Does Germany really suck ?

As a born German I must admit that my views might be of limited interest to those who are in doubt.

Living since more than 10 years abroad - I do though have an ok "outside" look at the whole subject.

There is for sure no problem to show anyone around in Germany for 3/4 weeks - and make anyone hate Germany for good reasons - and it is absolute possible to make the different trip, ending with a very different result.

Germany has a population of ca. 80 million people - and 80 million means also in normal statistical reading a lot of people who do not really come across as very warm, friendly, open or welcoming.

And it is true that Germany, and so the people living there has a heritage to deal with, beside of the fact that it is commonly known that the overall attitude is not comparable with the one you will find in the south of Europe. Germans have never been known for being extremely outgoing - except you meet them in the terror-spots where alcohol makes brothers and sister.

Germany is a land of plenty - when one is able to enjoy the language - because the average knowledge of English isn't as developed as in many other countries.

Germany has a lot of culture, some very beautiful landscape, interesting cities - and a very developed infrastructure in many areas.

There are living quite a lot of very bright people in many parts - and there is a large number of people who feel left behind, and they tend to react accordingly.

There is no point in trying to paint a picture of a land of chances for everyone - but it is not worse than many other countries around.
Friends of mine have been working in the Netherlands - and had really trouble to get into something more than the usual beer after work on Fridays.

Point is also - it has never been cool to be a German during the recent 60 years - let's not forget that having a German passport comes with a package, even today...

There are for sure countries easier to live and work than Germany - and there are countries for sure worse than Germany when not being born there.

Main point is to really stop to just repeat the same old bullshit again and again - all of us moving to a different country know that it is us who have to see how to fit in - depending of how much we really want to fit in.

I have friends from all parts of the world - the idea that I should dislike any of them because of their passport is somewhat idiotic - same as it is stupid to declare every American a blood sucking Moslembasher - this thinking in categories doesn't lead anywhere.
All one can - and to my mind should do is to threat people according to your own expectations - and than suddenly get something different than just a passport-holder.

Looking atthe room for improvement all overthe place, as in Germany - it is hard to understand that we find so hard to go that way......

GK 23 feb 2009, 10:47 - Rapporteer misbruik