I have learned a lot about my own culture and I am actually a little surprised by how many cool things there are to know about Germany.

Saying out loud in public that one is proud to be German – weird to most people. Also to me. It is just not something one grows up with in Germany.

But I have to say … there are a lot of things to be proud of. And now I am saying it out loud: “Yes, I think it is … cool to be German!”

Puh – that was not easy – and proud didn’t get out …. not yet… maybe one day.

For now we say goodbye to Germany. Like everybody else, Hey there world is getting into the Christmas mood and will introduce Christmas traditions from all around the world in a litte Advent calendar…. so join again tomorrow, if you want to learn about the country where presents are not brought by Santa but shit into the living room. Sounds weird – well, you will hear more about it tomorrow.

Before really leaving, here is a last little something about Germany.

If people want to indicate that it is time for guests to leave – like in most countries – they will start cleaning up the table, yawn or even tell you straight forward.

And sometimes – normally it is in bars or clubs – the “go home” message is wrapped in a song – we call it a “Rausschmeisser“. It really is the final signal. Just to make sure you get the message… and here is one of them.

And therefore now…….. Tschüss, Ciao, Servus und Auf Wiedersehen.

Any “Rausschmeisser” songs from your country you think we should know of?

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It is always good to know the little things that are really important about a culture.

Here is my take – not claiming totality, not saying that everybody agrees to them. But maybe at least some people.

Thumbs up for:

- Shake hands when you meet – Germans perceive it as polite and politeness is important.

- When you bring a newbe into a group of people, introduce the person to others. You want to be perceived as a good host – if you  show you are considerate, we almost automatically also like you.

- Feel free to discuss politics, religion, or any potentially critical topic at a dinner party or over lunch in the canteen. We love to have philosophic conversations and don´t really know how to do small-talk well. Straight forward is good for us.

- Complaining about things is ok – as long as you have either well researched proof for it, a good business case, or – even better: a proposal or an improvement plan on hand

- Tip – There is normally no service charge included and if you appreciate good service then show it via some coins (or notes) … btw – cash is what you need in Germany. Cards have not really made it into daily life in most places or at least you need to buy for a certain amount

- Be on time – as much as possible … almost for all occations. But: If you are invited to a party (not including formal dinner) at 8 pm – don´t show up before 8.45 pm …. you might otherwise be the first one

- Not addressing random people with the informal “Du”. Ok – if you are a non-German speaker we will forgive you. If you are fluent in German most people would find it strange when you address them with “Du” if you are above 25. …. Well, that might actually change at one point. The other day in Berlin – I was addressed with the formal “Sie” and I have to admit I was a bit offended  and spent about  20 minutes thinking about how old these kids thought I was?!

- Not assuming that German music is the uumpa-music, everybody wears Dirndl and that Bavaria is the capital of Germany … Always good when you show that you know that Bavaria is only one province of Germany.

- Knowing a bit about history. e.g. that our queen is not a queen but a chancellor and is called Angela Merkel

- Throwing some German in. Germans are generally impressed by foreigners trying out some German. “Bitte ein Bier.” – Could I get a beer – and even better if you have a sexy accent … then we might even invite you. Because we can be emotional. Really!

- Last but not least: when people offer you something – let´s assume food (it is quite likely that you will be overloaded with food in a German home) … if you want to be really German then don´t say “yes, thanks” immediately. Say a friendly “Noooo, really, I think I am fine”. Then the German host will most likely say somthing like “No, really you should”. Here you have two options. Either you jump on the offer and say “well then, yes” – or you play the game another round until you finally say “ok then, if you insist. Well then I have some more”.

- One last thing – before I am out for today: Watch the little video on superstition in Germany:

Any major knowledge to share on this one?

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Kiez?!? What is it? ….  An area in Wuppertal? A special type of house? A boutique?

Nope – it is a word describing or rather replacing the word neighborhood. An area in a bigger city that might seem like a small little village. Your hood. The word has its origin in Berlin and here it is still used a lot.

What defines a Kiez is its people. It is not depending on city boundaries or officials announcing a new Kiez.

Hamburg has probably the most famous Kiez in Germany. The Reeperbahn – the red light and night life district. People mainly refer to it as “the Kiez”.

