Learning German Cultural Specificities

Learning German Cultural Specificities Taking German Lessons? Learn What German Culture is All About ChaptersGerman Culture: Germany’s Historical HeritageThe Arts in German CultureGerman CuisineFamily in GermanyThe German Work EthicGerman Society: Order and EcologySprechen Sie Deutsch? Whether you want to study in the same country as Beethoven or just learn German, there are a few things you need to know about German culture. Not to mention learn the German language!Sometimes Angela Merkel’s country is subject to harsh stereotypes due to a few dark pages in their history books. Firstly, we need to move away from the notion that Germans are cold and rigid people.In fact, the notion that German people are hostile couldn’t be further from the truth. They have a rich and fascinating culture!There’s a few things about German society and the culture of German speaking countries that may surprise you!In this article, Superprof is going to have a look at almost every aspect of German culture.the city of artists. Hamburg, Germany’s second city, has established itself as a pioneer o f alternative rock.  After the war, Cologne became famous for its electro-acoustic music.Traditional German music came about at the same time as the Reformation in the 16th century with choral singing influencing music all over Germany. Bit by bit, German melodies became as common as those from French or Italian music.Classical music is a huge part of German culture and there are so many famous classical composers from both Germany and Austria:G. F. Handel  (1685-1759)J.S. Bach  (1685-1750)L. V. Beethoven  (1770-1827)F. Schubert  (1797-1828)R. Schumann  (1810-1856)J. Brahms  (1833-1897)R. Wagner  (1813-1883)Did you know?The first harmonicas, harpsichords, organs, pianos, and bandoneons (the precursor to the accordion) were made in Germany in the 17th and 18th centuries.The latter, the bandoneon, following waves of migration, would find itself Argentina, where it would become instrumental in creating tango!Is there more to German than philosophy, music?  Of course! The Germans are al so famous for their photography and theatre.In Germany, over 35 million people attend their 360 theatres and 160 symphonic orchestras and operas. Furthermore, there are 70 festivals every year welcoming millions of visitors.German courses London or Portsmouth can teach you more about German history and culture!German Traditions and FestivalsYou can see how important tradition is just by going to a German Christmas market.German Christmas markets are hugely popular all over the country. (Source: freestocks.org)Christmas is one of the biggest events in Germany.  From the first Sunday of advent, the streets are lit up and Christmas markets spring up everywhere with the most famous ones being in Nuremberg, Munich, Essen, and Heidelberg.However, Germany is also home to other traditions including:Advent CalendarsSaint NicholasCarnivalsEasterMaypolesIn terms of holidays, Germany celebrates most of the big events - religious or otherwise - that we celebrate here in the UK including: New Yea r’s Eve, Easter, and Christmas..There are also a number of German holidays that we don’t have in the UK such as: The Peace Festival (8 August), German Unity Day (4 October, celebrating German reunification), and Reformation Day (31 October, celebrating the protestant reformation). SönkeGerman Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ClaudiaGerman Teacher 4.89 (9) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SefaGerman Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HilaryGerman Teacher 5.00 (16) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LisaGerman Teacher 5.00 (8) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChrisGerman Teacher 5.00 (19) £39/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors WendyGerman Teacher 5.00 (2) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HowardGerman Teacher 5.00 (6) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsGerman CuisineAs you know, a country can often be defined by its cuisine. Certain types of food can evoke not ions of an entire country.  There’s more to German cuisine than you may think!If you want to discover the German language, you should start by trying the food!German SpecialitiesTourists in Germany can enjoy a huge variety of local dishes.  Don’t forget about the bread, either!  Germany is home to over 300 types of bread. In fact, it’s the world’s biggest bread fan!The Germans eat so much bread that you can find bakeries on almost every street corner. Each region has its own varieties of bread and they love artisan bread.German cuisine is rich and varied. (Source: Paloma Aviles)Sausage is also the star of German cuisine. There are around 1,500 types of German sausage.  Germans love them grilled, in a sandwich, boiled, fried, and, above all, with sauerkraut. If you’re going to Germany, there’s one thing you should know: the Germans eat sausage for any meal.We should also mention one of Germany’s most famous dishes: the pretzel! A genuine German pretzel is a huge crusty salted brioche rather than the “snacky” version common in the UK.  You can find the pretzel and its famous knot in any German bakery.  They’re also sold at traditional festivals in Germany.  In fact, over 100,000 pretzels are sold every day during Oktoberfest!You can’t learn about German cuisine without learning about German beer!  That would be like talking about French cuisine and not mentioning wine!The Germans and BeerBeer in Germany is an institution. You could easily call it the national drink.  There are over 5,000 types of beer and 1,200 breweries in Germany and while each town has one, Munich breaks all the records.Munich's Oktoberfest is one of Germany's most famous traditions. (Source: stock.tookapic.com)You can find more local breweries in Munich than any other city which explains why it plays host to Oktoberfest every year.For two weeks (across the end of September and the start of October), between 5 and 6 million people descend on Munich for the world’s most popular festival.  