*Salina in Memphis*

I've got another comparison blog for you, this time the other direction--a German who's studying in American and writing in English.

Salina in Memphis.

*Christmas Market*

Going to the Christmas market is one popular activity at Christmas time. People will claim that it's mostly a tourist thing, but then they ask each other if they've gone yet, tell stories about what they saw and bought and ate there, and arrange new get-togethers to explore the treasures that can be found there.

There are tall tables where people stand around drinking Glühwein.

Here are some of my pictures from last year in Dresden, and here I am in Leipzig 2 years ago.

*Someone Else's Comparisons*

Check out this post for some American/German comparisons (some are ones I've mentioned before).

*Grapes*

I have only recently seen my first seedless grapes in Germany. Most of the time, they have those hateful seeds and I want to spit them out because they leave a dry, bitter taste in my mouth. Such a disappointment after seeing huge, juicy grapes. However, everyone else eats them, so unless I'm alone, I either avoid grapes or follow the crowd.

*Mini Dogs and Men*

I keep seeing these strong German guys walking teeny, tiny dogs that would fly through the air if you tugged on their leashes. It makes me laugh every time because American guys seem to want to be seen with what non-yappy dogs.

Once I even saw the Gohlis punks with such a dog in tow. Do the dogs belong to their girlfriends?

*Insulation*

It's no wonder I freeze in German houses. Instead of having insulation between 2x4s and sheet rock, there are enormous stacked rock-bricks covered with bumpy wallpaper that just emanate coldness. They may be sturdy, but I miss the warmth. When you knock on a wall here, there's no way anyone on the other side is going to hear it, the knocking just gets absorbed into the rock. Thus the cold walls and the cold floors and the house shoes and sweaters around the house.

*Reformations Brötchen*

Around this time of year, because of the celebration of the Protestant Reformation, bakeries boast rolls called "Reformationsbrötchen." They are sweet rolls with raisins and zitronat in the bread and a dollop of jam in the middle. Some also have glaze or almonds on top.





Their background isn't very clear, but apparently they are supposed to look like Martin Luther's symbol of the rose, which had five points. Another theory is that it represents a bishop's miter (yeah, I had to look it up, it's one of those pointy hats Catholic bishops wear).

But anyway, I love Reformationsbrötchen and on Reformations Day tomorrow I'm going to bake some. You can read more about them here (in German--translate on Google if you can't understand).

*Kastanien Sammeln*

Maybe I was just out of the loop, but I've never seen anyone suggest we go out to gather spiky green things that fall from trees (okay, I found out they're chestnuts) and acorns and leaves and such until I moved to Germany. Not that I mind it--I was always an autumn leaf gatherer anyway. And Jenny made the most beautiful wreath out of everything we found.

*Emergency Vehicles*

This is what a German ambulance sounds/looks like:



This is what a German police car sounds/looks like:



Quite honestly, I don't even remember what they sound like in the U.S. So I looked that up too:

American police car:



American ambulance:



Now that I've heard both of those, I think they have the same siren. Is that true? I never noticed before. Maybe we should take a look at fire trucks? Ah, yes:

American:



German:



I think I'd rather get out of the way of the American fire truck, with that annoying honk.

*Juice*

You know you're German if you mix juice with water. Especially if it's carbonated water.




(Picture from http://www.landwirtschaft-mlr.baden-wuerttemberg.de/.)

*Dating Werewolves*

Though I love, love, love Germany, I will never, ever, ever understand all the darling German girls who are in serious (okay, as "serious" as you can get in Germany without marrying) relationships with very unattractive guys. These aren't just homely men, they are scrawny, unstylish, and they sport what I call "the werewolf look," meaning they have long, greasy hair pulled back into a droopy ponytail. Many of them look girlier than the girl.

I just don't get it. There are lots of cute German guys. Why do the girls go for those ones? Or why don't they encourage their boyfriends to get haircuts and a new wardrobe, work out a little . . . ?

Okay, so I'm being a little shallow. But I just can't picture myself dating someone whose hair is longer than mine, unless he had well-taken-care-of dreds. But then again, I think everyone deserves love and I'm glad someone can look past those things.