It is a positive word – I would say … at least when you live in the right Kiez.

There are even several songs praising the Kiez. Udo Lindenberg – a very famous German singer and artist – together with Jan Delay sing a little hymn to their Kiez – the Reeperbahn.

What is the best thing about your Kiez?

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That’s how we like it:

Wanna know how to really stress out an Ordnung loving German. Mess the whole thing up:

Ever met a “non-orderly” German?

What do you connect to the German’s sense for Ordnung?

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Here are few examples: 

Rule number one: Parking in the opposite direction of the street is not allowed. This rule I would suggest to follow – otherwise there is very friendly men and women putting little notes on your car – and that normally includes paying a fine.

Rule number two: No drunk cycling. I mean obvious drunk cycling. Might cost you not only a fine but also your driving licence.

Rule number three: No drilling or handwashing your car on Sundays. Hello! Consider your neighbors who would like to relax … and if you do need to urgently drill a hole bring some wine or cake to your neighbors or at least tell them. Most people will be fine. By the way… this apparently also applies on other days between noon and 3 pm…. I have just learned.

Rule number four: Calling a state official a bad name is expensive. Out of good reason – including something with Hitler in it is even more expensive. So if you feel a need for expressing your feelings to a state official stick to idiot and it should be affordable (legal note: I do not take any guarantee for the the non-fining of “idiot”)

Rule number five: Everything is forbidden – apart from that, do what you like.

Rule number seven to three hundred : The German grammar. How many rules can one little language have? The German one has many. And whoever has tried to learn German will know what I am talking about….

Dear German fellows – any really important rule you think would be good to share?

Dear non-German readers – Any rule that is important to know about your culture?

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There is a little creature EVERYBODY knows in Germany – Pumuckl. You don´t believe that? Go ask any German about him. I am pretty sure that no matter how old people are, everyone will be able and happily willing to sing Pumuckl´s song for you or recite one of his rhymes.

Pumuckl is a little goblin who got stranded (yes, stranded) in Munich living with the carpenter Meister Eder. He is invisible but due to a really untidy workshop he gets stuck to a pot of glue and – that´s the goblin rule – has to stay with the first person who sees him (who is by the way also the only person) – Meister Eder. 

He is a really cheeky little goblin with many creative ideas on how to play tricks on people. He experiences cool little adventures and is a true poet.

Have you thought Germans are not emotional and passionate? I am sure this will change your mind:

The series was shot in a backyard in Munich-Lehel (Bavaria).  In the late 80s the workshop building was planned to be taken down. Since Pumuckl had already been extremely popular at the time, he of course got famous supporters. The Bavarian prime minister advocated for the building´s preservation – comme on … honestly, where should Pumuckl live, if not in the untidy workshop?! It unfortunately didn´t help and in the end the workshop was torn down.

When people talk about the colour red –  I mean bright red – they sometimes refer to it as “Pumuckl red”. He truly is famous and at least in a short video I think you should meet him.

If you speak German and grew up with Pumuckl I think today is a good time to take out the records, watch one episode or just recite one of his poems.

What do you like best about Pumuckl? I definitely love his style!

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He is mainly known for children books. I am almost sure that every child in Germany knows and loves Erich Kästner´s stories “Emil and the Detectives”, “Pünktchen and Anton”, or “The flying classroom“ – even today.

He is also the author of “Das doppelte Lottchen”, a book about identical twins, separated by their divorced parents at birth who meet in a summer camp as ten year olds for the first time and decide to swap roles to meet the other parent. Sounds familiar? It’s the original source behind the Disney film “Parent Trap”.

He wrote one major adult novel in Germany called “Fabian”, which was published in 1931. The English version is called “Going to the dogs: the story of a moralist”.

The book plays in post WW I Berlin and describes the life of Jakob Fabian, an unemployed moralist and intellectual who strolls through the city looking for work and friends. He meets people with different experiences, traumas and expectations of life trying to find their way around in the post-war times where values and morals sometimes seem to fade.

A great book that is not outdated and definitely recommended.

Do you know any of Erich Kästner´s books? Which one would you recommend?

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