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!

The post Pumuckl appeared first on Hey there world.

Let me try it this way:

The other day I called a friend. Important things were to be discussed. Of course. It was a Sunday evening at 20.20 and the only thing I heard her scream into the phone was “it is 20.20 on a Sunday. Hello! What is wrong with you?! It´s the Mûnster Tatort. Call me after 21.45 or tomorrow”. And she hung up on me.

I was not annoyed at her – I was actually annoyed at myself because I had forgotten time and therefore missed the first 5 minutes of my favourite Tatort – the one from Münster. What was I thinking?!

This is what Tatort does to people. Tatort can turn into an obsession. I guess the obsession already got going before I was even born….My life story starts the day after one of the most famous episodes (“Die Reifeprüfung”) was aired. My mum didn´t realize that her stomach pain was me and not the exciting Tatort episode …. But that´s another story.

So – now finally – what is the Tatort?

Tatort means crime scene and it basically is a crime television series which has been running since 1970. Not only did West Germany have it´s Tatort. East Germany had the East German version “Polizeiruf 110” – which is still on as well. And even Austria and Switzerland send out inspector teams (which are also brilliant by the way).

Every Sunday the team of inspectors comes from a different area in Germany. And of course everybody has their favourite teams. Me and THE danish boyfriend watch it pretty much every weekend – and in case we cannot make it we tape it. Not to miss out.

The opening sequence has only slightly changed over the years and although there have been many discussions about it, it has so far been untouched.

You might wonder what is so special about it…. and I can only say: I don´t know. It is simply a very well done TV crime scene series and it is cult.

So here comes my warning for everyone who wants to get in touch with Germans: DO NOT call them on Sunday nights from 8.15 pm to 9.45 pm if you would like to stay popular with them. Trust me – I am your friend here!

So dear German fellows. Anybody out there who can explain what the fascination about the Tatort is all about?

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I haven’t really figured out yet why the German sense of humor has not so far managed to spread across the borders. From my experience Germans can be really funny. Quite dry and sarcastic – and of course serious, just the way the Germans are.

Most Germans like something called “Situationskomik” – the comic arising from everyday situations.

It is hard to understand the German humor, since a lot of times people refer to historic events, traditions, or recite quotes from famous movies or comedians.

One whose Witz made it into everyday life is Loriot. He was born in 1923 as Vicco von Bülow in Berlin. He had an immense creative talent and therefore started his career as cartoonist after WWII.

During his career he invented cartoon figures such as Wum & Wendelin – a dog and an elephant who appeared on a game show in the 70s or the two man in the bathtub (Herr Müller-Lüdenscheidt and Herr Dr. Klöbner).

He brought Family Hoppenstedt to life. A crazy bunch that let´s us participate in their daily life. Their bizzare stories are so far out that it almost feels realistic.

He made hundreds of short movies and slapsticks. At the end of the 80s and during the 90th he wrote, directed and played in two great movies. The situations he puts people into are so absurd – and strangely enough everybody can in some way relate to it.

He exaggerates stereotypes and in an intelligent and funny way points out those things about Germans we don´t like to look at.

I am not sure if he really is funny with English subtitles. Trust me – in German he is! Here is a little appetizer. Loriot in his movie Papa Ante Portas.

And – funny? I hope you enjoyed it.

I cannot let you go without explaining a phrase a lot of Germans use. It actually is a word. A very ironic “Ach” – as an expression of surprise – which has been implemented into the German language through the cartoon “Two man in a bathtub”.

If you got 5:38 more minutes I would like to invite you to watch this little scene. These almost 6 minutes bring German humor to the point and explains a lot. Meet Herr Müller-Lüdenscheid and Herr Dr. Klöbner.

Enjoy!

Not that I have watched it for the first time….. but Ach! I still love it!

Any phrases you use in your culture that are just so classic?

The post German humor – yes, it exists appeared first on Hey there world.

It actually has a positive meaning. Somebody wants to make you aware of something. Somebody cares…. But it just sounds so harsh.

Hape Kerkeling is one of Germany´s – in my opinion – best serious comedians. He brings things to the point and is just hilarious. Watch the 2 minute video where he describes an announcement at the St. Peter´s Square in Rome in different languages.

Can you relate to this? Do you think that German sounds harsh!

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