(And a note: check out this cute couples in Berlin blog. This one gives you an idea . . . )

*Trunks (or "Boots" for You British Peeps)*

(Again, maybe another Mormon German thing.) Germans use the trunks of their cars a lot more than Americans do. I don't think that any American ever first led me to the trunk of their car to put my bag there or asked me if they could put my bag in the trunk when giving me a ride somewhere. When I had a car, I just threw things onto the front or back seat or even onto the floor, and when I got a ride with someone, I just held my bag on my lap. It seems like for Americans, the trunk is kind of forgotten about unless someone is transporting a large suitcase or a stroller. Then again, most German cars, because they're small, don't have a real trunk--it's just the space behind the last row of seats.

*Movies til the End*

Every time I watch a movie with German friends, the movie ends and I say something like, "That was good," and start to get up to go, or turn to start a conversation.

Then I am hit with the reality that they like to watch til the end of the credits, something I rarely do.

*Nudity*

Ads, beaches, parks, you name it. It's no biggie.

I guess this is kind of attached to the indifference about hanging ALL your laundry out where anyone can see it.

*Toastbrot*

I'm sorry. I will never, ever, ever understand how Germans can go on and on about how American bread is so horrible--"so soft and full of nothing so that I can squish it all into a ball smaller than my fist"--and yet they only make toast with the worst bread you have ever seen.

Worse than Wonder Bread.

I introduce "Toastbrot" to you:



(This brand couldn't even think of anything better to say than "yeah!")

Yeah. I don't get it.

*American Tourists*

If you want to spot American tourists in Germany, just look for the guy wearing shorts and flip flops or running shoes, and the girl with straightened, highlighted hair and makeup. They'll also be talking more loudly than anyone else in the near vicinity.

*Pencil Cases*

Remember pencil cases? Those hard little tupperware-like things that you bought each new school year according to the latest styles?

Well check out the ones pictured on the right. Those are German pencil cases. And everyone has them (there are much prettier ones, I must say, like Lisa's). That's right, boys and girls, in Germany, pencil cases are not just for boys and girls.

I've never felt like buying an extra bag to put in my bag to carry around a bunch of pens, so every college student pulls out one of these doohickeys while I dig around in my bag for a pen that may or may not work. Hmmm. Who's missing out here?

*Crutches*

Seeing as how I'm a bit of a cripple myself right now (who knew physical therapy would do that to you?) and a friend of mine who is currently a gimp just spent the last few days here, it's about time to write about crutches.

In America, most people have the crutches that go in your armpits. Very few people have the ones that you hold in your hands, and if they do, they're old guys with replaced hips or knees. Thus, I was surprised when I first saw young people in Germany using what I always viewed as old-people crutches. I thought it was just an exception until I realized no one ever had the kind of crutches I thought were normal.

I asked my friend about it, and he said that the armpit ones must be very uncomfortable. I wonder which ones help you to stand up the straightest.

*First Day of School and Zuckertüten*

In Germany, the first day of school for six-year-olds is a huge deal. Extended family comes to town, the kids are congratulated in front of everyone at church, the primary congratulates them too, but best of all, they get these enormous "Zuckertüten" from everyone. They're colorful, cone-shaped paper that holds all sorts of goodies, from small toys to money to candy.

*German Mormons*

So this one only applies to Mormons. I've noticed that the countries Mormons are called to on missions are limited. (I guess having heard a huge variety in Utah may also have to do with the fact that there was a huge number of missionaries.) The guys get called to England, Greece, Germany/Switzerland/Austria, or Russia, and the girls get called to Germany/Switzerland/Austria or Temple Square. Of course there are exceptions, but I'd say this claim could be made about the majority.

*Taller Girls Than Guys*

It's not that rare for me to see German couples where the girl is taller than the guy, and I can't help taking a second look. I'm pretty sure it's more rare in the U.S. Does that mean Americans are more shallow? I'll let you judge.





And there's a second item I have to say about this picture, but I'll get to that later.

*Monoculture*

On the way to the U.S., I talked to a German guy who said the biggest thing he noticed that differed between America and Germany is what he called "monoculture." He said that you can find the same stores everywhere and that houses all look the same.

