I-m Croatian and I moved to Germany... thanks to Germans I am able to be myself... noticed I am more German than I am Croatian (in ways of being) ... so DANKE DEUTSCHLAND
As a German, I like that the Croatian language realizes the full potential of consonants. Like when I e.g. listened to Croatian radio on vacation, I could not understand a thing as I don't know any Croatian, but I probably would not have any problem writing down the spoken words since the consonants make every utterance clean and well distinguishable.
Both my parents were German teachers back in Korea, and they always praised its language and how precise and insightful it is. I must admit I am in awe of how Germans come up with words that perfectly encapsulate nuanced feelings or complex ideas.
@@Al-jw5kf There are a lot of those people here but i noticed that they use mostly use their native language when talking to each other. This changes late, at least in the third generaton living in a foreign country.
@@lissandrafreljord7913definitely not, the japanese are way cleaner than us. But there are many similarities, it is called "the germany of asia" for a reason.
The stereotypes are spot on. I have quite a number of German friends and have worked with a few. They are meticulous, efficient, organized, straightforward , are a bit distant which can be confused with being a bit cold, Financially savvy and responsible. I will say they can also come off as stiff, uptight and lack a sense of humor, cause they are just different from say the American Friends, British and Canadian Friends that i have.
the "lack of humor" is a cultural misunderstanding. While Anglosaxon could start a conversation with a stranger with a joke or even a public speech, humor is considered a private matter in Germany - among people you know. Joking around with strangers would rather considered as odd or even rude.
@@camanou1430 Social standards are not unfortunate ... they are a thing you have to know or consider. When people using dialects maybe they feel surrounded by a familiar situation and by strangers - maybe this helps them to start joking around.
As a German from the Frankfurt area, I don't agree with 1 (many people talk behind your back sadly...), 2 (of course we have humor!), 4 (depends on region and individual) and 7 (German as a literary language), but I can agree with 3 (usually follow rules) and 5 (cheap, for example groceries). Stereotype 6 is irrelevant as rarely anybody outside of Germany will complain about it I believe. As to coming off as a bit distant, I often react a bit oddly in a business context when people I don't know address me with my first name (on the internet it is fine because it's a private context, but I mean for example customer service e-mails), so this is something where I may come off as a bit distant compared to other cultures, because I will always address them with "Dear Sir or Madam" or with Mr. or Mrs. and their last name. I believe in German culture offering the first name in a business context should always come from the costumer side first and not from the business side, it will make me think they don't take me seriously. I have noticed this is different in some other countries.
Humor is not used in Germany to downplay. 90% of humor in Germany consists of criticizing someone or something with sarcasm. this kind of humor they can keep, it would be preferable if they didn't have it at all.
"I love you" has a very strong meaning in Germany. Normally, you only say that to the few very special people in your life. We have other words and expressions to express appreciation for others.
What the hell is correctness !!! German culture is a lame culture. It is a culture that creates loners and depressed people. It is not individualistic as it claims to be but is authoritarian collectivist. Germans are treated like children within the German culture and their attitudes & views are heavily influenced by what the ruling elite wants them to be. Any one who dissents or behaves differently is treated like a pariah and ungerman. The reality is that for most of history Germans have lived a miserable life because of German culture. And when they took this culture to foreign places, they made life miserable for others. So it's an unimaginative and uninspiring culture. It creates robots and fools who do not have the courage to say or do differently than what is the norm.
Socks and sandals: possibly there are some good reasons for doing so. When you go hiking in the countryside there are some areas with an elevated risk getting bit by a tick. That's usally not dangerous. However, in some regions - eg in the south-west of Germany - ticks can transmit dangerous diseases, mainly boreliosis and tick-borne encephalitis. To protect against the latter a vaccination is necessary. The former can be treated with an antibiotic - the sooner the better. When walking through grass - particularly wet grass - or touching some bushes and shrubs while passing by can transfer a tick on you. Socks can make it more difficult for a tick to find a place to sting you. And with socks in a lighter colour you can easily detect one to remove it. As a different case if you tend to sweat at your feet walking in some sandals could feel more comfortable with socks.
ticks tend to sting (or bite) not immediately, but wonder around on your legs etc. for a few hours in search for a warm, moist dent. Therefore it is best to change your socks or trousers right after a hike.
