Hallo zusammen!
So as I have mentioned before in a previous Blog post, I come from America (the USA to be exact). Now we Americans are known for our annoying characteristics, mainly our volume and brashness. We tend to speak freely, and most of the time quite loudly. Now in America, no one thinks twice about it because we’re al loud haha, but when you travel, especially to a place such as Deutschland, you have to realise how truly terrible your actions are. Now if I wanted to write a list of all of the stereotypical American attributes, I would be writing all night. And plus, we’re not in America, wir sind in Berlin, Deutschland! So with that being said, maybe lets focus on some Berliner attributes. Now of course this is not all Berliners, but just the general sort. And disclaimer! None of these are insults or bad, simply just objective observations made by an outsider trying to become a Berliner. So, with that being said, lets begin shall we?
So first and foremost, and probably the most important: Berliners put their ketchup ON TOP of their Pommes. Now that may not seem like such a big deal to you, but wow! It is very irritating to me when I buy a side of Pommes and by the time I finish, there are those two or three soggy ketchup soaked fries from the bottom. Now of course, I sound like a large complainer, and I probably am, but what can I say? I’m a ketchup on the side kinda gal.
Most people I have come across in Berlin tend not to say excuse me. They normally just try to squeeze in what little space there is without trying to bother you haha.
Next, I have noticed how healthy (or at least healthy looking) and active Berliners are. Often times in America, the people you see are lazy and a bit overweight. And of course, weight doesn’t necessarily correlate to health, but in America the obesity rate is very high and the overall average health level of people is very low. I notice here, in Berlin, many people are always riding their bicycles, taking the stairs, and just walking a whole lot more in general. People here, tend to be a bit more environmentally friendly, such as carrying their own Einkaufstasche with them instead of buying paper bags, or actually recycling items. This can also play into why people ride bikes so often. It’s a good way to help the environment, stay healthy, and save money.
A funny little thing I noticed, is that most Berliners stay waiting for the little green Ampelmann! Even if the Straße is completely clear, they will not walk until the light is green.
Perhaps the funniest thing I have seen people in Berlin do within this last month, is translate traditional German anecdotes and sayings into English. Now I’m sure, regular Berliners don’t actually use these English sayings (why would you if they sound better in German?) but I still think it is very entertaining to see what some people think we native English speakers say. I included some pictures of these amusing English sayings I found on cards in a little shop.
I see why they thought „Heartly Luckwish“ was a real saying (Herzlichen Glückwunsch) aber what about „Now We Have the Salad“? Where did that come from? lol
To those of you not from Berlin/Deutschland originally, what else do you notice about the awesome people here? If you have any observations, comment down below! Would love to see what you have noticed :) Until then, bis bald!
-Milan☮
