German Culture

All about Germany

Prussia 2001

On January 18, 1701 Friedrich III, Elector of Brandenburg (11.07.1657 - 25.02.1713), crowned himself as King in Prussia. Today, exactly 300 years after this outstanding event, the government heads of Berlin and Brandenburg, Mr. Diepgen and Mr. Stolpe, officially opened the celebrations on the occasion in the Berlin theater on Gendarmenmarkt. During … [Read more...]

Real Germans and Religion

By guest author WEISSDORN A Real German is either Catholic or Protestant, unless he/she is not. AMEN. How do you find this out? At the very latest, when you apply for your Tax Card. In Germany you get taxed for being a Christian, a Jew or a Moslem. But this doesn't bother Real Germans, because it's better to be a Christian than being an "Other". … [Read more...]

Real Germans and Political Correctness

Real Germans and Political Correctness, Multi-Culturalism, Private and Group Discussions By guest author WEISSDORN Political Correctness Real Germans are the inventors of Political Correctness. If you think this is something fashionable they came up with in the 90's in the U.S.- WRONG! Germany has been practicing Political Correctness with a … [Read more...]

Real Germans’ habits

What are Real Germans like? Set all stereotypes aside and read about Real Germans' habits, likes and dislikes. By guest author WEISSDORN Real Germans want everything at least 99.999999%. That is to say, before they purchase any product it should be 100% with a 1 Euro price. Maximum quality (nothing less will do), and minimum price. Real Germans … [Read more...]

A Glimpse from the Past: Traditional Bavarian Clothing

Each country has its own set of cultural values making it special: language, cuisine, traditions, etc. Dress is also a national peculiarity. Speaking of Germany, Bavaria in particular, a Dirndl dress and Lederhosen are the typical traditional pieces of clothing. Dirndl Until the 16th century, farmers and people of the lower classes used to wear … [Read more...]

Keeping Up Traditions In Germany

German customs and traditions take a very important place in everyday life. Traditions mean integration. People in Germany and other countries create their own customs and rituals in their strong drive to build community around themselves, such as celebrating certain occasions, cooking definite dishes for some holidays, wearing certain clothes on … [Read more...]

Women in Post-War Germany

Post-War life for German women was harsh. Trümmerfrau (literally translated as ruins woman or rubble woman) is the German-language name for women who, in the aftermath of World War II, helped clear and reconstruct the bombed cities of Germany and Austria. With hundreds of cities having suffered significant bombing and firestorm damage through … [Read more...]

Women in Nazi Germany

The Nazis had very firm ideas about the role of women in Germany. Hitler thought that the population of Germany had to increase for the country to become more powerful. Therefore women were forced to give up work and have children. On 5th July 1933 the Law for the Encouragement of Marriage was passed. This act gave all newly wed couples a loan of … [Read more...]

German Women and 3 K’s

German women in the past and Kaiser's neat definition of the women's role in a society Back in the 19th century, Kaiser Wilhelm II defined a role for women (later taken over by the Nazis) as "Kirche, Küche, Kinder" (church, kitchen, children.) This definition could only appear in such a country as Germany where the women's movement has always been … [Read more...]

German Mysteries – the Mirror of German Culture and History

Lots of mysterious legends and myths have sprung up throughout the centuries on German lands. All of these fairy-tales and true stories have influenced German culture - art and literature - and enriched German history by portraying German streets, cities, castles and palaces as magical and mysterious buildings and places. One of the mysterious … [Read more...]