German boys don’t like to flirt. Unlike males from several other countries, German men … 1. You can of course change your mind and withdraw your consent at any time, by returning to this site after clearing the cookies on your computer or device. Typical creations include Christmas decorations and products such as wooden miners’ figures (Bergmannsfigur), Christmas angels (Weihnachtsengel), Reifendrehen figures of animals made by wood turning, smoking figures (Räuchermann), Christmas mountains (Weihnachtsberge) and Christmas pyramids (Flügelpyramiden), as well as […], 5 Myths About Germany: The Ultimate Truth, A Glimpse from the Past: Traditional Bavarian Clothing. On 5th July 1933 the Law for the Encouragement of Marriage was passed. On the one hand, this underscores a consistency and high degree of mutual obligation. Hitler thought that the population of Germany had to increase for the country to become more powerful. Walpurgis Night (in German folklore) the night of 30 April (May Day’s eve), when witches meet on the Brocken mountain and hold revels […], In Germany parents start thinking about the daughter’s wedding quite far in advance. Postwar society used to name Soviet GDR as ‘East Germany’: lands of Prussia, Silesia and Pomerania belonged to former GDR and located in the east of the Oder. These Christmas markets offer baked goods, sweets and toys and feature local and regional specialties. Beer is a major part of German culture.German beer is brewed according to the Reinheitsgebot, which permits only water, hops, and malt as ingredients and stipulates that beers not exclusively using barley-malt such as wheat beer must be top-fermented.. Every town has its own little “Christkindlmarkt”, which is a market-fest, where people gather to enjoy the Christmas time. Indeed, Germans respect and love their traditions and maintain them through time and distances. The holiday’s success can be traced to a single marketing genius. The focal point is the Brandenburg Gate, where midnight fireworks are centered. We offer some advice to ease the transition into German business culture. He described Bauhaus furniture as Kisten, or boxes. Complexity is a peculiarity of German Culture, too. […], The origins of German beer steins date back to the 14th century. This country has given a number of prominent people to the world: Goethe and Hitler, Dietrich and Bismarck, Einstein and Honecker. This question arises not just from political background of the country, but historical, too. Click below to consent to the use of this technology on our website – and don’t worry, we respect your privacy. However that would be a huge generalization and simplification, because nowadays things have changed towards lighter cooking, reviving of the regional cuisines in Germany. This list is made up of stereotypes and/or prejudices which lie in the eye of the beholder and reflect reality to varying degrees. Autumn is featured by numerous holidays, mostly devoted to harvesting and German music heritage. Let’s honor Easter rabbit – the one who hides Easter eggs – by putting him on the festive table. Right. It’s only the Autobahn (the equivalent to the U.S.), Interstate highway system, and the Motorways in the U.K. – that eschew speed limits, and only on the parts of those that are well away from […], Here are some superstitions – or Aberglauben – that you may come across in Germany. Expats working in Germany may find themselves struggling to find their feet in the new workplace. Advent in Germany – Four Weeks Left till Christmas! It is used as the official language of Germany, Austria and Liechtenstein, and is a co-official language in Switzerland, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the European Union.. Barbara was baptized by a […], St. Lucia’s Day, otherwise called The Festival of Lights, is celebrated on December 13, a week after St. Nikolaus’ Day. These firmly-anchored values, developed through the ages, are closely-associated with positive feelings for members of the culture. Lucia became the “Nikolaus of the women”. Culture definition, the quality in a person or society that arises from a concern for what is regarded as excellent in arts, letters, manners, scholarly pursuits, etc. Bavaria is bounded to the north by the states of Thuringia and Saxony , to the east by the Czech Republic , to the south and southeast by Austria , and to the west by the states of Baden-Württemberg and Hessen . Most in Germany have never heard of Dieter Tschorn. This site uses functional cookies and external scripts to improve your experience. On this day all Christians celebrate the resurrection of Christ from the grave. While pouring the beer into […], German customs and traditions take a very important place in everyday life. As a result of the bubonic plague and several invasions of flies throughout Europe, Germany established several laws in the early 16th century requiring that