Typical German

We asked and keep on asking most of our multicoolties what “typical German” is and we have received tons of great responses ranging from funny to personal and profound.

These are our absolute favourites! Do you find yourself nodding 😉

1. Germans might be a bit uptight, not very spontaneous, more rigid and precise, but they are very efficient and whatever they do is of great quality and everything seems to work here! I also find the Germans polite and helpful.
2. I think that’s a hard one, because there isn’t really one universal German culture. Each region has its own culture, specialties, and character. For example, Berlin is a lot different than Stuttgart… I think Berliners are very assertive – they’re not afraid to tell you what they think! They have a reputation for being a bit harsh, but I don’t really find that. People here can be very kind and warm once you get to know them. Overall, I think the Berlin attitude is one of not caring too much about what people think.
3. German people tend to be direct. They mean what they say, and say what they mean. It is not necessarily a bad thing. British people tend not to be so direct. Irony, sarcasm, understatement and word play, are normal in British comedy and general expression. If that’s the case in Germany too then I have yet to understand it.I don’t usually find stereotypes helpful, though there is sometimes some truth in them. Some people here have certainly been direct in an unhelpful way, but most people that I have met are lovely. You find unhelpful people wherever you travel.
   
   
   
4. They  love their cars – they are holy for them and of course, holidays – they have lots of them!
5. Bread and bakeries. It is really not something most people might think about, but I take it for granted that there is a bakery on nearly every street in a city. I get taken off guard when we travel and there are so few bakeries and the ones there are have mostly pastries. 
6. I’m not sure if there is anything that’s “typically” German as Germans are individuals like anyone else. One thing I have noticed that’s common is that people are pretty straight forward. If you ask a question, they’ll give you a direct answer.
7. Germans I know seem to understand the importance of  work-life balance, this ability to prioritize. I don’t know whether this is a peculiarly German trait or a European trait.
8. To follow the rules! Germans are very serious, conventional and traditional, honest and open with their opinions. They are more direct, straight talking and they don’t beat about the bush!
9. Finish off work at around 3-4 p.m. and much earlier on fridays. Overtime?! What overtime???
10. They all are up around 5am every morning, open the blinders at 6 am and are already in the office somewhere between 6 and 7 am!!! Unreal
11. Germans wait for the green man to appear at street crossings…. even when there is no traffic in sight…. and worst of all, some would yell at anyone who doesn’t respect the custom!!! 
12. Unfortunately, often do not  understand sarcasm or humour and take everything far toooooo seriously!
13. Nice people – no doubt, but absolutely not good at mingling and interacting with the unknown people or world. They can be  described as coconuts 😉 – hard on the outside, but soft in inside.
14. A word to describe the Germans is “IMPATIENT”. They simply do not like to wait for anything….