Kultur 5 - Aspects of the German Life

First of all, I was surprised to find out that Germans never say sorry for anything. However, as I noticed when I came to the United States, and inevitably continued the habit myself, Americans tend to say sorry for everything even if is not their fault. You bump into someone, and it is them who says sorry. I guess that Germans and Americans are exactly opposite regarding this matter. It is impressive and strengthens the characterization of German people as cold and emotionless. And since they seem cold and emotionless, why would they care about sex shops being everywhere? In their point of view, sex shops are still shops, right? It still seems awkward for many people, but in the end of the day, there are people buying things from sex shops, but if those things seem personal for Americans and have to be hidden, they are not treated in that way by Germans.

Regarding the existence of Klofraus, it is something that I have seen in the past at nightclubs and resorts in Greece. It is not that popular there, so I was also surprised to have to pay some small amount of money in order to use the bathroom. My opinion is that as low and minor this job is, it is still a great opportunity for people to get a job, since many doors are closed, and the use of Klofraus opens up chances for more people to work.

When I read the article about flirting in Germany the first sentence that came to my mind was: "I thought so". Since Germans are so different in many aspects of behavior, why would they follow the trend in this case? I actually found it quite complicated to connect myself with Germans and understand how exactly does flirting work, but that is probably what makes them special about it! Also from the article about women in Germany, I understood that women are completely equal with men in every single aspect, and to be honest I would expect that from a developed country like Germany!

Ah, Germany

I thought it was pretty interesting, though not surprising, that Germans don't say "Entschuldigung" every time they bump into some one. Many cultures that I'm accustomed to, including the American culture and some Asian cultures, a small "excuse me" after an accidental physical contact is simply second nature. Although it's a little weird to hear that Germans don't do this, it's understandable to be too bothered to say "sorry" every time you bump into someone since it probably happens so often.

In the other article, the fact that Germans have sex shops right along every other shop doesn't surprise me. From what we've read about Germans previously, it doesn't seem as if a German would sheepishly walk into one of those stores, ashamed. Germans seem to be very upfront and comfortable with themselves, so I can see why it's so normal for them.

Also on the Klofrau, I think it'd be nice to have them! Sometimes public restrooms can get pretty nasty, so paying a small fee for a clean bathroom seems like a reasonable thing to do. I think I was in Austria once and you had to pay to get in, but there were almost five workers sitting there, ready to sprint into the stall and clean it up after you were done. Makes me feel more comfortable as I can be a germaphobe sometimes, haha. I can't imagine something like that being implemented in America, though it would be nice!

I found it interesting that people don't use Entschuldigung in Germany. This makes sense because I find myself when I accidentally bump into someone saying excuse me. The next article was particularly interesting because sex is such a private matter. Although from my own travel experience I did notice that sexuality wasn't as big of an issue, there were explicit pictures on billboards and sides of buildings which is something you would never see here without people cringing.
In the next article I agree, it would be a pain to always have to have some Euros on you to use the bathroom! My teacher in high school always said once you find a bathroom that is free keep that spot in mind for next time you want to use the bathroom.
The whole article about catching a man or woman in Germany is interesting because someone being too forward isn't quite the same here. I feel like they use much more sutble moves, with looks.
It seems that women are taking over Germany. The rise in women in paid jobs I feel is a change from what I would have thought of a social role of women. I wonder if it has anything to do with their chancelor being a woman?

Germanrotica

The first time I ever saw a XXX Adult themed store/business was probably driving through the ghetto of Kalamazoo: Déjà Vu and the adjacent 'Bookstore'. The strip club had no windows, of course, and the 'bookstore' was completely blacked out, making it impossible to see inside. The second time I saw something XXX, was on a billboard on the way to Chicago, or Detroit (I visited both cities when I was younger quite a bit.) On the way to Chicago, there's the Lion's Den, Adult Bookstore: A One Stop Shop for Pornos. On the way to Detroit, there's the Velvet Touch strip club with lots of lights and signs saying 'Naked Girls!,' but no windows. The third time I saw a XXX store, was in Ann Arbor: The Safe Sex Store. And that's where things were a little different. Not only are there two enormous windows in the front, opening S. University up to the wonders of the 'adult' world, but the S^3 sign says it all.

I've been in the Safe Sex Store several time since I was a co-leader of the Sexual Health Forum in the Residential College, and every single time I left extremely informed and as well taken care of as you can be in a sex shop, when you're not shopping for yourself. The owner is extremely friendly, helpful, and put you at ease so asking questions doesn't make you squirm. This is the one single time I can honestly say that i've felt NORMAL about being a sexual creature, and not shut out and criticized for exploring the 'adult' world (Granted, Ann Arbor is a liberal city, and one could expect nothing less). If only the United States were more like Germany. According to the article "German Erotica," travelers can expect nothing less than a feeling of normality when peeking into a Sex Store. Having a sex store in Germany, is like having a bar in the United State; if you're old enough to be there, it's no big deal to have a beer and relax. If you're old enough (and ready) to explore your sexuality, the Germans would welcome you with open arms. They are anywhere, and everywhere, and no one cares. Evidently, it all boils down to the differences in our culture. Where we discourage our teens to engage in sex, Germany is open enough about the entire thing to promote learning and communication about one of the most natural things a person can do. The more knowledge that you share about sex, and the more comfortable you make it, the safer people are willing to be, since there's no shame it being an animal by default. If only the U.S. could follow in their footsteps. Germany 3, United States 0.

Kapitel 5 Kulture

Guten tag!

Heute, this post is on the assigned readings on kultur.

For the first article "Rules of the Street", I felt surprised and somewhat amused by the article. I am assuming that this is an exaggeration of how forceful people would be, but even if it isn't, it's different values than those in America, and I can't say it would entirely be for the worse. America...er... "thrives" off how thin-skinned we are, getting affronted if someone bumps into you, the whole political correctness shtick-... well, I'd rather get bumped around than have the willingness to have as much force of personality as a wet paper bag.

On "The land of beer, sausage, and sex shops", I have to say they did a masterful job of building up to the second paragraph, that one definitely is eye-catching. (I feel a little tongue-in-cheek as I say this...) My primary reaction for the actual content of the article is shake my head, but the way it was written... at least it was amusing.

As for Klofrau... well... *shrug* ok. Doesn't make much sense to me, but it doesn't really have much impact on me either. Kind of one of those assignments that you read, and it doesn't really ever change anything for you and you just feel like you have to talk about it... :|

In "Flirting with Fräuleins" I stuck more with the "He says" component, and it actually reminded me of the SMS article we read. (Inasmuch as the article stated how Men do not like to be as overt in expressing themselves, and along a similar vein, are much more subtle about it in German culture than American culture.) To that end, women are more accustomed to and comfortable with the more subtle flirtation, which is more intellectual and witty than overtly sexual- overall, that seems to be a plus in my book.

Well, I guess I have talked enough about the articles this week- until next time!

Tschuess!

Willkommen!!

Welcome to our class blog!

We will be using this blog throughout the semester for two kinds of assignments:

1. Once per chapter, the homework plan will direct you to post a response to the culture readings for the chapter on the blog.

2. Roughly every other week, the homework plan will direct you to post here for your Abenteuer mit Deutsch (AMD) assignment. First you do a fun activity that involves German, then you post about it. You should spend an hour total on this (maybe 45-55 minutes doing something, 5-15 minutes posting about it). See Was ist ein AMD, AMD Ideen and Beispiele for ideas. This should get you excited about the kinds of things you can do!

Whenever you post something, please include your name and the name of the assignment (e.g. AMD2, Kultur5) as labels. See "Blog: How To" for more details!