all food and beverage containers be covered to protect their contents. He was a witness of the Ascension Day. They relate to the elements which are common to a particular nation. This knowledge is therefore an important basis for constructive cooperation between members of different cultures. Consistency and reliability are seen as especially important German traits. From rolling wheels filled with burning hay down […], Each country has its own set of cultural values making it special: language, cuisine, traditions, etc. 67% of German women and 91% of German men drink beer at least once a month. According to Lynne P., an American living in Germany, ” … if there’s any genuine connection between two people, it’ll survive whatever differences may arise in the early stages of dating, and if those differences seem too overwhelming […], Laughter is known to be one of the best ways of making friends. One stated that "many Germans declare that all German women in East Prussia who stayed behind were raped by Red Army soldiers". Originally, Krampus was a purely pagan creation, said to be the son of Hel from Norse mythology. Good Friday is a public holiday in all German states. There will be local requirements depending on where in Germany […], Many people in Germany mark the crucifixion of Jesus by participating in church services and processions on Good Friday (Karfreitag), which is two days before Easter Sunday. Germany has over 1,200 breweries, which produce the largest variety of beer styles in the world. Most brides prefer the good old […], …Walking Down the Aisle Wedding traditions from Germany Never-ceasing and still growing number of emails with questions on German wedding traditions prompted this article’s uprise. The history of the language begins in the Early Middle Ages with the High German consonant shift. Bauhaus was even as private institution so […], Oktoberfest was started long ago, it dates back to 1810, when a royal wedding of King Ludwig I and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen took place on Theresienwiese (“Theresa’s fields”). appearance of the Lord which was celebrated in the early Christian centuries on January 6. AMEN. Main national features are: modesty; generosity; scrupulosity; dreaminess; carefulness; exactness; politeness; industry; suspiciousness; solemnity. How to date a German guy. When a baby girl is born, the parents, and later on the little girl herself, will save pennies used to buy the wedding shoes in future. In order to retain her innocence, Barbara’s father locked her up during his absence, in a tower with only two windows. our editorial process. Appointments are precisely planned and it is expected that times which are set are adhered to. German appreciation of healthy, well-prepared […], May Wine is a traditional May Day beverage Maiwein (May Wine) is a German drink, dedicated to springtime and flavored with fresh Waldmeister (sweet woodruff). It had its beginnings in an ancient, pre-Christian Celtic festival of the […], How Did Halloween Come to Germany? Under […], In some parts of Germany, mainly the south east of the country, children write to the Christkind/Christkindl asking for presents. Now, it’s a €150 million a year industry. Every year Berlin hosts one of the largest New Year’s Eve celebrations in all of Europe, attended by over a million people. How do you find this out? Beyond the human cost, there is also the economic one. St. Thomas is commemorated on this day because he was the last one of the apostles to become convinced of Jesus’ resurrection — he was the one who for the longest […], Have you ever heard about Cinderella, the Sleeping Beauty, the Snow Queen, the Red-Cap or Bremen Musicians? Kosher food, Jewish holidays and theater mark a yearlong celebration of the diversity of Jewish culture in Germany dating back to the 4th century. And even fewer will be particularly concerned by the fact that […], Practical advice on how to get to the bottom of a beer stein without losing a bit of the rich taste of German beer. During high school, teenagers will begin to socialise with peers from school or those living in the same neighbourhood. When Dioscuros returned from his journey, he found the third window in the tower. The English “O Christmas Tree” versions came about after the Christmas … This country has given a number of prominent people to the world: Goethe and Hitler, Dietrich and Bismarck, Einstein and Honecker. According to German wedding traditions, when a baby girl is born in Germany, several trees are […], The Nazis had very firm ideas about the role of women in Germany. On the other hand, this principle leaves little room for flexibility and individual determination. Trümmerfrau (literally translated as ruins woman or rubble woman) is the German-language name for women who, in the aftermath of World War II, helped clear and reconstruct the bombed cities of Germany and