Kultur 6

Wow, hearing about the Bild Zeitung really makes me think about how different of a culture we have here in America in regards to censorship. Although, when it comes to celebrities it reminds me of a lot of the magazines we have here. It is kind of amazing all of the different things that can go into one magazine and how the publishers are able to have so many readers. Sure the magazine is a lot of made up gossip, but it sure does make things interesting to read!

I have to wonder why germans always have their doors closed! I'm sure it can cause some confusion, especially us Americans, unless you're used to it. I could never imagine always having my door closed. My door is almost always open. The only time I really close it is when I'm trying to sleep so it keeps the light out. And even if I have it closed for some odd reason, my friends know that they can just walk in. They don't have to knock. Although, I'd probably feel a little different if I didn't know the people who were barging into my room well.

I have to wonder why the Germans like to be so orderly when separating their garbage. Sure, I understand separating plastics from glass and from paper, etc. but why need to be so picky and go as far as separate them by color!

Kultur 5

I'm not really surprised that germans fail to use the term "excuse me." Even here in America, you can say "excuse me" to someone multiple times and they still seem to ignore you, and then proceed to give you a dirty look when you push through them. I don't know if it's arrogance or what, but people as a whole don't seem to have the manners or consideration that they used to.

I think it's nice that in many European countries sex is not frowned upon. It's great that everybody is so open about it. I think we should not be afraid of sexual endeavors; they are a natural part of our lives and we should not fear expressions.

I remember being surprised at how much change was given to the Klofrau in the restrooms. It was definitely a strange concept to tip the person who cleaned the bathroom. I think in America a public bathroom cleaning job is kind of looked down upon. The Klofrau's actually put some passion into their job and are just doing what they can.

I don't like that flirting in Germany isn't very direct. I feel like you have to beat around the bush in just the right way to make sure you come off as flirting. I much prefer straight-forward flirting so that you aren't as often left wondering what the situation is.

Kultur 4

I think it's very interesting how strictly Germans follow the pedestrian crosswalk signs. I do remember when I visited that obeying the signs were somewhat of a struggle for me. I'm used to completely disregarding the signals as long as there are no cars coming, especially here on campus. The car drivers in Germany are not very forgiving to pedestrians. It's also funny that for the Germans who are starting to be "risk-takers" must make sure that no children are around so that they aren't looked at as bad influences. I also remember being very scared by the bicyclists. I felt like they were less considerate to pedestrians than the cars were. And it is much more common for people to ride their bikes, and they cut it very close to hitting you. Bikes are so common for people to travel with that many of the city trains have a bike section in the back. I never had the experience of being charged extra for not having the correct ticket, but I do remember being very thorough at the DB stations. It was a little bit easier when you could print out and choose your ticket on the computer, but many places didn't have this. Trains in Germany are much more luxurious and comfortable to travel by than the ones I have been on here in the States. I had to laugh when I read that there is a group titled Anonyme Unordentliche for messy people.

Kultur 3

Capping the Bottle- I was surprised to read that public drunkenness is becoming a problem in Deutschland. When I visited, I didn't notice too much of this. Maybe because I was a naive tourist or maybe because I wasn't in any areas where this has become a problem. I do agree that alcohol should be banned in public places, such as the train station, because it would be so easy for somebody to get hurt near train tracks. I also agree that finding ways to prevent public drunkenness would have a better outcome than putting a complete ban on alcohol in public. We in the US have found that putting bans on things only deter people to be sneaky and do the acts elsewhere.

Organic Food Obsessions- I find it very interesting that most Germans won't touch gene-manipulated food. In America this is such a common thing. I also find it interesting that their strive to be environmentally friendly extends into shopping habits. I think it shows a lot about how they really want to have very healthy lifestyles.

Forget the "Mett", Try a "Frikadelle" As soon as I saw the title, I wanted to read the article. When I was in Germany, I forget which city, my sister and I found a shop in one train station that sold these. They were so delicious; they were kind of like a cross between a meatball and something else that I can't remember. The Pommes Rot-Weiss seemed so disgusting to me. I sister was a huge fan, but I am not a big fan of ketchup to begin with. Throwing mayonnaise into the mixture is just gross to me. Mmmmm Weiner Schnitzel. This was one of my more favorite dishes. I tried to get a new dish every where I went, but this is one that I resorted to if I was too afraid to try something new.

The Dark Side- I think the subtitle in itself, "Optimists are Idiots," is funny. I often times feel this way and hate is when things are sugar-coated and people always try to "look on the bright side" of things. Sometimes it comes down to face it and move on. Just say what you're actually thinking, and don't always think about hurting someone's feelings.

Teutonic Humor- "...sarcasm, and sharp wit are to be found in abundance." This instantly made me laugh and think that my German background must be where I get this part of my personality from.

AMD 3

South Park auf Deutsch- "You're Getting Old"

Heute ist Stans geburtstag party. Er ist zehn Jahre alt. Stan got Legos und eine CD for a geschenk

Stans Mutter doesn't doesn't approve of the CD, and neither do die andere Eltern. Stans Vater disagrees. Er sagt Er findet sie spitze! The teens think Eltern sind dumm for not liking the Tween Wave Musik. When Stan finally hoert the Musik, er hoert nicht gern die Musik. Er denkt it sounds like Scheisse. Stans friends think it sounds good. Sie moegen es. Stan geht to the doctor and diagnoses him.

I remember seeing this episode before, so it made it a little bit easier to understand. I think it's funny that the adults think the kids' music sounds like shit, but the kids think the adults music sounds the same. Having the video along with listening also makes it a little bit easier. I think that when kids are young they often don't "adult" music, but when they get older they realize it isn't so bad.

Kultur2

So funny! Reading the article about how Germans have a staring problem really made me think about my Grandmom. She is of german descent and always watches very closely to what people are doing. Especially when one of us girls brings a boyfriend with us. She still stares at my dad! Reading the last paragraph where it talks about how smiling can get you a date made me think back to when I was in Germany. My sister and I were on the train and some guy got on with his bike, which is not unusal, and asked if he could put his bike next to me. Not wanting to be rude I smiled and said sure. Then he kept staring at me. He walked to the front of the train a few times and then when my sister and I got off he tapped my shoulder and handed me a slip of paper with his number on it. I wish I has read this article before I went there.

AMD 2

Talking with a freund!

Gestern I decided to meet up between classes mit meinem Freund Chris, who is taking Deutsch 231 dieses semester. His lieblingsfarbe ist blau. In his Deutscheklasse they are reading "Am kuerzen ende der sonnenallee." I told him that later in the semester our class will be reading "Oh, Wie schoen ist Panama." Er hat einen Hund. His dog heisst Charlie. He was amazed when I told him that I have drei birds. Sie heissen Katie, Mango, und Tookey. Chris hoert Musik gern. His lieblingsband is "All that Remains." Ich also like to listen to Musik. My lieblingsband right now is "Three Days Grace." Wir spielen sport gern. We both used to do gymnastics, aber I still do. Gymastics is our favorite sport. It's funny that every now and then I am able to help him understand a few things about german grammar that he doesn't remember. We will try to meet up more so he can help me with my german.