Liv wrote a highly entertaining, sharp and warmhearted list of facts about Germans and their way to pursue life at the Uberlin blog. I had to nod and laugh several times when reading through it. Here are the ones I could see myself in:
“7. They are very good bike riders – nay, they are exceptional bike riders. They manage to look elegant whilst freewheeling down cobbled streets, pashminas blowing out behind them. They are also highly adept at riding with umbrellas.”
Although I would never, never, never use an umbrella, freewheeling cobble stone makes up for that.
“28. They love the breakfast meal.”
Yes! Breakfast is awesome! Most important meal of the day.
“29. They enjoy a darker bread. The whiter the less trustworthy.”
Absolutely. The thing I miss most when I am away.
“31. Germans can always enjoy a hotdog/bratwurst, no matter the time, no matter the place. And they never seem to drip the sauce all over themselves.”
The thing with the sauce is a matter of practice.
“40. They don’t necessarily say it to you face, at the time … but Germans don’t like it when you go against the tide in the supermarket.”
Exactly. Learn that, expats.
“58.Germans are distrustful of any beverage that doesn’t sparkle.”
True, that’s why Evian and Volvic have a hard time here.
“67. Germany loves a public holiday. Bavaria in particular.”
Correction: Only Bavaria. We in Berlin have like 5 days less of public holidays. I never understood this kind of injustice.
“74. They are bizarrely superstitious about wishing people a Merry Christmas too early, opening presents early and celebrating birthdays early.”
Strange. But true.