Monday, February 23, 2009

Germany vs. USA: the culture clash

Ok, let's play a game.

Everybody list their favorite thing about living in Germany (either in this forum or on their blog... i'll link you here), and their LEAST favorite thing. It can be anything. We're going for the two extremes here. Don't worry about stereotyping or generalizing or whatever. Just vent (or rave!) Here are mine:


MY FAVORITE THING ABOUT LIVING IN GERMANY IS:

Man: "the biggest idiots always have the most beautiful wives"
Woman: "oh, you flatterer, you"

Lots and lots of vacation. Unlimited sick days. Only working 252 days a year (that's 70%! a total of 104 days not working)


MY LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT LIVING IN GERMANY IS:



The lack of silliness in everyday life. I totally can't joke with the cashier or the waiter. Not really, anyways. And my girlfriends just don't have a sin for the absurd. Or for self deprication. Or for making a fool out of themselves. Which is why they need Fasching. A designated day to make a fool out of yourself.

Ok! Your turn! what do you think?

3 comments:

C N Heidelberg said...

Best: It's a tie between good health care coverage and vacation time.

Worst: Love of hierarchy and rules and the ensuing lack of good work relationships and innovation.

Wedding Diplomat said...

@CN Heidelberg

yeah... the rules things was second on my list. It is all interconnected..!

Anonymous said...

This comment is not true. Germans have a lot of humor, but it's of sarcastic nature.

Americans rarely understand sarcasm. I've been living in the US as a German for 15 years and have met very few Americans who understood sarcasm...

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