More examples of German behaviors that are unusual for foreigners
Name: H.
1/15/02
12/18/01
12/18/01
12/17/01
Name: Michelle Name: Peter Name: Peter
Name: ken
Name: Lana L Name: Anat
I agree, it completely shows the ugly side of the Americans, going abroad and expecting everyone and everything to conform to their own arbitrary standards. I could tell you a thing or two
Name: CC Name: Name: Susan
Name: Ana
Country: USA
Date: Tue Oct 12 17:20:09 2004
Comment: I loved it! "Grown" and raised in Germany, I have been living in the US now since quite a few years! People have no humor if they cannot laugh about your article! Don't they get the way you make fun of yourself also? Keep up the good humor!
I'm a German. I just read the first sentence of your letter: "...and like most Americans, I do not speak or read any German." Why not? I mean without speaking our language you wil never understand our behaviour. You understand nothing. You never tried to understand anything. Otherwise you would have learned our language. You are ignorant. But of course it's a pleisure for you to write bad stereotypes about Germans. For me it also is sometimes to joke about Americans. But do I have to publish it in the Internet? The Internet is international. And I think all the Germans who read your letter feel offended. Not because of the things you find so strange. Most Germans can also laugh about what you write, they might feel offended of your ignorance. You live here for 14 years now and don't speak German. I think should do a try to get to know Germans. You won't without any German word.
When I was studying in Freiburg in southern Germany, the weather changed
dramatically one week. A lovely spring breeze came up from the south,
the temperature went up several degrees, and it was one of those
pleasant, damp spring days that reminded me of home in Indiana. My
German friends all went into hiding. This was no pleasant spring
weather, this was the Foehn, the dreaded wind from the southern regions
that they believe is worse than the plague. They all stay home from
work or school, lock themselves in their homes, shut the windows and
wait it out, until the weather turns unseasonably cold again. From Hank S
The essay points out that there is no specific law that prohibits Sunday
personal activity, which is indeed true. However, there is a catch-all
"Verstoss gegen die guten Sitten," which the Bad Homburg police tried to
apply to my wife and the spouse of the Australian vice consul when they
took children trick or treating on Hallowe'en about 10 years ago. Even
though they only visited houses displaying pumpkins (indicating their
willingness to participate), the police complained that taking children
out in costume when it wasn't Rosenmontag was a breach of the peace. No
arrests were made, as the vice consul's wife had diplomatic immunity and
the cops were due to go off shift anyway.
I am not quite convinced you understand the beauty of Germany. In fact, I
think you might run a stunning first for the most ethno-centric award. If,
in fact, all that nonsense about being an annoying and offensive and
intentionally being an "Ami" in a German world was true, I am sorry you have
earned the privilege of living in that country. I can't believe you have
lived there since 1988 and don't know the language. No wonder Germans wish
most Americans would go home. I have spent the better part of my life learning German and experiencing
their culture. I found it a gift to live there, among them, and learn their
ways. A family opened their home to me, and I was grateful. It seems,
however, you have yet to return the favor. By the way, you have forgotten the first tenant of being a Southerner -
grace. You obviously aren't from my neck of the woods.
Country: USA Date: Fri Mar 15 00:25:35 2002
Comment: As an Ami, I am embarrassed by this guy's actions! Especially since I will return and be studying in Germany next year...and of all places, BAMBERG! I'll keep my eyes open, and annoy you while you eat dinner by speaking to you in German! Hehe!
Country: Germany Date: Thu Mar 14 00:24:56 2002
Comment: arrogance seems unbelievable to me. Since I, however, got to know the USA when I was living there I know that you are not a representative for your country, but just a selfish individual....go home..I`ll show you the way to the airport. you seem to still need help with that....
Country: Germany Date: Thu Mar 14 00:22:36 2002
Comment: concerning that guy living in bamberg since 1888:
You are a disgrace for the entire human race. I have spent time in several countries including one year in the United States. How dare you go on proclaiming these stereotypes that only prove that are not "living" here. What is the point of going abroad if you keep on living in your narrow little conventions. Your unwillingness to remember people's names would annoy almost anyone in the world. Your are a f*** ignorant american whose ar
Country: Date: Mon Mar 11 04:49:56 2002
Comment: If you are in Germany, do as the Germans do. If you act like an ass, you look like an ass.
Country: USA Date: Sun Mar 3 22:32:13 2002
Comment: My parents are German but I am an American living in the USA I am not surprised by how the German natives react at this letter. Personally after having lived here 35 years I think it is hilarious. Lighten up a little bit ! my German friends!
Country: Israel Date: Tue Feb 26 15:04:06 2002
Comment: I pity the person who wrote this account. He has gone to all the trouble of living in another country, yet goes abut doing his best to make it seem as much like home as possible. What's the point? Stay in your beloved US, instead of making the 'Germs' have to put up with your narrow-minded arrogance.
Country: Germany Date: Wed Feb 20 16:13:30 2002
Comment: I am an American living in Germany and it's people like this author who give us the "Ugly american label"...deservedly. And we wonder why we come under atack? We're bad guests. I am a guest in this country...and although I too fing many things absurd based on my personal preferences, I am still a GUEST here and don't try to make an ass of myself like this person.
Country: USA Date: Wed Feb 20 01:23:41 2002
Comment: I know you didn't write the e-mail but it is wrong to have on your site. It still is mean and wrong....I am German doesn't mean I am a natiz just German. Watch what you put on this!!
Country: Germany Date: Mon Feb 18 19:09:01 2002
Comment: I am also an American living in Germany and I thought this e mail hilarious....I don't agree with it all, but hilarious nonetheless. And I have never seen babies with so many layers of clothes in the winter. It is amazing to me that they don't melt.
Country: France Date: Wed Feb 13 01:25:11 2002
Comment: Bonjour!
Ca va bien.
Chao!