They pitch multicoloured tents and set up 14 different breweries. Beer lovers can also enjoy a huge variety of local cuisine.  The festival has been around for over 200 years and there are parades, fairgrounds, and concerts.A study in 2015 has also showed that Germans are spending more and more time in cultural venues:“From 1995 to 2013, the number of adults occasionally or often participating in cultural activities (opera, classical music, theatre, exhibitions, and museums) rose from 52% to 58%. The highest proportion of people (rising from 54% to 64%) took part in popular cultural activities (cinema, pop concerts, jazz concerts, dance shows, and clubs).”Going to a German festival is a great way to learn about German culture and its traditions as well as immerse yourself in the German language!Family in GermanyA country is inseparable from its people and its language.  Each individual in Germany adds to German culture and becomes a spokesman for the nation w hen they interact with tourists on their home soil or abroad.  Therefore, when talking about the cultural aspects of a country, you have to talk about the daily lives of its inhabitants in order to better understand it.  Family, and education, in particular, are the cornerstones of German culture.In contemporary Germany, family has never been as important for most Germans as it is now. Raising children is seen as crucial.Education in Germany is hugely important. (Source: pixabay.com)There are some stark differences between German education and British education.  Parents in the UK might get a few odd stares for fussing too much over their children. They won’t in Germany!While “helicopter parents” are criticised in the UK, in Germany, it’s the opposite, the rabenmutter (or raven mother), who gets criticised for leaving their child in the hands of private institutions rather than looking after them themselves.  Mothers who quickly return to work are often looked down upon.Howe ver, while there are only a few establishments for very young children in Germany, the German government is trying to bring together work and family life.  Steps, such as the 2013 law on childcare, have been taken to make Germany more child friendly.Foreigners visiting Germany may think that the children are treat like little kings and may be seen as being raucous and ill-disciplined.The German mentality when it comes to education is quite different to ours. In Germany, children are allowed to freely express their creativity.Children in German schools are free to go where they want and they can even leave the grounds to go buy themselves a pastry. Don’t be shocked if you see this while you’re in Germany!This is probably why Berlin is a haven for creatives and artistic types!The German Work EthicYou should be aware of the cultural differences when it comes to work if you’re moving to Germany.BMW is one of Germany's most famous exports. (Source: Mike)The German approach to work is somewhat different to that of the UK and this can be quite a culture shock for anyone moving there.Experience is more important than qualifications when it comes to working in Germany. There isn’t really a German equivalent to Oxbridge and, as a result, there are top-quality universities up and down the country.They’re known for getting straight to the point. They don’t mess around with endless meetings and prefer action to words.  Germans are more direct at work and could be criticised for being overly serious.Those who’ve already worked with Germans will know that speaking directly won’t be frowned upon.  On the other hand, that doesn’t mean that you can just interrupt them, either.German Society: Order and EcologyRules are not made to broken in Germany. As soon as you arrive in Germany, you’ll see how ordered everything is.The one you should know is that you have to follow the rules. Germans aren’t really known as rule-breakers. In fact, most Germans wouldn’t ever consider crossing the road when the light’s red or littering.You’ll be charged by the Ordnungsämster (Order Service) for dropping cigarette butts on the floor and cyclists not using the designated cycle paths will also receive a warning.While there are many complaints about health and safety in the UK, you haven’t really seen anything until you go to Germany!In fact, this can be seen when it comes to the German bureaucracy for things like registering at the town hall or getting a registration plate for your car. It would be fair to say that Germans are more regimented than us Brits.While some may think this is a negative, it actually makes Germans more trustworthy.  When they tell you the time of a meeting, you can be sure that they’ll be on time.Think German, Think GreenGerman organisation also extends to the environment.  In Germany, everyone is responsible for sorting out their rubbish. When it comes to organising waste, Germany is the best in Europe.Germans love t he planet. (Source: pixabay.com)The Federal Environment Agency aims to have no rubbish go to landfills by 2020 and  Germans only create 3kg of landfill waste per person.  Germans also consume much more organic produce than other countries.According to the Arbeitskreises Biomarkt working group, the organic industry grew by 5% in 2015.Language and Culture Are Inextricably Linked!To speak German, you should learn as much as you can about the country before your first lesson. You can learn german online. However, remember to avoid stereotypes since every German is unique! While society can influence behaviour, we can’t tar everyone with the same brush.  Here are a few things you should know, especially if you’d like to become a German citizen.Just like there are Brits who don’t like football, don’t drink beer, and have never had a fry-up, there are also Germans who don’t like beer, pretzels, or sauerkraut.