The two germans I happened to get to know were absolute bat shit crazy hahaha we spent some quality time together!! But then again they were visiting my country for a short time! Cheers my friends from BR ❤
I'm from the Netherlands and we do tend to have a bit of an inferiority complex towards our big neighbour. But I can honestly say that Germans are great: I've met so many of them who are friendly, funny, respectful, caring, open. Dutch tend to be way more in your face than Germans, in my experience.
Inferiority complex is probably because Netherlands was occupied by Germany for a while. But otherwise Netherlands is a country greater than Germany in all respect.
I'm portuguese and I feel the dutch are definately more in your face than germans. In fact, germany is the perfect example of a similar (compared to other european countries) culture I always use as contrast, to show dutch people how they come across lol :D
I've known many Germans over the years. Some of them fit the stereotypes associated with German culture but many did not. I found them diverse. Some were incredibly funny and outgoing others were quiet and reserved. Most all of them were friendly and kind
I'm convinced that a lot of Americans, esp older Americans think German sounds harsh because the only exposure they had to German was watching WW2 videos in school.
German language is beautiful ( I love speaking German) and the gramma is super easy. Try to learn Polish - good luck! 😉 (I am native speaker and teach Polish as a foreign language).
Can you please do a video on Germans from Berlin vs from other German cities? They’re so different! Moving from Toronto to Berlin next week because met a Berlin boy doing a working holiday here :)
I was stationed in Heilbronn, Germany /Wharton Barracks back in the mid to late 89's and went bac kso many times until I had 2 Knee Replacements and major Oral Surgery...and I recently retired from the USPS 7 1/2 weeks ago and I plan to go back this year '24 and it since I've was station there and visited so many times I call Germany my second Country, I speak a little, understand a little and read much in German in which I like to brush it up with new friends there.
I'm currently talking and getting to know a lovely German woman. These stereotypes are somehow precisely describing her day-in-the-life. She's very direct, she knows what she wants and she says what she means, she's very on time. If she shows me she cares then she does. Totally no bullshit here.
Germans aren't cheap, but they're not eager to spend their money either. At least on themselves. You'd never cheap out on a gift for example. But definitely the biggest stereotype of them all is the language. Germany isn't the country of "thinkers and poets" for nothing. Though you *_can_* pronounce terms quite harshly, you wouldn't if the context for it is not given. German poetry, literature and music is a staple in the world for me personally, the most romantic language. The language is by far the best thing about this country imo.
I do think, Germans are afraid of loans and debts. Therefore they rather spend money frugally. In German the word for "debt" is the same as "guilt". This adds to the attitude and it also goes along with the German fear for uncertainty (of the future) - therefore the love for planning.
1. Maybe I'm lucky, but my german colleagues have sence of humor. 2. Didn't notice that germans are direct. We always have small talks at work, though I'm less interested in it. 3. I would say Germany is opposite to "organized". Public transport is always late, queues everywhere and everything is super slow and no efficiency. Sometimes as a foreigner I have a feeling it's done on purpose :D By the way germans are also not so punctual as I expected. I usually the only one staring at 10:59 at the clock and pressing the button "start the meeting", germans come 11:00, 11:02 :D Didn't see difference betweem punctuality in germans and Baltics or Scandinavia. 4. Don't feel like germans are more closed than north europeans. Of course if you compare with spanish they are :) But in general I'm not a german and I believe it takes 10 years for good communication to say that somebody is my friend. No way it can happen in few months :D 5. My german colleagues few times offered to pay for my lunch, so I wouldn't consider them "cheap with money". Just like everybody else except south nations :) 6. Didn't see germans with socks and sandals yet. 7. German language is harsh mostly on TV or debates, but at least in my region it's surprisingly soft :)
Nice for the Germans to tell us about their stereotypes on this video, Marina. : ) My favorite video in this video is Katrina, who is so beautiful as herself.
