*Get Togethers*

Germans take their get-togethers very seriously. I have been completely surprised by all the times that I thought it would be fun just to have some friends over, and it turned into a full-blown, planned party with everyone bringing food and games. One time my fellow students and I wanted to get together to have dinner and catch up a little. I said I'd be glad to have them at my place. One friend wanted to make meat, so I said that was great and could she bring the meat. I was given the assignment to make cornbread and buy mini-barbecues and baking paper and napkins. She ended up cancelling the party (which was to be at my apartment), because I didn't offer to spend the whole day preparing and "Officially inviting people is a whole lot different from some informal meeting with friends." To me, when I want people to come over, they can casually come over, bring whatever/whoever they want, and maybe I'll dig something off the shelf and cook it for us. We can drink water if they get thirsty. We can just talk or play one of the board games I have. But that doesn't work for Germans, though I'm not sure why not because of their complete love of casual Spazieren.