All in Society

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?

A Very Efficient Myth

If there is one thing people know about Germany, it’s that it is the home of efficiency. Visitors are certain of it, but many Germans are beginning to have their doubts. Is German efficiency simply a stereotype, a long perpetuated myth or the the true lived experience?

Everybody loves Angela

Angela Merkel is often praised as a progressive leader, usually from those outside the country. The ‘Merkel is a progressive’ meme is powerful in the English speaking world, but does that mean it’s true? How progressive is the German chancellor, and if so, shouldn’t there be more progress?

Vanguard of the Culture-War

Germany is no stranger to English loan words, they’re everywhere. However, the recent surge in the use of the term ‘Culture-War’ suggests that not all borrowed language is as benign as ‘Beamer’ or ‘Handy’. What has sparked the increase in use of the term and why might it be so damaging in a German election year?

Form a Disorderly Queue

Germany is seen as a land of punctuality and organisation. Although broadly accurate, there are areas where chaos is allowed to reign. Queuing is one such area. Why are German queues a contact sport and what does that tell us about the importance of timekeeping over organisation?

Work Hard, Play Sometimes

Germany regularly features in the top ten most productive countries, even though Germans work fewer hours than many of their neighbours in Europe. What is it like to work in this environment and has Germany really mastered work/life balance?

Fasching: Nothing is Forbidden

Fasching is a favorite time of year for many Germans, with a long tradition going back to the medieval period. Although primarily a celebration, the costumes worn by some have come under scrutiny due to accusations of racism and cultural stereotyping. Can a costume be racist even if worn in celebration and is ignorance ever a defence?