0:38 Deutsche Bahn pffff: „Liebe Fahrgäste, dieser Zug hat 5 Minuten Verspätung. Der Grund dafür sind vorausfahrende Züge, die ebenfalls Verspätung haben."
@@_MC529 Two very different cultures and mentalities. Italians are more about being more relaxed, enjoying life, enjoying their meals, wearing nicely, and being close to their families. German society is oriented in responsibilities, punctuality, order, law-abiding, political correctness, efficiency, that it is too rigid for Italian lifestyle. And it is hard to make small talk with strangers. The more depressing weather and northern sea doesn't help either. Plus the food too.
@@_MC529 For the youth and young adults, who need a job and stable salary, plus reliable government service, Germany is the place to be. That's why it is the number one immigrant destination in Europe. Plus a more dynamic and international environment. But for retirement, Italy is great. Old people are respected and revered, plus the Mediterranean weather, diet, social life, surrounded close to children and family is just better for aging and living a longer life.
As a German I don't agree with 1 and 2, but I agree with 3. I don't think German people are very direct (there are people who are plain rude by talking behind your back instead of to your face) and I think German people have humor (a lot of people have a lot of humor, it depends on the kind of people), but to my feeling it is usual that people live by the rules in Germany. 4 I don't necessarily agree with, it depends really on the region of Germany. In some regions it is common to talk to and be friendly to people you don't know, and it also depends on rural vs. urban areas and on the individual: some individuals are more confident to chat with everyone while others don't have a lot of confidence and therefore don't often talk to people they don't know. 5 I agree, I think that German people are often cheap in daily grocery shopping for example. 6 is something German people themselves make fun of, I'm not sure why, I don't know if this is actually a stereotype outside of Germany. 7 I definitely disagree with, German is not a harsh language. It is a very literary language as there is a lot of classic German literature.
If you think Germans have a good sense of humor, please name 20 German comedians that are successful. This is not a problem in many cultures that love humor, but you will find it pretty hard to do.
@@nigratruo Why? There are plenty of comedians successful and known in Germany. You must not know German culture then. Just google them. Why should I do that work for you? You don't know me or what I find hard to do and I don't know you. That's a ridiculous statement. The most successful German movies are comedy movies, btw. Also, I'm talking from my experience. Please don't try to invalidate my experience, just because yours may be different. Since you know which one is mine, which humorous culture are you from?
@@DieBlutigeLynn Give a list of 20 or 30, and you will fail (I don't mean local unknown Kabaretisten, but comedians that tour all around Germany) The USA has a lot more than that, the UK also. These are countries with a good humor culture. German Humor is not something that anybody mentions around the world as especially good comedy. Your problem is that you don't even know what a big sense of humor is.
@@nigratruo You're not funny at all. And want to tell other people they are not funny? Why do you write to me, a stranger, and tell me what "my problem" is? You don't know me, stop acting as if you do. You want people on the internet to do your research for you.
Its not fun for many Germans as well. But they can't do anything about it. Following the norm is the German way. No one questions or stand out, everyone quietly does what they are told to. Anyone who tries to oppose is pushed out of the system. So Germans simply stay quiet and obedient.
Germans are more hard to get to know, compared to North America, but once you know them, they are a friend for life. A bit like in Sweden, but not as difficult.
Probably they left long time ago. German trains are awful, they are always late . Besides, German airports are not well organised. Out of that, Germany is organised.
they don't tip, and most American and Canadian servers don't like waiting on them, in North America, they are called cheapskates by many people, and for good reason (even if loaded). HELLO!
One of the biggest stereotypes about Germans is they are cold and unfriendly. Well, my experience with Germans was exactly the opposite. All of them were really friendly and positive toward me.
Germans are genuinely friendly and positive but only after you've invested enough time in getting to know them. They're not superficial like Americans.
@@amiquigonzales7917 if you're referring to Americans in general, yes, they're superficial compared to Germans and most Europeans. And I'm saying this as a non-white American. Way to go with your assumptions.
