German Culture

All about Germany

German Beer Steins

The origins of beer steins date back to the 14th century. As a result of the bubonic plague and several invasions of flies throughout Europe, Germany established several laws in the early 16th century requiring that all food and beverage containers be covered to protect their contents. By combining a lid, hinge, and thumblift, these 'German' … [Read more...]

5 Myths About Germany: The Ultimate Truth

Myth 1: Germans don’t have any speed limits on the roads There are speed limits on most of the roads. It’s only the Autobahn (the equivalent to the U.S.), Interstate highway system, and the Motorways in the U.K. – that eschew speed limits, and only on the parts of those that are well away from busy areas. There are enforced with randomly placed … [Read more...]

Myths about Germans

Germans: Myths and reality Germans have an opinion, that life is divided in two parts – public (work, politics, business) and private (family, friends, hobbies, rest). These two spheres should be strictly differentiated. What are they? Main national features … [Read more...]

Wedding Traditions in Germany

In Germany parents start thinking about the daughter's wedding quite far in advance. When a baby girl is born, the parents, and later on the little girl herself, will save pennies used to buy the wedding shoes in future. According to German wedding traditions, when a baby girl is born in Germany, several trees are planted in honor of her … [Read more...]

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’ 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...]