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I haven't read through all the posts, but enough to feel that I'm really the odd man out. I spent 3 months in Germany a few summers ago, stayed in Mainz and Wiesbaden but had client sites that were as far away as Ludwigshafen and as close as Delkenheim. Granted, Ludwigshafen was a bit of an industrial town, with its attendant issues like every other industrial town, but other than that, I found Germany to be as nice as anywhere else I've been, and certainly very spectacular in parts - someone mentioned the Koln cathedral.
I'm also surprised to hear that Germans are rude and arrogant - quite the opposite of my experience. I found just about everyone to be nice and polite - even people at work were great. Yes, their work ethic is different, they don't bs all day long as much as we do, but focus on getting stuff done and then heading out right at 5 or 6. Nothing wrong with that. The service in restaurants was just fine.
I don't what this whole negative vibe is all about.
I'm also surprised to hear that Germans are rude and arrogant - quite the opposite of my experience. I found just about everyone to be nice and polite - even people at work were great. Yes, their work ethic is different, they don't bs all day long as much as we do, but focus on getting stuff done and then heading out right at 5 or 6. Nothing wrong with that. The service in restaurants was just fine.
I don't what this whole negative vibe is all about.
I second that. I found them to be extremely open-minded, accommodating, curious, interested, interesting, intelligent, thoughtful, etc.
I had assumed that all of the negative stereotypes might possibly be true, but when I went there, I found that I absolutely loved Germany. Loved the street food, the people, the cities, everything.
My only regret is that I wish I had made more time to see more cities than only the four that I had time to visit.
I don't what this whole negative vibe is all about.
Well, there is a different service culture - a waiter is actually a somewhat respected entity and won't ask "How high, Sir?" when a patron says "Jump!". On the flipside of that, the US Chili's/Applebys/Outback Steakhouse style with the waiter popping by every 3 minutes to ask "How is everything?" would be considered incredibly intrusive - if there is a problem, you'll signal for a waiter, and until then, (s)he is not a part of the conversation.
I am living in Germany coming from South Europe and I wouldn't say cities are depressing, well I am living in Munich which is quite cool, but the way the have fun is a bit different, more indoors here in Germany, activities are more or less the same, except in summer.
About happiness, people are not depressed here, but Southern Europeans are not always dancing!! I am surprised about how relaxed German people are in dayly life.
About happiness, people are not depressed here, but Southern Europeans are not always dancing!! I am surprised about how relaxed German people are in dayly life.
I second that. I found them to be extremely open-minded, accommodating, curious, interested, interesting, intelligent, thoughtful, etc.
I had assumed that all of the negative stereotypes might possibly be true, but when I went there, I found that I absolutely loved Germany. Loved the street food, the people, the cities, everything.
My only regret is that I wish I had made more time to see more cities than only the four that I had time to visit.
Exactly my experience too. In general, they seem very well rounded; a nice mix of organized and fun. I don't pick up on this overbearing, precise-as-hell stereotype in any way. Maybe that's because I also come from a cold, by-the-books kind of country, and instead the stereotype came about from Southern or Eastern Europeans. Who knows?
As for the comment from Irene, Berlin probably is getting less artsy, but it is still very much an arts-oriented city. I think I've met more people who don't work than who do work in Berlin. Leipzig, for the three hours I spent there, gave me the suspicion that it's a slightly more arts extreme city than Berlin, for its size. I'm going to have to spend more time there soon.
I have been to Germany four times and loved it there, I have been all over the country and it is anything but dirty and depressing.
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