Myths, Legends, and Stereotypes

On this page, I will post my OPINIONS and the OPINIONS of others about Germans and other Europeans I encounter (just for fun!). Remember that these do not apply to all Germans. This is just what I have found in my experiences that applies to a majority.

Myth: Germans are mean people.

• Response: False. Most Germans are very nice and genuine. Some are mean, but so are some Americans. If you make an effort to speak their language and understand their culture, they are very happy to help you out!

Stereotype: Germans eat very quickly.

• Response: True. In my experience, most Germans will finish their meals in about half of the time it takes me to eat. I asked a friend why that is, and he said it may have to do their desires to be efficient (?). Who knows... I also ate dinner beside a Polish man the other day, and the same applies for them. No time to waste eating apparently!

Stereotypes: All Europeans wear scarves.

• Response: Maybe not all of them, but a very strong majority, at least in Germany. Few of them wear knitted hats or gloves, but most people do sport a scarf (I have to get one!). Again, I asked my friend why this is. He said that if it is cold, you worry about sickness affecting your throat. Therefore, you wear a scarf to keep your throat warm to avoid getting sick. It actually makes a lot of sense.

Legends: "Kreislauf"

• Response: This is one of the coolest things I've learned about here! Kreislauf, literally translates in this situation to "circulation" (Kreis = circle, lauf = run; it makes sense!), refers to the status of a person's body (usually in terms of wellness). Example 1: Germans are huge fans of fresh air and believe it is necessary to live a healthy life. Getting fresh air is exactly what is necessary to rejuvenate their Kreislauf. Example 2: When a German has a headache or some other condition that is inexplicable, it is because their Kreislauf is off. I love this term and will bring this back to the US with me.

Legends: Measurements were different in each city

• Response: True. I got on this topic with my friend Timo by discussing how dumb the English System is and how much better the Metric System is. 
• Anyway, I knew and shared that in old Englad, the measurements would change with each regime change. The foot was actually equivalent to the size of the current kings foot. Therefore, each time a new king took control of England, all of the measurements would change.
• Timo then shared with me that the measuring system used to be based on the bone in a persons forearm, the Elle (Ulna in English). Unfortunately again, this meant that everyone had different measurements. Then, the cities began to post the official city measurement in the Rathaus (City Hall) in order to avoid discrepancies. If you wanted to know the size of a measurement in a specific city, you would have to stop by the Rathaus on your way to the Markt (market, German is so easy!).

Legends: People in Köln will face the sun and sunbathe even if it freezing outside.

• Response: True. Again, this does not apply to everyone, but we watched it happen. We were told that Köln (Cologne) does not get very much sunlight (or snow) because it is located in a valley. It is usually overcast, especially in the winter months. When the sun is actually out, people will stand facing the sun and just let its rays splash over their faces. We watched a woman waiting for a train do this, and it's actually quite comical, but I understand it at the same time. It gets very old not seeing the sun for extended periods of time, and we were glad when it finally peaked through the clouds too. We just didn't stand in the freezing cold with our faces to the sun.

Myth: Europeans do not have ice for their drinks.

• Response: Generally true. I've only been here for two weeks, and I haven't seen an ice cube yet. Our Intercultural Training teacher said the Germans think that having ice means that your stomach has to exert more energy warming the stomach and less energy is put into actual digestion. I don't know about all of that because it's not my forte, but it's worth a thought.

Myth: European restaurants do not like to give you tap water and have no free refills.

• Response: Again, generally true. I haven't seen a restaurant give anyone a glass of tap water. If people want non-carbonated water, it generally comes in a bottle at quite a cost. We also have yet to see a place offer free refills (Anton is quite upset about this). In fact, I've notice that many German people will eat their meals without a drink. I'm not sure why, but they just like to eat their food and move on their way.

Myth: Germans will not cross the street at a crosswalk without the light being green.

• Response: Partially true. This is something that many in the older generation and some of the newer generation still abide by. However, no group exclusively follows this rule. Many Germans are rule followers and will not cross the street until the pedestrian light gives them the go-ahead. It's not like Clifton or New York at all...

I'll keep you updated as I go...