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?
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?
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?
When I speak to British people about Germany, conversations always break along a familiar faultline: Berlin. Many consider the German capital to be representative of the the rest of the country, but is that really the case?
Many of my preconceptions about Germany have been thoroughly shattered over the years, but only one truly hurt; David Hasselhoff might not be the German icon I was led to believe. Despite being told this in my first years living here, I come to wonder If my early assumption was actually correct. Is Hasselhoff a cult hero or simply a curious historical footnote?
During the political chaos of 2016, I naively assumed Germany could weather the storm of right-wing populism. With the AfD rising in the polls, I was clearly wrong, but might there still be room for optimism?
Having children in #Germany presents some unique challenges for parents, more so for those of us who struggle with umlauts. What are some of the obstacles, and why might the government be less than supportive?
There’s more than one way to say hello in Germany, from ‘Guten Tag!’, ‘Moin!’ to ‘Hallo!’. The German hello comes in many different flavours, which is useful since greeting people, especially strangers, is so common. However, there is a dark side to the German ‘Hallo!’ that’s not always clear to new arrivals. Why should people be careful when a German says ’hallo!’?
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?
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?
I can't imagine Germany without Kaffee und Kuchen, just as I can't imagine Britain without tea. Unlike the British though, Germans aren't judged on how they make their favourite hot beverage. Is this why coffee in Germany can be so hit & miss?
Family visits used to easy, but after so many years, it’s becoming harder to keep realtives entertained when they come to Germany. Luckily I have a secret weapon. When all else fails, we pack everyone into the car and head to Neuschwanstein. What’s it like visiting an icon of Bavarian culture and why does it seem so few Germans have done it themselves?
The challenge of discussing national cultures is that they’re almost impossible to define with any precision. This is especially true for Germany, which may look like a unified whole, but is actually a collection of 16 different variations. Can we ever agree on what’s German, and why may divisions be a source of strength.
The term “Sommerloch” (summer hole) is an apt description for the abrupt arrival of the German summer holiday season. Why does is it feel like all of Germany is on holiday in August, and what happens to those still stuck at work?
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?
Learning German can be difficult and rewarding in equal measure, but dispiriting interactions can sap any language learners confidence. How can native speakers help learners improve, and why might switching to English be insulting?
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?
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?
What’s the difference between toast and bread? In Germany it’s clear: one is bread, the other isn’t. Are the Germans right to malign toast and what has that got to do with US food culture?
A recent Business Insider article took aim at Germany, suggesting it's not all that welcoming. There's truth to this, but it also annoyed many who call Deutschland home. What happens when romance meets reality, and why is Germany worth the effort?