While in some ways something is lost with every place being fairly similar, my sister and I discussed how it can also be comforting. No matter where you are in the U.S., you know that you can pick up a cheap but cute shirt at Old Navy, almost any kind of candy or marker at Target, and household stuff at Bed, Bath, and Beyond.

In Germany, there are many things I would have no idea where to find. Like a white-erase marker. And while those things are available somewhere, the main stores don't carry a wide variety of things nor brands of those things they do have. But you do get more of the more unique, personality-filled, smaller stores.

*Peeling Oranges*

I keep seeing this one. People here have to have a knife to peel oranges, or at least to start peeling. I don't think I've ever used a knife. Just dig in your thumb at the top, and voila!

*Education Costs*

Though every state and school is different in Germany, compared to America, education costs in Germany rock because they are subsidized so heavily by the government. Some students complain about the rising costs, but I never could find it in myself to sympathize with those who pay $200 a semester.

Personally, I pay 90 Euros a semester, which is $1400-$1900 cheaper than I ever paid in Utah (and even that was smoking cheap.)

Then you have to take into account that students have what's called "BaFög" available--money from the government so they don't have to work while they study. The monthly amount goes up and down depending on how much their parents make and how many siblings are also studying. Although a certain percentage has to be paid back several years after the education is completed, that percentage cannot exceed 10,000 Euros.

A lot is expected of the students, so it's good that they can focus. So, the hardcore German college tests where you're expected to know EVERYTHING you MIGHT have read during the semester + subsidization = German education is amazing.

And, while I'm at it, happy 600th birthday to the University of Leipzig!!! How cool is it that I'm graduating this year?

*Pizza Toppings*

Getting sick of plain old pepperoni or cheese pizzas? (I don't think I ever will.) Come to Germany, where you can find all sorts of pizzas covered with toppings and not a single pepperoni in sight.

Some toppings on my infamous list are corn, onions (and I mean long, stringy things that cover practically the whole pizza), and tuna.

Plus, it's one thing to eat pizza out of the fridge the day after you made it or ordered it, but it's completely different to buy it from the bakery and to realize it's just been sitting in room temperature for a while. Not quite as appetizing, somehow.

*Banks*

I didn't know there were really banks that you pay to keep your money. Don't they realize that you're doing them the service by letting them invest your money? Unless you have a child account here, you have to pay to store your money there, you have to pay to have a credit card, you have to pay . . .

Okay, enough. I have a child account.

Plus, the people who work at the counters in banks received a special kind of education just to work there.

I like how Germany really trains people to do their jobs, no matter what it is, but sometimes that makes it hard to be versatile. If you study American Studies, you can . . . American study-ate? So far, no one seems to know.

*BYOK and L (Kitchens and Lights)*

Apartments don't come as finished as they do in the U.S. If you move into your own apartment, you have to buy your own "kitchen," a.k.a. a long assemblage of cupboards, oven, and sink that you have to install. Fortunately, these can be secured at Ikea.

People even take the lights with them, leaving cords hanging out of the ceiling for you to connect whatever light fixture you'd like to have there.

Although I can see it's practical for fitting the apartment to your tastes, it seems kind of crazy to me to lug a kitchen around. And isn't part of the fun of moving having new fixtures, whether it be the lights or the kitchen cupboards?

*Blue Overalls and Jumpsuits*

German builders/construction workers wear blue overalls and jumpsuits that a grandpa or two might be caught wearing in the U.S. Even normal guys sometimes pull out blue overalls when they're working on a project. No joke.

*Leaving Food Out*

Leaving food out is not as big of a concern over here. Sure, people have Tupperware, but some pasta and sauce sitting cold on the stove for a few days won't hurt anyone, and most don't make much extra anyway. (This habit drove me crazy at first--I felt like I either had to cover it up and refrigerate it for them, or eat it myself.)

*Lacy Curtains*

Germans have what I would call "old lady curtains," or lacy, frilly, white affairs that I thought young people had put up out of kindness to their generous grandmothers.

*Bryan Adams*

Every time a German friend of mine told me that he or she liked Bryan Adams, I thought they were talking about the comedian. Then I realized the comedian I was thinking of was Brian Regan.

