What is you impression of Germany?

Question

Hi,
I need some help with my school report and I hope some of you can help me by answering one or two of my questions.
My task (English class) is to write a report about how other countries see Germany/Germans. I'd like to know a few things like

1) Do you have a chlichéd picture of Germany? (like fat people wearing leather pants, eating sauerkraut and drinking beer all day xD)

2) Have you ever been to Germany and if yes, were you suprised positively or negatively?

3) Do you know any famous German people, movies or music?

4) What does the german language sound like to you (rough, manly..?)

btw: sorry for my English (i'm german)
Thank you very much for you answers in advance =)

Answer 1

1) Do you have a chlichéd picture of Germany? (like fat people wearing leather pants, eating sauerkraut and drinking beer all day xD)
- no, i think your generalizing, all places have fat people wearing leather pants eating sauerkraut and drinking beer all day; i see germany in most of your products like a hi tech gadget during the 60's or the 70's

2) Have you ever been to Germany and if yes, were you suprised positively or negatively?
- no, but i bet like all places, it's good to visit.

3) Do you know any famous German people, movies or music?
- yes, adolf hitler

4) What does the german language sound like to you (rough, manly..?)
- like other foreign languages - i cannot understand them. rough? have you heard 2 chinese people talking loudly in the middle of the market in china, you'd suspect that they're fighting or arguing about politics. you'll be surprised that they're just appreciating what a lovely day it is!

Answer 2

1) No, I don't have a stereotypical picture of Germany. German people are individuals like everyone else.

2) Yes, some years ago. That is, I visited West Germany before the reunification. The standard of living was better than in the UK (where I live) and by that I mean in areas like public transport where there was better integration and more investment. I also glimpsed life in the East and there it was a different story: much more austere, although they still had a decent transport system. On the whole I think the 'Wende' was a good thing, though I'm aware many people in the East think they've been sold short because they now have unemployment and other problems which they didn't have under socialism.

The Germans also seem much further down the road when it comes to economic reforms designed to help the environment, like the recent regulations covering building/conversion of houses to make them carbon neutral.

3. I don't know any famous German people but have read plenty of authors and watched German films, listened to modern & classical German music, etc.

4. The sound of German for me depends very much on who is speaking. It can be the language of aggressive, 'macho' men or it can be spoken in a gentler, more listener-friendly way, but then that is true of any language, including English.

It helps if you know the language because the sound creates a very different impression if you understand what is being said.

Btw your English is pretty good (probably better than my German).

I hope my answers are some help.

Tschüß!

Answer 3

Before I went to Germany, my only exposure was through movies (Like "European Vacation"). So, yes, I did have a cliche'd view of Germany, pretty much like it was shown on that movie. All the women blond, blue-eyed. All the men chubby & drunk wearing shorts with suspenders and a feather in their hat band.

Then I went to Germany (Spring of 2000). I found the people to be very nice, the country to be absolutely beautiful. I spent some time in the south, around Bodensee. Very beautiful country. I was very pleasantly surprised.

No, I don't know any famous German people, movie, or music.

The German language sounds crisp, and precise to me, like a well crafted clock. About three years ago, I worked my way through the first level of the Radio Deutsche Welle audio course "Deutsch, Warum Nicht" and that didn't change my opinion of the language. It still sounds crisp and precise to me, I just understand some of it now.

Except for one misspelled word, I think your English is very good, much better than I normally see on this forum, even from many native English speakers. You must be a good student. Good luck on your report.

Answer 4

1) I don't think that way, but that image is in my head now! XD
I have an image of the Bauhaus Wassily chair. I think German designs are neat but large, heavy and uncomfortable. As if it's a country that's built to be seen, but not built for living in. I drive a BMW - I think German mechanics are superior but electronics are terrible.
In the comics Fullmetal Alchemist, the fictional city feels a lot like Germany in the 1920s.

2) Yes, but too young to remember much. Only remember people are tall! (well, I was only 2') My uncle was 6'8" and he looked "normal" there. I guess that's positive.

3) Nena, Bach, Beethoven, Mies van der Rohe, Walter Gropius and Franka-something (Run Lola Run)

4) Rigid, determined.

You English is good. :-)
I'm a Chinese-Canadian from Hong Kong, by the way.

Answer 5

I was just in Germany over February vacation, and I really enjoyed myself. I was extremely surprised by how nice the people were, how down-to-earth and open they are about everything etc. I would definately go back. I had at first believed that the German language was rough and hard, but it is much softer when heard spoken by a native. Now, Polish, that is a gruff language.

Answer 6

i was born in Germany! (Frankfurt) However, i didn't live there for long... i live in New York now, and forgot all my German. :_(

here's what i think, completely honest. sorry it might be mean, i really love germany, but i still think these things anyway.

1) Nazis, Music (Bach, Brahms, etc.)
2) I lived in Germany, and i was "surprised" (not really surprised, but...) positively. I love the country!
3) Bach
Beethoven
Brahms
Hayden
etc.
(sorry... i'm crazy about classical music, i'm a violin major at Juilliard.)
4) german sounds really "educated", but not really elegant (sry.) i want to learn german SOOO MUCH! it also sounds really articulated.

Answer 7

1) People there are handsome and pretty.
They are fit and tall, with gentlement
moves.

2)Sorry, no.

3)Don't know.

4)Gentle and...hehe....very romantic

Answer 8

1-No.
2-No
3-No...except for Hitler
4-gruff
Your English was just fine. Much better than many Americans I know.