Austria. They therefore develop binding rules and structures in order to foster certainty in dealings with each other. Waldmeister is a fragrant herb, a small plant with white blossoms. Parents give their children calendars that count down the days. Behind these stereotypes stand cultural standards which determine the behaviour of people within the cultural group. Germans communicate very directly and explicitly. And even fewer will be […], In the mid-1990s, few in Germany had ever heard of Halloween, and even fewer celebrated it. Open the bottle. You cannot make it with egg salads only! Germans exercise a strict separation between the various spheres of their life. Post offices, banks, […], Halloween is when all demons and witches are out for the night hunting, and when there are pumpkins glaring out of the windows, and when it’s better to give a treat instead of being tricked… Halloween is celebrated each year on October 31. For others, it is the start of a long weekend and possibly a spring vacation. Schnitzel . Dirndl Until the 16th century, farmers and people of the lower classes used to wear […], Aachen Cathedral was included into UNESCO World Heritage List in 1978 and got one of the top sites of the list due its unique history enriched by legends and myths and luxurious treasures kept in the cathedral. Nowadays this is the […], On January 18, 1701 Friedrich III, Elector of Brandenburg (11.07.1657 – 25.02.1713), crowned himself as King in Prussia. Easter Bunny Ingredients: 1 kg flour 1 tsp salt 160 g soft […], Easter Feast – Frohe Ostern! This is a very old tradition dating back to the 16th century to exchange colored eggs as Easter presents. Larger cities like Frankfurt or […], The first appearance of a Christmas tree – Tannenbaum – was recorded in 1605 in Strasburg, and the record said that “…people set up Christmas trees in their rooms…”. By guest author WEISSDORN Real Germans want everything at least 99.999999%. All of these fairy-tales and true stories have influenced German culture – art and literature – and enriched German history by portraying German streets, cities, castles and palaces as magical and mysterious buildings and places. According to […], The night of the Holy Sylvester, the last night of the year, has always been the night of fun. […], What is ‘East Germany’? Expats working in Germany may find themselves struggling to find their feet in … Religion. By combining a lid, hinge, and thumblift, these […], There is nothing so awe-inspiring in the pre-Christmas time as visiting Christkindlmarkt, the German Christmas market. Dating and Marriage. It is known as Fasching in Bavaria and Austria, Fosnat in Franconia, Fasnet in Swabia, Fastnacht in Mainz and its environs, and Karneval in Cologne and the Rhineland. Chimney sweeps Chimney sweeps are repositories of good luck everywhere. Any advice can hardly be appropriate here. Foreigners travel to Germany and marry there, Germans living abroad wish to get married in accordance […], German women in the past and Kaiser’s neat definition of the women’s role in a society Back in the 19th century, Kaiser Wilhelm II defined a role for women (later taken over by the Nazis) as “Kirche, Küche, Kinder” (church, kitchen, children.) Historically, Ruprecht was a dark and sinister figure wearing a tattered robe […], The Day of St. Thomas, celebrated on December 21, is also the day of the winter solstice, the year’s longest night and shortest day. There is a large difference between a civil […], Here are some more wedding tips prompted by an American of German descent: Wedding Attire (Bride) – as in America, the bride usually wears white with one difference: the gowns usually do not have any trains, and if they do, they are very short, and just a little sweep. Militancy and arrogance are […], Dating in itself is a very personal and sophisticated matter. German Culture. Right, Sauerkraut and Bratwurst, Black Forest Cherry cake and beer, lots and lots of German beer. The approaches described above have a strong impact on the relationship with regard to time. It had its beginnings […], Bavaria may be the home of BMW and Audi, but there are still some age-old rural traditions that surprise even visitors from other parts of Germany. Christmas preparations in Germany begin from 1st of December as people bake spiced cakes, gingerbread houses and cookies, make […], Greatest, best, most popular… Truly, Circus Krone deserves to live in its own world consisting of the superlatives. Gerolf Old German name: "spear" and "wolf" Gerwig Old Germanic name meaning "spear fighter" Gisbert, Giselbert Easter (besides Christmas) is the most important holiday in Germany. Difficulty Level: Average Time Required: 20 min Here’s How: Choose your favorite kind of beer, or the kind mostly advised by your friend. Greetings. Now, it’s a €150 million a year industry. No good dating is possible without it either. You may change your