Read about 7 common German stereotypes and how they really shouldn’t be believed.
If you have ever watched a German movie with a lacklustre voice over or poor subtitling, you may be forgiven for getting an impression of Germany that isn’t exactly accurate. Let’s not also forget the many series and movies have stereotyped German people to the point where we wonder what’s actually true and what isn’t.
If you have ever wondered which cliches about Germany are true we can, at least, clear up a few of them with 7 German stereotypes and why you shouldn’t believe them:
1. Lederhosen – Everyone Wears Them
They really don’t. Lederhosen are a traditional type of dress that is Bavarian, and it is generally related to Oktoberfest, a wonderful Bavarian festival that also takes place across Germany. Leather breeches and traditional Bavarian dress originate from Italy, Austria and Bavaria and they aren’t traditional German clothes or even modern clothes for anybody anywhere actually.
2. Timeliness, Rigid Timeliness
Germany has been stereotyped as somewhere with exceptional timekeeping. Everything happens when it is supposed to, and if you should even consider being late, you’re considered incredibly rude.
Although Germany has excellent transport services and polite people who make every effort to reach meetings on time, there are still delays. The trains are still late like they are in England. People are still late and forgiven for it.
3. Glass Boots Are A Common Drinking Apparatus
The glass boot drinking accessory is common in German bars in America, and even across the world as tourist bars try to provide a quirky nod to European traditions. A glass boot is as good as any to hold a drink, but realistically, it’s nothing but a myth that took hold in bars wanting to create an interesting niche in how they present their drinks.
4. Germans Are Naked As Much As Possible
There is something in Germany called Freikorperkultur, which is a German nudist movement that seeks to free the body and embrace a more natural form. However, does that mean all Germans will drop their clothes at any opportunity? No. European attitudes to being more free with the body – yes. Frequent nudism anywhere and anytime? No.
5. Germany Is A Sausage Fest
Yes Germany makes fantastic sausages or ‘wurst’, but is that all Germans eat? Definitely not. Around 10% of Germany is actually vegetarian now, and German cuisine is broad and varied, reaching far beyond bread, mustard, sausage and sauerkraut (although we thank them for such a delicious combination).
6. German Language Is Abrupt
German language can be portrayed as quite shouty and abrupt, when in fact, it’s just as beautiful as any other complex language. Germans can be portrayed in a certain way that just isn’t representative of German people. With high-quality voiceovers and subtitling on German movies you can get a better idea of how intricate the language really is. Films and media with shouty German stereotypes are just that, stereotypes.
7. Germans Are Not Funny
Germans are actually very funny and there is a lot of humour in Germany. The chances are that stereotypes have robbed you of the chance to enjoy it.
The 7 stereotypes above are just some misconceptions about Germany and German culture that can restrict us from actively enjoying the true aspects of the country on offer. Next time you make an assumption about Germany, remember not everything is as it seems and it’s probably best to just take it with a pinch of salt.