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?
All in Communication
The Society of Auto-Correction
Random strangers correcting each other is just a part of the everyday in Germany. Unsolicited advice on all manner of topics can be surprising, especially for more indirect cultures, like the British. What drives the German society of auto-correction?
English for Beamte
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?
What's In A Name?
It seems trite to say Germany loves a bit of paperwork, but when it comes to the small details, some stereotypes ring true. Why might sharing your full name on official documents cause issues and how might things be changing in the land of process?
The Language Gatekeepers
English language proficiency can be used to assert power or simply humiliate in Germany. Whether you work in an office or happen to a be a minister of state, you will still face trial by language gatekeepers. How has English been weaponised in daily life and why are some praised and others criticised?
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?
The Truth About English Training in Germany
There are many reasons people end up living in Germany. Some may already have a job waiting for them but for many the first step on the ladder of employment is working as an English teacher. What can a new English trainer expect from work in Germany and is it all as good as it seems?
The Myth of German Impoliteness
Listening to some, it would be easy to assume that Germany is a land of impoliteness. Are the Germans really impolite or are we all missing something?
Swearing Like the Germans
There are many native English speakers in Germany who find the liberal use of English swear words by Germans both surprising and disturbing. Why might Germans find English swear words so appealing?
Don’t worry, everyone speaks English
Language learning has dropped throughout the UK, but many still hold on to the belief that “Everyone speaks English”. Is this really true in Germany? If so, why do so many Germans find English native-speakers so hard to understand?
Safe Spaces
I’ve often admired the German ability to separate private lives from work lives. Speaking English seems to change this cultural rule, opening up conversations and allowing people to speak frankly. However, is this honesty always refreshing?
German Hangover cures – Fighting the Cat
“Der Kater” or “the cat” is how Germans lovingly refer to a hangover. Germany has many suggestions for how to rid yourself of the feline presence from a traditional breakfast to a certain type of fish, but is the best answer simply good old pragmatism?
An Adventure in German Healthcare
A sudden health issue is alarming enough but when it happens in a different country, even one you know well, there are extra anxieties to deal with. Can you explain the problem in a different language, will you accidentally say the wrong word and end up losing something you’d have preferred to keep, and what exactly is the German for bedside manner?
Honestly Dishonest
The simple question ‘How are you?’ can cause consternation in Germany. Is it really a question or another example of dishonest and superficial English communication? Honesty is seemingly prized by Germans in communication, but is this the case in all areas of German life?
Don't Call Me Papa
A new child is reason to celebrate…except in #Germany. Here I'm not ‘Dad’ I'm ‘Papa’. It's fine for a character in Grimm’s Fairy Tales, but I've no intention of kicking in the doors of a gingerbread house. What do you do when you're forcibly rebranded?
Woke, Voke and Cancelling the Muppets
Are the Muppets racist, are radical students taking over, should we be worried by the arrival of wokeness to Germany? Reading the German media recently has been a journey in borrowed language and arguments from across the Atlantic, but what could this mean for Germany going into September’s election?
Annoying the Germans: Small Talk
Of all the topics I’m most asked about, the relationship between Germans and small talk is one of the most frequent. Is Germany really a desert of friendly chitchat and what do you do when you you can no longer fall back on polite conversations about the weather?
The Trials of German Online Dating
Dating in Germany is full of pitfalls, even more so when you’re trying to find a match online. Our new contributor, Shariya Dilini Algama takes us through her own experiences of what to expect and why so many of her matches seem more interested in her nationality than in their comparability.
Formal Like the Germans, Informal Like the British
Formality in any culture is a minefield. In Germany they have rules that make things easier, but only if you can deprogram your own native culture. What’s different about formality in Germany and why might British humour create more trouble than laughs?
Negativity, Feedback and "The German Disease"
Receiving feedback in Germany is an extreme sport, especially if you’re not prepared for the unvarnished truth. Are Germans refreshingly honest or simply lacking in tact?