A common complaint from Germans and non-Germans alike concerns the general quality of German radio. Is German radio so terrible, and what has that got to do with P!nk?
The Perpetual Tourist
Food in Germany often gets a bad rap, with some bemoaning a lack of options, or the narrow range of ingredients. I’ve always thought this was slightly unfair, especially since Schnitzel is almost always on the menu. Is Schnitzel always the best option, and why might English speakers run the risk of being labelled a tourist?
Ain't No Party Like a Grillparty
Barbecue culture is serious business in Germany, with courses on how to become a grillmeister, and endless debates about what makes a proper Kartoffelsalat. What should a visitor expect should they ever be lucky enough to get an invite?
The Spice of Life
British and German food has a lot in common, namely a reputation for blandness, but there is a key difference between the two: spicy food. Does the food in Germany get a bad rap, and why is spice not always an indicator of quality?
An Embarrassing Secret
Every country has its national embarrassments, but most manage to hide them from the rest of the world. Since Euro 2024, Germany's secret is out, the trains really don't run on time. Was this ever a reality, and what are the problems facing Germany's rail network?
No Cure for the Apotheken
Heading to the Apotheke can be a daunting experience for some in Germany, but for others simply finding a local pharmacy is the real challenge. What are the issues facing German pharmacies, and why is reform of the system such a contentious issue?
The Eye of the Beer Holder
German beer is rightly lauded for its quality and variety, but often what is considered a “good beer” differs considerably from region to region, city to city. With so many options, how do Germans choose their favourite and why might the popularity of German beer around the world be an example of Germany’s soft power?
Variations On A Theme
German isn’t so much a language as it is an umbrella term for hundreds of variations on a theme, and despite standard German or Hochdeutsch being taught in schools, dialects can still be heard across the country. However, are dialects under threat, and why might it be too late to save them?
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?
Food Fight
Is food a useful way of viewing a different culture? Is Wurst an indicator of how Germany thinks? Maybe, but what happens when you mess with traditional recipes and what do reactions to simple culinary changes tell us about a country?
Familiar Failings
It’s not easy hosting a party, especially one with hundreds of thousands of visitors. Germany knows this all too well following criticism over its organisation of Euro 2024, but why might Germans be less than surprised with some of the failings?
A Pessimistic Optimist
Things feel gloomier than usual in Germany at the moment following the EU elections. The success of the far right AfD came as surprise to some, but might there still be room for optimism?
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?
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"?
Mint Sauce and the Germans
Despite a growing awareness, British food doesn’t have a good reputation in #Germany. Why does mint sauce seem to exemplify this negative image in the minds of Germans, and why might Asterix & Obelix be to blame?
Talk Small
Of all the topics I’m asked about, the relationship between Germans and small talk is the most frequent. Is Germany really a desert of friendly chit-chat and what happens when you can no longer fall back on polite conversations about the weather?
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?
When the Maibaum Falls
Traditionally May Day in Germany means Maibaums popping up around the country. If there's one place that loves a tradition or two, it's Bavaria, but what happens when one Bavarian town loses its almost century old Maibaum?
The Eternal Challenge
Can you ever truly be comfortable living in another country? Personally I don’t think you can. Whether buying onions or a cup of coffee, everything is just that little bit more difficult. Then again, that’s half the fun. Why is living in Germany such a challenge and might that actually be a good thing?
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?