(I am backdating this slightly as not had access to Internet)
So, I'm living the dream in Deutschland :) moved out a couple of weeks ago and finally feel like I'm settling in! I was worried initially as the German stereotype is one of lots of rules and procedures, and not a lot of fun. Oh and I was warned that they don't do sarcasm....don't know why that was specifically pointed out....it's almost like it was being suggested that I am a sarcastic person. Pah. Anyway, turns out this stereotype is nonsense. They are as crackers as the rest of us.
What I have noticed though is that they like to shake hands. A lot. Like, all the time. Seriously. It's hilarious/tiring. They shake EVERYONE'S hand when they arrive in the morning. You now how in Britain one hand shake will last you a decade? Well here it is approximately 4 hours. I'm starting to suspect that the food in the canteen wipes their memories at lunch as well as smashing their daily salt intake (I'm having to exercise every day purely to keep my salt levels in check and sweat out the amount I take in during the day).
The number of greetings is also high....borderline excessive. In the morning you say 'Morgen' to everyone (and yes I mean everyone), then near lunch time it changes to 'Mahlzeit' (literally 'meal time') then it's 'hallo' during the afternoon....then 'tschuss' (sometimes I say juice cause I'm mental like that) or ciao which I'm about nine million percent certain is not of German origin. The overall feeling therefore is one of warmth and friendship in the work place. Joking aside they really are all lovely people and I'm looking forward to getting to know them better :)
The more imminent task it to try and work out how to fit some work in around this busy social schedule......
Tschuss!
So, I'm living the dream in Deutschland :) moved out a couple of weeks ago and finally feel like I'm settling in! I was worried initially as the German stereotype is one of lots of rules and procedures, and not a lot of fun. Oh and I was warned that they don't do sarcasm....don't know why that was specifically pointed out....it's almost like it was being suggested that I am a sarcastic person. Pah. Anyway, turns out this stereotype is nonsense. They are as crackers as the rest of us.
What I have noticed though is that they like to shake hands. A lot. Like, all the time. Seriously. It's hilarious/tiring. They shake EVERYONE'S hand when they arrive in the morning. You now how in Britain one hand shake will last you a decade? Well here it is approximately 4 hours. I'm starting to suspect that the food in the canteen wipes their memories at lunch as well as smashing their daily salt intake (I'm having to exercise every day purely to keep my salt levels in check and sweat out the amount I take in during the day).
The number of greetings is also high....borderline excessive. In the morning you say 'Morgen' to everyone (and yes I mean everyone), then near lunch time it changes to 'Mahlzeit' (literally 'meal time') then it's 'hallo' during the afternoon....then 'tschuss' (sometimes I say juice cause I'm mental like that) or ciao which I'm about nine million percent certain is not of German origin. The overall feeling therefore is one of warmth and friendship in the work place. Joking aside they really are all lovely people and I'm looking forward to getting to know them better :)
The more imminent task it to try and work out how to fit some work in around this busy social schedule......
Tschuss!
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