In a country that has wrestled with its acceptance of migrants, one thing all sides of the political spectrum have agreed on is that migrants to Germany should learn to speak German. However, a recent FDP proposal may well see English become the an official bureaucratic language. Will this really make things easier for migrants and how difficult will it be to achieve?
I was always taught that 'patience is a virtue, but in Germany it can feel like waiting is for the weak. Are Germans really so impatient or is it simply efficiency in disguise?
Many of my preconceptions about Germany have been thoroughly shattered over the years, but only one truly hurt; David Hasselhoff might not be the German icon I was led to believe. Despite being told this in my first years living here, I come to wonder If my early assumption was actually correct. Is Hasselhoff a cult hero or simply a curious historical footnote?
At what point can we say a migrant has fully integrated? Is full integration even possible and who gets to judge? These questions are asked periodically in Germany, especially during an election year. Why are answers so hard to find and are we asking the wrong questions?
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?
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?
Learning to drive in Germany can be one pitfall after another, but once you pass your test, the open Autobahn awaits. Driving on the Autobahn can be terrifying and exhilarating in equal measure, but it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. What’s it like to drive on the Autobahn and why must you be careful when discussing speed limits?
Whenever I’m asked about Germany, I sometimes find myself asking “which one?”. How different are the regions of Germany and what does that mean for those living here?
Sunday trading is a contentious issue for many in Germany. Whereas some see it as the perfect way to boost local economies after the pandemic, others see it as direct attack on the rights of workers and a particular way of life. Should shops be allowed to open on Sundays or would it be a slippery slope to 24/7 consumerism?
The 1st of May has arrived and so has the German Maibaum. This is just one of the many ways Germany marks the start of May. How do celebrations compare to those in the UK and why might falling off a rocking beer bench be the least of your worries?
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?
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?
There’s more than one way to say hello in Germany, from ‘Guten Tag!’, ‘Moin!’ to ‘Hallo!’. The German hello comes in many different flavours, which is useful since greeting people, especially strangers, is so common. However, there is a dark side to the German ‘Hallo!’ that’s not always clear to new arrivals. Why should people be careful when a German says ’hallo!’?
As long as I’ve lived in Germany, I’ve been asked a particular question; “When are you going back home?”. For migrants, the question of home can be a contentious issue and can lead to an identity crisis. What is home and can we ever return to it?
Finding reliable day care in Germany is not always easy. Around the country there are thousands of children who will not get the chance to join a Kita or Kinderkrippe before they start primary school. Why does Germany still have a blindspot for professional childcare?
What’s the difference between toast and bread? In Germany it’s clear: one is bread, the other isn’t. Are the Germans right to malign toast and what has that got to do with US food culture?
Rapid decision making has never been a hallmark of Germany. Now we live in the era of the “Zeitenwende” where decisions are seemingly made overnight. How deep is this change and will it have an impact on the current fuel crisis?
We’re no longer living in the same Germany we were a week ago. The invasion of Ukraine has fundamentally changed German politics and possibly society at large. What can history tell us about this change and is that knowledge even useful
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?
Making friends in Germany can often take longer than in English-speaking countries. How does the German concept of public & private life complicate matters and why might a quirk of British politeness lead to ruining a burgeoning relationship?