settings at any time. The Germans are known to […], The origins of beer steins date back to the 14th century. In German companies, there are countless rules, regulations, procedures and processes. Because here the cows really do come home, every autumn, after having […], Architecture in Germany has been greatly influenced by the styles in architecture and art of European countries. Expats working in Germany may struggle in the new workplace or feel overwhelmed by a barrage of German regulations. It has long ago become the largest circus in […], Switch on Deutschland – complexity and exactness are reflected in its name as well as in its sound like in the mirror. German girls are very progressive and independent, get their own apartment, car, and whatever else they need. We offer some advice to ease the transition into German business culture. “architecture house”, from Bau = building (bauen=to build) + Haus = house.] Germans are often described by non-Germans as having the following qualities: sensible, reserved, punctual, precise, cold, target-oriented, arrogant, sure of themselves, obedient, disciplined, plan-oriented, authoritative, stiff, unfeeling, direct, bureaucratic, professional, correct, self-assured, petty, highly orderly, strong, humorless, principled, reliable, perfectionist, organised. (A Tannenbaum is a fir tree.) Any advice can hardly be appropriate here. In some areas Lucia […], The patron of all kids The story of St. Nicholas, the bishop of Myra in Minor Asia, who died on December 6th, 343, dates back to the 4th century. As in the US, education is the responsibility of each of the 16 German states (Bundesländer), but there is a national conference of state education ministers (Kultusministerkonferenz, KMK) that serves to coordinate educational practices at the national level. German language, official language of both Germany and Austria and one of the official languages of Switzerland. Today, exactly 300 years after this outstanding event, the government heads of Berlin and Brandenburg, Mr. Diepgen and Mr. Stolpe, officially opened the celebrations on the occasion in the Berlin theater on Gendarmenmarkt. In Germany you get taxed for being a Christian, a Jew or a Moslem. Myth 1: Germans don’t have any speed limits on the roads There are speed limits on most of the roads. During 2001, more than […], By guest author WEISSDORN Real Germans are cleanliness fanatics. Expats working in Germany may struggle in the new workplace or feel overwhelmed by a barrage of German regulations. Maiwein, a white wine, imported from Germany, can be found in stores. At the very latest, when you apply for your Tax Card. Pre-Christmas time begins with St. Martin’s Day on November 11, then goes on to St. […], Christmas (Weihnachten) is considered to be the most important of the major holidays in Germany. Core Concepts. The next cultural standard is closely related to this aspect. Knowing what these are might help explain any ‘unusual’ behavior you see in Germany, and help you to avoid making an embarrassing faux-pas yourself! Fasching […], According to a representative survey, beer is a German’s favorite drink. Usually they can only relax and stop worrying when they use their toilet at home, because then they are absolutely 100% sure that it was cleaned properly, because they did this themselves, after the cleaning lady cleaned it first. Construction of this palatine chapel, with its octagonal basilica and cupola, began c. 790–800 under the Emperor Charlemagne. First, German couples who are getting married must have a civil ceremony at the city center, which only family and close friends attend. If you’re looking for a rowdy guy who flirts outrageously, then think about checking out men from another European country or perhaps someone from a different culture. A traditional wedding day in Germany could actually last three days. German customs such as the mysterious lunchtime greeting mahlzeit can leave foreigners confused, and German companies, with their government-imposed regulations and all-powerful works councils, function by very different rules to their counterparts elsewhere. – help them fall in love. Try these German soft pretzels; Check out this top-rated Brezen recipe (in German) Follow this video recipe to make Laugenbrezeln; 8. Harvesting is the most significant event in autumn in Germany, therefore, […], The beginning and the goals of Bauhaus Bauhaus: [Ger., lit. All these stories are considered as German folklore heritage. Every day in December they can open one of the doors and receive either a small chocolate in the shape of a star, a tree, […], Halloween’s Origins and Traditions of Celebration in Germany Halloween is when all demons and witches are out for the night hunting, and when there are pumpkins glaring out of the windows, and when it’s better to give a treat instead of being tricked… Halloween is celebrated each year on October 