The German Stereotypes
Are German people rude?
I spent two months in Germany, during which I came to realize that the German People are so polite and nice. Here are a couple of shocking experiences, especially to someone who heard a lot about German people being rude and unwilling to help:
- All the hotel staff were extremely nice and helped me a lot planning my trips in the city, you might argue that this is their job, but still, you can easily distinguish the difference between someone who is willingly helping you and another who is just forced to, and their help seemed to be genuine.
- If you give someone a tip, even 0.1 euro, the person will smile and thank you. Try giving a cheap tip somewhere else, this wouldn’t really go that well. This is probably because German people don’t believe that it is your duty to give a tip, so even the slightest contribution is always appreciated.
- In stores, in the gym, in the train station.. surprisingly everyone is willing to help a tourist who doesn’t know the German Language
German People Love beer and Sausages
The Huge German Beer
Photo from Flickr, User: James Offer
Original: http://flic.kr/p/gBcdY
Let us not forget the German Sausages, which you would find anywhere you go, small family business restaurants, supermarkets, mini markets or those small temporary shops (I saw some in the old town of Nuremberg)
Sausages
Photo from Flickr, User: Andrew Mager
Original: http://flic.kr/p/5fSzb8
Cold in bed
This could be a myth or it could be true… unfortunately, there is really no easy way to verify that. I will let you know If I have some new statistical data on the topic, 😀
Blond, Beautiful, Tough, Strong Built
German Beauty
Photo from Flickr, User: Daniel Silliman
Original: http://flic.kr/p/7ALmgJ
A girl from Munich
Photo from Flickr, User: Nathan Rupert
Original: http://flic.kr/p/am4cFn
German football fan
Photo from Flickr, User: Charles Roffey
Original: http://flic.kr/p/gXtW2
Another beautiful German football fan
Photo from Flickr, User: Patrick
Original: http://flic.kr/p/hc7gu
Efficient and hardworking
Norbert Walter, former chief economist in Deutsche Bank: “we have 1 % of the labor force of the world and we have 10% of the exports of the world”. Simple logic implies that each German individual is 10 times as creative and productive as the average human being. If statistics and numbers are not your favorite suit, then consider driving a BMW, Mercedes or an Audi and tell me then; Do you feel the German Quality Standards? Do you see their strive to perfection?
Very punctual, strictly enforce and follow rules
I have no personal incidents to back up this stereotype nor to dismiss it, but I’ve done my research and I find it this easy to believe that German People are very punctual and love making and following rules.
Well… ladies and gentlemen, you wouldn’t appreciate “punctuality”, “law enforcement” and “a law obedient society” until you live in an environment lacking these traits. You might be one of those who praise themselves as being a rebel, a free spirit fighting the conspiracies sown by our politicians and governments; but trust me when I say, chaos is not fun, having a no rule society is a nightmare and for that; I salute you German people.
Football Lovers
They love football, the real football, i.e. Soccer. A friend of mine once told me; During the 2010 world cup, if Germany has a game, the offices are empty, the streets are empty, almost everyone is cheering for the German National Team. Well, the stereotype is true and is justified, since Germany does have a pretty solid Football Team.
German Football Fans
Photo from Flickr, User: Stewart
Original: http://flic.kr/p/gHiaC
i have been living in Leipzig for more than two years back in 2002-04 and i agree to ALL of your estimates of German people. however, i would like to add that being extremely cooperative and helpful they are really very reserved, or in other words, least frank people; you travel with 2-3 strangers in a pool car or train compound for 4-6 hours and chances are they might not utter few words with you except for initial pleasantries. to me they are the role models in many aspects of human life.
I personally struggle in “Chit Chatting” with people, I am not so good in striking random conversations and sometimes I wonder, do people think I am not friendly? What I am trying to say is that, I can relate to German people, I believe that they always need a sense of purpose in doing things, and this also means that they need to have a purpose before engaging in conversations with other people. So maybe that is why they might not seem so friendly?
Thank you for your comment Inam.
I strongly relate with everything you said about small talk! I too wonder if people think I am not friendly because I think small talk is not meaningful and without purpose. I am half german…
I just told a close friend that I am German, and she said, “Oh, that explains a lot!” I looked up a description of German women, and it describes me perfectly. I feel like a square peg at times….
