Stereotypes of Germans

Stereotypes of Germans include real or imagined characteristics of the German people created by people who see the German people as a single and homogeneous group.

Anti-racist German image of the modern period
Germans today
German policemen filming demonstrators

History

After the German reunification in 1990, the fear of nationalistic misuse of Pan-Germanism nevertheless remained strong. The overwhelming majority of Germans today are not chauvinistic in nationalism, but in 2006 and again in 2010, the German National Football Team won third place in the 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cups, igniting a positive sense of German pride, enhanced by success in sport. For decades after the Second World War, any national symbol or expression was a taboo.[1] However, the Germans are becoming increasingly patriotic.[1][2][3]

There exist stereotypes of Western Germans Wessis, especially Besserwessis (people who always know better), and Eastern Germans Ossis.[4]

No small talk

Some people think that the Germans are all straightforward and undiplomatic. The inability of the Germans to engage in small talk and their unromantic nature are discussed by foreigners. As far as a German is concerned, "A yes is a yes and a no is a no."[5]

No sense of humour

Germans are perceived to be stiff and humourless.[6] They are presented this way in Funnybot South Park episode. There exist however Swabian-Alemannic Fastnacht and Carnival in Germany, Switzerland and Austria traditions in parts of Germany. [7]

Extremely punctual people

In Germany, everything happens exactly as per schedule and Germans do not tolerate being late for any occasion and are proud of their punctuality.[8] The only exception is the German railroad system which occasionally runs late.[9] The punctuality and discipline of the German people is also ridiculed by newspapers like the Guardian.[6]

Love of order

The German attachment to order, organisation and planning is a personality trait embedded in their identity. Germany has an abundance of rules and the people of that country appear to enjoy obeying them.[10] Over-regulation sometimes leads to inflexibility but the Germans would not have it any other way.[5]

Three Men on the Bummel

Jerome K. Jerome's novel Three Men on the Bummel makes fun of the German craving for rules and their passion in obeying them. The regimented life of German people is discussed in detail in this novel.[11]

German women

There are assumptions that German women are cold and unromantic. Some people even assume that the German girl is not able to cook anything, being a restaurant addict.[12]

There is a stereotype that German people are ugly. [13]

Wrong stereotypes

Some of the popular assumptions about Germans can be quite imaginative. The outward seriousness of the German people can lead to assumptions that they are cold and unromantic people. The kindness of the average German may not observed by the casual tourist who only notices their reluctance to deal with perfect strangers.[14]

The kitsch

Main article: Kitsch

The idea of kitsch comes from Germany, the word is German and the problem was studied long time in Germany. A stereotypical example is a Garden gnome.[15]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Proud German?". The Economist. 22 March 2001. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
  2. ↑ Hall, Allan (19 May 2009). "Just Don't Mention Hitler: Young Germans learn to fall in love with their country again". London: Daily Mail. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
  3. ↑ "Are Germans now proud to be Germans?". generationaldynamics.com. 23 June 2006. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
  4. ↑ Typically Ossi -- Typically Wessi, DW
  5. 1 2 Schäferhoff, Nick (9 November 2014). "9 German Stereotypes That Are Straight Up True". Fluentu.com. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
  6. 1 2 Erlinger, Rainer (27 January 2012). "German stereotypes: Don't mention the towels". The Guardian. Süddeutsche Zeitung. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
  7. ↑ Fasching in Germany
  8. ↑ Zudeick, Peter (9 December 2012). "Germans and punctuality". dw.com. Retrieved 16 September 2016.
  9. ↑ Michelle (20 December 2012). "German Stereotypes…truths! lies! and more!". Confessedtravelholic.com. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
  10. ↑ Zudeick, Peter (19 November 2012). "Order makes Germans' world go round". dw.com. Retrieved 16 September 2016.
  11. ↑ Simon T (5 December 2012). "Three Men on the Bummel – Jerome K. Jerome". Stuckinabook.com. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
  12. ↑ Boom, Richard (14 September 2015). "What are some stereotypes about German women?". Quora. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
  13. ↑ We can't even beat the Germans at being ugly
  14. ↑ Olga (27 March 2015). "8 False German Stereotypes". The Russian Abroad. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
  15. ↑ Stereotype. Was ist typisch deutsch?
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