Frage fur Deutscher auf English...?

Question

My grandparents were German, but I was born in America, which means I'm an ordinary American.

What's Germany like? How would you explain life in Germany to someone like me? What's good about it? What parts need improvement?

I'm hoping German citizens will answer, as they have a native's viewpoint.

Thanks!

I'm so glad to have such interesting answers from kind people...thank you all!

Answer 1

I came to the US in 1963, however, I still have my German citizenship. I visited my homeland 5 x in the past 43 years. Each time I noticed a bigger difference. It is very expensive to live there, and how the retired folks can live off their pensions is a big question mark to me. It is very crowded with foreigners from arabic countries. The unemployment is steadily rising - people are sharp and ciritical in their opinions and do not hesitate to voice it, even as a sales person to me, the customer.

I was visiting there for one month last December 2006 and could hardly wait to get back home to the US. I found it "umstaendlich" and good polite customer service is rare.

Remember, I am still a German citizen, who is proud of this heritage, but I am rather disenchanted with the way of life in Germany and the behavior of its citizens.

In 2007 I will finally become an American citizen as I will never live over there again.

Answer 2

Hello from Germany.
We have toilets and running water...
To be serious, a Canadian friend came to visit us last year and it was the first time she was in Germany. She said she was surprised how neat and clean everything was, though the cities were very narrow in her eyes and everything was very close together (she is from the countryside).
I was born in Berlin and have lived there until 2005 when I moved to the Rhineland, and there are many differences between the different places in Germany.
Please e-mail me for all your questions!
Regards
C.

Answer 3

I was born and raised in Germany . I always liked it , you have good and bad everywhere ...
I like the forest , it's very green in Germany . I like the diffrent kind of foods , Bakerys , and great foods from diffrent cultures (e.g. turkish , creek) .
I think crime is not as bad in germany , than in the states , unless you go to big cities . But in small places , kids still can play outsite , ride their bikes ,etc.
The weather unfortunatly is not so pleasant in germany , somtimes very rainy and cold ...
In all i like Germany ...

Answer 4

Hallo, I'm now canadian and immigrate 8 years ago to canada, I live in Hamilton/ Ontario.

German like first very good food, Beer and Wine. I moved to canada, because the situation in Germany is not more so very pleasent. A lots
of people are unemployed. Young People do'nt find a Job, after they leave school.the EURO is very expansive, because, the changed the
German Mark sign to EURO (1 Euro = 2 geman Mark) but the wager did'nt change in the same percentage.
My Son came last year also to Canada and he is now very happy here.

From where are your Grandparents comming?

I came from the rhinland, near cologne and liked the Karneval (Mardi Grass) It' s very funny. I liked to go to a pub, only for drinking beer and talk, without eating.