I am German and I am feeling really flattered reading this! Thank you! 🙂 But refering to INAMs comment, you may never forget the language barrier. I agree that small talk is definitely not a German’s favorite at all. 😉 But I think Germans among thereselfs are doing much more than Germans among foreigns because. Especially when I am talking to a stranger I want to express properly and do not want to seem funny or weird. Then mostly I would rather say nothing and just smile 🙂
I lived in Dresden for two months. I have to say that I agree with all the above statements: German people are extremely polite (with a few exceptions here and there:)), they are extremely hard-working and competitive and always willing to help you. About their aloofness, I am not so sure. I’ve met people who were very open but also people who were closed and reserved. All in all, I think Germany is an impeccable society!
Yes, they are extremely hardworking and competitive, I remember that I met a student has traveled to study in Germany from South American (forgot which country), he said that he used to be on top of his class back at home, but in Germany, he barely made it to being an average student.
Thanks for your comment Sanja 🙂
Yes , I agree that Germans are hardworking. But it is not the only reason for the German economic prosperity in general. High productivity in Germany ,like many developed countries ,has to do also with advanced technology. The more developed technology and up to date machines increases the productivity of workers and so the economic growth…
Well, I’m german and… Welll the stereotypes are quite funny. The beer one and the football one… I mean, who doesn’t love beer and football?!
And we are honest, yes. Well, at least I am. I never refuse telling people what I think, even though that is not the best strategy to find friends…
But some people really struggle with being polite. Holding up doors for the following is nothing you mustn’t do… I mean, it doesn’t even take a minute, so I personally don’t understand others…
Thank you for leaving a comment, I am so happy to read it and to know what you think about these Stereotypes; (my first German National to give me input 🙂 ) . I love beer too (football, not as much). Honesty is always the way to go :), it is better having very few friends who like you for who you really are and what you really think, than having too many friends who like you just because you are nice to them.
I love Germany, it is the most beautiful place I have ever visited, I love German people too (as much as I love the Japanese), I respect and admire you, the whole world does. I believe Earth would become a much better place if all people would try to learn the German way of living.
Well, I am from Germany and reading you’re text was really interesting and I was positive surprised and impressed you think so nice about us!
Anyway, I don’t know whether I can agree with you or not, but I hope you described us right
Thank you
Hi Vanessa,
I love Germany and I really respect and admire the German people.
Thank you for taking the time to read my blog post and to leave a comment.
Hello 🙂 I’m from Germany too. For homework I have to write a short text about stereotyps and I was wondering about german stereotypes. So I found your text and read it. And well let’s just say I’m really impressed what other people with a different nationality are thinking about us. Thank you for the nice remarks about us! I’m really pleased that we seem nice in your point of view! Generally I think stereotypes are interesting and of course some might be good, still some can be really mean and unfair.
I like how you described us but neither can I say if I agree with you or not in some points 😀 Still thank you very much!
Hi Rebecca,
🙂 You have earned your good reputation with your hard work, efficiency, intelligence, creativity and high ethical values. Where I live, “Made in Germany” is one of the most convincing quality seals. The story of Germany is very impressive. Germany rose from the ashes after World War II, destroyed the Berlin wall down and became one of the strongest economical and industrial powers in the world.
Thank you for your lovely comment and goodluck with your assessment.
I am a teacher and have taught many overseas Chinese students here in USA. My experience is that cheating and falsification of prerequisites are rampant with Chinese. They may be hard working sometimes, but if the opportunity arises to cheat, they will take full advantage of that opportunity. If you don’t play by the rules and everyone else does, you can do very well in western society.
If you were to ask Americans about the Germans, most of them would first say something about the Nazis. Second would be the economy. Third would be Greece
Another Hello from Germany or to be more exact: from Bavaria.. the other in some aspects totally different Germany. I was really delighted to see Germany presented in such a pleasant way i.e. that you made such positive experiences. I just think it a pity that only the sausages found their way into the stereotyping, but as they are so commonly spread it is only natural. Btw. we do not only have menu-long lists of beers and sausages, but als a thousand types of bread 😉 And yes – although we tend to be helpful when it comes to tourists we sure (in some areas more than in others) also tend to be kind of reserved which earned us the label “aloof”, yet please do not forget that many Germans do not speak English that well and therefore they are scared to utter more than the usual small-talk
I’m german and I HATE sausages.. and regarding to the “being honest” part: We (germans) consider dutch people to be really honest business-wise, as there is still a lot of pretending and lies when making business, they don’t do that at all over there. – Also a reason why business relationships between german and dutch companies rarely work out.
I am Chinese, and I do not find the Germans very competitive and hard-working by Chinese standards. I was a little slow when I was studying in China, but in Germany, all the teachers told me to
relax and slow down, and told me that I was working too hard, to my great amusement and wonder.