"I love you" has a very strong meaning in Germany. Normally, you only say that to the few very special people in your life. We have other words and expressions to express appreciation for others.
Nope... not if you know what you are doing. Cant even remember one time someone in germany I know had food poisoning. If you have clear rules for food, and more important follow them, therer is no danger in eating raw pork!
The funny bit is when you tell a German that they don't have a sense of humor, they deny it, get upset at you, CONFIRMING the very thing. I'm originally German and I laughed, because IT IS TRUE! So you can immediately spot the Germans that do have a sense of humor, because they laugh about this joke, because it is kinda true, you notice that by all the indignant Germans that claim that "this is nor funny, nor true!" But jokes are funny because every joke has a kernel of truth to it. You have to be able to look in a mirror and laugh about yourself, to NOT TAKE YOURSELF SO INCREDIBLY SERIOUS.
@@gulliverthegullible6667 Yeah I also find it annoying when other people have these stereotypes of Germans :D I always defend Germans then, we have a lot of good qualities as well.
German people do have humor but everything has a place and a time in germany for everything and everyone. So humor when going out in the weekend is ok but making jokes in a waiting room from a dentist is not ok 😂😂
As a Russian-American who has German cousins (their mom is my mom's sister), so German-Russians. Anyways, I never thought German was a rough and crude language because I was exposed to it. I only heard that stereotype in American media. I mean, Russian has the same stereotype. Except, if you have any old harpy scream in whatever language, it sounds crude and rude. Russian is a beautiful language, but Americans only get that super basic Soviet crap.
@@henningbartels6245 Melancholic - how nice :) I'd agree, at least partially. As for the "gloomy" - it's not that plain. Of course, it's a legit direct translation picked from a dictionary. However, in the original it's a multi-layer poetic allusion. Such as, the author chose to use the same root as in the Russian translation of the "Götterdämmerung" ("Twilight of the Gods"), so it's something like "twilighty" :) "dusky", or if translated back to German, "dämmerig"? So lots of meanings are implied, like "serious", "solemn", "majestic", "destiny-changing", "apocalyptic" etc. but not necessarily dark or sad.
@@BiglerSakuraas for our idea of the "melancholy of Russians" it is not necessarily sad and dark either, rather like the opposite of euphoric Americans and enjoying somewhat "weltschmerz".
Oh yeah, and we Germans don't like smalltalks. Ok, since in Germany there are many humorists, comedians, parodists, etc. I do not comprehend what the reason of the "no humor" stereotype is. Maybe we have another type of humor, as each country has its kind of humor, but why "no humor"? Why this image?
you've got to understand that there is not one german culture. There are many. I'm from the north and our humor is more like the english humor, dark, dry, delivered with a straight face, whereas the southerners don't understand our sense of humor because they have more the Laurel and Hardy type, in your face, laughing while telling the joke, more laughing when the punchline is delivered, what we northerners don't think is funny because it lacks wit.
In my experience, southern, Catholic (probably not religious but from the historically Catholic german lands), germans are way more open and have a way better sense of humor than the northern, protestant germans. This is just my opinion and observations based on what I have lived. I'm not basing this on any type of studies.
I think it's mainly because of the way German is spoken in these countries. Austrians and Swiss people talk slower with a melodic way of pronouncing the words and having a more sophisticated sounding accent. German from Germany is just straight to the point.
Complete Myth. If in Germany, with Germans, speaking German, they are just as funny as most other places. Their humour is SLIGHTLY different overall, a bit darker sometimes compared to the US, or say Australia, and LOTS of wordplay. The stereotype comes from when they are with non-German speakers. ESPECIALLY native English speakers. Germans are taught that if you don't speak English perfectly - don't. So they're quite hesitant. That comes across in their patterns of English speech, and trying very hard to make sure they don't miss any wordplay - which tends to focus on the words rather than an overall joke (or missing wordplay altogether.) Bottom line is the stereotype of one borne mostly of how they act OUTSIDE Germany, as within it, they're pretty darned funny and casual most of the time.
