Why are Germans so cold and somewhat socially distant?

Do Germans drink beer? Of course! But Germany is also a wine producing country - follow us into the breweries and wineyards. 

Not only do most Germans know how to swim, they really love it and spend a lot of time at the public pool , especially in summer. At the same time swimming is s very serious business - learn more about this and follow us into the water!

Are Germans really so punctual? The short answer is: Yes! But of course there is more to the question... Listen in - and don't be late!

Anyone who has ever been to Germany will have noticed that Germans like both walking and hiking a lot. The idea of heading out for a walk without having a clear goal and destination in mind runs somewhat contra to the idea that Germans are masterful planners that rarely ever set off for a trip without knowing where to go. In this episode of Germany for Asians we discuss why Germans love walking and where this tradition originates. We talk the talk, but we also walk the walk. Enjoy!

Directness in communication is one of the most common stereotypes about Germans and in this episode of Germany for Asians we try to answer the question why that is, as well as whether Germans really are as direct as their reputation suggests. Have fun listening!

Germans have a reputation for being cold and somewhat distant in their daily communications and interactions. For many Asian peoples being warm and open is somewhat anathema to the idea of economic and social success, which is also attributed to the success of Germans and German culture around the globe. In this episode of Germany for Asians we try to unravel this apparent contradiction. Enjoy! 

Meeting Germans socially AND spontaneously is typically not easy. Social activities are carefully planned in advance and usually not “on the fly”. In this episode of Germany for Asians we talk about the reasons for this phenomenon and how this is connected to the German concept of friendship we discussed in episode. Have fun!

Tipping in bars, restaurants and hotels has been a hotly contested topic amongst non-Germans living in or visiting Germany. For Asians, that have a less pronounced and seemingly unified tipping culture than Western culture(s), the issue of tipping in Germany remains difficult and one that is fraught with insecurity. In this episode of “Germany for Asians” we try to approach the question “how do you tip in Germany” with the Asian perspective and a few “tipps” in mind. Enjoy! 

Every household in Germany consumes mineral water, mostly of the sparkling kind. The popularity of sparkling mineral water in Germany tends to baffle Asian people, often unfamiliar with the sensation of drinking carbonized water. In this episode of Germany for Asians we discuss the origins of this tradition in the 19th century and how it manifests itself in contemporary German culture. Prost!

Asians are sometimes baffled by how difficult it can be to make friends in Germany or with Germans in their own country. In this episode we discuss how the German concept of friendship is based on an attempted deep emotional connection, whereas in many “Eastern” cultures the beginning of a friendship is manifested in shared experiences. How this works out in practice and how work and private life are strictly separate in Germany will be the topics of this episode of Germany for Asians. Happy listening!