All countries in the world have pros and cons . I think all nations possess good and not so good qualities .
As a Middle Eastern person , West Asia, German and Europeans have great prosperity and development but China and East Asia ( Korea, Taiwan and Japan ) have also high quality and great culture that some people in the near or middle East do really admire no less than Europe…
Bless our world.
“I am Chinese, and I do not find the Germans very competitive and hard-working by Chinese standards. I was a little slow when I was studying in China, but in Germany, all the teachers told me to relax and slow down, and told me that I was working too hard, to my great amusement and wonder.”
And that is why many hate the Chinese 🙂
Thank you for the article!
I’ve recently started dating a German guy, and at first it was somewhat challenging as he’s a lot more reserved than the men from my country.
But after a couple of months he’s certainly warming up very nicely!
Very interesting what you say about them not making chit chat. He certainly fits that stereotype! At first I took it very personally and thought maybe he didn’t like me that much, or that we had nothing in common, but I realize now that that’s just who he is. Sometimes contemplative silences on road trips with the music going can be refreshing and relaxing.
Either way I’m loving being pushed out of my comfort zone by this relationship! It’s so enlightening experiencing a different culture and way of going through the world.
And boy is he efficient and hard-working! Quite inspirational.
Another Hello from Germany!
I’m quite happy to hear you say those nice things about my folks,it’s heartwarming to see that people start to realize that we aren’t bad anymore and that we try our best to be nice and helpful.
As a kid,I always got told by my grandfather,that “Punctuality is the politeness of kings.” and that you should always be polite and punctual and that you should dress to impress,because you always want to make a good first impression.We are not very competitive,well viewed from our point of view,France for example has much higher standarts and are much more into competing especially when it comes to education.
Also,we get taught or at least I got taught that speaking is silver,but silence is gold.You may talk if you are asked,but you better shut your mouth if talking is not necessary,its different with people you are friends with and stuff…and if asked for my opinion I’m always honest,except for some white lies concerning my homework (oopsie)
Also,if I’m honest…I hate sausages because I’m a vegetarian,but thats a different thing,but yes we do love beer,it’s true lol.
Thank you for that lovely article and your nice words!
Plus I loved that you did not pint out that many germans aren’t really good at english,because most of the time it’s lacking the pronunciation not the words.:)!
I’m a German girl living in Ireland, just read your text here and it made me giggle quite a bit. It’s nice that someone picks out the “good” stereotypes and finds most of them true. Though as for efficiency, hmm, just look at the debacle of the new Berlin Airport 🙂
Hello
my country, Germany, is surrounded by more than half a dozen foreign ones and in most of them we always find as tourists a lot of polite, pleasant people ready to help. (And in Italy some of them are singing opera-arias in the street. 🙂 )
Football isn’t my thing; I’m not drinking beer and eating sausages, being a vegetarian. I love math and classical music.
Many thanks for all good words and remarks on my home, and kind regards!
I agree, 🙂 Germany is blessed with good neighbors. I love beer and German food (also sausages), but I also met one German colleague who turned vegetarian recently (I wonder how long he will survive). Do you think vegetarian food is becoming more popular in Germany?
Thank you Hans-Juergen, I really appreciate you taking the time to comment. Say hi to beautiful Germany for me (now thinking of my trip there, I miss it) 🙂
Hi MantisShrimp,
thanks for your amiable reply. Your nickname comes as I see from a wide spread family of marine crustaceans described here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mantis_shrimp with highly astonishing features and capacities. I never heard of them before.
Your “German stereotypes” are delightful for me, and what you are writing about other nations is very interesting. One can learn a lot of them without travelling to those countries. 🙂
By the way: the vegetarian life style you mentioned I “survived” until now since 25 years. It isn’t too hard. There are several reasons for eating no meat, among others ecological ones.
Best regards,
Hans-Juergen
I’m a half German girl my mother is German and you are right that they are very polite and as a child my mom always made sure I knew when it was polite to speak, always thank someone or say ‘I appreciate’ and to always ask with please. Also I remember the big deal about respecting your elders and to never speak not unless spoken to by them, also to never have elbows on the table lol otherwise you will get poked with a fork. Call it old fashioned but its the way my German side of the family is and again your point about being polite to others is yes very true my mom is the nicest lady. My other point about the food I remember it not just it being about bratwurst but a lot of pickled things in the pantry and jams a lot of bread and pastries too since my family knows these foods last longest on the shelf so there fore saving money…which brings me to another point is being very money concious. But that’s just my German side of the family. But thank you for your lovely blog about them since I heard my whole life as soon as I said I was half German people would joke ‘oh so you are a racist’ or that I’m a prude. Which from your experience far from it. Thank you again. This helps people and the way they view Germans and the culture hopefully.