31. Right usually does not decide to marry in the Church. In the early times, St. Nikolaus brought the gifts to the boys only, and St. Lucia visited girls with the gifts a week later. Have a cookie Allerheiligentag (All Saints’ Day) in Germany, Almabtrieb and Viehscheid – Bringing Cattle Home from Mountain Pastures, Complex World Of Germany: Cultural Heritage, Dating Germans: Exercising Your Sense of Humor, German Beer – the Absolutely German Drink, German Christmas Markets – Christmas Shopping in Germany, German Mysteries – the Mirror of German Culture and History, Getting Married in Germany (legal issues), Halloween’s Origins and Traditions of Celebration in Germany, Real Germans and cleanliness, education, Hausordnung, holidays, and Vereine, Tradition of Sylvester, or New Year’s Eve, Prinzregententorte – Bavarian Layered Chocolate Cake. After that a religious procedure is available. One of which is the annual festival which celebrates the return of the prodigal cows, the Viehscheid. There are some peculiarities of exercising your sense of humor with a German. Historically these lands were inhabited by Germans, but after […], Easter Eggs Traditions from Germany It is really impossible to imagine Easter without such an attribute as colored eggs. This site uses functional cookies and external scripts to improve your experience. Still staying at your parents’ house as an adult is not very common, most of us move out as soon as we can. One of the mysterious creatures […], Champagne, Bridal Soup and a Saw! This is the greatest and most joyful event of the year for the believers, when the tragedy of Jesus’ crucifixion on Good Friday was healed by the […], What comes to mind when you think about German cuisine? It would be incredibly hard to find a person in Europe or even America who has never been told or performed these fairy heroes’ stories. Dating practices in Germany are similar to those throughout the English-speaking West. German wine is primarily produced in the west of Germany, along the river Rhine and its tributaries, with the oldest plantations going back to the Roman era. He is said to appear in the company of Knecht Ruprecht, “Knecht” meaning “servant”. Popular with the real […], By guest author WEISSDORN A Real German is either Catholic or Protestant, unless he/she is not. The most important German cultural standards are: The task is the central and dominant issue in all business interactions and also determines the style of communication. Later, it became a custom for young people who were in love with each other, to give […], Fasching is the Roman Catholic Shrovetide carnival as celebrated in German-speaking countries. In 2012, Germany ranked third in Europe in terms of per-capita beer consumption, behind the Czech Republic and Austria. Germans toast […], In Germany, Walpurgisnacht, the night from 30 April to 1 May, is the night when witches are reputed to hold a large celebration on the Brocken and await the arrival of spring. NOTE: These settings will only apply to the browser and device you are currently using. German business people prefer contracts and written agreements of all types. Punctuality is a matter of good manners. Traditions mean integration. This frequently leads to Germans in business or public life being seen by members of other cultures as very remote and cold and even as overtly unfriendly. People in Germany and other countries create their own customs and rituals in their strong drive to build community around themselves, such as celebrating certain occasions, cooking definite dishes for some holidays, wearing certain clothes on different occasions, setting up […], Krampus, whose name is derived from the German word Krampen, meaning pickaxe, is said to be the son of Hel in Norse mythology. The relationship level assumes a more subordinate role in professional life.Germans usually think that operating at the task level should form the basis of all business contacts. German girls don’t need a man to survive, so impressing her won’t be easy. This definition could only appear in such a country as Germany where the […], If a couple plans to get married in Germany, it is recommended to start with the legal formalities as soon as possible (for example, in some regions – 6 months early), because a number of legal issues, such as previous marriages, can create a hassle. Each season features main events in German daily life, cultural background and holidays which keep traditions of Germans for centuries. However, the majority of Germans adhere to them, which explains the consistent impressions foreign business partners have of Germans. In Germany it grows in the forests. Therefore women were forced to give up work and have children. […], Like in many other European cultures German poetry and music were derived from medieval ages of single performers whose life has enriched the pool of national legends and myths: it is not