Weird quirks that I have developed while living in Germany:

• Irrepressible need to take off my shoes and change into house shoes when entering my or someone else's home
• Penchant for cold cuts for breakfast
• Need to frequently "air out" a room
• Frustration at trains and subways that are more than 2 minutes late
• Answering the telephone simply with "Flechtner" instead of "hello"
• Constantly carrying cloth shopping bags with me
• Giving exact change when paying for anything
• Buying overpriced Sunday night wine at the gas station
• Checking grocery stores and discounters for their weekly specials and, when I find something I like, buying it all right away. After all, they won't have it anymore in 24 hours.
• Buying every piece of outdoor wear possible. Yes, I have a rain suit.
• Using the German keyboard and getting frustrated when I'm at home any I keep typing Emilz and crayz!
• Getting a headache when the alpine wind "Föhn" is blowing
  

I'm sure there are many more. What are your "weird Germany quirks"?

It's COLD outside! Don't open the window!!!!

I am having a cultural war at work. A war of windows. A war of fresh air. I war of warmth.

Ok, so here's the thing. I like "fresh air" like any other. But I have to say, I much prefer warmth. I admit it. I prefer stale warm stuffy air to fresh clear ICE COLD winter air. I don't like to shiver at work. I don't like to feel like I have to wear a sweater. I do not feel like imitating camping when I go to the toilet. I HATE FRESH AIR!!

I know that this is a very German obsession. It's driving me insane. Does anyone else have this cultural clash? There's a great article about the German fear of the "Zugluft" here, which seems to be in complete contrast to the "fresh air" obsession. In the summer, opening the windows is taboo, because of the "evil breeze". In the winter, opening the windows is a necessity because of the "stuffy air". Are they just on a mission to scare us expats away? What's the deal with the hypocrisy?!?! Somebody help me!!!!!!!