One of the programs that contribute to German success at being an economic hub in Europe( especially in highly qualified industrial products ) is the combination or merge between theoretical studies and practical experiences of sudents in highschools before graduation. They send students at the age of 15 or to 16 to practice what they are learning and get a real life experience and more into depth knowledge of their future career that they are studying or willing to study. For example, a student willing to study mechanical when at highschool mechanical engineering is sent to a factory to work to get to know if he or she is fit to that job or not. If interested, he or she can receive pre -high school training before even going to college or university.In that manner, students will become more skilled at what tohey do and improve and increase German human capital which is important to sustainable development. This tradition goes back to more than a century ago in Germany, which inspires many other countries to adopt a similar training program for students. For sure, such a program has to be modified to suit that particular and specific needs and social customs of each country.
beautiful girls indeed…
I think Germany is great! The people *are* direct, but that is not bad!
I think many of the girls in Germany are pretty, but so are many girls in Europe. And Asian/Hispanic/Black ladies are very pretty too, wouldn’t you agree? 😉
Hey there
I am german, so I think I should tell you the one thing you got wrong.
The women. NO. JUST NO. I absolutely abhor that stereotype being a woman myself. No, not every german is blonde, or has blue eyes or is tall. NO!
I have been living in Mexico for almost 5 years now. You picture someone small and with dark hair and dark skin. Well, wrong again! There are indeed blondes and blue eyed people that are tall. So, why should there be only blondes in Germany?
Changing that point on your list or not is your choice, but do not go on with your life with that stereotype in mind. Please.
Interesting read – no doubt about that.
For German cuisine, or the lack of vegetables in the German kitchen, I guess one need take in count the culture of going out to eat in restaurants in general. As far as I know – but I might be mistaken – it is less common in Germany to go out for a meal, than for example in America. I am from the north of Germany and it has never been a big challenge to be vegetarian, because most of the time we eat vegetables, and crops and fruits, of cause. Also nuts 😉
My German diet from childhood on consisted mostly of vegetable soup, fried vegetables, baked vegetables, pure vegetables, pickled vegetables and salad. I never liked coiled ones, though most of the time, when one eats flesh on occasions it is served with coiled green. In addition a lot of dark bread, and milk soup with light crops in it.
Since Germans do not go dining out on a daily basis, but for special occasions, they prefer a meal then that counts as feast or holyday meal. Just a lighter version. No Christmas duck, but a sunday steak, maybe.
So for a German becoming vegetarian does not change as much, as could be suggested, when reading a menue card in a restaurant.
The thing with honesty might be true. I personaly always outrage about the dishonesty of people. So that i constantly complain about all the Germans around me, to not stand up to the standards of honesty. But again, that might just be because, one can expect people to be honest, and so got striked by lies qite hard and unecpected. I am absolutely used to a teacher coming in class asking who has not got their homework. And whoever had to negate this was immediatly asked: why not?
If you said you have not done it. It was marked as a big failure and the next day you had to sjow, that you made it.
If you answered, that you have done it, but forgot your papers at home, you would have to just show it then the other day and no bad mark at all.
Also you could have just not say anything at all, and hope to not get caught. If you would get caught then, it did not get any worse then the bad mark of the furst case.
Whenever I told that to foreigners, they thought it would be stupid, to believe a system like that would work. But it did. Everyone was honest, even to their disadvantage. I understand that people shake their heads at hearing, German pupils are so stupid, as to confess in those cases. But I get angry to hear that they would do not. Yes we might be weardos sometimes, but that is just us. 😉
Also we might tell strangers, straight to their faces that we do think they are lacking moral, intelligence or whatever. But the German reaction to that would be to, just tell them your way of seeing it. Maybe in other countries, this might be seen as a downright insult, as well as your invitation to leave the smalltalk group. But I tell you: Germans just want you to
take a second chance, to explain your point of view, your behaviour, whatever.
We might seem to judge eagerly and overly hasty, but it is really just our first impression, that others might have as well but are keeping it to themselves. We talk it out, and never feel offended by it. Just keep in mind that you will get a thousand chances to set our view right. Say something to protest or just give a new topic a chance next time to explain yourself better. Emphasise your character better.
