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Q&A on Germany
Q&A on Germany
We all know the problem that when one is on vacation, you have to see the tourist attractions but there is not much time left to get a true feeling for the people and the way they do things. As a result we eventually make use of stereotypes that the media and our culture harbour about a foreign place and its people.
Unfortunately there is no silver bullet in terms of defining a nation thus I invite anybody who has a question on Germany to simply ask and also anybody who feels able to answer to do so.
Now I am German and you guys shouldn’t believe these outrageous lies that Mr Tacitus has been spreading about us for about two millennia:
Habits in Time of Peace. Whenever they are not fighting, they pass much of their time in the chase, and still more in idleness, giving themselves up to sleep and to feasting, the bravest and the most warlike doing nothing, and surrendering the management of the household, of the home, and of the land, to the women, the old men, and all the weakest members of the family. They themselves lie buried in sloth, a strange combination in their nature that the same men should be so fond of idleness, so averse to peace. It is the custom of the states to bestow by voluntary and individual contribution on the chiefs a present of cattle or of grain, which, while accepted as a compliment, supplies their wants. They are particularly delighted by gifts from neighbouring tribes, which are sent not only by individuals but also by the state, such as choice steeds, heavy armour, trappings, and neck-chains. We have now taught them to acccept money also.
Habits of Life. On waking from sleep, which they generally prolong for a late hour of the day, they take a bath, most often of warm water, which suits a country where winter is the longest of the seasons. After their bath they take their meal, each having a separate seat and table of his own. Then they go armed to business, or no less often to their festal meetings. To pass an entire day and night in drinking disgraces no one. Their quarrels, as might be expected with intoxicated people, are seldom fought out with mere abuse, but commonly with wounds and bloodshed.
Source:
And no, Germany is not about Castles and Lederhosen --- beer ... well there might be something to the stereotype afterall ;o)
Here is a site with the official self-stylisation
So if there are any questions fire away!
We all know the problem that when one is on vacation, you have to see the tourist attractions but there is not much time left to get a true feeling for the people and the way they do things. As a result we eventually make use of stereotypes that the media and our culture harbour about a foreign place and its people.
Unfortunately there is no silver bullet in terms of defining a nation thus I invite anybody who has a question on Germany to simply ask and also anybody who feels able to answer to do so.
Now I am German and you guys shouldn’t believe these outrageous lies that Mr Tacitus has been spreading about us for about two millennia:
Habits in Time of Peace. Whenever they are not fighting, they pass much of their time in the chase, and still more in idleness, giving themselves up to sleep and to feasting, the bravest and the most warlike doing nothing, and surrendering the management of the household, of the home, and of the land, to the women, the old men, and all the weakest members of the family. They themselves lie buried in sloth, a strange combination in their nature that the same men should be so fond of idleness, so averse to peace. It is the custom of the states to bestow by voluntary and individual contribution on the chiefs a present of cattle or of grain, which, while accepted as a compliment, supplies their wants. They are particularly delighted by gifts from neighbouring tribes, which are sent not only by individuals but also by the state, such as choice steeds, heavy armour, trappings, and neck-chains. We have now taught them to acccept money also.
Habits of Life. On waking from sleep, which they generally prolong for a late hour of the day, they take a bath, most often of warm water, which suits a country where winter is the longest of the seasons. After their bath they take their meal, each having a separate seat and table of his own. Then they go armed to business, or no less often to their festal meetings. To pass an entire day and night in drinking disgraces no one. Their quarrels, as might be expected with intoxicated people, are seldom fought out with mere abuse, but commonly with wounds and bloodshed.
Source:
And no, Germany is not about Castles and Lederhosen --- beer ... well there might be something to the stereotype afterall ;o)
Here is a site with the official self-stylisation
So if there are any questions fire away!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Yova on -
well, every country has its own stereotypes and we have to live with them. I'm spanish and we have a lot of stereorypes too, most of them only apply to some regions in our country, but that's how most of the people all around the world see us.
I studied one year of german (aber ich habe keine Idee) but I learned a lot of german culture, which is very interesting, although in fact, I didn't really have a stereotype of german people (beyond being great beer drinkers :P).
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Permalink Reply by Prince of lies on -
It is true that we can not change the stereotypes but we can choose how to deal with them. Stereotypes can be so much fun as long as one does not take them seriously.
Stereotypes of Germans:
- no sense of humour
- very punctual
- attention to too much detail
- blond
- uninspiring
- wear Lederhosen, drink beer and eat Bratwurst
- all the war movies didn't quite help
- efficient
- cold
- notorious know-it-alls
- arrogant (especially towards our eastern neighbours)
- love military marches
- love to conquer the world or at lest invade France
my personal favourite :o)
- “Football is a simple game; 22 men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end, the Germans win” [Gary Lineker]
so what are the stereotypes that the world attributes to the Spanish?
by the way I also had one year of Spanish but not much left I am affright
Il Principe
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Permalink Reply by Marcel Heyne on -
Bah, Germans are known to wear union jack vests! ;-)
And don't mention the war! ;-)
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Permalink Reply by Yova on
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Some stereotypes of spaniards:
· We're partying all day
· We all like bullfighting
· We all sing flamenco
· We're lazy and like to sleep 'siesta'
· We're rude and bad-mannered
· We're all thieves
And we're usually confused with mexicans (specially on the U.S.) :P
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Permalink Reply by Prince of lies on
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These are no stereotypes , these are undeniable truths!!!!!!!!!!
The wife of the cousin of my neighbours stepson has seen it with her very own eyes while on transfer on Madrid International Airport - all is true!
In my very first Spanish lesson we were asked where the language originated and one imbecile did actually say it was from Mexico ... (shake one's head)
;o)
Il Principe
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Permalink Reply by Aditi on -
Don't feel too bad if Americans confuse you with Mexicans. At least Spaniards and Mexicans speak the same language. I'm Indian and I (or my family members) have been confused with Mexicans, Spaniards, and Italians! =D
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Permalink Reply by Patrice on -
Hey, I eat Bratwurst every single Summer. This stereotype would fit me. But this is a matter of my region. It's the typical food there.
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Permalink Reply by Prince of lies on
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Vatertag – Father’s day
Ascension Day was here and as it is traditional for German guys to go hiking … from one little party to another.
A small wagon is usually used to carry the obligatory booze around
It is also traditional to decorate the wagon prior or during the little excursion
This “sometimes” includes derelict signs that one finds somewhere ;o)
All the best
Il Principe
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Permalink Reply by Aditi on
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Being an Indian raised in America, I hear plenty of cultural stereotypes from both sides. Its interesting that so many stereotypes still remain today despite increasing globalization and exposure to other cultures. But you're right, they can be a great source of amusement as long as they're not taken too seriously.
Im Schule ich habe Deutsch für vier Jahren studiert, aber ich habe alles vergessen. (Mein Lehrer würde nicht glücklich sein!) I've been told that Germans are quiet and reserved (compared to most Americans), and not very touchy-feely. I accepted that stereotype because that's what my German teacher was like, but I remember one year we had two foreign-exchange students that were together and they were very touchy-feely. Seeing the younger kids definitely made me question that stereotype. What do you think? Is the younger generation becoming more comfortable with public displays of affection, or did we just have an some black sheep in our group? Or are all Germans more affectionate than the rest of the world thinks?
I recently discovered these Germany vs. USA videos that I found interesting. I love all the little things that make up the whole cultural experience. I hope I can make it to Germany someday to see and experience it myself (and finally make use of my extremely broken, half-forgotten German speaking skills)
-Aditi :)
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