makes things difficult for the tiny minority of us who actually don’t like it, but is it worth incurring the wrath of the Spargel lovers?
An Adventure in German Healthcare
Health issues can be alarming when they occur in a different country. There are various anxieties to consider, from language to insurance, but what is it like to have a medical emergency in Germany, and what is the German for "bedside manner"?
Where's Your Lederhosen?
Despite the protests of northern Germans, Lederhosen are still considered to be the national dress of Germany. They might be a rather Bavarian peculiarity, but how common is it to see people wearing their Trachten out in the wild?
The Yorkshire of Germany
Bavaria holds the strange position of being both the source of German stereotypes, while also being considered the least German of the Bundesländer. Obviously this makes it hard to describe to non-Germans what it’s like living here. While some make comparisons with Texas, perhaps a better example can be found in the UK?
For the Love of the Pub
For much of my adult life, pubs have been deeply important spaces. While Germany has many bars, they tend to differ from the pub culture in the UK and Ireland in various ways. What are these small but important differences, and how do Irish pubs in Germany help or hinder a new arrivals?
You Can Say You To Me
On the whole Germans aren’t as socially awkward as the British. How might German grammar help avoid the worst aspects of social awkwardness and what does that have to do with a person’s first name?
On Constant Pause
Of all the things Germany seems to want, stability is top of the wishlist. It motivates ordinary people to hang homemade signs outside their homes, and it’s a central campaign promise from politicians. However, is it possible to have too much stability, and is that any different from simply standing still?