Well, I am light blonde, model tall and model curvy. Won a trademark there 😉
I really would love to hear, what exactly COLD IN BED looks like. Maybe I then could judge if it is true. I could by now only state, that as a woman I would never worry or complain, if a man would be just hop on and off. If you meant uninspired sex. But I do not know. I guess German women are easily satisfied with what they get. And also, we would not be shamed to ask for more, if a man really failed us.
greatings
Germany ? After living in 20 different countries, I ended up living in Germany, and after almost 30 years was germanized, at least in a legal kind. And that describes Germany: This country is undergoing very quick changes, because of the influence of foreigners living here. The good old Germans were hard working, had strict rules and always demanded leadership in everything. But many jobs were not good for Germans, thats why continously millions of foreigners were sistematicaly imported to work in the industries, especialy car, metal and mining. But also many trades like hotelery and gastronomy were handed over to “Gastarbeiter” = foreign workers. As the word describes: Those were not suposed to stay on, but leave the country again after working a few years. Integration and imigration were words to be avoided. But many did remain and formed families and paralel-societies to the German one. And they did change the country and the stile of living even of the real Germans. I remember, when I was in Germany the first time, the food was bland, floffy, salty and greasy and hardly any spices were used. There was salt, grounded black pepper, onion and something called Schnittlauch. Today Germany is one of the countries where maybe outside of India, the most variation of spices is available. Schnittlauch has dissapeared almost completely. The food is still oversalty, even many foreigners started to eat very salty, because the Germans demand that. Just consider: The – mostly friendly – hotel workers are almost all foreigners or foreign origin. Because over 40 % percent of the population is either foreigner or of foreign origin. And very few are blond (Most blond girls are eastern European descend. Most real Germans I know have brown hair) Germans and foreigners now work together, eat together, play football together (half the German National team is foreign origin) but they dont realy blend into one society. My Caribbean/Latin inheritage makes me very popular, even with the Iran and several Asian societies. But they exist and interchange between each others, but not much with the Germans. The foreigners influence the Germans and their livestile more than the other way around. The Latin comunity is not conflictive. thats why tolerated by the Germans. Same as British and American or Scandinavian Expats. But they exist apart from each others. Other minorities dont have that bonus with the Germans. Most Germans are not hostile towards foreigners, they are kind of snobish distanced.But many do say: Soon there will be no more Germany. And that might be corect. But the Germans did that, NOT the foreigners.
Whats really cool about Germany is that they are just becoming richer, and richer, and even though they call the Greeks lazy, they already work more than them. Germany will eventually become a place where nobody works (besides maybe people from other countries) and if you are too poor the country can pay you. I hope to get to Germany soon so that I can enjoy these benefits (and be near my indigenous family in Bavaria). Im excited for Germany’s integrated Refugee population, and the economy of Germany, and to get to find my native roots. If anything I can find the American dream in Germany, and it gives me a sense of wonder.
I’m from Germany, too. And i’d like to say something about those stereotypes.
Yes, many Germans love their beer. But I don’t, because I don’t like alcohol at all. Most of the people who’re drunk are getting aggressive…
But I like sausages, too. There are so many different types and they all taste different. Most kids like Wiener sausages the most.
I have to disappoint you, Neither I’m blond nor tall and I don’t have blue eyes. My hair has a light brown colour and I have warm brown eyes. But I think that I’m still beautifull.^^
I work hard and I allways give my best at work, because I work in my dream job. But I wouldn’t sacrafice my health or family for it.
Yeah, most Germans love to be punctual. But then there comes the time when you have kids -like me – you try everything – you could even make a handstand and sing the German National antham – you will NEVER EVER be punctual again. And you’ll allways receive THE look “ah, late again, tsk, tsk, tsk”.
Yes, we love our rules especially the one regarding the traffic light. Even my kids rant something like “you have to wait until it’s green” to a stranger when he crosses a red traffic light.^^ I even watch the bus drive away from the other side off the road while waiting for the traffic light to Change its colour.
I HATE football. It’s super boring. But most Germans love it.
Yes, I’m honest and say what I mind. But there are some people who confuse honesty with impudence. There is this saying in Germany “the sound makes the music”. I allways try my best to be honest AND friendly at the same time.
Have a nice rest week and hopefully your weather is better than here.