When I finally recognized that they meant the singer of "Everything I Do," I was a bit thrown back. They liked the cheesy, elevator muzak-like stuff? But if you ever attend a German dance, where they dance to soft hits of the 80s and 90s and sing along with every word, you'll discover that you could easily enlighten them with a band name or two.

*Floors*

So you don't get confused when you come visit, remember that there is the groundlevel (E=Erdgeschoss) and then the first floor (what Americans would call the second floor).

However, if you don't want to push the wrong button, join me on the stairs (except when I injure my meniscus).

*Thank You*

I guess like in any language, there are a lot of ways to thank people. I just happen to think that one of them in German is really weird.

There's the basic thank you: "Danke schön," the "I thank you" ("Ich danke dir"), and the one that can only be semi-translated as "I thank myself" ("Ich bedanke mich"), even though it means that you're thanking others. I don't get it.

*Water Boilers*

Every real German household has one of these:


That's a water boiler. Maybe Americans do too. I wouldn't know because they are mainly used for making tea and Mormons don't usually make tea (unless it's herbal). I find it very useful. Instead of having to wait forever for water to boil, this thing does the job within 1-3 minutes, depending on the boiler.

*Fingernails*

Many men in Germany let their fingernails grow longer than men in America do. I think it's considered too feminine in America. In any case, I don't like it. Yuck.

*Graffiti*

Germany is covered in graffiti, which may seem shockingly disrespectful to newly-arrived Americans who are still marveling at buildings that have been around longer than the Declaration of Independence.







I still don't understand why no one tries to get rid of it or at least cover it up (this, along with litter, especially seems to be a problem in East Germany--which is obviously not an official place anymore), but graffiti has slowly faded into the background so I hardly notice it anymore.

*Spicy Food*

Even when Germans here claim to like spicy food, I (and others, such as my Kiwi coworker) just have to laugh at their tolerance level. The sauce I made for Mike's birthday party was "pretty spicy" according to the guests. Today, our boss ordered Indian food for the four of us. The two Germans ordered spinach rice and something red with duck meat. I and the Kiwi guy ordered mango chicken and were enormously enjoying it as the Germans started to fan their faces, schluck their drinks, and use bread to neutralize their supposedly spicy food. The thing is, we tried their food, and it wasn't spicy. At all. Maybe salty, but not spicy.

I'm sure some cultures would laugh at my comparatively low tolerance level for hot foods, but today I got to be in that spot.

*Kids' Backpacks*

Kids' backpacks in Germany are chunky, boxy affairs. After seeing an ergonomic bag-carrying display at the Hygiene Museum in Dresden, I can understand why. They keep the weight at the top of the shoulders. This is what they look like (with variations of colors and patterns for the enjoyment of the child).

(Thanks to my friend Denise for posing.)

*German City Gardens*

Germans love their flowers, but in the cities, they don't have the luxury of a backyard. So what do they do?

First of all, I can't even begin to describe the ascribed worth of a balcony attached to apartments. If an apartment is a piece of phooey and someone mentions that it has a balcony, no matter how minuscule, the apartment seems to have become a find in seconds, and covered in flowers, vegetables, bushes, and climbers of every kind within days.

Secondly, many people rent or buy a plot of land in an area dedicated specifically to gardens. They are fenced off and usually quite small, but they bloom beautifully and some people even have a tiny hut on the plot where they can spend summer evenings enjoying the fruits of their efforts.

*I've Been Interviewed*

Swisstory is an expatriate blog I read (since I love Switzerland so much), and as an extension of an interview she did, she has sent me interview questions:

- Where do you think you would be right now if not in Germany?
This is a good (which usually means "unanswerable") question. I tend to get antsy when I stay in one place for too long, so I travel to random places. As for where I would be living, I've always wanted to live in Switzerland. Germany is just my roundabout way of (hopefully) getting there after learning the language. However, it's also nice to be close enough to family to actually receive visits. I have yet to have someone come see me, so it might be nice to be in one of my favorite cities in the U.S. So, in short, either traveling (China, Thailand, India, Egypt, Hungary, and Poland are currently at the top of the list), or in Switzerland, or in Boston, San Francisco, or the like.