I love German people very educated and responsible and love the personalities and perspectives despite the fact if they’re very serious whatnot but love and respect from this latino-American 🇺🇸
As an American, I wish my fellow Americans were more direct and honest with me, even if it means being rude! I hate it when people act "fake" with me or beat around the bush, not just in friendship circles but also in dating as well. Imagine all of the drama that we could avoid if more of us did that 😅
The thing about American vs. German humor... I prefer German comedians, I find American humor to be often flat and tasteless. But I do listen to several American comedians, only they are not born in the USA or they are born there but their parents aren't. They can make a good program about stereotypes, differences in ethnicities etc. Those American Americans are mostly not funny at all, which is different with the German comedians- there are a lot of funny comedians with both German and non-German background.
I like the Germans they are very straight to the point and have insanely dry humour but as I am British I appreciate that. Germans are very hard working.
1. Germans are cheap? I was hitchhiking in a dozen european countries and more times happened in Germany than the rest combined that people bought me some food or gave money to buy some food later (without asking them to). 2. Harsh language? Probably. I mean a non-german speaker would think that the Hauptbahnhof is a military rank, or the Brachschwalbe a fairy tale villain, or the mentioned Schmetterling is a swearing. 3. Germans are direct, live by rules? You said that like those were bad things. 🙂 Definitely they are better than the non-punctual, unreliable smalltalker nations like... [you finish the sentence ;-) 😛] 4. No sense of humor? Come on! Just because it's diferrent and/or you don't get it?
I once heard that in dating, an American man and a German women would get along fantastically, while a German man and an American women would struggle horribly. This is because both American men and German women are direct and are more likely to approach one another, while American women and German men are much less likely to approach one another because they expect the other to approach. I'm not sure how true this is, but it's an interesting cultural observation if it is.
Actually, Americans and Germans share a lot of things in common. Remember, originally, the majority of the settlers in the US during the colonial times were British (English, with some Scots and Welsh). English and German are Germanic languages and share a common ancestral history.
I just came home form a vacation and I must say the German people I met were quite the opposite. Very friendly and social.. didn´t come across rude in any way.
One stereotype that you forgot to mention: German are perfectionist. That's what I found as a tour guide who have taken tourists from around the world. I see that one trait that is common among the German are they're perfectionist. If things doesn't go according to plan, for whatever reason (even if it's obvious), they would go mad. Once I was held hostage by a group of disgruntled German tourists who didn't get what they wanted, despite the fact that I've given them compensation
I think one fake stereotype of Germany is that they are efficient. They may be more efficient than some countries, but they are too bureaucratic to truly achieve efficiency. Daniel=Ryan Spaulding sums it up best if you watch his video on German efficiency.
In my experience, Germans are very direct about everything except dating/relationships. They tend to be against discussing anything related to relationships until after you've been with them for half a year or more. It's probably because most Germans don't have the same concept of dating as others. For them, relationships usually happen when you randomly hook up with a friend and keep doing it for several months.
Nice of you to generalize all Germans as people who only view relationships as sexual acts. "Most Germans". How many Germans have you dated for you to be able to make that statement in clear conscience? "For them, relationships usually happen...". Your fallacious use of language disgusts me.
Canadians and yanks arent difrent at all specially anglo canadians and anglo americans the only thing difrrent is that an american may be a little more conservative in some things but thats pretty much it
I love Germany 🇩🇪, Germans are extremely beautiful and I love the language as well 😍 BUT they are cold and very hard to build a deep connection with them and if you don't drink then forget about having a German friend 😅😅
Germans are direct ! Directness applies to the context of the bitter truth. So far, you've only demonstrated that you're full of bitterness, but you've avoided proving that your statement is true.
0:50 Very good looking, the best specimen of humanity, basically. Aww, still believe in superior breed of Aryan race / Herrenrasse? Something does not change, because they are imprinted on DNA.
Racism: Jokingly saying that stereotypes about Germans are good-looking, blonde and smart. Not racism: Saying Germans have a genetical predisposition for nazi ideology. Kinda ironic, you're literally using Nazi logic