doubt that everyone has heard about minstrels and minnesingers who inspired their audience with romantic world of never-ending love and devotion, patriotism and […], Lots of mysterious legends and myths have sprung up throughout the centuries on German lands. Children leave the letters on the windowsill at the beginning of or during […], Christmas is coming, bright and sparkling, and we put together several articles that make up a collection of festive stories. Culturally-specific behaviour can be explained on the basis of cultural standards. They can therefore often miss the decisive content of an interaction. German belongs to the West Germanic group of the Indo-European language family, along with English, Frisian, and Dutch (Netherlandic, Flemish). Not only the holiday itself, but also the weeks leading up to the celebration of Christmas involve many traditions and customs. Learn more about the German language. Shaving culture in these global times is the expression of a lifestyle! Travel blogger Samira left Cologne in northwest Germany for the sunnier climes of Perth, WA, in August 2018 - but there's some culture shocks she still struggles to come to terms with. This can aid in understanding what would otherwise be irritating, unusual and strange events. As time passed by, Oktoberfest lost its original meaning, but preserved and even more acquired the spirit of overall joy and happiness. Bavaria, German Bayern, largest Land (state) of Germany, comprising the entire southeastern portion of the country. Members of the German culture have a high tendency to avoid uncertainty. What are they? They can appear rude and threatening without meaning to or even noticing it. An old Germanic name dating back to the Middle Ages meaning "hard spear." What do Germans think about […], The end of Bauhaus The Nazi majority of Dessau suspended the seat of learning. In the 4th century this holiday was shifted to December 25, and January 6 obtained the name of The Three Kings (the “Wise Men,” the Magi), or simply Twelfth Day. This […], Post-War life for German women was harsh. Maximum quality (nothing less will do), and minimum […], The Reinheitsgebot, literally “purity order”, sometimes called the “German Beer Purity Law” in English, is a series of regulations limiting the ingredients in beer in Germany and the states of the former Holy Roman Empire. They formulate important statements directly and openly and without ‘window dressing’. The brushes, safety razors and razors come in a particularly ergonomic design. Our list of top German foods wouldn’t be complete with mentioning Schnitzel. Gerke /Gerko,Gerrit/ Gerit. Of course, you have! Expatica uses technology such as cookies and scripts to personalize content and ads, provide social media features, and analyze our traffic. Your choices will not impact your visit. In the mid-1990s, few in Germany had ever heard of Halloween, and even fewer celebrated it. As a result of the bubonic plague and several invasions of flies throughout Europe shortly thereafter, Germany established several laws in the early 16th century requiring that all food and beverage containers (in our case it’s beer steins) be covered to protect their […], German is one of the largest groups of Indo-Germanic languages. With hundreds of cities having suffered significant bombing and firestorm damage through aerial attacks […], Ore Mountain folk art (Erzgebirgische Volkskunst) is a well-known form of highly artistic wood carving from East Germany. South Korea’s GDP fell by just 1% in 2020 compared to 2019, while the German economy shrank by 5%. The legendary […], Germans: Myths and reality Germans have an opinion, that life is divided in two parts – public (work, politics, business) and private (family, friends, hobbies, rest). Low German and Frisian name used as a nickname for "Gerhard" and other names with "Ger-." Militancy and arrogance are […] Dating Etiquette in Germany-Dating in itself is a very personal and sophisticated matter. An individual German can, of course, significantly diverge from these standards. Most in Germany have never heard of Dieter Tschorn. But he got grafted onto Christian tradition as a sidekick of St. Nicholas. Dress is also a national peculiarity. He was martyred under the Emperor Nero and is remembered on November 30, traditionally considered the date […], Barbara, the daughter of the rich merchant Dioscuros, grew up in Nikomedia (today’s Izmet, Turkey). Easter traditions follow the religious calendar with Friday a day of mourning (the crucifixion of Christ) before celebrating on Monday to mark his resurrection. Trendy real Germans worship native cultures and are the first to condemn other Western nations for “ruining” original cultures. Set all stereotypes aside and read about Real Germans’ habits, likes and dislikes. Contemporary German architecture set its main trends in the first thirty years of the 20th century.