All tagged UK
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
Tis the season to eat Spargel in all its many and varied forms and you better believe Germany takes Spargelzeit very seriously. This makes things difficult for the tiny minority of us who actually don’t like it, but is it worth incurring the wrath of the Spargel lovers?
As long as I’ve lived in Germany, I’ve been asked a particular question; “When are you going back home?”. For migrants, the question of home can be a contentious issue and can lead to an identity crisis. What is home and can we ever return to it?
Despite the chocolate and schools holidays, Easter isn’t really much of a celebration in the UK. Here, things couldn’t be more different. Whether it’s decorations, fairs or Ostermarkt, Germany seems to come alive at Easter. the only question is: Do you say Easter, Eastern or Ostern?
It may seem like weddings in Germany are the same as the UK & the US but there are many small differences worth knowing should you be invited to one. Why are German weddings like a marathon and why should you bring some extra plates just in case?
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?
Random strangers correcting each other is just a part of the everyday in Germany. Unsolicited advice on all manner of topics can be surprising, especially for more indirect cultures, like the British. What drives the German society of auto-correction?
It’s Silvester in Germany, and many will ring in the New Year with a private firework display. At the same time, thousands of people across the country will be treated for firework related injuries. Does Germany have a fireworks blindspot?
Sunday trading is a contentious issue for many in Germany. Whereas some see it as the perfect way to boost local economies after the pandemic, others see it as direct attack on the rights of workers and a particular way of life. Should shops be allowed to open on Sundays or would it be a slippery slope to 24/7 consumerism?
English speakers may have no idea who she is, but Helene Fischer is easily one of the most successful musicians, not just in Germany, but the world. This success has come on the back of slickly produced Schlager music, a genre that is long lived and often very hard to define. What is Schlager music and how has it managed to stay so popular?
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!’?
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?
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?
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?
“Es Zieht” or “It’s draughty” is a common complaint heard in Germany, even during the summer. Are the Germans overly sensitive about the dangers of air flow and why might it be difficult for the British to take their concerns seriously?