- What do you like the most & the least about living in Germany?
Wow. The most? Hmm, easy transportation, diverse people, beautiful architecture, lovely country, long history . . . I guess I would have to say the language. I always wanted to learn German, since I discovered that my Swiss ancestors spoke German. I think my (non-Swiss) grandma scared me a bit out of going directly to Switzerland when she said that I didn't want to learn Swiss-German, I wanted to learn High German. Now I love the sound of Swiss-German and can't wait to use my High German skills to help me learn Swiss-German.

The least? The obvious answer would be that my family is so far away. The not-so-obvious answer is the constant things I hear about Americans and the U.S. government, as if everyone else is the expert on me and everyone in the U.S., though they may not have been there or may not understand why things are the way they are. I don't think I fit most of the things people say about Americans (even directly to me), and yet I consider myself deeply American, and pretty typical too. Once I was on a date and the guy kept telling me how Americans did things that bothered him and that they were the worst workers. When I would do little things, he would say, "Oh yeah, all Americans do that." Then he would add comments about how "I bet you do this" or "You probably do that." It's really annoying to be classified before you do anything worth classifying.

- What is your favorite German food? What could you not bear to live without?
All German food is my favorite German food. Seriously. The first time I flew back to visit my family, my mom said, "Yeah, you like the German food" upon first seeing me. Thanks, Mom. ;) I love the Klöße and the Rouladen with Rotkohl especially for Sunday dinners, and chocolate for everything else. Unfortunately, I decided to give up the chocolate for a long while. It's just so much easier to say "no" than to say "a little." I also love anything that comes from the bakeries, yogurt, cheese, Wurst, everything . . . Of course, this might be adversely affected by the fact that I'm a student who will take anything given to me.

- Why do you blog and which blog/s inspire you most?
I love to blog; I love that I have somewhere to put all my random thoughts. Although I love getting comments, if I were to never, ever get comments, I would continue blogging because of that space I have that is so very me. Naturally, I love blogs that keep me in touch with friends and/or family, but I also love a variety of other blogs of non-acquaintances. I like ones that are personal and thoughtful, intellectual, and/or funny, even if they don't really relate to me, such as with the mommy blogs I read. Oh, and I also like the beauty I find in design blogs. Some of my favorites are Bankhead Adventures (my sister's family), Lawsons Did Dallas! (for funny anecdotes), American Dresdner (expatriate blog), Colour Lovers (design), Scribbit (mommy blog), Feminist Mormon Housewives (religious discussion), "The World is a Book" (friend's blog), Design Mom, Amo, (another friend's blog), What About Mom (another mommy blog), The Jolly Porter (the famous NieNie's brother), No Caption Needed (discussions of photo journalism), Segullah (more religious discussion), You Go Nate! (another expatriate), ach I'd better stop here . . . and many, many more.

- And stealing from Ms. Mac, if you had to choose a flavor of ice cream that most fits your personality, what kind do you think you would you be? Feel free to make one up if necessary.
What a tough question. It would be so much different if you were to ask what my favorite flavors were (lemon and starlight mint), though you might think people would like to be their favorite ice cream. I like to think of myself as eclectic in my identity--it is made of spirituality, books, music, sports, traveling, art, family, friends, etc. So I guess that would mean my ice cream would be made up of a lot of things that don't typically go together. Maybe lemon and starlight mint ice cream actually would work, but it doesn't sound very appetizing. However, I'd also like to think that this variety would be enjoyable, so let's think about the individual flavors to make it sound better: the crispness of the mint combined with the coldness of the ice cream, the tang of the lemon, and the joy of those bits of chocolate . . . we may as well add some raspberries for texture and color. Make sure you eat it on a realllly warm, sunny day in a beautiful place with people you love. Or alone with a good book. Then you have the ice cream combination that fits me. :)

If you would also like to be interviewed, here are the rules:

1. Leave me a comment saying, “Interview me.” (done!)
2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. I get to pick the questions. (here they are!)
3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions. Be sure you link back to the original post. (http://www.swisstoryblog.com/2009/02/mrs-mac-interviews-me.html)
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.