Stoffel, congratulations. Thats a great reply. You re a superb observer, and you re honest, without pretentions. I also live in Germany (integrated Beute Germane with nationality) But there are the pros and contras. Germany is very liberal in many aspects, but also very intolerant in others. Often in surprising details like neighbourhoods. I can not imagine any other country that occupies, and abuses, its law system for such an amount of neighbour fights. Another point. Germany as a whole is geting rich and more rich. There are thousands of millionairs. But there is a big portion of the GERMAN population left out. Altersarmut, Kinderarmut (Poverty of old people and of children). In Hamburg, the so called richest city of Europe, one third of GERMAN children grows up below poverty line. The public administration , including the law system, turns more and more (started after the turn of the century) into corruption and abuse of the lower classes. Old people with low income, are systematicly forced into homelessness, in the expectation that will automaticly eliminate their numbers. Natural outsourcing of useless elements of population. Who can contribute either to workforce or to growing economy? Welcome. The others? Hide yourself. Disappear as quick as possible. The so called famous social system is not granted automaticly. Demanding lots of paperworks and NACHWEISE, any so called refusal of cooperation is used as pretext to deny any social help. That hits many thousands, maybe over two millions, and is a vicious cycle. Once you re outsourced, almost impossible to return to a normal citizen status. Foreign residents often have better chances, because they still keep their ethnic group, friends, family around them and by mutual help, such outsourcing from society is avoided or at least balanced. Germany, lots of glitter, but also lots of, hidden, misery and abuse.
Most western stereotypes about Germany are nothing but really primitive anti-German propaganda. Seem to be created by some brainwashed, idiotic American who project their own militarism on Germans.
The clichés about Germany as a “militarist” country originally were created by the British war propaganda during world wars I and II. Later, these propaganda experts created the infamous Tavistock Institute. The psychology of these propaganda masters is simple: Projecting their own (British) militarism / imperialism / expansionism on their foes. Today, anti-German American propaganda strategists still continue that crude but effective strategy.
In historical reality, German was *THE* country of poets and thinkers (“Land der Dichter und Denker”). Germans were objektive philosophers like the ancient (Veda) Indians, dramatists like the ancient Greeks and epic poets like the Irish.
However, the German national character indeed was somewhat changing since the founding of the German empire under Prussian leadership in 1871. However, it didn’t changed to militarism or imperialism like the British, Spanish or French but to economical development and scientifical research. In early 20th century German chemists, physicists and engineers had a world-wide leading role.
Today, the authentic German national character is almost annihilated by the primitive Americanism and Germany just only a colony of the American warmongers. Without a free and authentic Germany we are living in a very dark and shallow time. It’s so sad for human culture.
Germans like the sunshine and like many Europeans especially in the northern countries they love sunny warm weather …
According to the food , there are 600 types of bread in Germany .
Germany is a country of rich culture and long history like many places in Europe. Germany is famous for industry and manufacturing as industry there goes back for centuries… so Germany has an industrial culture and an export oriented economy as the German products generally speaking have high quality.
Education system is great there as I heard and the quality of education is high. Students even in high school and before entering the university or college are sent on training to try the profession in real life and see if this job or work is fit for them …
They get practical real-life experience and preparation for what they intend to get specialized in.
I was told by a German ( whom I met in Malaysia ) that they would ask her in university why she would choose that major…
I also read that even in early classes like grade 5 , students are separated into different groups according to their academic performance and grades.
They get many sports and activities for students in schools like music , dancing , painting and other kinds of arts. Thus is one way that they encourage the youth to seek education and knowledge whether practical or theoretical.
The Literacy rate in Germany us above 99 percent , which is great.
Literacy rate in Germany is around 90% (not counting the foreigners)
I just moved from Germany to the US 5 months ago and I really like your point of view on the German stereotypes. Unfortunately as a German in the US you can also be seen as a rude, inflexible person which is to dumb to learn new things, without people gave you a chance to try to make it better … I’m lucky that I personally didn’t have to make that experience , but I know others that do.
If you would like to know if I like living here or if I miss my country … the only thing I really don’t like in the US you is that so less people think about the consequences of their lifestyle -behavior when it comes to the environment and the health of Mother Nature … the American way of using plastic bags for every single item they buy and not even try to pack their bag till it is fully loaded is really shocking me.
But the most people that I get to know here so far are very friendly and patiently when it comes to talk with an non-native- English- speaker 😊
Unfortunately I sometimes don’t know if they are really friendly to me or if they are just using friendly sounding phrases their use to ask and tell. In Germany you know exactly who is nice to you and who just pretends .
Best regards from the new German girl in town 🤗