A bit of Social Commentary...

Note to the reader: sweeping generalizations to follow...

American television and movies permeate all of Europe. Perhaps this is our greatest export because of its omnipresence and ability to be shared instantly. Although in Germany both US tv and film are dubbed. Not subtitled (like in most countries), but dubbed. I believe this is an attempt to preserve their language.

You see, Germans are a very proud people - of their language, of their work^, of their organization and efficiency^^, and of their people. However, this pride is restrained. It will come out in conversation with someone, but you'll never find a person saying the words: "I am proud to be a German".* Perhaps, this reserve is a result of not wanting pride to be perceived as nationalism. You can see how that might be frowned upon.

Americans, on the other hand, are perceived as optimists; sometimes to the point of unrealistic optimism**. I think this is reflective of the American dream: with enough hard work and persistence we (Americans) can achieve our dreams. The German mentality, though, is that with enough hard work and persistence you can have a decent life. There is a difference.

American social mentality can find its roots in the vast open space of the frontier. You find a place you like, you claim it, and if you can see the smoke coming out of your neighbor's chimney then you are too close. But eventually, that frontier gets lonely and you seek companionship from neighbors. Europe, on the other hand, has had to deal with the opposite problem: overcrowding. From this, you develop a respect of a neighbor's privacy. Even to the point where there is little to no interaction between people. A friendly smile on the street is often met with a stone cold glance. And the collective camaraderie between citizens does not exist. It is rare to see someone open the door for another, and you really won't get help from a stranger unless you ask them directly or are unconscious and losing blood on the street.

But, hey, who needs friendly neighbors when the tap water is clean enough to drink? Of course, Europeans prefer carbonated mineral water to 'still'.


^The norm in America is to go to a 4 year college and try to figure out what you want to do. The college student is given 2 years until he must declare an emphasis to study. In Germany, though, students are more likely to go to 3 year vocational schools (2 years of study + 1 year of apprenticeship) after high school. This makes their education much more specified and focused. I have found, that Germans take more pride in their work and tend to happier with their job. Of course, this is not always the case but how many times have you heard of someone in the US taking a job just 'to pay the bills' instead of because it is what they really want to do. Also, I think there is a tendency in America to connect self-worth with one's profession (think of the all important cocktail question: 'So what do you do?'). That relationship doesn't really hold over here.

^^When checking out at a grocery store, a customer must QUICKLY bag his own groceries or his items WILL fall on the ground. Then he must pay quickly (with cash because no one uses checks or credit cards) or people behind him will become irritated (so, small talk is not appreciated). Even on the streets or at the train station during the weekend, people seem like they are in a hurry. I am still trying to figure out what they are in a rush to.

*Conversely, how many times have you seen an ad on TV in the States with a guy saying, "I am proud to be an American"?

**I have been told that the stereotypical American appears as a 'big, happy dog' - he sees what he wants and he chases it. However, Germans do love dogs.