*The Michelle*

I like how the German language allows for people to have definite articles. In English, you wouldn't say, "the Michelle" in answer to the question, "Who writes this blog?"

But in German, you would. And because nouns have genders, it would be a cute little feminine "die," pronounced "dee," that goes along with my name.

"Wer schreibt diesen Blog?"

"Die Michelle."

Cute.

*Blue Pipes*

When I was brand new in Leipzig, I saw these blue pipes throughout the city. Since there were several new buildings going up, and the city even has its German version of Boston's Big Dig, I thought they were part of the construction. However, they're permanent fixtures!

I guess it makes more sense for repairs and building and such to have pipes above ground, but to me, it's an eyesore. Could they at least refrain from painting them bright blue? I've also seen a lot of blue bridges. How very un-Frank-Lloyd-Wright-ian.

*Cheesy Things*

Another thing I can't figure out: how can a people well-known for their cleanliness, and their love of nature, simplicity, and logic be such lovers of all things cheesy?

It started with an engineer friend of mine who likes all those motivational emails and cartoon images. Then I noticed the plethora of songs and pictures with cartoon animals and such.


One day I saw a very nice, modernish kitchen with a huge, framed movie poster of Pride and Prejudice (with Keira Knightley) on the wall. It's not Branson stage stars (Grandpa, hint, hint), but it's not what I would ever allow to be posted in a kitchen that is otherwise quite normal.


Let's start with their use of napkins for decorations.
That's right. Paper napkins. Useful, but not classy.

Then the fake flowers that remind me of old grannies.

And the stickers of animals sledding posted on the sides of the tram during Christmastime.

But this cheesiness sure does make you feel good when they send you birthday wishes. Instead of the normal "Happy birthday. Sincerely, ______," it's "I want to send you the best of birthday wishes. I hope this day is very special and that the next year will bring you much joy and success." Yada yada.

*McDonald's*

There is a German obsession with McDonald's, no matter how American they think it is. I personally haven't been to McDonald's for years and it doesn't even whet my appetite to think about it.

I have friends whose families went to McDonald's for family night, and those who will pick that as their first stop after a long train ride. But the most prevalent pattern I've seen is people giving directions in relation to McDonald's. "It's across from McDonald's," they'll say, or "you know you're almost there when you see McDonald's."

After picking up 9 strangers to give them rides during the holidays, I must say I now understand this, as I made that the meeting place in every city because there was guaranteed to be a McDonald's at the train station, and it's not like it's hard to find with that big, yellow M. This doesn't mean I'm going to start endorsing McDonald's or even start picking up a Big Mac here and there. It just means I recognize its usefulness as a meeting place since it's everywhere.

*Weird Hair Colors and Butch Cuts*

I decided to take this draft out of retirement today (I checked, and it was started on the third of January, 2008) because JEM at American Dresdner wrote about it here. I would have posted it earlier as it seems like such a dominant quirk, but I was too wussy to take pictures. Lucky for me, JEM has no fear.

It is true, I see so many weird hair colors and cuts here. I think the ladies' butch cuts shocked me a lot more last year than they do now, but the color still gets to me--it's like the chunks of crimson that were in during 2002. The only thing I can add to JEM's post is that the colors people choose might seem semi-normal for punky teenagers, but to see them repeatedly being used on women over 30 who consider it respectable . . . I just don't get it. If my mom were to dye her hair purply I would not be able to keep from laughing, and she would not be able to keep from hiding from the world. But if she were to do the same in Germany, it would be normal. Weird.

*Cooking Ingredients*

There's something different about the cooking ingredients here, I am telling you. I'm pretty sure it's the flour. This is what my bread dough looks like, every time, no matter how much flour I add. It is so sticky that I have to scrape it off of whatever it touches, including my hands, and it has ruined many an innocent sponge trying to clean up the damage.

You should see me trying to form it into flat portions to make scones--it's a joke. And cookies? Forget it!

Whatever I make always still tastes and looks alright, though. That's a relief.

Oh, and just a side note: I find it funny that yeast and baking powder come in little packages, and the recipes actually call for the packages instead of a measurement. Helpful when you have a box of baking powder someone gave you. A package, huh?