a bit of cultural commentary

As my second week here is drawing to a close, I realize that it is getting harder and harder to keep updates going, because life is starting to acquire a rhythm. This is, of course, very good, and much less strenuous on the me. This means for the time being, less nail-biting stories of terror and embarrassment, but also a better chance to get in some real observations on the people and culture of Germany. This post will attempt to capture some of the quirks and items of interest that I've noticed about Germany and it's people.

Die Deutsche - Germans

There is a common stereotype that is almost world-wide, which considers Germans to be some of the most rude and unfriendly people on the planet. This stereotype bleeds into many opinions about Germans and German culture, such as the following:

1. the German language is an 'angry' or 'harsh language.

2. German etiquette is missing consideration for others. The infamous German knocking into you as you walk down the sidewalk, passing you by without so much as a nod.

3. Germans do not appreciate form--functionality is everything.

These are just three things off the top of my head, stereotypes that I had or carried with me from others over to Germany. Here is my current, revised view of these stereotypes:

1. German is only an angry language when the speakers are angry, or when the emotion meant to be expressed through song, poetry, etc is one of intense anger or frustration. German is not an angry language, but angry Germans sound 'more angry' to American ears, because the phonetics are foreign. Advice: listen to some classical German music (with singing), or even better, contemporary (non-metal) music. Contemporary german worship songs are gorgeous, and are musically much more complex than most english ones.

2.I have yet to experience this one. Perhaps I have lucked out, but all of the Germans except for one that I have met so far have been very nice, and extremely helpful and concerned for the well being of a poor English boy who can't speak german! Perhaps I will revise my stance on this later, but so far Germans are in general at least as nice as Americans.

3. Boy is this way wrong. Germans are practical, but how this turned into the idea that they sneer at anything that isn't square and grey, I'll never know. Yesterday we went on a tour of Darmstadt. I'll load the pictures as soon as possible, but I'll let them speak for themselves as to this stereotype...

Quirks

Some things that I find entertaining and a little bit frustrating about Germany and it's residents:

1. I wish that German college students were different than typical US students, but they aren't. They are just as messy. Also, the average German college student's definition of what constitutes washing dishes is a lot more lenient that I would prefer. All dishes must be pre-washed before a meal.

2. Related to the above, vacuuming, sweeping, and etc. are also activities that are more annual than regular in the student residency houses. I cleaned out the guest room when I moved to my regular room, and I had to do epic battle with dust bunnies like I've never seen before. Those beasties were on their way to being highly evolved beings...

3. Germans are supposedly the most environmentally-minded of any country in the world. The are super-fans of organic food products, and there are advertisements like you wouldn't believe for healthy living, exercise, and what-not.
However, despite this interest with being healthy, every citizen over the age of like 12 in Germany smokes. Even with the recent legislation that makes it possible for those who don't smoke to find refuge from the clouds of tar, anywhere that it is legal (or the people don't care), there are clouds of smoke pouring out of the mouths of Germans. Even more ironic is that cigarette companies are required by law to print warnings on all packages and advertisements: 'Rauchen kann tötlich sein.'-'smoking can be deadly' can be seen everywhere in large bold letters. Marburg is a very clean city as far as amount litter goes, but the fact that there is still a fair amount of trash to be seen on the streets, and that it is almost completely comprised of cigarette butts is astonishing. Needless to say, I'm becoming more accustomed to the smell of smoke, but I just pray I don't get lung cancer from living in Germany for 5 months. I figure I've smoked the equivalent of two or three cigarettes by now just by living here :P

There are also lots of amazing things about Germany, which I will miss, and which I hope the US picks up on in the near future.

First, there are all of the amazing food\drink items...
1. Apfelschorle the greatest drink invented by man. Ok, so that isn't true, but it's pretty darn lecker (delish) and I am going to have to make my own when I go back to the states. It's pretty much just Apple juice mixed with carbonated water, but it's amazing.

2. Butterkekse a holy union between grahm- and animalcrackers. You can even buy them with chocolate on them...mmmmaahhh

3. Nutella. we have this in the states, but it's expensive. Here they have generic brand nutella, and it is a magical addition to Butterkekse, bread, or just eating with a spoon, if you're desperate.

4. Beer. German beer is way better than US beer. I still don't like it, but I like it more than the guff in the states, and the places that sell it here are much more friendly anyway.

There are lots of other food things, but you get the idea...Now on to just life things:

1. Open-air markets. Every Saturday and Wednesday, there is an open air market 'am Markt,' right down the hill from the Schloß. There you can buy delicious fresh produce, meat, cheese, and flowers from stands that are set up in the Platz. The prices are great too! Today I bought 2 Zucchini, a small eggplant, 5 tomatoes, and 6 medium sized mushrooms for a little under 5 Euros. I also got some amazing cheese, which was more expensive, but for the quality it was about the same as in the states, maybe a little cheeper (well, that is, before the Dollar just plummeted again...)

2. Small little businesses. The terror of Walmart and monster coorperations has not yet lane waste to my fairytale town. There are about a bajillion little bakeries in the Oberstadt where I live, and numerous fresh produce places, as well as countless Cafes and of course, Kneipes (pubs).

3. Garbage. No seriously, it is awesome, because recycling here is like a cultural thing. Back in the states, depending on where you live, you have to bend over backwards to recycle anything. Here, it is a part of the system, and you can do your part to save the environment with ease.

4. Economic integrity. I hope I'm not harping to much on this, but seriously. Trains. why don't we do them in the US? Flippin' heck...Also, it's really awesome to be riding on a train to go to another town, and to look out the window to see dozens of huge windmills waving their arms, generating electricity without burning fules or anything. Go Germany! And housing: Seriously-- contrary to the opinions of most Americans, you don't have to have your own little kingdom. The houses here are much closer together, aren't as big, and people are just fine. So stop tearing up farmland in the US to build huge, sprawling developements! Good grief! build apartement buildings, for pete's sake. Seriously, Pete told me we need to do this...for him...for Pete...

5. Castles. Ok, so this one is just because Europe is old, and medievel, and there is nothing the Americas can do about that. I do think we should build prettier buildings, but whatever...

That's pretty much it for now! I'm sure there will be more as I learn and build relationships with people.

Bis später!