German Profile
Family Structure and Values: While in the 21st Century, the structure of families has changed from what used to be the norm where the bread winner of the family was typically the Father and the Mother was a house wife. The recent centuries have concluded that one in five women by the age of forty did not have children. More women are staying single until later years in life. Most of this trend has to do with individuals being centered on their careers. It is now more common for couples to have no children, or for them to have single child homes than to have two or three children. Despite the longer delay in having children, family is still highly valued and most people into the ages of twenty-five prioritize family and ninety percent of them believe that it leads to a happier life. Germany is also highly known to have one of the most progressive legislations for the lesbian and gay communities. The LGBT community has become very welcomed within the country and value family equally.
Family, structure, punctuality, education, a high standard of living and privacy are all highly valued within the German culture.
Family, structure, punctuality, education, a high standard of living and privacy are all highly valued within the German culture.
Language and Communicaations:
Not surprisingly, since Germans highly value their privacy, it is normal for individuals to keep their proximity from each other. Compliments are not given very frequent and individuals strive for perfection and are highly goal oriented. Germans are not necessarily the most affectionate people but show their affection and care through act of not necessarily touch. Their space of each other is highly valued and respected. German mannerism may often be portrayed as unfriendly by other cultures, but it is a sign of respect and the value of privacy over each other's lives. German is the official dialect of Germany, however other dialects spoken include Serbian, Turkish, Romani, and Danish. Greetings of each other do not consist of high affection, but rather a firm handshake and formal greeting. Titles and names are of importance to Germans as it may often be an implication of their careers .
Not surprisingly, since Germans highly value their privacy, it is normal for individuals to keep their proximity from each other. Compliments are not given very frequent and individuals strive for perfection and are highly goal oriented. Germans are not necessarily the most affectionate people but show their affection and care through act of not necessarily touch. Their space of each other is highly valued and respected. German mannerism may often be portrayed as unfriendly by other cultures, but it is a sign of respect and the value of privacy over each other's lives. German is the official dialect of Germany, however other dialects spoken include Serbian, Turkish, Romani, and Danish. Greetings of each other do not consist of high affection, but rather a firm handshake and formal greeting. Titles and names are of importance to Germans as it may often be an implication of their careers .
Roles and Life Cycle:
Professionalism, perfectionism and privacy are significant aspects of the German culture. Status and high living standards
play key roles in an individuals life. Germans thrive for education, careers and aspire to be great at what they do. Both men and women seek education and careers, however that was not always the case as before men were typically the bread-winners of the home. The life cycle of individuals consists of education, careers, having a family and the continuation of striving for promotions in life. The German lifestyle is highly viewed as a sophisticated business.
Professionalism, perfectionism and privacy are significant aspects of the German culture. Status and high living standards
play key roles in an individuals life. Germans thrive for education, careers and aspire to be great at what they do. Both men and women seek education and careers, however that was not always the case as before men were typically the bread-winners of the home. The life cycle of individuals consists of education, careers, having a family and the continuation of striving for promotions in life. The German lifestyle is highly viewed as a sophisticated business.
Interpersonal Relationships and Decorum: The constitutional Basic Law respects the freedom of speech, even if it is not necessarily the most friendly. While hate speech and insults are not necessarily tolerated, Germany is fond of honesty. More insulting than words is when people stare deeply into Germans. Such characteristics are seen as highly insulting. Not recycling as well as the violation of traffic laws. That means no jaywalking! These characteristics are partially a violation of the high sophistication and structure.
In Germany NEVER:
In Germany NEVER:
- Ask for tap water (It's seen as stinginess)
- Put your elbows on a table (rude!)
- jaywalk (You will get fined)
- Wait to be seated (Very common to sit with strangers)
- Do the Nazti Salute!
- Eat with your fingers
- Wear sneakers or a T-shirt on any given day (unless you are working out)
- DO NOT BE LATE!!!
Religion:
Almost seventy percent of the German population identify themselves as Christian, with nearly twenty four million being Catholic. Four percent of Germans affiliate themselves as Muslim, while the remaining twenty six percent practice other religions or do not affiliate themselves with a particular religion. It is not common for Germans to not want to discuss religion on a regular basis, in fact it is often frowned upon.
Almost seventy percent of the German population identify themselves as Christian, with nearly twenty four million being Catholic. Four percent of Germans affiliate themselves as Muslim, while the remaining twenty six percent practice other religions or do not affiliate themselves with a particular religion. It is not common for Germans to not want to discuss religion on a regular basis, in fact it is often frowned upon.
German Celebrations
Easter-Spring
German Unification Day-October 3rd (only federal holiday)
Oktoberfest Beer Festival: 16 or 18 days from October to November
Christmas -December 25th
Easter-Spring
German Unification Day-October 3rd (only federal holiday)
Oktoberfest Beer Festival: 16 or 18 days from October to November
Christmas -December 25th
Additions to the Family!…Pets!
Germans love pets!…and particularly dogs! Pets are a part of the family and therefore are everywhere in Germany. Pets are welcome on public transit, in bookstores, restaurants, bikes…almost anywhere and everywhere. If traveling to Germany with your pets, they are required to have their vaccinations and if traveling with dogs, owners must pay special attention to the dangerous dog laws, which should not be taken to Germany. This includes dogs that have a reputation for being dangerous including pit bulls and terriers.
Germans love pets!…and particularly dogs! Pets are a part of the family and therefore are everywhere in Germany. Pets are welcome on public transit, in bookstores, restaurants, bikes…almost anywhere and everywhere. If traveling to Germany with your pets, they are required to have their vaccinations and if traveling with dogs, owners must pay special attention to the dangerous dog laws, which should not be taken to Germany. This includes dogs that have a reputation for being dangerous including pit bulls and terriers.
Natural Disasters: Floods & Storms. Below are two charts showing the disaster costs & occurrences since 1980.
Health & Food
Germans go to great lengths to ensure their healthy life style. Ninety percent of German residents are federally insured by a health care system that has recently been adopted by the United States. The average life expectancy is seventy nine years of age. Germans are particularly mindful of what they consume and are eco-friendly in what they eat. Caring for the enviroenemtn and their bodies is their adopted lifestyle. This means no genetically modified foods and yes to organic foods. Germans are particularly obsessed with asparagus and love pastries and sausage!
Germans go to great lengths to ensure their healthy life style. Ninety percent of German residents are federally insured by a health care system that has recently been adopted by the United States. The average life expectancy is seventy nine years of age. Germans are particularly mindful of what they consume and are eco-friendly in what they eat. Caring for the enviroenemtn and their bodies is their adopted lifestyle. This means no genetically modified foods and yes to organic foods. Germans are particularly obsessed with asparagus and love pastries and sausage!
Art Culture
Art and creativity is highly appreciated in Germany. This includes art that has been passed down from centuries from the Renaissance and baroque eras. Art is displayed through architecture, music including classical, dance, wood printing, engraving, and mosaics.
Art and creativity is highly appreciated in Germany. This includes art that has been passed down from centuries from the Renaissance and baroque eras. Art is displayed through architecture, music including classical, dance, wood printing, engraving, and mosaics.