Most people in Germany know about the British class system, but few would discuss German society in terms of class. Does Germany have a class system and how is it different from the UK?
You Can Say You To Me
On the whole Germans aren’t as socially awkward as the British. How might German grammar help avoid the worst aspects of social awkwardness and what does that have to do with a person’s first name?
Friendship Restart
One of the most common questions for new arrivals in Germany is how to make friends with Germans. Having lived here a long time I thought I knew, but having children has changed my understanding. Why are the rules to making German parent friends so very different?
Positively Negative
It’s a common complaint that Germany is a land of pessimism and negativity, but is that really a bad thing? How does German and British pessimism differ and might German pessimism actually be a superpower?
No Bread, No Tea, No Hope
If Britain and Germany have one thing in common, it’s their obsessions over food and drink. For Germany it’s bread, while for Britain it’s tea, and they’re both certain that the other will never get it right. Is Germany really so bad at making a cuppa, and what makes British bread so ripe for ridicule?
Neighbourhood Watch
When it comes to dealing with neighbours, Britain and Germany have more than a few differences. How might the German approach to neighbourliness cause problems, and why is inherent British social awkwardness no defence?
Observing Oktoberfest
There's a certain magic about Oktoberfest that's hard to define. That being said, not everything is perfect on the Wiesn. As festivities begin, what can visitors expect and why may some choose to avoid it?
Breaking Borders
I've been told how wonderful it must be to raise children in a bilingual household, which is odd given Germany's toxic migration debate. Will heavier borer controls have an impact, and will it appease voters?
Integrating the Germans
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?
Radio Ga Ga
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?