In Germany they say order is essential, which can sound restrictive, but does create clarity. How does the German desire for order effect daily life and why does it often create conflict with native-English speakers?
Germany: Why can't we be friends?
According to surveys of expats, it’s hard to settle in Germany and difficult to make friends here. How is German unfriendliness measured and why might it be so difficult for migrants to make friends?
Germany: Memory and Memorials
When discussions turn to how nations remember and the role of public spaces in national memory, I can’t help but think about Germany. How does Germany confront the past and what might other nations learn from it?
The Curious World of Tchibo
Tchibo is famous throughout Germany for coffee,and a weekly revolving selection of useless product. How does Tchibo manage to succeed when no one is entirely sure what they might be selling or why they're selling it?
What is the Rule?
Germany has a reputation as a country dominated by rules. That might not be completely true, but there are a lot of rules both official and unofficial, but what do you do if you have no idea what the rules are?
Confusing the Germans
It's easy to get confused in Germany, but it’s often just as easy to cause the confusion. Why might saying thanks to the bis driver seem odd and how did ordering chips in a restaurant lead to a minor international incident?
The Art of Kaffee und Kuchen
Often compared to the British ritual of afternoon tea, Kaffee und Kuchen is the bedrock of German culture, but how does it differ from the UK?
Communicating with the Germans: Part 2
Denglisch and grammar mistakes are not the only causes of miscommunication in Germany, communication culture plays a massive part too. In part 2, we see why, for the British, “sorry” really isn’t the hardest word and how a simple question about a pop song can lead to serious embarrassment.
Communicating with the Germans: Part 1
Language learning and mistakes go hand in hand, it’s a big part of the learning process. With the rise of English as a global language, and hybrid language like Denglisch, the mistakes can become more fantastic. In the part 1 of 2 blogs, we look at some of the lesser known examples of German to English mistakes.
New Arrivals
Child birth is a weird experience at any time, but perhaps even weirder during a global pandemic. Would the lock-down wreak havoc and was television an accurate guide to what would happen next?
Congratulations, you're an idiot!
Learning German is often easier with context, but sometimes you might wish you hadn’t. Is a mother’s mouth really so important and why is mother cake something you might prefer to leave uneaten?
Work Hard, Play Sometimes
Germany regularly features in the top ten most productive countries, even though Germans work fewer hours than many of their neighbours in Europe. What is it like to work in this environment and has Germany really mastered work/life balance?
Fasching: Nothing is Forbidden
Fasching is a favorite time of year for many Germans, with a long tradition going back to the medieval period. Although primarily a celebration, the costumes worn by some have come under scrutiny due to accusations of racism and cultural stereotyping. Can a costume be racist even if worn in celebration and is ignorance ever a defence?
The German Newspaper: Death Proof?
The German print market is the largest in Europe, but does that make the average German better informed? What’s prevented German newspapers from failing as in other countries, and how long can it last?
A Festival of Difference
Anyone who’s spent time in Germany can tell you, it’s a country of regional difference. With so many differences from state to state, region to region, what holds the German nation together? Could the celebration of these differences hold the key?
Shitstorm in a Teacup
How early is too early to start swearing? From German radio turning the air blue at 7AM to small children shouting expletives while playing in the park, Germany has a different relationship with choice language than the UK or USA. What are the rules, when is it OK and won’t someone please think of the children!?
Are the Germans Funny?
In the English speaking world, it is accepted that Germans are humourless robots, but how true is the stereotype? Can Germans really be funny?
Where We're Going, We Don't Need Speed Limits!
The German Autobahn famously has areas with no speed limits, but how long before they introduce them?
Reverse Culture Shock
Reverse culture shock is common among those who have moved to other countries, but does it become more acute when they begin to see how many problems their former home now has?
Christmas Markets and German Regional Diversity
Many people want to visit the best Christmas market in Germany, but with regional differences being such a crucial factor, is there such a thing?